All I can say is if you are writing a book about a woman accused of feeding her victim to her neighbors at a barbecue, you should lead with that fact. I remember reading about that in the news - and now I know the whole story. This was a thorough, impeccably researched book.

It was interesting to learn more about a female serial killer since they are pretty rare. It was also fascinating to get the perspective of law enforcement as they try to piece together the crime. Thank goodness for people like Laura Frizzo and Jeremy Ogden who went above and beyond to put Kelly Cochran behind bars.

If I have any criticism, the book was too thorough and detailed at times. It was occasionally repetitive.

Still, I finished the book wanting to know even more - I googled all the major players and I’ve learned there is a tv show detailing what happened. Can’t wait to watch it!

If you’re a fan of true crime, check this one out. It doesn’t disappoint! Big thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to preview in exchange for a review!

Where Monsters Hide by M. William Phelps – 4 Stars
Publisher: Kensington Books
ISBN: 9781496720818

I have not read other books in the True Crime category, so had nothing to compare this to and no preconceived expectations. It is an exhaustive, but compelling story of a woman who is described as “the worse female serial killer in modern America.” She was convicted of two murders and suspected of nine more.

The interviews with Kelly Cochran became tedious. Several times I set the book aside to switch to another book. The length of this book becomes understandable considering the hundreds of interviews and investigation over many years. The pictures at the end put a face to the people I spent hours getting to know. I developed great respect for Sheriff Laura Frizzo and Detective Jeremy Ogden for their persistence dealing with a narcissistic psychopath who was a master of manipulation.

Where Monsters Hide was a disturbing account. The insight into the evil mind of Kelly Cochran was fascinating and frightening. The courage of those in law enforcement who did not quit until she was convicted and imprisoned was inspiring. I thank Netgalley.com and Kensington Books for the opportunity to preview this book and introducing me to True Crime stories.

Reviewer: Nancy

This is an exhaustive account of the investigation into the crimes of a woman who was found guilty of killing her husband and one of her lovers 16 months apart.
Investigative journalist M. William Phelps details the story of 34 year old Kelly Cochran, of Lake County, Indiana, who was sentenced to 65 years in prison for injecting husband, Jason Cochran, with a lethal dose of heroin before smothering him. But she was already serving life for her involvement in the murder of Chris Regan, who vanished in 2014. Regan had been due to move to Florida with his son, but he was never seen again.
Iron River police chief Laura Frizzo, was the first officer to investigate Regan’s disappearance after another ex girlfriend, Terri O’Donnell, filed a missing person report. It transpired that Kelly Cochran had been having an affair with Chris shortly before he disappeared. Regan's car was found abandoned at a park-and-ride lot four miles east of Iron River, Michigan. Initially, Frizzo had a gut feeling that Jason had murdered Regan and that Kelly was somehow involved.
Attention had centred on Kelly because she was one of the last people to see Regan alive. When police searched her home with the FBI in March, 2015, they found nothing, but soon after, Cochran and husband Jason moved to Indiana.
Despite Frizzo's dogged determination to discover the truth, the case went cold until February 2016 when 37 year old Jason died of a suspected heroin overdose. Paramedics had been called to the house that Cochran shared with her husband. At first glance it looked like he had died of a heroin overdose, but the Indiana Lake County Coroner discovered that Jason had actually died from asphyxiation after being injected with heroin. Kelly Cochran later admitted that, two years previously, she and Jason had lured Regan to their home, shot him and dismembered him. Cochran said the slaying had been part of a “pact” to “kill off anyone involved in their extramarital affairs”. On October 13, 2014, Cochran lured Regan to her home with the promise of sex.
At times, Phelps' book reads more like a fictional thriller than an account of actual murders. The story is told from statements given by friends, neighbours and relations and reports from different law enforcement agencies. Overall, I felt it was Laura Frizzo who stands out in this story as she never let up trying to find what had happened to Chris Regan.

My thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.

