22 Murders: Investigating the Massacres, Cover-up and Obstacles to Justice in Nova Scotia

This is a massive study of the murder of 22 men & women in Nova Scotia, Canada in April, 2020 by investigative journalist, Palango. Known for his critical books on Canada's national police force, this book of almost 600 pages also contains much about the RCMP that may shake your respect and confidence in the Force,

Gabriel Wortman started his massacres by killing men and women on his street he knew. Eventually he killed at random as he drove across the province. The RCMP claimed they did not know who he was and they did not know he was dressed as an RCMP officer driving an authentic looking police cruiser. However, when the author was given the 911 tapes of the frantic calls for help from children and adults who told the 911 operator show more that it was Wortman who was shooting at them and others, the RCMP were shown to be lying. There versions of events claimed officers risked their lives to save those calling for help while the author learned that one of the first officers on the scene hid in the forest rather try to rescue the trapped children.

By using information from many people, many of whom feared for their lives when they told what they saw and knew, Palango developed his premise that the RCMP investigation of the crime spree tried to cover up their incompetence and corruption to save careers and reputations of the Force, especially its leaders. He even shows possible evidence via leaked video that Wortman was executed at a gas station so he could not tell what his connection to the RCMP was and why he went on the murderous rampage. show less

Just a brutal read about an horrific mass murder in Nova Scotia, Canada April 2020 by a POS who thought nothing of gunning down those known to him and those not, including a pregnant nurse. Focused mainly on the colossal failure of the RCMP in their response. Still, to this day there are no answers. A seasoned investigative reporter, Palango gave insight into the victims and what happened on those two horrible days. Definitely cleared up a lot of speculation and gave new perspective on certain stories of what happened. I had terrible nightmares just from reading this account - I can't imagine what it was like for those who faced this terrible menace and my heart goes out especially to the children and families. A very sad event in show more Canadian history that could have, and SHOULD have been dealt with in a much better, more professional way! show less

A bit too impassioned for my taste, but wow, what a story and what a clusterf*ck! Sure hope the full story comes out somehow.

I am part of the wider community that was affected by this horrific crime. I have been to most of the locations described in the book during my decades of living here. I know the family of one of the victims. I was shaken to my core while the incident was unfolding and we were getting emergency alerts. This story needs to be told as an examination of warning signs to watch out for. Unfortunately, this book is not the best telling of the story.

I have serious concerns about the research, as follows:
- there are absolutely no references (author explains why but was not persuasive)
- author has expressed a long-standing bias against the RCMP
- he was harshly critical of the police response so was he only giving info that supported his view?
- show more he used many, many, many anonymous sources
- he depicts victim Constable Heidi Stevenson as a naif who should not have been there but I have read other accounts in which she was described as a competent tactical commander
- several times he included in the profile of a female victim that she was on dating sites - why? - how is that relevant?
In summary this was a disappointing treatment of a very important story. show less