Reviews - Who Killed Christopher Goodman?: Based on a True Crime

55 reviews for:

Who Killed Christopher Goodman?: Based on a True Crime

A story told from many viewpoints about the murder of a 17 year old boy in 1979 Virginia. The story skips around in time and builds tension before detailing the tragic murder during a town festival. With most of the main character telling portions of the story from their perspective you get a good grip on the characterization and a unique look at the characterization of the victim as no part of the story is told from his perspective; his character is revealed by his interactions with others and the feelings other project on him.

The setting and time period are richly drawn and put readers there as authentically as possible. An author's note covers the inspiration for the story and draws a line between what is fact and what is fiction.

I really appreciated the way the main characters grieve the loss of the title character; it makes the story therapeutic for any reader who has ever experienced guilt stemming from the loss of a loved one. Highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction with a heavy dose of characterization.

Grades 9 & up.

joslynmyers's review against another edition

3.75

challenging emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

comicsandcoffee's review against another edition

3.0

Here's the thing, this isn't really about the crime itself. It's about the after effects and the what ifs. It's very much a cathartic, reflective work for Wolf, who based the book on a true event. I didn't dislike it, but it wasn't what I expected.

paigemaria's review against another edition

2.0

I was given an ARC of this book from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This book was a very fast read for me. However, I was bored through most of it. I did enjoy the "revenge on Mr. Self-Righteous scene. But mostly, the format of this book was just too weird for me.

I also thought it was entirely too short. There was not enough time to get me to love these characters. They were very poorly developed. Except for Squib. Squib was my favorite.

I would have liked to learn more about The killer. I feel like there was just not enough development there, and I just didn't understand his motives.

I enjoyed the author's note. This book was inspired by an actual murder in the author's hometown. He explained which parts of the story were fiction and which were true.

I think this story had so much potential, but it was executed poorly.

lblanke724's review against another edition

3.0

As a high school librarian, I have been witness to the grief of students left behind after tragedy strikes a community. I like that Allan Wolf looks at this aspect in Who Killed Christopher Goodman? Readers get to know several kids who were on the periphery of the murder, as well as the murderer! We see the events leading up to Christopher's death and the guilt that follows. Recommend to readers who like realistic fiction and who can "hang" with multiple narrators.

mehopf's review against another edition

4.5

emotional funny informative medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

abbypneal's review against another edition

2.0

I'm torn on this book. For the first 90% or so I really disliked it- the format was weird and inconsistent, the story didn't seem to be going anywhere, none of the characters were fleshed out beyond a few archetypical traits, and the dialogue was unnatural and unconvincing (no one really talks like that).
However, the ending of the novel was decent, and brought in a small shred of meaning to the story. This novel is not a thrilling story of murder, it is at its core a story about guilt, and reads as almost a cathartic undertaking for the author, who was involved in the murder upon which this book was based. As I read the last section of the book and the author's note, I found myself enjoying the book for the first time throughout my reading experience, as I realized how much of it is based on fact- not only the events that actually happened, but also on the emotions the author and his community felt.
Ultimately this book was disappointing. I thought it would have a mystery element or at least an element of an investigation or details of the trial. It doesn't have any of those things, and I think it was brought down by the fact that it's mainly exposition to when the actual murder happens. All things considered, it was a really quick and easy read, and it was relatively enjoyable.

suzylibrarian's review against another edition

4.0

Thirty-seven years after the murder of a fellow high school classmate, Wolf tells a fictionalized version of the events leading up to the fateful Saturday night in small town Virginia in 1979. The story is told from alternating points of view of six characters, five who are friends with Christopher and one who turns out to be his killer. Christopher is a good and kind person, someone everyone likes, and his death is not only shocking to his friends but to the entire town. How could something like this happen? Wolf gives voice to the friendships and rivalries of several of the teenagers who knew Christopher best and the ensemble cast of narrators do an amazing job adding tone, humor and emotion. This novel is part crime fiction, part physiological thriller and part tribute to a friend taken far too soon. This is a short and powerful story about how guilt ridden a person can feel despite having nothing to do with the actual crime. Relating to a time well before cell phones and even cable television, this can easily sit within a historical fiction collection. The author’s note at the end of the narration sets the record straight how much of the novel is fictionalized.

Recommended grades 9 and up.