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Call Me God: The Untold Story of the DC Sniper Investigation
Wednesday, October 2, 2002.
Aspen Hill, Maryland. Northgate Plaza.
5:20 PM.
Inside Michael’s craft supply store, cashier Ann Chapman rings up another customer. Then it happens. A loud crack; a gust of wind; the light in register five goes dark.
Over the next 23 days, the entire DC area will be thrust into a reign of terror unprecedented in American history. Sniper attacks targeting and murdering everyday citizens will bring the entire region to its knees, as a nation still reeling from the recent attacks of 9/11 and the anthrax scare, are forced to confront a new type of brutal assault—this time in their own backyard. As law enforcement grapples with the mass carnage and chaos, media’s ravenous 24-hour cycle amplifies the very real fear, while steadily pumping new theories and bad leads onto a paralyzed public desperate for it all to end.
But who can stop it? And exactly how?
Call Me God is the never-before-told story of the fascinating and turbulent investigation that led to the diabolical and elusive killers' capture; one that pitted protocol against instinct, sacred institutions against individual insight. Told firsthand by those few who had the vision and expertise to solve it, and including a fascinating look into the behavioral, ballistic, forensic, and electronic analysis vital to cracking the case, FBI agent brothers Jim Clemente (former FBI behavioral profiler) and Tim Clemente (former FBI counter-terrorism expert) take us through every facet and flaw of a nationwide manhunt that pressure tested nearly every aspect of law enforcement capabilities—and its glaring vulnerabilities.
Anchored by harrowing accounts from victims, intimate conversations with family members of those deceased, as well as candid accounts from those who knew the perpetrators best, relive the haunting events of the DC Sniper attack and piece together a true crime phenomenon that's impact can still be felt today.
Aspen Hill, Maryland. Northgate Plaza.
5:20 PM.
Inside Michael’s craft supply store, cashier Ann Chapman rings up another customer. Then it happens. A loud crack; a gust of wind; the light in register five goes dark.
Over the next 23 days, the entire DC area will be thrust into a reign of terror unprecedented in American history. Sniper attacks targeting and murdering everyday citizens will bring the entire region to its knees, as a nation still reeling from the recent attacks of 9/11 and the anthrax scare, are forced to confront a new type of brutal assault—this time in their own backyard. As law enforcement grapples with the mass carnage and chaos, media’s ravenous 24-hour cycle amplifies the very real fear, while steadily pumping new theories and bad leads onto a paralyzed public desperate for it all to end.
But who can stop it? And exactly how?
Call Me God is the never-before-told story of the fascinating and turbulent investigation that led to the diabolical and elusive killers' capture; one that pitted protocol against instinct, sacred institutions against individual insight. Told firsthand by those few who had the vision and expertise to solve it, and including a fascinating look into the behavioral, ballistic, forensic, and electronic analysis vital to cracking the case, FBI agent brothers Jim Clemente (former FBI behavioral profiler) and Tim Clemente (former FBI counter-terrorism expert) take us through every facet and flaw of a nationwide manhunt that pressure tested nearly every aspect of law enforcement capabilities—and its glaring vulnerabilities.
Anchored by harrowing accounts from victims, intimate conversations with family members of those deceased, as well as candid accounts from those who knew the perpetrators best, relive the haunting events of the DC Sniper attack and piece together a true crime phenomenon that's impact can still be felt today.
8 pages, Audible Audio
First published October 24, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 301 reviews
June 9, 2020
This is hands down one of the best true crime audiobooks I’ve ever listened to! No kidding
It’s an Audible exclusive for those interested.
It’s an Audible exclusive for those interested.
January 23, 2020
This is a great audio program that's basically a long podcast. I remember the DC sniper shooting really well and almost can't believe it was so long ago. I think one day we need to grapple with what it means that so much of our FBI and federal crime money and energy went to rooting out every Muslim person with a tangential relationship to terrorism that didn't go into actually stopping crime. The law enforcement people did an excellent job tracking down this sniper, but I wonder about an alternative universe when we start looking first at men who have beat their spouses (which is such a great predictor of future violence) as opposed to Muslims who may or may not have been to the Middle East at some point in the last decade (which has much less to do with being prone to violence). Practically, every act of domestic terrorism starts with a dude killing and or hurting his girlfriend/wife/mother. Maybe if we took those acts of violence more seriously, we could stop more terrorists?
October 5, 2020
LISTEN TO THIS NOW!
October 2002. Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC.
Today, we’re talking about the DC Sniper. Thank you to Audible (Audible Ambassador) for this insane retelling.
October 2002. Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC.
Today, we’re talking about the DC Sniper. Thank you to Audible (Audible Ambassador) for this insane retelling.
August 5, 2022
Call Me God: The Untold Story of the DC Sniper Investigation goes into the complete investigation of the DC Sniper from the beginning of the first murders to the final verdict in the court case.
