Witch: The True Story of Las Vegas' Most Notorious Female Killer

by Glenn Puit

Book Overview

Drawing on extensive interviews with the accused herself, here is the sordid, twisted, and surprising story of Brookey Lee West--a successful technical writer from Silicon Valley who became Las Vegas' most notorious female serial killer.

In February, 2001, police uncovered the decomposed remains of Christine Smith bagged like garbage in a Las Vegas storage unit. She'd been dead for years. Next to the makeshift tomb were books on witchcraft...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425207196
• ISBN13: 9780425207192
• Release Date: December 2005
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.43 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.3" x 6.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Brookey convicted on little evidence

I am an attorney in Las Vegas who read Mr. Puit's book to get to know some of the main law enforcement operators in Las Vegas. Mr. Puit sets forth a wealth of information in West's case. Based on the information provided, it seems that West was convicted of murder on very shaky circumstantial evidence. The cause of death of her mother was undetermined. No murder weapon was adequately identified. The motive was not clear cut. There was no eye-witness of the murder, just a bunch of witnesses that made a case that West was weird. It appears to me that West was convicted simply because she was different. "Guilty by reason of weirdness." All of her alleged victims were weirder still. However, she was a criminal who committed a series of property related crimes including shoplifting and identity theft. Such crimes could be attributed to her poor upbringing and her mental problems. Murder? I think there was reasonable doubt based on what this book presents.

Recommended Reading / Great Story

I bought this book during a trip to the local bookstore where I had purchased many other True Crime books. I put this one off until I had none left to read because I thought it might be a mediocre story, but I was in for an unexpected Roller Coaster ride! So often in True Crime books, there is a paucity of background information or family history available to the reader. I read True Crime books because I want to understand WHY individual criminals act as they do and HOW they became the people they are. This book delivers! Strangely enough, despite the obviously evil woman Brookey Lee West is, I am not without sympathy for her. Her own mother was a freak of monumental proportions and her father a Satanist. I am certainly relieved West was convicted and will spend the remainder of her life in prison, but it is not difficult to understand how she became the bizarre individual she is. It is tragic that such an obviously bright and resiliant child was warped beyond recognition by her own family. (It should be noted that it requires a talented author to convey empathy for such a dangerous and predatory individual.) Oddly, I lived and worked in Las Vegas for almost 9 years during the time in which this murder was discovered, but I have NO MEMORY of this crime. True, I do not watch the news often, but usually when a crime is this astounding, you find out about it anyway. I do not think the crime was quite as publicized as the author suggests. However, I was also raising three children under the age of 5 years and working full time as an individual and group therapist for sex offenders, so I may not have had much time left to consider any crimes beyond those of my clients! It is interesting that Brookey Lee West is at the center of several strange deaths and disappearances. I am certain this is no coincidence. I cannot believe she continues to protest her innocence to this day. How stupid does she believe others are? Perhaps that is the problem. She does not think about anyone except herself. UPDATE: Recently, this case was profiled in an episode of "Snapped" on television. For those not familiar with the program, "Snapped" is a weekly documentary series devoted to women who kill. In the book and during the trial for Brookey Lee West, the prosecution team indicated that after an exhaustive search, they had been unable to locate Brookey's brother anywhere and surmised that she might also have been involved in his mysterious disappearance or death. This concern has been put to rest. The episode of "Snapped" indicated that Brookey's brother, who had a long history of alcoholism, mental illness, and homelessness had been located in an inpatient mental health facility in California in 2004. I guess Brookey's off the hook for this one!

EXCELLENT True Crime book!

I read true crime books. I've read many. This one is definitely one of the best (if not THE best) true crime book I've read. Some books I start and just never finish, but this is one I couldn't put down .. and wished would have continued on. One of those books you think about long after you've read it. Glenn is a talented true crime reporter for Las Vegas Review Journal, so he was familiar with the case and knows the players involved in the trial and even spent time interviewing West. Glenn's got a great writing style too. While other true crime books are filled with re-created conversations, this one has real quotes taken from interviews and transcripts. There are some great photographs as well. Awesome when a true crime author has connections to the players involved in the case and can give the readers an edge that other true crime authors often times cannot. It's also written in a way that presents the facts and lets the readers come to their own conclusions in the end. My favorite "character" is Telgenhoff (the coroner)who gives some very visual quotes. He comes across a little off-beat and humorous (without seeming to try to be), but he knows his stuff. After finishing Witch, I went and looked for other books by Glenn Puit. I was surprised (and disappointed) to find that this was his first and only book at the time. I would have definitely gotten a hold of other Glenn Puit books to read after Witch. I look forward to more true crime books by Glenn Puit. One of the other reviewers sounded offended saying that the author doesn't distinguish between Wicca and Satanism. I beg to differ. He discusses this very issue in the preface and it's apparent throughout the book that he's well aware of the difference, as this is conveyed to the readers (though Wicca vs. Satanism really isn't the primary focus of the book). Some of West's and her father's practices noted in the book do seem to be for evil purposes, but it's not the author's fault if someone claims to be a "witch" or Wiccan but does things that seem Satanic. The preface should have cleared that up for the other reviewer. Overall, a great book. Glenn... write another awesome true crime book!!

Not what I usually read, but....

This is not the genre I usually read, but the book was recommended, so I purchased a copy. Mr. Puit mentions in his foreword that Brookey Lee West is an enigma. After reading his book, I can say I thoroughly agree with him. Mr. Puit was able to comb through tremendous amounts of information and compile it in a very riveting manor. I also found this book to be very thought provoking (even weeks after I finished reading it). Anyone who enjoys watching CSI or any of the various forensic television shows should read this book. I am looking forward to Mr. Puit's next book!

From the slowest of readers...

I am the slowest reader! Not this time...whizzed through this very interesting book in what for me is the speed of light (2 days.) I know you already know the premise - so let me say this - the Author, Glenn Puit, did a great job of humanizing everyone involved in this sad story. I started the book thinking it was going to be clear cut that the murderer was just an evil person. Turns out she was...but the people who raised her were no innocent victims of her either. You reap what you sew. The story is chilling, and shocking. You like True Crime books? Don't you dare miss this one!