Where Monsters Hide: Sex, Murder, and Madness in the Midwest
by W. William Phelps
2019
Kensington
5.0 / 5.0

October 14th, 2014 is the last time anyone heard from Chris Regan. He never showed up for work at his new job, and calls went unanswered. Known as a responsible, nice guy and a devoted father, his disappearance became even more suspicious. His ex-girlfriend filed a missing persons report, followed up by Michigan police chief Laura Frizzo.
Frizzo discovers that Chris was having an affair with a married, co-worker named Kelly Cochran and suspects Kelly husband, Jason is involved.
16 months later, Jason dies of an apparent drug overdose-until the coroner rules the death a homicide. Kelly, a Purdue graduate with a degree in psychology admits she is a psychopath.....has known it all her life. As her cat and mouse game with the detectives is played, more and more of her past is revealed. Chris may not be her only victim, as her acts of revenge and payback towards other men she feels slighted her are discovered. This is a women that gave me the creeps just reading about her. Her acts are vicious and staggeringly cold.
Phelps, one of my favorite true crime, has again given us a story of mystery, revenge, intrigue and creepy people. Phelps also explores the backstory of his horrendous crimes, how it has affected the lives of the detectives and investigators, as well as the families. I admire Frizzo. She was the one whose tenacity kept the cae alive and eventually lead to her getting as close to a confession as possible from a psychopath.
Intense, top notch story, masterfully explored and written.
Highly recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Press for this e-book ACR for fair and honest review.
#NetGalley #WhereMonstersHide

Where Monsters Hide: Sex, Murder, and Madness in the Midwest

I really got into this awesome true crime book. Once I was all involved in the story, I stayed up super late, not wanting to stop until finally pure exhaustion and not being able to see the letters anymore caused me to quit. I confess to being a Phelps fan, and I was thrilled when I got this e-ARC. I love Phelps books, and this one was good enough to keep me going right to the end. A great story about a man who suddenly goes missing right before his life was about to change for the better. He had just accepted a new job in Asheville, NC and failed to show up for his scheduled drug test prior to his starting date.

Chris Regan was very excited about the move. His oldest son was moving there too, which made it even better so they could spend time together in the outdoors doing things they both enjoyed. They talked and texted about it daily as they each were wrapping up their lives in Michigan, getting ready for the move. Then in mid-October, suddenly Chris Jr. was no longer able to reach his dad and didn’t hear back from him any longer either. His worry kept increasing. An old girlfriend of Chris Senior’s, Terri O’Donnell, became worried too. They had remained friends after they had stopped their dating relationship and she was very concerned when suddenly she didn’t hear from him. She knew of his upcoming move and plans, and it was so strange that he was out of touch. She went to the police and reported him missing. That’s what led to the investigation, and eventually the solving of, this horrifying case that Phelps writes about so well in this book. I’d call this one of his best books ever on an incredible story. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author M. William Phelps, and the publisher for my fair review.

M. William Phelps the number 1 name in true crime writing does it again! he is one of my favourite true crime authors. fantastic book showing the evil and horrors of what people do to other people. cannot wait for more!

Thank you to net galley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book I love true crime books




In October 2014, after Chris Regan failed to arrive at his new job, his ex-girlfriend filed a missing-person report. Something was off. It was not like Chris, a devoted father, avid hiker, and all-around great guy, not to show up. When local Michigan police chief Laura Frizzo learned Chris was having an affair with Kelly Cochran, a married co-worker, suspicion fell on her husband, Jason. After a search warrant on their house revealed several suspicious items, the Cochrans abruptly moved to Indiana. As questions swirled around the case, the whereabouts of Chris Regan remained unknown.

4 stars
Extraordinarily well-written and fascinating look at a brutal murder. Phelps delivers yet another shocking book that looks deep into the horrors of the evil people do to each other.
This is a heartbreaking story. Phelps deftly tells the story without sensation or disrespect which so many true crime authors tend to do.
I recommend this book to anyone who reads true crime.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

Where Monsters Hide is a true- crime read that captures both sides of the genre; those who commit unthinkable crimes and those who capture them. Through dogged police work and interviews, the case of missing Chris Reagan is solved to its horrific end and justice is meted out, though the greatest mystery may yet be how monsters sometimes hide among us, in plain sight. This tale is more twisted than most and the fact that it is non-fiction makes it all the more cautionary. Well done, Mr. Phelps.

I'd like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I read the author's last book and enjoyed it so I was excited to see this one on here. While I still enjoyed it, it didn't hold my attention as much as the other one did.

First I want to thank netgalley for letting me give an honest review of this book because M. William Phelps is truly one of my favorite all time true crime authors. Once again Phelps delivers an astonishing book of what people do to other people. His perspective is right on and never waivers from the nature of the crime. I have read every book he has written and watch him on television all the time and love that he tells it like it is. I would definitely recommend this book.