This audiobook felt more like a podcast but I still enjoyed listening to this compilation.
FBI investigators, investigative journalists, family members of the deceased, and people that knew John Allen Mohammad & Lee Boyd Malvo all give their accounts of this terrifying situation that occurred in the Washington Metropolitan Area and along I-95 in Virginia.
Ten people were killed and three others were wounded in a three week rampage of killings and terror. Innocent bystanders just changing a tire on the side of the road, locking up a restaurant or getting gas at a convenience store were all targeted and no one felt safe.
Definitely recommend this to true crime fans and anyone who would like to know more about this whole investigation!
This audiobook felt more like a podcast but I still enjoyed listening to this compilation.
FBI investigators, investigative journalists, family members of the deceased, and people that knew John Allen Mohammad & Lee Boyd Malvo all give their accounts of this terrifying situation that occurred in the Washington Metropolitan Area and along I-95 in Virginia.
Ten people were killed and three others were wounded in a three week rampage of killings and terror. Innocent bystanders just changing a tire on the side of the road, locking up a restaurant or getting gas at a convenience store were all targeted and no one felt safe.
Definitely recommend this to true crime fans and anyone who would like to know more about this whole investigation!
November 6, 2019
My thanks to Audible for sending me an advance copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and are not influenced by the publisher.
Audible always knows how to use the audio format to its full potential, and that’s really exemplified in this audio book, bringing the first hand accounts of people directly impacted by the DC sniper and those who helped investigate the case directly to the listener. I’ve said before on this blog that I have a hard time with some elements of true crime; it can be so easy for the genre to fall into the trap of feeling voyeuristic or exploitative. Call Me God keeps first hand-accounts in the forefront of the storytelling in a way that always feels very respectful and human. We must always worry about ethical storytelling when it comes to true crime and this was a great example.
Beyond that, though, it was just so very well done. I could not stop listening and binged most of this one in a day. (Coming in at just over 7 hours, if you’re like me and listen to audio books with the speed bumped up a bit, you’ll fly through this one.) I was 12 when the DC sniper was active, so I had a vague recollection of the case and not much more. Most of the info I learned here was new to me.
One of the more interesting aspects of the case, which I hadn’t considered before listening to this, is how the zeitgeist of the time period impacted the way people perceived the case. This came on the tail of the first anniversary of the 9/11 attacks; law enforcement and the general public had been on guard due to the symbolic power of a potential attack on that anniversary. Random acts of violence designed specifically to terrorize an already on-edge populace rendered the city a powder keg.
Call Me God is a must-listen for true crime fans! Between the detailed accounts of the investigators and the statements from those who lost family members, there is something of substance in this for everyone, regardless of your level of familiarity with the case going into it.
Let’s discuss:
Lee Boyd Malvo (i.e., the DC Sniper) has been in the news again recently as he fights his life sentence without the possibility of parole. Malvo was a minor at the time of the crimes, and it has been ruled that mandatory life sentences for juveniles are unconstitutional. Let me know your thoughts in the comments; should he get a new sentencing? Are certain crimes too severe for rehabilitation regardless of age?
You can read all of my reviews on my blog, Jenna Bookish!
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Audible always knows how to use the audio format to its full potential, and that’s really exemplified in this audio book, bringing the first hand accounts of people directly impacted by the DC sniper and those who helped investigate the case directly to the listener. I’ve said before on this blog that I have a hard time with some elements of true crime; it can be so easy for the genre to fall into the trap of feeling voyeuristic or exploitative. Call Me God keeps first hand-accounts in the forefront of the storytelling in a way that always feels very respectful and human. We must always worry about ethical storytelling when it comes to true crime and this was a great example.
Beyond that, though, it was just so very well done. I could not stop listening and binged most of this one in a day. (Coming in at just over 7 hours, if you’re like me and listen to audio books with the speed bumped up a bit, you’ll fly through this one.) I was 12 when the DC sniper was active, so I had a vague recollection of the case and not much more. Most of the info I learned here was new to me.
One of the more interesting aspects of the case, which I hadn’t considered before listening to this, is how the zeitgeist of the time period impacted the way people perceived the case. This came on the tail of the first anniversary of the 9/11 attacks; law enforcement and the general public had been on guard due to the symbolic power of a potential attack on that anniversary. Random acts of violence designed specifically to terrorize an already on-edge populace rendered the city a powder keg.
Call Me God is a must-listen for true crime fans! Between the detailed accounts of the investigators and the statements from those who lost family members, there is something of substance in this for everyone, regardless of your level of familiarity with the case going into it.
Let’s discuss:
Lee Boyd Malvo (i.e., the DC Sniper) has been in the news again recently as he fights his life sentence without the possibility of parole. Malvo was a minor at the time of the crimes, and it has been ruled that mandatory life sentences for juveniles are unconstitutional. Let me know your thoughts in the comments; should he get a new sentencing? Are certain crimes too severe for rehabilitation regardless of age?
