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Under the Bridge
*Now a Hulu limited series starring Lily Gladstone, Riley Keough, and Archie Panjabi!*
“A swift, harrowing classic perfect for these unnerving times.� —Jenny Offill, author of Dept. of Speculation
One moonlit night, fourteen-year-old Reena Virk went to join friends at a party and never returned home.
In this “tour de force of crime reportage� (Kirkus Reviews), acclaimed author Rebecca Godfrey takes us into the hidden world of the seven teenage girls—and boy—accused of a savage murder. As she follows the investigation and trials, Godfrey reveals the startling truth about the unlikely killers. Laced with lyricism and insight, Under the Bridge is an unforgettable look at a haunting modern tragedy.
480 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2005
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November 17, 2021
This was a truly disturbing book, not because of the details of what happened to Reena Virk, but because of the lengths the author goes to to try to defend her assailants and murderers.
Despite Reena being the victim, she plays only a small role in the book, most often appearing as a dead body that is written about as if it wasn't every a 14 year old girl. One reviewer said they liked the fact Reena wasn't made pure by her murder. Reena wasn't even made a fully developed human being. The only positive thing said about her was a comment about the beauty of her hair, which came from the coroner. How sad is a book about a young girl dying in a slow and horrible way and only the doctor preparing to dissect her body can find something nice to say about her? Reena is portrayed as sad, pathetic, a liar and a thief, and an unwanted nobody. She is fat, with dark lips and no redeemable features. I can't help but wonder if the fact she was of East Indian descent had something to do with the bit part she is given in the story of her own murder.
In very stark contrast, the girls that beat and murdered her (if they hadn't done that and made her the weakest person there, psychopaths like Kelly Ellard would not have been able to prey on her so easily), are described as petite and delicate, with glowing skin and porcelain perfect faces. They have innocent blue eyes or mischievous green eyes, or sultry dark eyes. Their clothes are described in detail. They are misunderstood, as life had done them wrong and even the worst of them are not really bad at heart.
And even her actual murderers, Kelly Ellard and Warren Glowatski, are described in glowing terms. "Had there ever been a person not somewhat moved by the lovely and frightened face of Warren?" (Page 264) is how the paragraph where he takes the stand at his own trial for murder starts. How about Reena's beaten and battered face? Did it no deserve some sympathy too? Or was she not 'lovely' enough to count?
Even Reena's family were not accorded the same respect as the good "white" families of the savages that beat and killed Reena. The poor shocked mothers at the police station, weeping over what was happening to their precious daughters. While Reena's mother was receiving a visit from the police to tell her she would never see her daughter again. The author commending her family for being forgiving of all the people who had wronged them with the murder of their daughter, as if they didn't have every right to be angry.
I can't help but wonder if this story had been about a sad white girl trying her best to fit in with a group of East Indian teenagers and been beaten and drowned, if the author wouldn't have written a very different book. And I can't help but wonder if Reena's skin had been lighter and her family from a European county, if this book wouldn't have been very different as well.
If it wasn't bad enough for Reena's short life to be ended so brutally, at least Rebecca Godfrey could have been kinder in telling her story. But then I guess that is what she sees as Reena's true value, providing a morality tale to ensure the beautiful white people don't stray too far from the right path.
Despite Reena being the victim, she plays only a small role in the book, most often appearing as a dead body that is written about as if it wasn't every a 14 year old girl. One reviewer said they liked the fact Reena wasn't made pure by her murder. Reena wasn't even made a fully developed human being. The only positive thing said about her was a comment about the beauty of her hair, which came from the coroner. How sad is a book about a young girl dying in a slow and horrible way and only the doctor preparing to dissect her body can find something nice to say about her? Reena is portrayed as sad, pathetic, a liar and a thief, and an unwanted nobody. She is fat, with dark lips and no redeemable features. I can't help but wonder if the fact she was of East Indian descent had something to do with the bit part she is given in the story of her own murder.
In very stark contrast, the girls that beat and murdered her (if they hadn't done that and made her the weakest person there, psychopaths like Kelly Ellard would not have been able to prey on her so easily), are described as petite and delicate, with glowing skin and porcelain perfect faces. They have innocent blue eyes or mischievous green eyes, or sultry dark eyes. Their clothes are described in detail. They are misunderstood, as life had done them wrong and even the worst of them are not really bad at heart.
And even her actual murderers, Kelly Ellard and Warren Glowatski, are described in glowing terms. "Had there ever been a person not somewhat moved by the lovely and frightened face of Warren?" (Page 264) is how the paragraph where he takes the stand at his own trial for murder starts. How about Reena's beaten and battered face? Did it no deserve some sympathy too? Or was she not 'lovely' enough to count?
Even Reena's family were not accorded the same respect as the good "white" families of the savages that beat and killed Reena. The poor shocked mothers at the police station, weeping over what was happening to their precious daughters. While Reena's mother was receiving a visit from the police to tell her she would never see her daughter again. The author commending her family for being forgiving of all the people who had wronged them with the murder of their daughter, as if they didn't have every right to be angry.
I can't help but wonder if this story had been about a sad white girl trying her best to fit in with a group of East Indian teenagers and been beaten and drowned, if the author wouldn't have written a very different book. And I can't help but wonder if Reena's skin had been lighter and her family from a European county, if this book wouldn't have been very different as well.
If it wasn't bad enough for Reena's short life to be ended so brutally, at least Rebecca Godfrey could have been kinder in telling her story. But then I guess that is what she sees as Reena's true value, providing a morality tale to ensure the beautiful white people don't stray too far from the right path.
April 20, 2024
The atrocities that happened Under the Bridge are heinous enough to be heart-breaking, even if the account was given in flat, factual statements.
Certainly not sufficient for Ms. Godfrey.
Instead, she shares the true tragedy, alongside insight into the victim as well as her attackers, so that reading about it is more like having your still-beating heart ripped from your chest, stomped on and then kicked across the room.
Certainly not sufficient for Ms. Godfrey.
Instead, she shares the true tragedy, alongside insight into the victim as well as her attackers, so that reading about it is more like having your still-beating heart ripped from your chest, stomped on and then kicked across the room.
November 30, 2019
I thought the first third of the book was just so-so (I thought the writing felt immature), but then it grabbed me and dragged me in. I was thinking maybe it had an immature feel to highlight the immature actions of the kids being discussed. In the end, it was perfect in the way it was written because I went back and forth between thinking I knew exactly what happened to questioning everything.
