Ed Nordskog - Fire Raisers, Freaks and Fiends: Obsessive Arsonists in the California Foothills

Copyright 2013 by Ed Nordskog

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 1482327791

ISBN-13: 9781482327793

eBook ISBN: 978-1-63007-115-8

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013902223

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform,

North Charleston, South Carolina

ED NORDSKOG

Cover Art for Fireraisers, Freaks and Fiends

Readers will note the dramatic cover art of this book. It was created by the duo Glen Orbik and Laurel Blechman, artists from the Los Angeles area. Their work can be found at www.orbikart.com

I discovered their work in an old bookshop in West Los Angeles in 2011 where I spotted an early 60s detective noir print on the wall. Below it was a trashy looking crime novel bearing the same design. I loved the look and feel of the art, and knew it was what I was seeking for my own book. The bookshop owner directed me to the artists of the print, Glen and Laurel, and said that among other things; they create book covers with that old-school late 50s, early 60s look and feel. I had written my first book by then and was looking for the right kind of cover art to represent my stories.

I contacted Glen and Laurel, and after much pleading, they agreed to do my cover. I gave them a synopsis of my book Torchered Minds: Case histories of notorious serial arsonists and told them what I envisioned my serial arsonist to look like. Most serial arsonists are lone offenders who wander the streets and alleys at night and have serious mental health issues. I didnt want the traditional sneering, evil arsonist for this cover as it wasnt a true representation of the most common subtype of serial arsonist. Glen and Laurel gave me a sketch and nailed the idea on their first attempt. They chose the color scheme, and I was blown away with the results. I have had dozens of compliments on the firebug depicted on the cover art for Torchered Minds.

For the Fireraisers cover, I was a bit more particular as the arsonists depicted in this book are in fact the evil, sneering, diabolical, obsessive, maniacal stalkers and fiends who have often been portrayed in arson lore. These are the real maniacs and madmen who steal peoples lives, homes, and senses of security. They haunt and torment their victims for years after their dastardly attacksthey are true boogeymen.

The cover art for this book is a composite of several victims and players who are described in these true stories. The Gypsy shop setting fits perfectly, as there are similar crimes in this book and the sinister image reflected in the crystal ball, along with the alarmed Gypsy, are the only warnings to an impending firebomb attack. The intended victim, a vibrant beautiful woman, is also a composite of many of the victims. She is simply an innocent person trying to leave a troubled past, who happens upon a fortuneteller. As she is peering intently into the crystal ball, she looks for better days and a happier life ahead. She is so absorbed in her yearning and hopefulness that she is oblivious to the shadowy past that has stalked her to this place and time.

Evil incendiary acts exactly like this brought me into contact with all of the victims, suspects, and detectives in this book. This dramatic cover art is exactly as dramatic as the events described in this book.

Reviews of Torchered Minds by Ed Nordskog

TORCHERED MINDS is the definitive work on the crime of arson. Not only does it reveal encyclopedic knowledge of the subject, this book also reveals the Investigators mind and thinking like a cop. Crime writers seeking case histories, statistics, and a way into the criminal mind can start and end here. TORCHERED MINDS delivers much more than it promises, it takes you to the smoking scene of the crime, wearing the shoes of the Investigator.

(rated 5 stars out of 5)

Elaine Ash,Crime Editor

The title and cover-a throbbing orange illustration of an old-fashioned fire bugthe text, while popping with lurid details, consists of sober case histories

Gale Holland,Los Angeles Times

Ive just finished reading THE book. You did a remarkable job

Investigator Chris Vallerga,Cal Fire, Retired.

I thought this was a first class book on the subjectthis reflects the actuality of the fire scene and my thoughts on the reality on the motivations and the techniques used

(rated 5 stars out of 5)

SaxonX,reviewer on www.librarything.com

Ive read it and Im quite impressed with your cogent and thoughtful treatment of the subject.

Professor Steve Edwards,Phd.; Oklahoma State University;

Certified Fire/Explosion Investigator

I started reading it, and had a hard time putting it down. A well-written study on a fascinating subject

Deputy District Attorney Susan Schwartz,

Los Angeles District Attorney

A thorough and comprehensive examination of an area of crime that has not received the attention it deserves. Detective Nordskog provides a wonderfully-written master class into this insidious offence

Detective Senior Constable Jeff Stinton,

New South Wales Police, Australia

What an awesome book

Detective Michael Digby;

Los Angeles Sheriffs Arson/Explosives Detail

For any serious arson investigator this book is a must-read. This is not just a recitation of war stories; each case has an investigators analysis that makes the book such an exceptional resource. Ed carefully dissects each case to examine what worked and what didnt work in the investigation. He then provides a comprehensive examination of the known facts and evidence in the cases, exposing and refuting the gross inaccuracy of long-held assumptions about serial arsonists. Anyone who investigates or prosecutes arson cases should have this book in their library.

Deputy District Attorney Sue Wilson,Sacramento County;

Past President of Sac-Sierra Regional Arson Task Force

Vivid portraits of famous cases as well as invaluable observations from the authors own case files

ashedit.wordpress.com

I really enjoyed it. You did a great job of putting it together. As far as accuracy, you covered it correctly.

Detective Rich Edwards,L.A. Sheriffs, Retired. One of the lead investigators in the John Orr serial arson investigation.

By all sources, Detective Nordskog employs just the facts, and only the facts in Torchered Minds . In the past, information on the events pushing so-called serial arsonists to light fires has been incomplete, if not erroneous, based on myths and undocumented accounts. Nordskog dives into the who, the what, and how serial arsonists behave like they do. From the prolific serial arsonists such as John Orr, Paul Keller, and Thomas Sweatt, to those who have the hero syndrome, and to the female arsonists, there is no fiction in the actions of these people or in Torchered Minds. From being responsible for multiple fires and even in some incidents, multiple deaths the world of the serial arsonist is explored here, like no other. Documented in this book are arsonists from around the globe, from this century and the past, and with so many different motivational factors, but also with common threads. Nordskog has the unique ability to blend his investigative experiences with other arson investigators experiences, to present his analysis in a well written, factual document. Anyone who has any responsibility for the investigation and/or the prosecution of fires has to have Torchered Minds in their reference library. This book is an excellent added tool in the investigators tool box. In the end, Nordskog provides a candid look into what investigators should be doing to solve cases involving serial arsonists: thorough documentation of every fire; good old fashion police work (knocking on doors and questioning people); supplemented with forensic evidence. Torchered Minds is a must read for anyone associated with a fire or any other type of a criminal investigation.