You can read all of my reviews on my blog, Jenna Bookish!
Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr
December 21, 2020
This is history-based crime fiction. Book talks about domestic violence and sniper's attack. Gave an impression of holding hostages of terrorists. Law enforcement agencies had hard times grappling the issue, sometimes it felt as if it is all out of control for them. Jim is an excellent storyteller, however, the sequence is meandering somewhere in this particular book. Otherwise, it gripped me in most other pages.
March 30, 2020
This fantastic book told the story of the 2002 DC sniper case.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the format. This wasn’t a written book. It wasn’t an audio book. It was an audio documentary. The authors did audio recordings with all the real people who lived this dreadful drama. The first-hand accounts were amazing.
It was masterfully edited to create a captivating tale that captured just how frightening it was to live in the DC area while all of this was going on. I also admired the way the author structured the story. The book had cliffhanger after cliffhanger and it really kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat.
Solid writing, full characters and a real-life crime drama. So glad I read this book.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the format. This wasn’t a written book. It wasn’t an audio book. It was an audio documentary. The authors did audio recordings with all the real people who lived this dreadful drama. The first-hand accounts were amazing.
It was masterfully edited to create a captivating tale that captured just how frightening it was to live in the DC area while all of this was going on. I also admired the way the author structured the story. The book had cliffhanger after cliffhanger and it really kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat.
Solid writing, full characters and a real-life crime drama. So glad I read this book.
November 4, 2019
OMG! Y'all need to listen to this book ASAP!
I am not generally a true crime fan, but I was utterly captivated by this story. I remember hearing about the DC sniper case in the news when I was in high school, but I was ignorant to the sheer amount of tragedy and chaos that these two individuals unleashed on the DC area.
This story provides so much detail surrounding the investigation, tracking down the gunmen, as well as a look into their psyche. I was floored by the sheer amount of information. Additionally, we also hear from families of the victims.
I don't want to give away anything from this story because honestly, you just need to listen to it. It's that good!
Thank you to Audible for providing a copy for review. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
I am not generally a true crime fan, but I was utterly captivated by this story. I remember hearing about the DC sniper case in the news when I was in high school, but I was ignorant to the sheer amount of tragedy and chaos that these two individuals unleashed on the DC area.
This story provides so much detail surrounding the investigation, tracking down the gunmen, as well as a look into their psyche. I was floored by the sheer amount of information. Additionally, we also hear from families of the victims.
I don't want to give away anything from this story because honestly, you just need to listen to it. It's that good!
Thank you to Audible for providing a copy for review. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
December 6, 2019
I had been meaning to read and/or listen to a true crime story for some time now. I'm so happy that this ended up being my first choice. The thing that initially drew me to this story was the fact that many of the events occurred right in my backyard. I can still vividly recall the concern and chaos that ensued during this time. This audiobook did a fantastic job at sharing the events that I remember as well as adding a wealth of new detail (truly untold) about the DC snipers and the investigation that occurred behind the scenes.
From my personal experience, the audiobook nailed it when it described the emotions felt throughout the DC metropolitan area during this time. I remember being in high school and having our outdoor and social events cancelled as safety precautions. Although it ended up proving to be a false positive, the white van haunted so many of us throughout this time. My friends and I would actually be frightened every time we passed by one. Additionally, the whole concept of running simple, everyday errands, such as filling up gas or running to the grocery story was terrifying.
I can always identify a good story or retelling when I feel strong emotions while listening to it or reading it. Throughout this book, I had moments of feeling sad, upset, and hopeful. I got goosebumps at various times listening to the families of some of the victims. I would highly recommend this audiobook, even if you didn't experience it the way I did.
Thank you to Amazon and Audible for a complimentary copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
From my personal experience, the audiobook nailed it when it described the emotions felt throughout the DC metropolitan area during this time. I remember being in high school and having our outdoor and social events cancelled as safety precautions. Although it ended up proving to be a false positive, the white van haunted so many of us throughout this time. My friends and I would actually be frightened every time we passed by one. Additionally, the whole concept of running simple, everyday errands, such as filling up gas or running to the grocery story was terrifying.
I can always identify a good story or retelling when I feel strong emotions while listening to it or reading it. Throughout this book, I had moments of feeling sad, upset, and hopeful. I got goosebumps at various times listening to the families of some of the victims. I would highly recommend this audiobook, even if you didn't experience it the way I did.
Thank you to Amazon and Audible for a complimentary copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
August 30, 2021
A fascinating, disturbing, compelling and gut-wrenching listen.
November 3, 2019
Audible did a great job on this "book." It's not really a book in the classic sense. It's really a podcast that they kept for their own platform. But it is excellent - with many interviews with investigators, family members of victims, and other key people involved in the DC Sniper events. There was a lot of new information that I had never heard before and I especially enjoyed hearing my co-workers (I work in federal law enforcement in the DC region) explain their part in the investigation.