One of the saddest parts was seeing how these teenagers acted. I have two little kids and it scares me to death that one day they might have classmates like these kids. And, even though many of them realized when they hit their 20s how stupid they were as teenagers, that doesn't help people who they bullied and, in this case, killed.
This book is very interesting and eye opening, but not for the faint of heart. The events will stick with me for a long time.
One of the saddest parts was seeing how these teenagers acted. I have two little kids and it scares me to death that one day they might have classmates like these kids. And, even though many of them realized when they hit their 20s how stupid they were as teenagers, that doesn't help people who they bullied and, in this case, killed.
This book is very interesting and eye opening, but not for the faint of heart. The events will stick with me for a long time.
November 27, 2022
Reena Virk and her family deserve so much better.
June 2, 2024
I knew every single thing about each individual involved in her death but the only thing I knew about Reena Virk was her weight
July 25, 2016
This was so depressing, but a great book. It was about a 14 year old girl murdered by her classmates. It makes you think about mob mentality, being able to speak up, parenting, teenagers and socio-economics. If it wasn't true, I wouldn't have believed it could happen.
The one positive thing in the book was the way Reena's parents were able to handle her murder and their ability to forgive. I would not be able to do that and their grace was admirable.
The only thing that kept it from 5 stars was the fact that it didn't wrap it all up at the end. I had to look up on the internet where the murderers ended up, though this could be a publication date issue.
There were little photos at the start of each chapter, but I would have liked a "section" of photos. I don't know if it is because I was reading on my Kindle or because the accused were minors that there was no photo section.
A solid 4 stars and a rec for those who like true crime.
The one positive thing in the book was the way Reena's parents were able to handle her murder and their ability to forgive. I would not be able to do that and their grace was admirable.
The only thing that kept it from 5 stars was the fact that it didn't wrap it all up at the end. I had to look up on the internet where the murderers ended up, though this could be a publication date issue.
There were little photos at the start of each chapter, but I would have liked a "section" of photos. I don't know if it is because I was reading on my Kindle or because the accused were minors that there was no photo section.
A solid 4 stars and a rec for those who like true crime.
September 8, 2018
Very sad story of betrayal and murder however, it was poorly written. I found it tedious which had me wanting to get to the end from the very beginning.
May 7, 2018
For some reason the way this was told just really rubbed me the wrong way. I felt like there was no real respect for Reena Virk throughout the re-telling of the crime. My first annoyance comes with the fact that despite the title being Under the Bridge: The True Story of the Murder of Reena Virk the "true story of the murder of Reena Virk" is nowhere to be seen on the cover, nor is Reena's name on the back within the summary. Additionally, her name is not in the prologue either. You read nearly 30-40 pages before you see the name "Reena Virk" and I just feel this is completely unfair and disrespectful. Furthermore, within the 6 pages of pictures, we only see Reena's face twice. Once in a family picture, and a second time in a baby picture (maybe age 2 or 3?). Give that this is the story of Reena Virk's death, I just felt that there should have been more of her and less of the offenders.
I also think the cover choice is extremely poor. At no point in the book does it say either Reena or one of the offenders has a lowerback butterfly tattoo and I think it could have been much better as a cover with just text, or the text with a picture of Reena.
I can't quite describe why the way this was told rubbed me the wrong way, all I can say is that it did. And may that doesn't make sense, but I just felt like things could have been done better.
I also think the cover choice is extremely poor. At no point in the book does it say either Reena or one of the offenders has a lowerback butterfly tattoo and I think it could have been much better as a cover with just text, or the text with a picture of Reena.
I can't quite describe why the way this was told rubbed me the wrong way, all I can say is that it did. And may that doesn't make sense, but I just felt like things could have been done better.
August 21, 2017
This is Reena Virk. She was only a bit younger than I was in 1997, which is when she was murdered on the other side of my country.
I was even closer in age to her tormentors and killers. I remember the case vividly. I watched the news with horror every day, and just when the story would simmer down a bit we'd start hearing about Kelly Ellard, the piece of human garbage who held Reena's head under water after beating her so badly that the autopsy report stated
Normally I don't call people names in book reviews, but I daresay Ellard's behaviour since the murder (and her multiple trials) alone warrant me calling her "garbage."
Anyway, if you're a reader who feels that true crime can also have "spoilers" - I myself sometimes avoid the details of a case when I'm about to read a book or see a documentary on it - you might want to stop here, as it's nearly impossible to review this book without giving context about why it was written, and how very current the case remains to this day.
If you're still reading - and be warned, this is gonna get wordy - I'll finish my thought about Ellard. Only a few short years would pass before we'd start getting reports again that Ellard's fancy attorneys had wrangled her a new trial, or an appeal for this or that, or a relocation to a more desirable facility. Perhaps that's why most of us remember only her name, and not that of the young man who was also found guilty (second-degree murder), or those of the other girls who took part in the beating before Ellard finished Reena off in the water. Those names should not be forgotten, but for the most part, because none of them went on to commit further assaults and the like, the focus falls on Ellard. My stomach still turns over any time her face pops up on my television. Now that I've read this book and have seen a fuller picture of her I suspect my feelings have only worsened towards her. What a piece of work this woman is. (See the quoted article from Feb. 2017 near the bottom of this review.)
Ellard during one of her court appearances, circa 1997.
Rebecca Godfrey has a somewhat odd writing style, one I found difficult to grasp for the first quarter or so of UNDER THE BRIDGE. There's a rhythm to it that I think is meant to convey the way these teenagers were thinking and speaking about Reena and everything that happened, but it took some getting used to. In some ways it reads more like a novel than an account of a crime. I wasn't sure how that was going to sit with me. After a while, though, I realized how effective it was in making me hear the players' voices instead of just seeing words on the page.
As far as research goes...damn. Godfrey brings it. We are privy to everything: the relationships these teenagers had with each other and their families and their community before the murder; the excruciating details of exactly what happened to Reena and why; the way that night irrevocably shaped dozens of lives forever, even for those who weren't there under the bridge; the background on virtually every law enforcement officer, social worker, and member of the various legal teams and Crown prosecutors' offices; and, of course, how things stand now, or at least as currently as the edition I read could manage (which seems to be circa 2009, judging by the afterword). Godfrey comes bearing police interviews, court transcripts, evidence reports, and interviews she presumably conducted herself with Reena's family and some of the key figures in the crime.
