The lawyer for the schoolgirl victims of notorious rapist and killer Paul Bernardo doubts the law can prevent Bernardo from selling an e-novel online.

Tim Danson’s statement could increase pressure on e-commerce giant Amazon to remove A MAD World Order.It comes amid outrage from customers who say they will boycott Amazon as long as the book is available.

“It’s disturbing, obviously,” Danson said of the sale of a 631-page thriller, about Russia trying to regain superpower dominance, emblazoned with the name of the man who 20 years ago videotaped his sex slayings of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy, and before that was dubbed the “Scarborough rapist.”

“My biggest question is whether the novel directly or indirectly references any of his offences,” Danson said. “If not, then there is likely nothing illegal because he is not profiting from his offences. He has a constitutional right to free speech.”

Bernardo’s lawyer, Tony Bryant, told Global News on Thursday: “I am advised that Mr. Bernardo has written a book.” Bryant did not return the Star’s calls and emails.

Ontario enacted in 2002 the Prohibiting Profiting from Recounting Crimes Act. It prohibits killers from making money from books about their crimes, but does not stop them from writing fiction.

A Kindle version of Bernardo’s book sells for $7.77.

Amazon says writers can self-publish books worldwide to its Kindle store where the books will appear within 24 to 48 hours. Writers earn “up to 70 per cent royalties” on sales to customers in many countries, among them Canada, the U.S., the U.K. and Japan.

The “customer review” section for A MAD World Order included more than 70 comments Thursday night, many of them demanding Amazon remove it.

“As long as Amazon continues to see this book, I will no longer purchase from Amazon,” one says. “It is unimaginable that anyone would help this serial killer and psychopath profit. I will not support Amazon anymore.”

Another states: “Put yourself in the shoes of the families whose children were sexually tortured and slain by this sick man. This book prolongs their suffering. What an outrage that he should be given any air time whatsoever. Shame on you, Amazon.”

The Correctional Service of Canada — the federal department that oversees inmates including Bernardo — said in a statement it is aware of the book “and understands the content may be offensive to some.”

“Materials contained in the book may provide additional information relevant to decision-making regarding the offender,” wrote Melissa Hart, a communications manager. “While inmates incarcerated in federal correctional facilities have limited access to computers, they do not have access to the Internet or email.”

Prisoners can, however, communicate with members of the public in writing and have unscreened correspondence with their lawyers.

Danson said he will scour the book for scenes of violence and Bernardo’s “psychopathy,” or anti-social personality disorder.

Danson could use such scenes in court when he represents the victims’ families’ opposition to Bernardo’s application for day parole.

Bernardo is in solitary confinement in Millhaven Institution in Bath, Ont. Convicted 20 years ago of murdering French and Mahaffy, he was sentenced to life in prison with no hope of parole for 25 years.

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During his murder trial, the jury watched videotapes of him sadistically raping both Mahaffy and French before killing them.

After his trial, Bernardo confessed to raping 14 women as the dreaded Scarborough rapist. He was designated a “dangerous offender,” a label reserved for Canada’s most violent criminals and sexual predators.