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applesodaperson 's review for:
Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders
by Vincent Bugliosi
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
As far as crime books go, this one was mildly entertaining. I had a lot of prior knowledge about this case going into reading this book, so I guess I can't judge how good a job it does at introducing readers to the Manson family murders. But honestly I don't think it would have done the greatest job. It gets a bit confusing at times, and doesn't really have a satisfying conclusion. And I don't think it makes it clear enough that the prosecuting lawyer is the author of this book until much too far in. I didn't even realize it until like halfway through somehow.
And even though I did mostly enjoy this book, a few weeks after reading this, I read Chaos by Tom O'Neill, and this entirely changed my perspective of Helter Skelter. Even though I have my own separate criticisms of Chaos, it really calls into question the validity of Helter Skelter and all of the claims it makes. Overall those two books spin a very interesting web of questions and mysteries when it comes to the Manson family murders. But like all true crime cases, everyone's ultimate focus should be on the victims.
Listened to on Libby.
And even though I did mostly enjoy this book, a few weeks after reading this, I read Chaos by Tom O'Neill, and this entirely changed my perspective of Helter Skelter. Even though I have my own separate criticisms of Chaos, it really calls into question the validity of Helter Skelter and all of the claims it makes. Overall those two books spin a very interesting web of questions and mysteries when it comes to the Manson family murders. But like all true crime cases, everyone's ultimate focus should be on the victims.
Listened to on Libby.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Trafficking, Murder