One of those figures is Ellard's co-defendant for murder. His name is Warren, and I barely remember hearing anything about him at the time this was taking place. Whether that's part of The Homolka Effect or not, I can't say. (I'm referring to another horrifying Canadian case of murder, in which married couple Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka savagely raped, tortured, and murdered several young girls, including Homolka's own teenage sister. Many at the time made more of a fuss over Homolka because such acts are seen to be more shocking when executed by a woman - a fact that, ironically, Homolka herself admits she played into when luring the girls, as they never thought they were in danger since there was a woman in the car. I digress, but I'll add some links to books about that case at the end of this review for interested parties.) Maybe it was just that much more astonishing to think that a teenage girl could be so brutal, and that stuck in our minds more than hearing about the teenage boy's part in it, because society "expects" that of boys. Maybe it's more because Warren took his sentence, went to prison, never sought appeals or behaved in a combatant manner with the media, didn't get into any trouble during his incarceration...while Kelly Ellard was quite the opposite.
Any which way, I was surprised to find that a huge majority of the first half, maybe even three quarters, of UNDER THE BRIDGE is devoted to Warren's story and his involvement. Godfrey uses some tricksy methods to surprise us along the way in terms of just how involved Warren was, or wasn't, in Reena's actual murder; I have to admit I murmured, "Oh, no..." more than once when it became clear that I was about to learn something potentially terrible about this boy, who is illustrated throughout the book as being so young, so naive, a romantic who loved his girlfriend and who just wanted a family to love him. (A great many of the teens in this case were from horrible homes, were in foster care, or were in facilities for "troubled youth," which is another difference between five of "The Shoreline Six" and Kelly Ellard.) It's rare for me to sympathize with someone who could participate in something so heinous, but if getting the reader to feel sorrow for Warren was among Godfrey's goals, she accomplished it with me.
UNDER THE BRIDGE isn't really about Reena Virk. We catch glimpses of her, here and there, and I appreciated that Godfrey didn't sanitize Reena's life in an attempt to make her murder that much more despicable; it wasn't necessary, because nobody deserves to suffer what Reena did, regardless of however many poor choices she made at the young age of 14. And seeing her flaws gave context to her murder, too; before reading this book I couldn't have told you for certain why anyone would want to beat her up. The reasons for what happened to her are pathetic, of course, and utterly inexcusable, but it painted a clearer picture of why these girls (and boy) somehow felt entitled to visit such cruelty on a young classmate. I suppose, in the broken mind of a deranged teenager, petty jealousy and pride were reason enough.
It's really more about the kids who hurt her, and one further social ring outside of that. We're given a lot of time to spend with Warren's girlfriend, Syreeta, and I must say it was her I thought about most when I put the book down for the night. As richly painted as the figures are of the "killer kids" - Josephine, Kelly, Maya, Laila, Dusty, Willow, and Eve* - I felt that Godfrey did her best illustrating work with Syreeta and Warren. Reading so much of it from Syreeta's perspective is perhaps what helped me get into the groove of the storytelling, and it worked to use her sympathetic (and sometimes complicated) POV as the throughline for the entire book.
I'd recommend this book for anyone who is into true crime, or who is interested in grappling with philosophical questions about whether kids should ever be tried as adults, whether the Canadian justice system is harsh enough (or too harsh) on young offenders, and how to properly memorialize victims rather than mostly remembering the names* of their killers.
I'll leave here. (Put behind a spoiler cut simply for length.) It's an interesting (and ongoing) footnote to the part of UNDER THE BRIDGE that touches on whether justice has been, or ever could be, served for Reena. And it's something of a callback to my mention of Karla Homolka, too: another Canadian murderer who is now able to grow up and have boyfriends and babies, while their victims never got old enough to have that chance.
The about Reena's murder indicates that UNDER THE BRIDGE is in development to be made into a film. I wonder how much more will have changed in Ellard's circumstances by the time that comes to fruition. I wonder how Reena's parents, siblings, uncle and grandparents feel about their girl's death getting the Hollywood treatment.
* - The names of many of the girls who were prosecuted for the beating of Reena were changed in the book because of the ban on publishing names of minor children under the Young Offenders Act. The only one whose identity I know for certain is that of "Josephine," who has since been identified as Nicole Cook.
Further reading for interested parties, particularly about Homolka but also about Reena:
I was even closer in age to her tormentors and killers. I remember the case vividly. I watched the news with horror every day, and just when the story would simmer down a bit we'd start hearing about Kelly Ellard, the piece of human garbage who held Reena's head under water after beating her so badly that the autopsy report stated
A bruise in the shape of a sneaker print is on the back of the brain.
Normally I don't call people names in book reviews, but I daresay Ellard's behaviour since the murder (and her multiple trials) alone warrant me calling her "garbage."
Anyway, if you're a reader who feels that true crime can also have "spoilers" - I myself sometimes avoid the details of a case when I'm about to read a book or see a documentary on it - you might want to stop here, as it's nearly impossible to review this book without giving context about why it was written, and how very current the case remains to this day.
If you're still reading - and be warned, this is gonna get wordy - I'll finish my thought about Ellard. Only a few short years would pass before we'd start getting reports again that Ellard's fancy attorneys had wrangled her a new trial, or an appeal for this or that, or a relocation to a more desirable facility. Perhaps that's why most of us remember only her name, and not that of the young man who was also found guilty (second-degree murder), or those of the other girls who took part in the beating before Ellard finished Reena off in the water. Those names should not be forgotten, but for the most part, because none of them went on to commit further assaults and the like, the focus falls on Ellard. My stomach still turns over any time her face pops up on my television. Now that I've read this book and have seen a fuller picture of her I suspect my feelings have only worsened towards her. What a piece of work this woman is. (See the quoted article from Feb. 2017 near the bottom of this review.)
Ellard during one of her court appearances, circa 1997.
Rebecca Godfrey has a somewhat odd writing style, one I found difficult to grasp for the first quarter or so of UNDER THE BRIDGE. There's a rhythm to it that I think is meant to convey the way these teenagers were thinking and speaking about Reena and everything that happened, but it took some getting used to. In some ways it reads more like a novel than an account of a crime. I wasn't sure how that was going to sit with me. After a while, though, I realized how effective it was in making me hear the players' voices instead of just seeing words on the page.
