Reviews

Helltown: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer on Cape Cod by Casey Sherman

keatynbergsten's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

3.5

dmhayden76's review

dark tense medium-paced

3.5

freezing_moon's review

1.0

I should have looked closer at this book. It is a true crime story with a whole bunch of fictionalized conversations (many taking place inside the head of of killer). Far too many liberties taken for me to take it seriously

alexrobinsonsupergenius's review against another edition

dark sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug use, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Cursing, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Violence, and Kidnapping

singerbina11's review

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

2.5

xyzalice's review

dark informative tense slow-paced

4.5

idkimoutofideas's review

dark medium-paced

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Injury/Injury detail

zoe_weems's review

Too yucky

ruthypoo2's review against another edition

challenging dark informative sad tense medium-paced

3.75

This book felt like an odd construct for me. I struggled through the initial chapters that interrupted the flow of the crime story to introduce renowned authors Kurt Vonnegut and Norman Mailer who have peripheral connections to the time and location where the murders took place. The story of their lives are interwoven throughout the book and while I get the author’s intention in including them, I can’t say it added to my enjoyment while reading the book since I often skimmed over the chapters dedicated mostly to Vonnegut and/or Mailer.

Otherwise, when the book was telling the story of the perpetrator of a series of horrible murders, it was interesting. While a lot of liberty is taken to fictionalize the dialogue and actions of many characters, the basics are faithful to real life events and historical record. I really didn’t mind that the author, Casey Sherman, “created” possible scenarios and dialogue between the killer, their victims, and others. As long as the reader understands this is something of a hybrid combining true crime and fictionalized actions and encounters, it does bring the story to life.

I liked that the layout is familiar: crime - discovery - police investigation - trial - outcome. These are the elements I enjoy learning about, as well as the incidents being set in the late 60s/early 70s in a part of the United States with its own unique identity.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Suicide, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Gore, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Car accident, and Death of parent

ritaslilnook's review

3.0

As a person who doesn't usually read true-crime, I had high expectations for Helltown. It was the first book I read about a serial killer and I expected it to blow me away. However, the narrative of this book became difficult for me to empathize with due to the additional information the author added that was not real.

The research is definitely visible within the pages of the book, but the dialogues of the characters and the scenes where the imagination of the author shines through turn this book into a fictional story about a serial killer who happened to be real.

The description of the book promised something different. I guess I wasn't that into the way the author chose to portray the killer. But, that's on me.

The writing is good and so is the premise, but this was a three-star for me.

If you're already an avid true-crime reader, give this one a try. I'd love to read different opinions.

Thank you to Sourcebooks, Casey Sherman, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.