The Shawcross Letters is a fascinating look at the Genesee River Killer and examines the psychology of serial killers. While the concept is interesting, the book didn't carry it out properly and was essentially a narrative about John Paul Fay (Shawcross's pen pal and admirer) and his psychopathic thoughts. There were some letters scattered throughout written by Shawcross that were disturbing but failed to capture my attention. The pacing was also off and this book could've been more interesting if it was shorter.

Thank you for the opportunities to read this book. I have attempted it on a number of occasions but unfortunately I haven’t been able to get into it.

This book is deeply disturbing! Shawcross is a person who never should have been given an outlet for his demented thoughts and deeds. Typically I am fascinated by the psyche of serial killers, but this was not an analysis of the inner workings of a criminal mind, this was simply an outlet for a disgusting human to continue reveling in his depraved fantasies.

I was really looking forward to this one because I'm a big true crime buff, and Arthur Shawcross' killings were actually here in my city, but this book ended up being disappointing.

John Paul Fay is an interesting guy with a dark past and dark thoughts. Because of that, he and Shawcross begin writing letters and strike up an intense friendship, despite Shawcross being in prison as a prolific serial killer. John felt a sense of kinship with the killer because he, too, had a warped mind and was always misunderstood. This memoir chronicles their friendship over the years, including letters from Shawcross.

This book felt largely disjointed, with most of it being narrative by John about his own life, and letters from Shawcross randomly thrown in from time to time. I felt that John's writing was too "flowery" with an attempt at being eloquent and high brow, but it just ended up making no sense and felt like word jumble from trying too hard to be "fancy."

Also, it was very one-sided because we were seeing Shawcross' letters, but not John's. This meant that essentially, they completely lacked context because we had no idea what Shawcross was responding to. The letters were also randomly inserted into the narrative with no rhyme or reason that I could ascertain. The timeline was confusing, and the letters didn't seem to fit in where they were placed in the story.

This book had a lot of potential with an interesting topic. People who befriend serial killers are an interesting breed, aren't they? It was definitely lacking though in that it needed WAY more editing and cohesion. It came across as a jumbled mess, and was not what I was expecting: a story more about Arthur and less about the author.

I am in charge of our Senior School library and am looking for a diverse array of new books to furnish their shelves with and inspire our young people to read a wider and more diverse range of books as they move through the senior school. It is hard sometimes to find books that will grab the attention of young people as their time is short and we are competing against technology and online entertainments.
This was a thought-provoking and well-written read that will appeal to young readers across the board. It had a really strong voice and a compelling narrative that I think would capture their attention and draw them in. It kept me engrossed and I think that it's so important that the books that we purchase for both our young people and our staff are appealing to as broad a range of readers as possible - as well as providing them with something a little 'different' that they might not have come across in school libraries before.
This was a really enjoyable read and I will definitely be purchasing a copy for school so that our young people can enjoy it for themselves. A satisfying and well-crafted read that I keep thinking about long after closing its final page - and that definitely makes it a must-buy for me!

The book written by John Paul Fay details his life and how he is diagnosed with a bipolar and schizophrenia.He doesnt want to work,preferring to stay at home and drink or do drugs once in a while,and make a living by selling pictures painted by Arthur Shawcross on ebay to others.

Until one day,he receives a letter from Arthur Shawcross himself.Shawcross writes to him about his killings,describing some of the girls in detail and what he has done to them.As time passes by,both Fay and Shawcross grows closer,with Shawcross offering Fay advice.The two men are similar in many ways with the difference being that Shawcross acted on his thoughts,and Fey lives through SHawcross's letters and memories

This was an ok read. I do not know if I could have did what the author did. Good look into the mind of a serial killer. The writing in the beginning was a bit choppy but seemed to smooth itself out. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

This book was not for me, I didn't even finish it, I don't mind gory reads but this was just too graphic. Yes, we get to read Shawcross's letters but none of the ones that Fay wrote to him. I got the impression that Fay wanted to be just like Shawcross but didn't quite have the guts.