As far as research goes...damn. Godfrey brings it. We are privy to everything: the relationships these teenagers had with each other and their families and their community before the murder; the excruciating details of exactly what happened to Reena and why; the way that night irrevocably shaped dozens of lives forever, even for those who weren't there under the bridge; the background on virtually every law enforcement officer, social worker, and member of the various legal teams and Crown prosecutors' offices; and, of course, how things stand now, or at least as currently as the edition I read could manage (which seems to be circa 2009, judging by the afterword). Godfrey comes bearing police interviews, court transcripts, evidence reports, and interviews she presumably conducted herself with Reena's family and some of the key figures in the crime.
One of those figures is Ellard's co-defendant for murder. His name is Warren, and I barely remember hearing anything about him at the time this was taking place. Whether that's part of The Homolka Effect or not, I can't say. (I'm referring to another horrifying Canadian case of murder, in which married couple Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka savagely raped, tortured, and murdered several young girls, including Homolka's own teenage sister. Many at the time made more of a fuss over Homolka because such acts are seen to be more shocking when executed by a woman - a fact that, ironically, Homolka herself admits she played into when luring the girls, as they never thought they were in danger since there was a woman in the car. I digress, but I'll add some links to books about that case at the end of this review for interested parties.) Maybe it was just that much more astonishing to think that a teenage girl could be so brutal, and that stuck in our minds more than hearing about the teenage boy's part in it, because society "expects" that of boys. Maybe it's more because Warren took his sentence, went to prison, never sought appeals or behaved in a combatant manner with the media, didn't get into any trouble during his incarceration...while Kelly Ellard was quite the opposite.
Any which way, I was surprised to find that a huge majority of the first half, maybe even three quarters, of UNDER THE BRIDGE is devoted to Warren's story and his involvement. Godfrey uses some tricksy methods to surprise us along the way in terms of just how involved Warren was, or wasn't, in Reena's actual murder; I have to admit I murmured, "Oh, no..." more than once when it became clear that I was about to learn something potentially terrible about this boy, who is illustrated throughout the book as being so young, so naive, a romantic who loved his girlfriend and who just wanted a family to love him. (A great many of the teens in this case were from horrible homes, were in foster care, or were in facilities for "troubled youth," which is another difference between five of "The Shoreline Six" and Kelly Ellard.) It's rare for me to sympathize with someone who could participate in something so heinous, but if getting the reader to feel sorrow for Warren was among Godfrey's goals, she accomplished it with me.
UNDER THE BRIDGE isn't really about Reena Virk. We catch glimpses of her, here and there, and I appreciated that Godfrey didn't sanitize Reena's life in an attempt to make her murder that much more despicable; it wasn't necessary, because nobody deserves to suffer what Reena did, regardless of however many poor choices she made at the young age of 14. And seeing her flaws gave context to her murder, too; before reading this book I couldn't have told you for certain why anyone would want to beat her up. The reasons for what happened to her are pathetic, of course, and utterly inexcusable, but it painted a clearer picture of why these girls (and boy) somehow felt entitled to visit such cruelty on a young classmate. I suppose, in the broken mind of a deranged teenager, petty jealousy and pride were reason enough.
It's really more about the kids who hurt her, and one further social ring outside of that. We're given a lot of time to spend with Warren's girlfriend, Syreeta, and I must say it was her I thought about most when I put the book down for the night. As richly painted as the figures are of the "killer kids" - Josephine, Kelly, Maya, Laila, Dusty, Willow, and Eve* - I felt that Godfrey did her best illustrating work with Syreeta and Warren. Reading so much of it from Syreeta's perspective is perhaps what helped me get into the groove of the storytelling, and it worked to use her sympathetic (and sometimes complicated) POV as the throughline for the entire book.
I'd recommend this book for anyone who is into true crime, or who is interested in grappling with philosophical questions about whether kids should ever be tried as adults, whether the Canadian justice system is harsh enough (or too harsh) on young offenders, and how to properly memorialize victims rather than mostly remembering the names* of their killers.
I'll leave here. (Put behind a spoiler cut simply for length.) It's an interesting (and ongoing) footnote to the part of UNDER THE BRIDGE that touches on whether justice has been, or ever could be, served for Reena. And it's something of a callback to my mention of Karla Homolka, too: another Canadian murderer who is now able to grow up and have boyfriends and babies, while their victims never got old enough to have that chance.
Killer Kelly Ellard gets temporary prison leaves with baby
ABBOTSFORD � Notorious killer Kelly Ellard will be allowed to take her young son to appointments and activities in the community, the Parole Board of Canada decided Monday.
Board members Alex Dantzer and Jim Hart said that while Ellard continues to minimize her role in the 1997 murder of teen Reena Virk, she has taken responsibility and her risk in the community can be managed.
Ellard has been in prison or pre-trial custody for about 15 years. In 2005, she was sentenced to life in prison with no parole eligibility for seven years. She now lives in a minimum security unit and is part of Correctional Service Canada’s mother and child program.
The about Reena's murder indicates that UNDER THE BRIDGE is in development to be made into a film. I wonder how much more will have changed in Ellard's circumstances by the time that comes to fruition. I wonder how Reena's parents, siblings, uncle and grandparents feel about their girl's death getting the Hollywood treatment.
* - The names of many of the girls who were prosecuted for the beating of Reena were changed in the book because of the ban on publishing names of minor children under the Young Offenders Act. The only one whose identity I know for certain is that of "Josephine," who has since been identified as Nicole Cook.
Further reading for interested parties, particularly about Homolka but also about Reena:
Read
January 17, 2013Anyone who was living in Victoria in the early 1990s knows all about what happened to Reena Virk. This book attempts to explain a little bit about WHY it happened, who the major players were, and what happened to them. Unfortunately, the saga of one of the two accused, Kelly Ellard, is still going on as of the date I'm writing this, so that part isn't completely covered in the book.
This book is very difficult emotionally to read. As someone who was bullied throughout my school years, I identify with Reena more than I'd like to.
This book is very difficult emotionally to read. As someone who was bullied throughout my school years, I identify with Reena more than I'd like to.
September 20, 2013
I read 155 pages of the book because it was on the free library shelf in my hotel room. The story is interesting, but the prose isn't very good. It comes off as highly stylized to the point of distraction.
