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On the Farm

Robert William Pickton and the Tragic Story of Vancouver's Missing Women

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About this listen

 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Stevie Cameron’s investigative tour de force about one of North America's most prolific serial killers—now widely regarded as a true crime classic.

Verteran investigative journalist Stevie Cameron first began following the story of missing women in 1998, when the odd newspaper piece appeared chronicling the disappearances of drug-addicted sex trade workers from Vancouver's notorious Downtown Eastside. It was not until February 2002 that pig farmer Robert William Pickton would be arrested, and 2008 before he was found guilty, on six counts of second-degree murder. These counts were appealed and in 2010, the Supreme Court of Canada rendered its conclusion. The guilty verdict was upheld, and finally this unprecedented tale of true crime could be told.
Covering the case of one of North America's most prolific serial killers gave Stevie Cameron access not only to the story as it unfolded over many years in two British Columbia courthouses, but also to information unknown to the police - and not in the transcripts of their interviews with Pickton - such as from Pickton's long-time best friend, Lisa Yelds, and from several women who survived terrifying encounters with him. Cameron uncovers what was behind law enforcement's refusal to believe that a serial killer was at work. Crime Murder True Crime Exciting Scary

Critic reviews

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

“Rich with detail. . . . Should you buy this book and read it? Definitely.”
— Neil Boyd, The Globe and Mail

"Stevie Cameron, who brought the art of political investigative journalism in Canada to new heights over the last three decades, has distinguished herself and her profession once again… [On the Farm] will surely remain a classic for generations of crime readers to come."
— Winnipeg Free Press

"On the Farm is the book you were hoping for… A hard-hitting look at the botched police investigations of Pickton."
— The Vancouver Sun

"No writer knows this story better than Cameron… [On the Farm] will go down as the definitive resource on the Pickton affair."
— Maclean's

"Stevie Cameron has written yet another great book exposing, as is her wont, the 'comfortable establishment' in our country of indifference to societal ills that might be expensive nuisances to deal with."
— The Tyee
All stars
Most relevant
an enormous amount of research and work was put in to this crucial work.
not only in to the history of each 'missing' woman but their friends and family and co-workers too.
mention too of the many 'unsung' people who worked to support the reporting, investigating, charging, and legal processes, such as the people who staffed the canteen at the courts etc. many, many people working together to try and bring justice to and for these 'missing' women.
the narrator was amazing. a long story to narrate with some very, very difficult incidents, thoughts, feelings, and descriptions to speak of. very gently handled and professionally done which, i feel, shows great respect to the 'missing' women.
the story, and the way it was narrated, had me thinking of and visualizing the 'missing' women - saying out loud how sorry i am for their experiences; seeing and hearing their pain, hurt, and sadness, and the pain, hurt, and sadness that their loved ones and the people that knew them experience.
stories like this need to be told (sensitively, with permissions) so that people can see what can happen to the people around them, and so enable them to show and/or offer love, comfort, and support to those that need it; and, if not stop incidents like this happening, then, at a bare minimum, reduce the amount of incidents that happen and the horrendous amount of hurt, pain, anger, anguish, sadness, and grief that surrounds each and every one.

everyone should be aware of this story

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Good book was very informative equal measures heartbreaking, angering and hopeful. The dialogue is great and i love how the barrator uses accents to identify all the main characters speech. HOWEVER i really really struggled to get into the book due to the constantly shifting timelines. One minute we’re in 1998 the next we’re in 2000 then back to 1997 then suddenly whoops its 2001 again! Very difficult to keep track of names and people and events because theres no cohesive timeline to the story makes its slightly un engaging its impossible to really immerse yourself in one storyline if they keep flipping backwards and forwards. Additionally although i love the detail the book goes into when talking about the lives of the missing women and those who knew willy i feel as though there is a large chunk of information surrounding the parentage and history of aunts and uncles of each one that could be left out as it just makes the story feel weighty and stops it from flowing properly.

Very Interesting but almost impossible to engage in

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Overall, this was a great listen. The story was jaw dropping and fascinating at times and it kept me hooked.
However, it was very long and could have been shortened considerably as the author went into detail about literally everything.
Not only the lives of the victims ( quite rightly) but also going back 2 or 3 generations in their families. Not necessary for the listener. I can see it was an attempt to give a fully rounded human face to the victims. It was a bit overdone though.
In the trial section, full biographies were provided for the defence and prosecution counsel, which again, was unnecessary. It really began to grate when I had to listen to the colour and style of all the outfits worn in court!
However, all that being said, the strength of the story overcame this, and it will remain with me for a long time.
Patience needed, but worth it I think.

A great listen

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Absolutely amazing, so interesting and so incredibly heartbreaking. The book delves into the lives of the women who tragically disappeared in a way that shows respect for them, something I find is a rarity in true crime. I cannot recommend this book enough and the narrator was utterly captivating.

Incredible book

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I've never heard such a massive true crime story in such meticulous detail. excellent

the detail is astonishing

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