I lived in the DC area during the DC Sniper scare. Those weeks were terrifying. Because the shootings were so random, literally no one felt safe. And then to learn there were 2 shooters and one was a teenager was mind-boggling. Learning more about their killing spree across the country was shocking. Somehow I don't remember hearing about more than the two women in Alabama.
God bless the families of the victims and the survivors and the investigators who worked tirelessly to catch the killers.
I lived in the DC area during the DC Sniper scare. Those weeks were terrifying. Because the shootings were so random, literally no one felt safe. And then to learn there were 2 shooters and one was a teenager was mind-boggling. Learning more about their killing spree across the country was shocking. Somehow I don't remember hearing about more than the two women in Alabama.
God bless the families of the victims and the survivors and the investigators who worked tirelessly to catch the killers.
November 19, 2019
Having lived in the Northern Virginia/DC metro area during this sniper spree, it had quite an unnerving affect on me and my family’s lives at the time. Our daughter was about to turn 11 with a planned birthday party at a local corn maze and pumpkin patch. We contemplated cancelling because no one wanted to be outdoors. In the open. Possible targets. We certainly didn’t want our children to be. School events were cancelled. Everyone was living in fear for nearly three weeks. I think you could probably feel the huge sigh of relief, states away, when they were ultimately caught. Years later, it’s kind of cathartic to finally learn about the details leading up to the tragic killings as well as the stories shared by those affected. Very well told.
November 17, 2019
This is really a podcast that Audible has packaged together as an audiobook, which is why there's no print edition available anywhere. But as a podcast, it's fantastic. I'd take a half-point off because it focuses entirely on the FBI side of the investigation while mostly ignoring the MD state police side, but given how incompetent Chief Moose was, it's not a great loss.
April 23, 2021
There is a new kind of true crime audiobook going on these days. Instead of a story being narrated by one narrator, these audios are produced (primarily by Audible) in a sort of podcast fashion. The real players each tell their side of the story and there are sound bytes of newscasts or other interviews. (See: Evil Has a Name, the story about The Golden State Killer told by the man who investigated it for decades.) I like this trend. It makes the whole thing three-dimensional. The production had one big issue though, and I'll talk about that in a bit.
This true crime narrative is about the DC Sniper attacks, which took place for three weeks in October of 2002. Many of us remember that time, as we were still on edge after 9/11. Why would anyone just randomly take out innocent folks of all shapes, sizes, colors and ages, seemingly without motive? It was terrifying, even if you didn't live in the D.C./Maryland/Virginia area. Of course, at the time we all thought it was International terrorism. We hear from the profilers and counter-terrorism experts (two of them brothers) who doggedly worked to profile and track these killings, giving us the faults and the breakthrough moments of the investigation. We also hear from the loved ones of the victims, the survivors, the witnesses...their heartache at such a violent and random death. Strangely enough, the perpetrators were John Allen Muhammad, a 42 year-old man, and Lee Boyd Malvo, a damaged 16 year-old Jamaican immigrant who was under the influence of Muhammad's crazy. All told, 10 people were killed in their shooting spree, 17 if you count those they killed crossing from the west coast to the east coast.
Again, like I said, I love this format so much. It's like a documentary for the ears. However, this production had one glaring issue. In between each chapter they featured this section of fairly long transition music that was extremely annoying. I'm not sure WHY they did this? But was distracting to the point of teeth clenching. Audible did not produce Evil Has a Name in this way, and I can't imagine anyone listening to it and thinking it's a great idea, so I have no clue. That lost it a star.
This true crime narrative is about the DC Sniper attacks, which took place for three weeks in October of 2002. Many of us remember that time, as we were still on edge after 9/11. Why would anyone just randomly take out innocent folks of all shapes, sizes, colors and ages, seemingly without motive? It was terrifying, even if you didn't live in the D.C./Maryland/Virginia area. Of course, at the time we all thought it was International terrorism. We hear from the profilers and counter-terrorism experts (two of them brothers) who doggedly worked to profile and track these killings, giving us the faults and the breakthrough moments of the investigation. We also hear from the loved ones of the victims, the survivors, the witnesses...their heartache at such a violent and random death. Strangely enough, the perpetrators were John Allen Muhammad, a 42 year-old man, and Lee Boyd Malvo, a damaged 16 year-old Jamaican immigrant who was under the influence of Muhammad's crazy. All told, 10 people were killed in their shooting spree, 17 if you count those they killed crossing from the west coast to the east coast.