I'm sure there are many out there who will enjoy this book but I'm not one of them.

This book details the relationship between a man and a serial killer. It is gory and horrific, but that should be no surprise when it involves a sadistic sexual serial killer. The book was good, although a little strange at times. It is very interesting if you like to read about serial killers.

I love psychologic thrillers and this book started off as one. Then other characters were introduced as red herrings and the plot got complicated and the whole flow of the story was lost. By the time that the killer was identified at the end, I had lost interest. A shame because the potential was there.

I gave up after reaching 20%. I didn't mind the serial killers letters. It was the horrible rants of the author that put me off. I have no idea what he was saying half the time. I knew it was english, but he made it very hard to follow.

This book was actually kind of disappointing. The author seems to suffer from a few mental disorders and it shows in his writing. When reading his work I feel like his mind was going 1000 miles an hour and his hands were doing all they could to keep up. Also , there isn’t really much about Shawcross himself . I wanted know what was going on in his mind not the author. I geuss I thought this was a book about Shawcross not the authors opinions or obsession with him

Review: THE SHAWCROSS LETTERS by John Paul Fay

Years ago I read a poignant description in a novel that I've never forgotten. The title and author I don't remember, but this sentence is indelible. It describes a patient, in an asylum or care home: "Only her eyes were alive, and they burned like those of someone who looked frequently into Hell." I firmly visualized, and still do; today, reading THE SHAWCROSS LETTERS, I feel it. I feel I've opened a book and I feel I've peered directly into Hades. Reader, if you've ever wondered if evil exists, if in human form there are those beyond the pale, wonder no longer. Remember: not all the dangerous ones are imprisoned. Out there are those whose thought processes don't even enter the same universe as us. We humans are fodder--just fodder.

I grew up near Rochester, NY and heard many, many stories of Shawcross; even knew people that had crossed paths with him.
Unfortunately, I just couldn't finish this book. Even though I love true crime, there was just something too unsettling to read a true crime from the vantage point of someone who fanatically admires a serial killer. I do hope others enjoy this, since it was a unique vantage point & well-written; it just was not meant to be read by me.

This book wasn't for me. You are warned that it is grusome and dark, but I wasn't expecting it to be that dark. If that is your thing, you'll enjoy it. I had to stop reading. The writing was unique and bizarre in a good way. The author did a nice job of tying his life and the correspondence together, so I am giving the book three stars based on the quality of the writing and then my own personal inability to finish the book detracted a star.

I first read about Arthur Shawcross as the Genessee River Killer many years ago after bodies had started turning up in New York and he'd become notorious and a book had come out about him. But this unusual book is written by Brian Whitney and John Paul Fay. Fay is kind of a screw-up that's going down the tubes. He doesn't want to work at a real job, so he can drink booze all the time and do drugs now and then. So he sells murderabilia on Ebay when he can remember to ship it out on time and keep his feedback ratings high enough to keep his customers returning.

Then out of the blue, he gets a letter from Arthur Shawcross after Arthur hears that one of his drawings has been sold on the murderabilia market, and tracks down and writes to the dealer of said item, John Paul Fay. He tells him that he's aware of the sale and he'd like a money order for it and gives him another drawing to sell. Fay is floored, having always been a twisted sort of admirer from afar, wondering how he found his home address. But he's also excited and flattered and accepts the position of salesman of the killer's art.

John Fay writes back to him to try to let him know that they are much alike in many ways, and should really be friends. Letters pass back and forth between the convicted serial killer and the alcoholic, mentally ill Fay who has desires of doing wrong but has never killed anyone. They do become friends after a time, and Fay began writing this book based on the letters that went back and forth between them. Fay has a very distinct writing style and plenty to say about his life before he even began exchanging letters with Shawcross about how his life is so messed up and spiraling. This is one bizarre book on a sleigh ride to hell as they become best buds, and Arthur gives him all kinds of twisted advice and suggestions.

I was provided with a free advance digital copy by NetGalley, the authors, and WildBlue Press in return for my honest review. Publication date is Feb. 13, 2018