I also thought her constant references to the kids' interest in hip hop came off as pretty racist. The kids like 2 Pac so they killed someone? I don't think so. It's like the stories on Columbine that blame it all on video games. It's lazy writing/research and its honestly kind of offensive.
I wish people would stop comparing books like this to In Cold Blood because Capote's book is perfect and this is far from it.
I also thought her constant references to the kids' interest in hip hop came off as pretty racist. The kids like 2 Pac so they killed someone? I don't think so. It's like the stories on Columbine that blame it all on video games. It's lazy writing/research and its honestly kind of offensive.
I wish people would stop comparing books like this to In Cold Blood because Capote's book is perfect and this is far from it.
May 24, 2024
DNF at 60% - almost 300 pages in and it’s literally like pulling teeth to get through this. Just reading the same info over and over and over with 3 million characters never explained, introduced, just thrown together. I love true crime novels and this was by far the most horrible written one I’ve ever come across
February 28, 2024
4.5 stars
October 16, 2023
Under the Bridge is a true crime book about the murder of fourteen-year-old Reena Virk in Canada in 1997. Being in the UK and my teens in that year I don’t remember the case so this crime story was all new to me and I wanted to wait until I had finished the book before Googling it.
At the beginning, we are told that the information within is derived from author interviews, observations, official records, and court proceedings. We are also told that some names and details have been changed and conversations re-created.
The novel opens with the search for Reena Virk and her body being discovered in the Gorge, floating amongst the reeds. We then move on to the teenagers who lived in the small town of View Royal Canada and detailed information on all of them. Some had something to do with her death others merely knew the victim and her killers.
The book is split into five parts including the kill, the killers, the police investigation, the trial, and information on what has happened since. This is a harrowing story of teenagers, mainly girls � 6 girls, and 1 boy murdering another teenager. The circumstances and the lives of these people are stranger than any fiction book could recreate. The why Reena Virk was killed could have been for several reasons and some are given in the book.
Under the Bridge was an insightful and eye-opening story that followed a senseless murder by teenagers who wanted to be gangsters. It looks at everything from all angles and the information comes across clearly. The writing style took some getting used to and the first part which was a ‘getting-to-know-everyone� section did bore me a little but without this, the rest may have been harder to understand.
Overall, Reena’s story deserves to be told and I was fascinated and amazed by the amount of research the author put into this book and how many years she spent getting and collating the information.
At the beginning, we are told that the information within is derived from author interviews, observations, official records, and court proceedings. We are also told that some names and details have been changed and conversations re-created.
The novel opens with the search for Reena Virk and her body being discovered in the Gorge, floating amongst the reeds. We then move on to the teenagers who lived in the small town of View Royal Canada and detailed information on all of them. Some had something to do with her death others merely knew the victim and her killers.
The book is split into five parts including the kill, the killers, the police investigation, the trial, and information on what has happened since. This is a harrowing story of teenagers, mainly girls � 6 girls, and 1 boy murdering another teenager. The circumstances and the lives of these people are stranger than any fiction book could recreate. The why Reena Virk was killed could have been for several reasons and some are given in the book.
Under the Bridge was an insightful and eye-opening story that followed a senseless murder by teenagers who wanted to be gangsters. It looks at everything from all angles and the information comes across clearly. The writing style took some getting used to and the first part which was a ‘getting-to-know-everyone� section did bore me a little but without this, the rest may have been harder to understand.
Overall, Reena’s story deserves to be told and I was fascinated and amazed by the amount of research the author put into this book and how many years she spent getting and collating the information.
April 5, 2021
I really wanted to like this book more. The case itself is deeply compelling and Godfrey obviously put an enormous amount of work into the book, but the problem for me is that the effort isn't visible.
She writes INCREDIBLY intimate portraits of over a dozen core characters; she catalogues individual thoughts, actions during conversations, things people were wearing on a day to day basis on 1997. But with the book being in a 3rd person omniscient voice, I just can't trust her totally. I had a really hard time trusting in the truth of these days and conversations when the only evidence of them were some parenthetical quotes from the people when Godfrey must have interviewed them. This is a book where I really wanted to see some process behind the story being told and and assembled and there just wasn't any.
That, and some of the language gets to a point of melodramatic purple prose that I found really, really irritating when it was used to describe a bunch of teenagers implicated in a murder. It made the narrative less believable for me; I really don't care if Josephine's wrists are "slim, impossibly white" and that sort of descriptor, frankly, makes me uncomfortable.
Two stars for all of the above reasons--the book was compelling, and I wanted to see it through, but it annoyed me at nearly every turn.
She writes INCREDIBLY intimate portraits of over a dozen core characters; she catalogues individual thoughts, actions during conversations, things people were wearing on a day to day basis on 1997. But with the book being in a 3rd person omniscient voice, I just can't trust her totally. I had a really hard time trusting in the truth of these days and conversations when the only evidence of them were some parenthetical quotes from the people when Godfrey must have interviewed them. This is a book where I really wanted to see some process behind the story being told and and assembled and there just wasn't any.
That, and some of the language gets to a point of melodramatic purple prose that I found really, really irritating when it was used to describe a bunch of teenagers implicated in a murder. It made the narrative less believable for me; I really don't care if Josephine's wrists are "slim, impossibly white" and that sort of descriptor, frankly, makes me uncomfortable.
Two stars for all of the above reasons--the book was compelling, and I wanted to see it through, but it annoyed me at nearly every turn.
December 5, 2011
Under the Bridge is a grime portrait of teenage life gone seriously wrong. I had heard the story of Reena Virk's murder on the news a few years ago, when it was going on, but this book really showed me a different side of the case. Read for my grade 11 english class, this novel terrified me, but in a good way. It is so raw, full of pure emotion, that I could clearly picture the events as it happened. I've never really been interested in crime books, but Under the Bridge really opened my eyes. The details it went into describing the events showed the youth so realistically that it seemed as though it could happen in my own community- a truly scary idea to grasp, but one of the things that made Under the Bridge so powerful.
May 3, 2015
1-terrible-horrible-awful-star
I’ve read a lot of true crime back in the days. And I believe there is a specific professional format that you have to follow as a true crime writer. But today I guess every murder deserves a book. Because why not? I wonder who bought copies of this book. Mostly Vancouver Island residents I bet.
Well, where do I start? Do I start with the point that this book had NOT enough actual case files? Or should I rage first that every other chapter was a filler? I mean, really? I believe that making an innocent angel from a victim is a usual strategy in true crime, but do I really have to read every single detail about victims grandfather, grandmother and parents, etc?
I was battling with this book for quite a while. I was really trying not to put it down. But every page was a struggle. The language used to write this monstrosity is mostly immature. Sentences are blank and hold no information. Frequently author just stomps all over the place and doesn’t really follow any particular line of thought. I understand that this book was dedicated to Reena Virk. And author tried to explain why the girl was murdered. I believe that many can feel for Reena and even associate themselves with her. But if this book can ever be called a true crime the author definitely has to work on her style of writing and research. I wish this book had more of concrete information rather than assumptions and prejudice.
I’ve read a lot of true crime back in the days. And I believe there is a specific professional format that you have to follow as a true crime writer. But today I guess every murder deserves a book. Because why not? I wonder who bought copies of this book. Mostly Vancouver Island residents I bet.
Well, where do I start? Do I start with the point that this book had NOT enough actual case files? Or should I rage first that every other chapter was a filler? I mean, really? I believe that making an innocent angel from a victim is a usual strategy in true crime, but do I really have to read every single detail about victims grandfather, grandmother and parents, etc?
I was battling with this book for quite a while. I was really trying not to put it down. But every page was a struggle. The language used to write this monstrosity is mostly immature. Sentences are blank and hold no information. Frequently author just stomps all over the place and doesn’t really follow any particular line of thought. I understand that this book was dedicated to Reena Virk. And author tried to explain why the girl was murdered. I believe that many can feel for Reena and even associate themselves with her. But if this book can ever be called a true crime the author definitely has to work on her style of writing and research. I wish this book had more of concrete information rather than assumptions and prejudice.
Read
July 27, 2011I did not care for the writing of the book, I wouldn't say she is a good author at all but the story was good. I did get a little confused when she kept adding more characters and then jumping through their stories to much, I felt like I was constantly waiting for the connection. I do remember when this happened and feel more knowledgeable now. I have been in Reena's shoes through high school and I am greatful that I was able to overcome any obstacles. Kids can be cruel and I just hope that I am able to raise my own children in such a way as they will be smart and be able to make the right choices.
November 7, 2009
On Saturday, June 30, 2007 I wrote about thsi book:
I completed this 2 days ago. Really a good read indeed. Shocking story how teens kill a young girl.
Very well written and a book you can't put down once you start reading.
9I see I gave it a 9 out of a 10)
I completed this 2 days ago. Really a good read indeed. Shocking story how teens kill a young girl.
Very well written and a book you can't put down once you start reading.
9I see I gave it a 9 out of a 10)
April 19, 2024
Heartbreaking, infuriating, and depressing.
February 27, 2025
Rebecca Godfrey, volata troppo presto, racconta il caso di Reena Virk, giovane canadese uccisa per mano dei suoi coetanei.
Il libro è molto dettagliato, come è chiaro che il movente dell'omicidio non è il razzismo come dicono gli articoli di giornale, ma stupidi problemi adolescenziali; problemi di poco conto, ingigantiti da ragazzini disturbati e senza una guida genitoriale.
La noia, gli idoli sbagliati, la voglia di essere accettati, di essere guardati, amati; otto ragazzi che non facevano parte di una gang, si sono riuniti in un unico grido amaro, mentre la vittima, anch'essa in cerca di identità , ha dovuto raccogliere suo malgrado questo disagio affinché qualcuno si ponesse la domanda scomoda:
«Com’� potuto succedere? Com’� possibile che dei quattordicenni arrivino a essere implicati nella morte di una loro coetanea?».
Il libro è molto dettagliato, come è chiaro che il movente dell'omicidio non è il razzismo come dicono gli articoli di giornale, ma stupidi problemi adolescenziali; problemi di poco conto, ingigantiti da ragazzini disturbati e senza una guida genitoriale.
La noia, gli idoli sbagliati, la voglia di essere accettati, di essere guardati, amati; otto ragazzi che non facevano parte di una gang, si sono riuniti in un unico grido amaro, mentre la vittima, anch'essa in cerca di identità , ha dovuto raccogliere suo malgrado questo disagio affinché qualcuno si ponesse la domanda scomoda:
«Com’� potuto succedere? Com’� possibile che dei quattordicenni arrivino a essere implicati nella morte di una loro coetanea?».
March 26, 2023
I vividly recall the murder of Reena Virk from my teenage years. Though she was several years younger than me, and had many different reasons for being bullied (different from the reasons that I was bullied), I was still shocked by the level of sadism that she suffered at the hands of her attackers, even in the weeks and months leading up to her killing. Like most of Canada, I was captivated by these teenagers who strutted around like they were hardened, violent criminals but in fact were, for the most part, very naive, scared kids, who talked a big talk but didn't walk the walk. Not until they severely beat and killed someone, that is.
I would not otherwise have picked up this book had I not been reminded of Virk’s murder by encountering Rebecca Godfrey's (she died last year). Although I felt that the teenagers' motives for so brutally assaulting Virk had never been adequately explained, I had long forgotten this fact, overshadowed as it was by the fact that Kelly Ellard, one of the actual murderers (who ultimately finished off Virk after she had been seriously but not fatally beaten) went through three murder trials before finally being found guilty. Godfrey's obituary mentioned how she had gradually won the trust of many of the main characters and finally was able to put the pieces together in a way that sensational, daily news journalists (mostly white men, by the way) weren't.
So major props to Godfrey for her exhaustive and persistent reporting. That is a core strength of the book and a remarkable achievement, to get these girls (primarily girls, with the exception of Warren Glowatski) to speak with her extensively. The book, however, is weakened by two main issues. One is that Godfrey writes like a simpleton, as if the book is intended for YA readers, using very short sentences and annoyingly basic vocabulary. The story just reads like See Dick and Jane Murder Their 14-Year Old Classmate. At the same time, her prose can flip from overly simplistic language to unnecessarily mawkish and overdramatic analogies and analyses, as if she is trying to paint an artistic picture of each and every situation when none is warranted. She deliberately repeats information in an awkward attempt at mellifluousness not befitting the situation. (I think this is a function of Godfrey primarily being a novelist rather than an investigative reporter.) The result is not only laughable and cringe-worthy in many places, but makes the reader question Godfrey's own agenda behind these stylistic choices. Is she trying to elicit the reader's sympathy for the killers by subtly positioning them as simple folks, just caught up in a lot of empty, big talk until it one day, "mysteriously" crossed the line into more than that? Is she making some kind of ham-fisted attempt to put the reader in the minds of a 14-year old juvenile delinquent? It's hard to tell and of course now, we'll never know the answer.