Again, like I said, I love this format so much. It's like a documentary for the ears. However, this production had one glaring issue. In between each chapter they featured this section of fairly long transition music that was extremely annoying. I'm not sure WHY they did this? But was distracting to the point of teeth clenching. Audible did not produce Evil Has a Name in this way, and I can't imagine anyone listening to it and thinking it's a great idea, so I have no clue. That lost it a star.
January 25, 2020
Landed on this selection mostly by chance after I saw it heavily promoted on Amazon/Audible. I wouldn't say I'm a true crime junkie, but I've enjoyed a lot of the popular Netflix specials and wanted to know more about this infamous murder spree. I'm embarrassed to admit that I really knew very little about this event. I think I was suffering from fear fatigue after 9/11 and the constant threats of domestic terrorism we all lived under and was most likely trying to avoid additional triggers.
For the first chapter or two, I wasn't really that engaged with the storytelling, but I found myself drawn in with each new revelation and connection. The horror that plagued each of these communities and the usual methods employed to murder so many people while remaining undetected was both chilling and mysterious. True modern-day monsters, it's a relief that some form of justice was leveled on these deplorable men. And to think, our country STILL hasn't woken up to our gun problem with any substantive legislation.
For the first chapter or two, I wasn't really that engaged with the storytelling, but I found myself drawn in with each new revelation and connection. The horror that plagued each of these communities and the usual methods employed to murder so many people while remaining undetected was both chilling and mysterious. True modern-day monsters, it's a relief that some form of justice was leveled on these deplorable men. And to think, our country STILL hasn't woken up to our gun problem with any substantive legislation.
June 5, 2020
Okay Jim Clemente I give you 5 out of 5 birds for Call Me God! I might be the only one in America who didn't know about this? Okay I was young when it happened, but still. How terrifying to know there was a shooter out there with no pattern and could be anywhere at anytime. This was a COVID19 read for me, so I admit I inappropriately chuckled when one of the wives had said something along the lines, "We can't just stay home, stop schools, and life around us..." (not a direct quote) I was like oh just wait for 2020.
This audible book felt a lot like a long podcast. I thought it was well thought out and informational. If you're a crime junkie. I'd check it out!
This audible book felt a lot like a long podcast. I thought it was well thought out and informational. If you're a crime junkie. I'd check it out!
October 13, 2020
I had completely forgotten about this! I was in Peru at the time, and sort of remembers the manhunt, but not that much.
This was a great book/audiobook. In the format of a podcast (so I'm not 100% sure if it's even a book to begin with?) The full cast and I guess real people from the story makes it really poignant.
It was really interesting to see the miscommunication between local & federal officers, the FBI profile, the ending. If you have 5hours to spare, that's a good true crime to listen to.
This was a great book/audiobook. In the format of a podcast (so I'm not 100% sure if it's even a book to begin with?) The full cast and I guess real people from the story makes it really poignant.
It was really interesting to see the miscommunication between local & federal officers, the FBI profile, the ending. If you have 5hours to spare, that's a good true crime to listen to.
January 3, 2022
this is really more of an audio documentary than a book but it was no doubt one of the most interesting and engaging accounts of a criminal events i’ve come across in my experience with true crime. although it was extremely thorough, it was never boring.
I would recommend this to people who are just getting into true crime because it’s similar to a podcast in the delivery, with multiple speakers, recovered audio and interviews, but has the same level of detail as a book
I would recommend this to people who are just getting into true crime because it’s similar to a podcast in the delivery, with multiple speakers, recovered audio and interviews, but has the same level of detail as a book
April 7, 2020
4.75 ⭐️
Oh my Lord. I didnt know much about the DC sniper case because I was young when it happened but after hearing what these two men did. All the pain they caused... damn.
If you like crime you are going to love (and hate) this audiobook. We get to hear the real people and their families, what they went through firsthand. Including FBI and BAU and police, police dogs, everyone and everything they did to stop these snipers.
Oh my Lord. I didnt know much about the DC sniper case because I was young when it happened but after hearing what these two men did. All the pain they caused... damn.
If you like crime you are going to love (and hate) this audiobook. We get to hear the real people and their families, what they went through firsthand. Including FBI and BAU and police, police dogs, everyone and everything they did to stop these snipers.
January 3, 2020
I remember this happening.
Then I listened to the Crime Junkies podcast on it. I’m not a huge fan of most true crime podcasts, but I do like Crime Junkies.
Then saw this on Audible. My boyfriend recommended it. He would tell stories of going to gas stations behind tarps and zig zagging into the dry cleaners.
So over Christmas, as we left DC, we listened to this. It’s fantastic. Well told. Interesting. Not at all boring. Easy to follow. Talks about the lives of the victims. Paints them as people so you feel you know them, instead of being a number.
You also learn about those leading the investigation.
I learned so much.
I should say this is really more like a podcast than a book. So I’m conflicted about counting this as a “book.”
But...Fascinating. Really.
Then I listened to the Crime Junkies podcast on it. I’m not a huge fan of most true crime podcasts, but I do like Crime Junkies.
