I enjoy reading true crime novels. When you step back and think about it; it is in our human nature to be curious about things we don't understand or sadly death...whether it be from natural causes or the act of a violent crime. If lots of people did not like reading about true crime stories, there would not be a lot of books published. Ok, enough of my mini rant and on to the book.

At first I thought it was the fact that I found William to be uninteresting as to the reason I was struggling to stay focused with this book but after reading several other readers comments; I realized that what I was feeling about this book was due to William but also the author. Now I am not saying I have anything against the author herself. It is more with the writing of this book. It did feel more like the author was putting together her case to go to trial. This way of writing for me personally felt like it weighted the book down.

fantastic read. very different to other books ive read recently. This was interesting and has you on the edge of your seat. Visiting a serial killer and writing a book based on that is very brave. All the information coming from that makes a very interesting read.

HIS GARDEN By Anne K. Howard, was not exactly what I had expected. I thought that it would be more about why the man who murdered 6 women and 1 man did just that. It was a book definitely by an attorney who was able to ent r the mind of someone who had brutally killed 7 people and left their bodies behind a shopping strip. There were times that I thought that there might be some infatuation between the two. You know a boy loves a puppy like a woman loves an outlaw. But, I think that might have been just my interpretation of the authors kindness. This is a very well written novel and I hope that this attorney/author finds another interesting case that she is interested in and writes and her book.

Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.


5+ stars ⭐️ out of 5

This true crime book was captivating. I cannot believe that the author was able to sit across from a serial killer and befriend him. That just blows my mind! However, if she had not befriended him, she would not have written this amazing book!

I have to say right up front, though disturbing I really enjoyed this story. Being able to get into the minds of killers would be my dream job. This book is well written. The book gives a lot of insight into the things that go on in jails and prisons, with the guards and the system. Great book!

His Garden is a well written true crime book. I have read a ton of these types of books over the years and each one gets me differently each time. To sit across from a serial killer and befriend them just blows me away.. I realize they are human too and Anne Howard definitely gives a perspective on how easily it is to befriend them. A truly great read for readers who like this genre.

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

This is true crime written by the alleged sociopath’s lawyer, so it’s no surprise that it focuses more on legal facts and proceedings than any deep psychosocial exploration of his kind. If you like that; you’ll like this. I didn’t do much. Lurid.

This book was written by attorney Anne K. Howard, who was working while she was also spending time writing and visiting the accused killer. His name is William Devin Howell, suspected of killing at least 7 people over a 9 month period, leaving their bodies in a wooded area of a suburb in Connecticut behind a strip mall. She also spent time talking to him on the phone during his time in prison awaiting the outcome of his charges on the remaining murders after he’d already pled no contest to the first one that had been discovered. There was a game of cat and mouse about him confessing his guilt to her on the rest until he decided what he was going to do in court. Fascinating book.

The book gives a lot of insight into the things that go on in jails and prisons, with the guards and snitches and the system. It kept me up all night reading it right through. My thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for providing me the advance digital copy for a fair review.

WildBlue Press
Pub: July 10th, 2018