In all, I wish Godfrey hadn't undermined her own reporting by deciding to write the book in such a florid, artistic manner, as the stylistic liberties just detract from the facts at hand. If she'd written the book using a more straightforward, factual approach, it would have been easier for the reader to understand what happened and the killers' motivations. Unfortunately, having finished the book, it just feels like I've watched a bad, low-budget "made for television" documentary airing on CBC. Now I know the facts, but I don't feel anything concrete about them and certainly don't really know what I should make of these characters.
I would not otherwise have picked up this book had I not been reminded of Virk’s murder by encountering Rebecca Godfrey's (she died last year). Although I felt that the teenagers' motives for so brutally assaulting Virk had never been adequately explained, I had long forgotten this fact, overshadowed as it was by the fact that Kelly Ellard, one of the actual murderers (who ultimately finished off Virk after she had been seriously but not fatally beaten) went through three murder trials before finally being found guilty. Godfrey's obituary mentioned how she had gradually won the trust of many of the main characters and finally was able to put the pieces together in a way that sensational, daily news journalists (mostly white men, by the way) weren't.
So major props to Godfrey for her exhaustive and persistent reporting. That is a core strength of the book and a remarkable achievement, to get these girls (primarily girls, with the exception of Warren Glowatski) to speak with her extensively. The book, however, is weakened by two main issues. One is that Godfrey writes like a simpleton, as if the book is intended for YA readers, using very short sentences and annoyingly basic vocabulary. The story just reads like See Dick and Jane Murder Their 14-Year Old Classmate. At the same time, her prose can flip from overly simplistic language to unnecessarily mawkish and overdramatic analogies and analyses, as if she is trying to paint an artistic picture of each and every situation when none is warranted. She deliberately repeats information in an awkward attempt at mellifluousness not befitting the situation. (I think this is a function of Godfrey primarily being a novelist rather than an investigative reporter.) The result is not only laughable and cringe-worthy in many places, but makes the reader question Godfrey's own agenda behind these stylistic choices. Is she trying to elicit the reader's sympathy for the killers by subtly positioning them as simple folks, just caught up in a lot of empty, big talk until it one day, "mysteriously" crossed the line into more than that? Is she making some kind of ham-fisted attempt to put the reader in the minds of a 14-year old juvenile delinquent? It's hard to tell and of course now, we'll never know the answer.
In all, I wish Godfrey hadn't undermined her own reporting by deciding to write the book in such a florid, artistic manner, as the stylistic liberties just detract from the facts at hand. If she'd written the book using a more straightforward, factual approach, it would have been easier for the reader to understand what happened and the killers' motivations. Unfortunately, having finished the book, it just feels like I've watched a bad, low-budget "made for television" documentary airing on CBC. Now I know the facts, but I don't feel anything concrete about them and certainly don't really know what I should make of these characters.
May 13, 2024
1.5 rounded up to 2 for Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ
This book is the true story of the murder of a young 14 year old girl named Reena Virk. Now, normally it would feel wrong to me to rate this book based on what it's about (how can one rate the true story of something so horrific?) but being honest, this story just did not really sit well with me, and I don't believe this author did right by this young girl and the story she told. And that is what I'll be rating.
I'll start by saying that this author's writing style is far from my favorite, and made this one difficult to get through. I feel she spent a lot of time on details and back stories that didn't really matter or give any depth to the story. And so much of it was sooooo repetitive. And she spent so much time on these miniscule details, when she spent hardly any time on subject of the story, this victim of the crime - Reena. I feel like she was hardly mentioned, and the author hardly gave her the time of day. And what little she did mention of her, wasn't exactly flattering information. Yes, Reena seemed to be a troubled, misguided teen like all the others in this story, but I don't feel any time was spent trying to make her a real, relatable, tangible person. There was nothing written to get the readers to connect and feel for this person. This seemed so disrespectful to me, seeing as how she spent so much time on her murderers and assailants - and at times seemed to make them the more relatable and sympathetic of the bunch. This is also the same for Reena's family - once again, did not spend hardly any time on their perspective of events, what the murder of Reena did to their family, what their thoughts and feeling were throughout this horrible ordeal. Once again, just came off very disrespectful to me.
One of the positives I'll mention is that Godfrey did well in writing the court hearing scenes - I feel like they flowed well and were easy to follow, and made them feel like some sort of fight scene which helped keep my interest.
In the end, not something I think is worth recommending. I'm sure there's other ways the story of Reena have been told which I'm sure are more respectful to her and her family's loss. Could have been done a lot better in my opinion. Curious to see how the Hulu series will represent this story.
This book is the true story of the murder of a young 14 year old girl named Reena Virk. Now, normally it would feel wrong to me to rate this book based on what it's about (how can one rate the true story of something so horrific?) but being honest, this story just did not really sit well with me, and I don't believe this author did right by this young girl and the story she told. And that is what I'll be rating.
I'll start by saying that this author's writing style is far from my favorite, and made this one difficult to get through. I feel she spent a lot of time on details and back stories that didn't really matter or give any depth to the story. And so much of it was sooooo repetitive. And she spent so much time on these miniscule details, when she spent hardly any time on subject of the story, this victim of the crime - Reena. I feel like she was hardly mentioned, and the author hardly gave her the time of day. And what little she did mention of her, wasn't exactly flattering information. Yes, Reena seemed to be a troubled, misguided teen like all the others in this story, but I don't feel any time was spent trying to make her a real, relatable, tangible person. There was nothing written to get the readers to connect and feel for this person. This seemed so disrespectful to me, seeing as how she spent so much time on her murderers and assailants - and at times seemed to make them the more relatable and sympathetic of the bunch. This is also the same for Reena's family - once again, did not spend hardly any time on their perspective of events, what the murder of Reena did to their family, what their thoughts and feeling were throughout this horrible ordeal. Once again, just came off very disrespectful to me.