Then saw this on Audible. My boyfriend recommended it. He would tell stories of going to gas stations behind tarps and zig zagging into the dry cleaners.
So over Christmas, as we left DC, we listened to this. It’s fantastic. Well told. Interesting. Not at all boring. Easy to follow. Talks about the lives of the victims. Paints them as people so you feel you know them, instead of being a number.
You also learn about those leading the investigation.
I learned so much.
I should say this is really more like a podcast than a book. So I’m conflicted about counting this as a “book.”
But...Fascinating. Really.
May 18, 2020
Of course, I heard of the DC Sniper when it happened, but the whole story is multi-faceted and riveting. You know an audiobook/podcast is well done when there is a long list of characters and a complicated timeline for a situation that took place in multiple states/ countries and the story was still told clearly, without confusion. Very well done.
December 30, 2019
An excellent audiobook account of the 2002 DC sniper case. Obviously this was super heavy at times, but I appreciated the mix of interviews with law enforcement and also with victims’ family members. It was interesting to hear how the FBI’s focus changed drastically after 9/11 to counter-terrorism and that’s why they didn’t initially take over this case. Since all of the shootings happened in suburbs of DC, the FBI just supported local law enforcement at first. I also loved hearing about Lucy the bloodhound—what a sweet, smart girl!
June 28, 2020
Riveting!! Very compelling and exciting! Very well planned
January 27, 2020
I’ve been into True Crime a lot lately. I’ve been listening to podcasts and when I saw Call Me God on audible about the DC sniper, I dived in.
Call Me God was a fantastic audiobook, everyone and everything that was involved with this book. Did an amazing job. It was at times hard to listen to and even fathom that someone could be so evil. So many people lost their lives, for what? All these families, friends that had to go through such an awful, tragic event. My heart goes out to them.
I feel that everyone should listen to this and get the whole story of events that happened in 2002.
Overall, Five Boundless Stars
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Call Me God was a fantastic audiobook, everyone and everything that was involved with this book. Did an amazing job. It was at times hard to listen to and even fathom that someone could be so evil. So many people lost their lives, for what? All these families, friends that had to go through such an awful, tragic event. My heart goes out to them.
I feel that everyone should listen to this and get the whole story of events that happened in 2002.
Overall, Five Boundless Stars
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November 7, 2019
On October 2, 2002 shots rang out outside a Michael’s craft store in Aspen Hill, Maryland. These events would spark a twenty-three day reign of terror throughout Maryland and Virginia as residents feared for a killer known as the D.C. Sniper. Random attacks throughout the region at everyday places like hardware stores and gas pumps put citizens in fear for their lives. This is the story of the turbulent investigation that brought down John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo.
CALL ME GOD is everything a reader could want from an audiobook. This story is told through the voices of those who investigated the cases and those who were victims. The narrative isn’t told from someone not involved, but from those directly connected to the D.C. Snipers. It felt as if I had started a podcast or was listening to an episode of Dateline the way multiple points of view were shared to unfold the case. From the moment I started the audiobook I didn’t want to stop!
I was absolutely floored by the level of detail shared in this audiobook. I learned many details about Muhammad and Malvo that I had never heard before. I saw through the eyes of those responsible for working the cases, the methods they used, and the tireless devotion they had to the case. In addition, the stories from those who lost loved ones were heartbreaking. The authors did a brilliant job of balancing facts and emotional responses to keep the reader engaged.
This book is a must listen for any fan of true crime! As someone who has lived their entire life in the MD/DC/VA area this story struck particularly close to home. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of driving past one of the locations mentioned while listening to someone talk about what happened there. I vividly remember living through these events and I won’t lie that there were tears in my eyes, listening to the case be retold to me. I think that this story has the ability to bring those emotions on anyone. Often we feel that true crime stories will never happen to us. We would never get in that car or fall for someone’s tricks. We all have to go to the store, we all have to run errands, we all have to leave our house. That’s all the victims of the D.C. Snipers were doing. The horror lies in how easily anyone could have been their next target.
Disclosure: A huge thank you to Audible for sending me a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review!
CALL ME GOD is everything a reader could want from an audiobook. This story is told through the voices of those who investigated the cases and those who were victims. The narrative isn’t told from someone not involved, but from those directly connected to the D.C. Snipers. It felt as if I had started a podcast or was listening to an episode of Dateline the way multiple points of view were shared to unfold the case. From the moment I started the audiobook I didn’t want to stop!
I was absolutely floored by the level of detail shared in this audiobook. I learned many details about Muhammad and Malvo that I had never heard before. I saw through the eyes of those responsible for working the cases, the methods they used, and the tireless devotion they had to the case. In addition, the stories from those who lost loved ones were heartbreaking. The authors did a brilliant job of balancing facts and emotional responses to keep the reader engaged.
