The Body in the Woods: A Point Last Seen Mystery

The murderer uses a preformatted birding journal to chronicle his kills. Intended for actual birders, the journal advises that birders take careful notes and review them regularly to continue learning about bird habits and habitats.

Under the section “Species Name,” the killer has written the word “homeless” and slang terms for homeless people. Under “Individual Specimen,” he has added Tiffany Yee. A section titled “Study Specifications” details Tiffany’s history, her movements on the GPS tracker, and the drug he added to the Kahlua and cream he gave her. He describes her murder as euthanizing. “Study Findings” lists her clothing, height, weight, diet, “habitat”—a list of shelters—and “vocalization.” The species name is “teenager.”

The next “Individual Specimen” is Ruby McClure. The killer has been watching her movements through a GPS disguised as a thumb drive that he placed in her backpack. He outlines her appearance, especially her striking red her hair and plain clothes. He knows where she lives and what school she goes to, that she is almost always chewing gum, eats a healthy diet, doesn’t make eye contact, and becomes fixated on certain topics.