One of the positives I'll mention is that Godfrey did well in writing the court hearing scenes - I feel like they flowed well and were easy to follow, and made them feel like some sort of fight scene which helped keep my interest.
In the end, not something I think is worth recommending. I'm sure there's other ways the story of Reena have been told which I'm sure are more respectful to her and her family's loss. Could have been done a lot better in my opinion. Curious to see how the Hulu series will represent this story.
May 21, 2024
Reena Virk was failed in life and failed in death by this book. The author was only arsed to mention Reena and the Virks in passing. The author spends chapters describing Warren, Kelly and Josephine. Reena is simply described as overweight, lips too dark, eyes too close together. This is more of a love story to the teenagers killers than the story of Reena Virk. If the author spent a quarter of a time on Reena that she did on the killers then we would have a truly moving and heart wrenching story.
Pass on this book, watch the show instead. At least it makes Reena a human even with all the dramatizations.
Pass on this book, watch the show instead. At least it makes Reena a human even with all the dramatizations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2024
Rambling and Confusing
Almost 500 pages and no insight or clarity. Godfrey starts this book with pages and pages of information about the people we are about to meet. But her writing assumes her readers are already familiar with this case, which I was not. So the back stories of these people fell flat as it was difficult to understand who they were
For such a horrendous crime, the book falls flat and without emotion.
Over written, lacking passion, and with so much unimportant detail, it was a chore to get through it
The story deserved better
Almost 500 pages and no insight or clarity. Godfrey starts this book with pages and pages of information about the people we are about to meet. But her writing assumes her readers are already familiar with this case, which I was not. So the back stories of these people fell flat as it was difficult to understand who they were
For such a horrendous crime, the book falls flat and without emotion.
Over written, lacking passion, and with so much unimportant detail, it was a chore to get through it
The story deserved better
June 11, 2024
Absolute trash.
July 5, 2024
Edge of my seat this entire book. So well written I felt like I was there!! Really glad I learned about this
February 18, 2025
4.5 stars. Victoria, British Columbia, 1997. Fourteen year old local girl Reena Virk went out but never came home. Killed by kids her own age and caught up in a savage act of violence that ended up in the abrupt loss of life.
Under the Bridge is a detailed and investigative report of exactly what happened that night - and of the background leading up to it. Author Rebecca Godfrey, a local of that area, describes this small town vividly, she introduces the reader to the cast of players who will all come together that fateful night and allows us to witness the decisions and choices, rightly or wrongly, that these kids made.
Godfrey covers the murder investigation in well researched detail and highlights all the evidence laid out in front of the jury. It’s all there; the conversations, the relationships, the background to the crime. You’ll feel like you’re there, in that community, walking those streets and watching lives unfurl.
This was a truly fascinating piece of work - it’s true crime but it almost reads like a novel. Some of these girls within this book are nasty, I was horrified by them, but had to learn more. The attention to detail is exemplary and the research truly outstanding. I part listened to this and there was an interview between the author & narrator at the end of the Audible book which enhanced the book even more. In this Godfrey reveals her connection to the town and how she became drawn to the story.
Ultimately this is a dreadful tragedy. So many wrong decisions made on one terrible night. Heartbreaking and contemplative.
Under the Bridge has been made into a tv series which premiered last year. I’m going to have to watch it.
Under the Bridge is a detailed and investigative report of exactly what happened that night - and of the background leading up to it. Author Rebecca Godfrey, a local of that area, describes this small town vividly, she introduces the reader to the cast of players who will all come together that fateful night and allows us to witness the decisions and choices, rightly or wrongly, that these kids made.
Godfrey covers the murder investigation in well researched detail and highlights all the evidence laid out in front of the jury. It’s all there; the conversations, the relationships, the background to the crime. You’ll feel like you’re there, in that community, walking those streets and watching lives unfurl.
This was a truly fascinating piece of work - it’s true crime but it almost reads like a novel. Some of these girls within this book are nasty, I was horrified by them, but had to learn more. The attention to detail is exemplary and the research truly outstanding. I part listened to this and there was an interview between the author & narrator at the end of the Audible book which enhanced the book even more. In this Godfrey reveals her connection to the town and how she became drawn to the story.
Ultimately this is a dreadful tragedy. So many wrong decisions made on one terrible night. Heartbreaking and contemplative.
Under the Bridge has been made into a tv series which premiered last year. I’m going to have to watch it.
January 22, 2016
Sad, awful story of a social outcast who was turned on and murdered by some of the more popular kids. I though this was poorly written -- the victim and her family deserve much better -- but the basic points came across all right. What makes this so chilling is that you know more kids would do this to their local outcasts if they thought they could get away with it.
June 28, 2024
Tragic story.
I'd never heard of this case prior to finding this at the library.
A group of kids savagely attack and kill a teen girl while dozens watch.
Why would they do this? Godfrey goes into serious detail in the case.
The book is good and if you're familiar w/ the case you'll probably really like it.
From the outside I feel it was a tad too detailed and could trim a bit of the content.
The kids themselves? It's truly awful. This is a bunch of British Columbia kids with not a whole lot to do in the mid/late 90s. Some fancy themselves crips (seriously) others mafia, still others just tough guys/girls. The tragedy is a group of kids that think they're something they're not, nothing else to do, bloodlust, cowardice and teen poor-decision-making all in one moment. There are a couple girls that are truly unlikeable, one gets what's coming to her, the other ended up a stripper. Not sure if that's a win or not since she's a 100% narcissist.
Anyway, pretty good read if not, like this review, a little long winded.
I'd never heard of this case prior to finding this at the library.
A group of kids savagely attack and kill a teen girl while dozens watch.
Why would they do this? Godfrey goes into serious detail in the case.
The book is good and if you're familiar w/ the case you'll probably really like it.
From the outside I feel it was a tad too detailed and could trim a bit of the content.
The kids themselves? It's truly awful. This is a bunch of British Columbia kids with not a whole lot to do in the mid/late 90s. Some fancy themselves crips (seriously) others mafia, still others just tough guys/girls. The tragedy is a group of kids that think they're something they're not, nothing else to do, bloodlust, cowardice and teen poor-decision-making all in one moment. There are a couple girls that are truly unlikeable, one gets what's coming to her, the other ended up a stripper. Not sure if that's a win or not since she's a 100% narcissist.
Anyway, pretty good read if not, like this review, a little long winded.
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