This book is a must listen for any fan of true crime! As someone who has lived their entire life in the MD/DC/VA area this story struck particularly close to home. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of driving past one of the locations mentioned while listening to someone talk about what happened there. I vividly remember living through these events and I won’t lie that there were tears in my eyes, listening to the case be retold to me. I think that this story has the ability to bring those emotions on anyone. Often we feel that true crime stories will never happen to us. We would never get in that car or fall for someone’s tricks. We all have to go to the store, we all have to run errands, we all have to leave our house. That’s all the victims of the D.C. Snipers were doing. The horror lies in how easily anyone could have been their next target.
Disclosure: A huge thank you to Audible for sending me a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review!
December 19, 2019
I grew up in central Maryland, in a small town not too far from the Beltway. I was in 4th grade when the DC Sniper activities happened, and I still remember that for those weeks we were suddenly not allowed to go outside for recess, and adults were very tense. I suppose because there were so many people who worked in DC living in my town, it was thought we could be targeted. So this audiobook was a little personal for me, and I really enjoyed seeing the case from beginning to end as an adult.
This was my first true crime book and I really enjoyed it. It almost felt like listening to a podcast, with such well-defined but connected sections and the multiple narrators. I thought the interviews with family members of the victims were tasteful and respectful, and helped keep the book feeling personal and not just a recitation of police reports. Also, the explanation of the general atmosphere at the time this crime took place was important context – the shootings occurred right on the heels of the 1 year anniversary of 9/11 which informed a lot of the decisions made in the handling of the case. One of my favorite parts was getting in to the minds of the profilers and handwriting analysts that worked on the case, their work is fascinating and I was amazed at how accurately they were able to profile the duo so early on from just a few lines of text.
Audible’s production quality on this was outstanding, and I’m excited to see what other sorts of originals they come out with. If you’re a true crime junkie or even just enjoy some nonfiction listening, I would definitely recommend giving this a listen! Thank you to Audible for the free copy of Call Me God. All opinions are my own and not influenced by the publisher.
This was my first true crime book and I really enjoyed it. It almost felt like listening to a podcast, with such well-defined but connected sections and the multiple narrators. I thought the interviews with family members of the victims were tasteful and respectful, and helped keep the book feeling personal and not just a recitation of police reports. Also, the explanation of the general atmosphere at the time this crime took place was important context – the shootings occurred right on the heels of the 1 year anniversary of 9/11 which informed a lot of the decisions made in the handling of the case. One of my favorite parts was getting in to the minds of the profilers and handwriting analysts that worked on the case, their work is fascinating and I was amazed at how accurately they were able to profile the duo so early on from just a few lines of text.
Audible’s production quality on this was outstanding, and I’m excited to see what other sorts of originals they come out with. If you’re a true crime junkie or even just enjoy some nonfiction listening, I would definitely recommend giving this a listen! Thank you to Audible for the free copy of Call Me God. All opinions are my own and not influenced by the publisher.
November 21, 2019
5 stars!
Thank you SO much to @audible for the gifted copy of Call Me God: The Untold Story of the DC Sniper Attack.
I’m not someone that usually listens to audiobooks as I find them very hard to concentrate on! However, I absolutely LOVED this one, and couldn’t say no when I was offered the opportunity to review!
Call Me God surrounds the story of the DC Sniper Investigation. One of the main reasons I was so intrigued by this was that I’d never actually heard of the case. We follow the 23 day manhunt, looking for the killers who were shooting people at random. And after 9/11 only occurring the year prior; you can only imagine to terror going though both the minds of the police and the citizens of the DC area!
The audiobook is told firsthand by those that had the vision and expertise to solve the case (FBI brothers Jim Clemente and Time Clemente) and includes an intriguing insight into the behavioural, forensic and electronic analysis involved in solving the case! They talk us through the good and bad of the investigation and the pressure law enforcement was under at the time.
One of the most heartbreaking parts of this book was the story’s from the victims and their families! And hearing from individuals who knew the killers! It was also fascinating learning how the killers met, and the relationship they formed. Overall, this was an outstanding audiobook! There was so much detail, and really left you shocked and heartbroken at times. I highly recommend this one to you guys!
Thank you SO much to @audible for the gifted copy of Call Me God: The Untold Story of the DC Sniper Attack.
I’m not someone that usually listens to audiobooks as I find them very hard to concentrate on! However, I absolutely LOVED this one, and couldn’t say no when I was offered the opportunity to review!
Call Me God surrounds the story of the DC Sniper Investigation. One of the main reasons I was so intrigued by this was that I’d never actually heard of the case. We follow the 23 day manhunt, looking for the killers who were shooting people at random. And after 9/11 only occurring the year prior; you can only imagine to terror going though both the minds of the police and the citizens of the DC area!
