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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
This book presents murder, and the public interest in true crime, from four different perspectives - the detective, the victim, the defender, and the killer. The author references some very well known cases (Manson murders, West Memphis 3, Columbine) but gives nuance and detail to how these stories played out outside of the media gaze. It also delves into just what it is that draws us (and women in particular) to read, watch, and listen to these stories - are we voyeurs, or are we arming ourselves with knowledge? Are we contributing to the idea of killer as celebrity, or are we the people keeping the justice system accountable?
It was an interesting read and delves into some of the icky areas of self-investigation about interest in these topics. Monroe ingratiates herself and her experiences doing this research and these investigations, so this sometimes feels like part-memoir rather than strictly research based.
Recommend to true crime fans and anyone familiar with Karen and Georgia's frequent justifications for My Favorite Murder (meaning if you've heard it enough times, you are clearly also a fan who has likely wondered if this is a "good" thing to be consuming).
It was an interesting read and delves into some of the icky areas of self-investigation about interest in these topics. Monroe ingratiates herself and her experiences doing this research and these investigations, so this sometimes feels like part-memoir rather than strictly research based.
Recommend to true crime fans and anyone familiar with Karen and Georgia's frequent justifications for My Favorite Murder (meaning if you've heard it enough times, you are clearly also a fan who has likely wondered if this is a "good" thing to be consuming).
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
This was a solid 3.5 star read for me. This was an interest look at our current obsession with true crime and why women seem so drawn to it. She breaks down four "archetypes" of true crime fans, by talking about four crimes and the women involved in it. I would have liked a little bit more of a wrap up of the four types tied together. If you're a true crime fan I would recommend this one.
Four in-depth essays, each focusing on one woman, discussing the murder of Sharon Tate, the West Memphis Three, and others. Fascinating stuff, looking at crime cases, the fascination of true-crime television and websites. This is very much a worthwhile read.
despite only giving this 3 stars, i really think people who voraciously consume true crime (especially in more ~normie~ ways or without also taking in narratives critical to policing) would really get a lot out of this.
the individual "crime" stories to highlight the "archetypes" (and the archetyping in general) was the weakest part of this book for me but the straight up nonfiction, examination of society's relationship with true crime and its effects on policing, criminal justice, and ourselves is so strong and makes the book worth picking up imo.
the individual "crime" stories to highlight the "archetypes" (and the archetyping in general) was the weakest part of this book for me but the straight up nonfiction, examination of society's relationship with true crime and its effects on policing, criminal justice, and ourselves is so strong and makes the book worth picking up imo.
dark
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced