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A review by sleepysadpoet
Behold the Monster: Confronting America's Most Prolific Serial Killer and Uncovering the Women Society Forgot by Jillian Lauren
dark
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Disclaimer: I received a gifted copy of this book via netgalley and in exchange I'm leaving an honest, thorough review. All opinions are my own.
When I requested this book, I knew absolutely nothing about Samuel Little. I just knew it included interviews with a serial killer, and as someone who listens to true crime podcasts and stuff, I was intrigued by that. Now that I've read it, I'm furious. He got away with so fucking much and it's terrifying.
Not because of the writer, she's talented and thorough. I don't typically read crime novels, though this isn't my first time reading one. Most of the ones I read are fiction.
This isn't fiction, it's reality and it's absolutely fucking terrifying that this man got away with so much. This is in part due to the fact that he targeted women who wouldn't be prioritized--sex workers, addicts, women of color. One was trans. And there were write ups saying "no humans involved." What the actual fuck?
I appreciate the fact that the writer focused on the victims and telling their stories. A lot of true crime experts focus on the criminal and his story, and that always gives me the ick. Because how can you be comfortable doing that, giving the murderers screen time? It isn't about THEM, it's about their victims.
This book is absolutely heartbreaking and it really made me think. He was one of the most prolific serial killers, and the reason he got away with it is because these women weren't viewed as human beings.
It's cathartic that he died of covid--he often told his victims to 'take his breath.' and at the end? He died from an illness that stole his breath.
This book was really intense, but those victims' stories should be told.
Thank you again to netgalley, and Jillian, for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
When I requested this book, I knew absolutely nothing about Samuel Little. I just knew it included interviews with a serial killer, and as someone who listens to true crime podcasts and stuff, I was intrigued by that. Now that I've read it, I'm furious. He got away with so fucking much and it's terrifying.
Not because of the writer, she's talented and thorough. I don't typically read crime novels, though this isn't my first time reading one. Most of the ones I read are fiction.
This isn't fiction, it's reality and it's absolutely fucking terrifying that this man got away with so much. This is in part due to the fact that he targeted women who wouldn't be prioritized--sex workers, addicts, women of color. One was trans. And there were write ups saying "no humans involved." What the actual fuck?
I appreciate the fact that the writer focused on the victims and telling their stories. A lot of true crime experts focus on the criminal and his story, and that always gives me the ick. Because how can you be comfortable doing that, giving the murderers screen time? It isn't about THEM, it's about their victims.
This book is absolutely heartbreaking and it really made me think. He was one of the most prolific serial killers, and the reason he got away with it is because these women weren't viewed as human beings.
It's cathartic that he died of covid--he often told his victims to 'take his breath.' and at the end? He died from an illness that stole his breath.
This book was really intense, but those victims' stories should be told.
Thank you again to netgalley, and Jillian, for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault