Charmer: The True Story of a Ladies' Man and His Victims is a masterwork of true crime journalism from acclaimed author Jack Olsen, delivering a chilling portrait of a killer who weaponized charisma.

At first glance, George Russell Jr. was the kind of man people remembered for all the right reasons. Handsome, smooth-talking, and socially agile, he knew how to make people feel seen, special, and safe. Women found him magnetic; men found him easy to like. But beneath the polished exterior was a dark and twisted mind. What few realized, until it was far too late, was that Russell was hiding a sadistic impulse and a deep-seated rage toward the very people he claimed to adore.

Set in the affluent suburbs of Seattle in the late 1980s and early ’90s, Charmer traces the investigation into a series of brutal murders that left law enforcement baffled and a community horrified. Olsen, known for his psychological depth and narrative clarity, goes beyond the crime scenes to examine Russell’s upbringing, motivations, and manipulations. He also turns a critical eye toward a culture that too often overlooks red flags when charm is involved.

More than just a recounting of heinous acts, Charmer is an unnerving exploration of how easily evil can blend in, how predators can cloak themselves in likability, and how society’s own biases can aid in their deception. Olsen builds suspense not through sensationalism, but through careful detail and the slow, methodical unveiling of a predator hiding in plain sight.

With compassion for the victims and clarity about the killer, Jack Olsen delivers a story that is equal parts horrifying and thought-provoking. Charmer will leave listeners questioning the nature of evil, the power of charisma, and the cost of letting our guard down.