Reviews

The Monsters We Make by Kali White

mstlily's review against another edition

5.0

I haven’t really dug into this story to read which real crimes this fictional story is based upon; but, it sounds like the story of Johnny Gosch. If you haven’t seen the Netflix documentary, “Who took Johnny?,” I highly recommend it. I’m not sure what I would think about this book if I didn’t know about Johnny’s case. But since I do know about it, this fictional tale drives home some real issues and if you want to know more about missing paper boys and why the mother was so adamant you never know who lives next door, read about Johnny.


As for the book, it was never dull. It mostly comes from the point of view of a teen girl and at first I thought I might not be reading a book for an adult.
But, it is definitely for adults.

Anyway. I liked it.
That’s my 2 cents.

autismreading_mom's review against another edition

4.0

This book was an amazing read. I love that this story is based a true story that actually happened made this book even a better read. I got this an ARC from netgally.

gwendolyn_kensinger's review against another edition

4.0

A gripping thriller with convincing elements of real horror. 

Based on the real-life Des Moines Register paperboy kidnappings in the early 1980's--The Monsters We Make explores the effects of one crime exposing another and the secrets people keep hidden from friends, families, and sometimes, even themselves. There are no shocking plot twists, no big reveals, no graphic scenes, but the action is more realistic and downbeat. It taps into the reader’s anxiety and the pain of the characters involved. 

Following the disappearance of paperboy Christopher “Chris” Stewart in August 1984, we follow three contrasting perspectives who are all connected to the case: 12 y/o Sammy who is also a paperboy, his 17 y/o sister Crystal, and Officer Dale Goodkind. On the morning of the disappearance Sammy is seemingly running for his life. At first, he dips into a church to hide and then once the coast is clear he runs home using another longer route, he feels is safer. He’s sweating, and has peed himself, and you can feel his fear and stress bleeding off the page, but we don’t know what he’s scared about or fearful of. Then we cut to Crystal who overhears the news of Chris’s disappearance on the police scanner in the family’s kitchen while she should be washing dishes. As a budding journalist she begins her own investigation. She’s quite smart and makes many connections over the course of the story. Officer Dale Goodkind is just about to clock out for the night when Chris’s case is handed over to him. It’s a race against the clock and a battle of Goodkind’s own demons that propels him forward in the investigation. There may be some inaccuracies for the time period, but unless you’re looking for them or those things bother you in general, I don’t think they mess with the overall intent. 

I was immediately immersed in the story and it had my attention from beginning to end. For me personally I think it could have been darker, with more on page scenes, but I think this is a good compromise for someone who doesn’t like super dark stuff to still be completely disturbed and chilled to the core. 

Content warning(s): child abuse, pedophilia 

bookwrm526's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

dmn5678's review against another edition

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

readerrachel's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

I listened to this as an audiobook, and it “read” a lot like a true crime documentary or podcast. I actually thought it was nonfiction at first. It’s very dark, but written in a way that keeps the reader/listener guessing about who’s guilty.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse and Rape

writergirl70's review against another edition

5.0

I read, no consumed this book. A suspense novel written as beautiful as prose. Characters so finely tuned we could all know them. And we do, thanks to White's skillful writing. I was drawn in by their well developed vulnerabilities and secrets. I cheered and chastised them as they steamrolled through the pages to a heartbreaking and satisfying conclusion. This is a book that will stay with me for a long, long time.

sammac072's review against another edition

5.0

I absolutely loved this book, I’m very new to mystery/thrillers but this one is definitely a favorite. It’s told from a variety of points of view, all centered around the disappearance of a young paper boy two years after a similar cold case. It’s set in the 80’s, back when everyone thought it was safe for children to roam their neighborhoods and pedophiles just didn’t exist (or weren’t spoken of).
The ending definitely left me wanting more and I would love for the story to continue, I don’t wish to spoil anything but there were unanswered questions that I would like to discover..

sciyuri's review

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

pursuitofagoodbook's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

4.0