The audiobook is told firsthand by those that had the vision and expertise to solve the case (FBI brothers Jim Clemente and Time Clemente) and includes an intriguing insight into the behavioural, forensic and electronic analysis involved in solving the case! They talk us through the good and bad of the investigation and the pressure law enforcement was under at the time.
One of the most heartbreaking parts of this book was the story’s from the victims and their families! And hearing from individuals who knew the killers! It was also fascinating learning how the killers met, and the relationship they formed. Overall, this was an outstanding audiobook! There was so much detail, and really left you shocked and heartbroken at times. I highly recommend this one to you guys!
May 10, 2021
Yet another fascinating true-crime podcast free with Audible and this one is 14 episodes about the DC sniper in 2002.
Jim Clemente and Tim Clemente have put together this fascinating account of the senseless and violent attacks that terrified the people of Washington almost a year after the 9/11 attacks. Initially this was considered another terrorist attack but soon it became clear it was someone much closer to home.
I don’t remember much about this series of attacks whilst it was happening, but listening to the 14 episodes in this series brought the awful events back to life and I wasn’t aware of how long the public lived in fear and how many victims the snipers attacked or killed.
This is a horrific and raw account told from many of the witnesses, survivors and family members of victims and it’s heartbreaking in places.
If you enjoy True Crime – then I would definitely recommend this.
Jim Clemente and Tim Clemente have put together this fascinating account of the senseless and violent attacks that terrified the people of Washington almost a year after the 9/11 attacks. Initially this was considered another terrorist attack but soon it became clear it was someone much closer to home.
I don’t remember much about this series of attacks whilst it was happening, but listening to the 14 episodes in this series brought the awful events back to life and I wasn’t aware of how long the public lived in fear and how many victims the snipers attacked or killed.
This is a horrific and raw account told from many of the witnesses, survivors and family members of victims and it’s heartbreaking in places.
If you enjoy True Crime – then I would definitely recommend this.
November 6, 2019
This audiobook sounds more like a podcast series, which was really interesting in its own right. I thought that style worked very well with the story and managing all the voices involved. This is a really fascinating look into the investigative work that went into capturing the DC snipers.
January 14, 2020
I've spent a great deal of my adult life listening to talk radio, podcasts, and audiobooks.
I did a lot of menial jobs. Even as a professional poker player, I spent large swaths of time sitting around waiting for a game to start.
I spent untold hours in taxis, buses, boats, and planes. Having a paperback was nice, but music and audio programming allowed you to look out the window.
It was always audio programming that gave me respite. At night, after looking at computers all day, it was radio and podcasts that helped me rest my eyes and help my mind drift away.
I say all that to say this: What Audible is doing is fantastic for anyone who loves audio programming.
These new era radio shows are something else. If you've never heard their original programming before, Audible takes things back to classic radio content. They use music, narrators, sound effects, and different interviews to bring stories to light. And oh my God, do they do it well.
They hit the ball out of the park with Call Me God. Hearing from the original investigators and families effected is mind-blowingly horrifying. The interviews they get are excellent. The narrator brings the timeline home. The music and sound effects get you in the setting. You will be in a pristine theater of the mind.
The actual content is fantastic. Anyone who remotely enjoys true crime should pick this up.
They really drill down into how they found these sick pieces of shit. If you're into analysis of police craft, this is your book. How the profilers drilled down who these guys were is fascinating. The interviews with specialists on the case are especially interesting.
Finally, much to my delight, they give the killers no pulpit to preach from. They focus on interviewing the families and respecting the victims. Absolute class act all the way around from Audible. Not to be missed.
I did a lot of menial jobs. Even as a professional poker player, I spent large swaths of time sitting around waiting for a game to start.
I spent untold hours in taxis, buses, boats, and planes. Having a paperback was nice, but music and audio programming allowed you to look out the window.
It was always audio programming that gave me respite. At night, after looking at computers all day, it was radio and podcasts that helped me rest my eyes and help my mind drift away.
I say all that to say this: What Audible is doing is fantastic for anyone who loves audio programming.
These new era radio shows are something else. If you've never heard their original programming before, Audible takes things back to classic radio content. They use music, narrators, sound effects, and different interviews to bring stories to light. And oh my God, do they do it well.
They hit the ball out of the park with Call Me God. Hearing from the original investigators and families effected is mind-blowingly horrifying. The interviews they get are excellent. The narrator brings the timeline home. The music and sound effects get you in the setting. You will be in a pristine theater of the mind.
The actual content is fantastic. Anyone who remotely enjoys true crime should pick this up.
They really drill down into how they found these sick pieces of shit. If you're into analysis of police craft, this is your book. How the profilers drilled down who these guys were is fascinating. The interviews with specialists on the case are especially interesting.
Finally, much to my delight, they give the killers no pulpit to preach from. They focus on interviewing the families and respecting the victims. Absolute class act all the way around from Audible. Not to be missed.
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