I felt like this was fairly entertaining and easily to connect with as a crime junkie myself. The enjoyment from listening to the narrator tell the story about these major murderers, who they knew barely anything about was a great way to get the story across and show how much the author lives the true crime genre. I’ve personally always felt like a strange person being so interested in true crime and serial killers, but being on the same page of not understand the devoted and “true lovers” of those criminals. This novel makes you understand that you are not alone and a lot of people feel the same way.

I thought that it was an enjoyable piece of writing in a comic book style but the art style and coloring felt lacking and in need of more. I also had a few issues with the only way I could read it was through the NetGalley app on my phone, which I would have preferred to read it on my tablet for more screen space.

Thank you to NetGalley for the E-ARC for an honest review.

Such a fantastic and witty book! I am not particularly big fan of true crime but reading why people could be obsessed with it was very entertaining!
Thank you to the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!

Murder Book is a fascinating use of the graphic novel medium. A well-designed book with a topic you don't often find represented in comics. Stellar read!

My feelings on Murder Book are rather mixed.

I’ll start with what I liked.
The the art style was nice and the book was rather long for a graphic novel.
Occasionally I found the novel really funny.
The actual murder cases were really interesting to read about.

Now on to the things I didn’t like.
The novel got really repetitive at some point. It dragged and was a little boring sometimes.
There is a short social justice part about racism in true crime that came out of nowhere and felt off. It’s only a few pages long and merely random thoughts with no deeper analysis of the issue.
In the end there’s also no real conclusion for the book. We don’t get an answer why the author is obsessed with true crime. She’s just repeating that it’s because of her mother a bunch of times.

Overall I thought this was an okay read, but I would’ve liked a more in-depth analysis as for why people are so intrigued by the true crime genre.

Perfect for fans of true crime! I found many aspects of this graphic novel relatable. Offers a unique experience of storytelling bouncing back and forth between gruesome facts about murder juxtaposed with a lighthearted memoir of her life and love of true crime.

I couldn't get into this book. It seemed chaotic too me. I think it's an ok book from what I did read but I don't think a graphic novel is the right format for the story.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of "Murder Book: A Graphic Memoir of a True Crime Obsession" from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I loved this self-acclaimed "graphic memoir" from page one! The author has a great way of keeping the reader engaged with a balanced mixture of wit, humor, horror, and curiosity. In "Murder Book", Hillary Fitzgerald Cambell takes us on a journey, recounting her life of being a true crime enthusiast and a lover of everything horror or death related, all while telling us about the people, the stories, and the murders that shaped her into who she is today. It took me no time at all to read this book because it was both enjoyable and enthralling the whole way through. I would love to give it a 4.5 our of 5 stars, but unfortunately that is not a feature of this website.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Being a murderino (shout out to Karen and Georgia) the premise of this graphic novel grabbed my attention. Exploring why murder is so fun to read about and a story about the authors journey of being introduced to true crime by her mother and a fascination as to why it is such an obsessed over topic.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me. I was unable to finish it as I just wasn't able to connect with the writing and the format. There was a bit too much text for me and I found it hard to follow where to read for the next points. In the end I just didn't connect with it which is completely okay. I have not given it a rating as I still think this is a book that others may enjoy and just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean it wont for someone else.

Still love the premise of the book though!

I am a huge murder documentary/true crime fan! So when I saw this graphic novel on here I really was excited for the chance to read it, however, part of the way in, things just seemed kind of chaotic. I really enjoyed the idea of this!

The book had its moments and some good one liners. I liked the illustrations but overall didn't love it. I don't know what I was expecting but it didn't meet my goal.

Oof, this did not work for me at all. I was immediately put off a bit by the art style and a joke made in the opening of the book, but I stuck it out in hopes it would get better, and it did not. I very rarely accuse anyone of glamourizing true crime stories because I also find myself very drawn to true crime stories and I acknowledge that it's entirely possible to be interested in the topic without romanticizing the killers, but in this case, the author's general approach towards the subject made me a bit uncomfortable.

Aside from the potential motive, though, there's just the fact that the style of this graphic novel is rough. The author cracks a few self-deprecating jokes about how disjointed their storytelling is, but seriously, there were so many pages that I had to re-read because the panels and speech bubbles were so poorly formatted that I couldn't even figure out what order to read them in.

At the end of the day, even if you consider yourself a true crime junkie, I don't recommend this.

This is my first graphic novel and it was better than I expected. I enjoyed the relationship between the author and her friends and family. The illustrations are great. Some of the script is not the easiest to read in e-book form. (It was easy to scroll in at least) The story is a little all over the place but in a fun way. Like a rambling conversation with a girlfriend.

This book spoke to me and looked into my soul and psyche as a huge true crime lover. I have loved it since I was a child. I listen to true crime podcasts; I read true crime books and watch all the true crime documentaries and love most crime tv shows. I tell people about weird crimes I have heard and my conspiracies about famous murders all the time. I am considered to be one of 'those' people obsessed with murder.
This book basically asks the question that most people ask.
The question: Why? Why do we love true crime?

"I'm not a murderer, I'm just obsessed with murder. There's a difference"

This book aims to accomplish multiple things. Firstly, it is a memoir about the author, their childhood, family and relationship with true crime and their own mental health. It also touches on why women in particular are interested in true crime, and the link that women are more likely to be a victim of crime, particularly violent crimes.

"Its why the woman are so into true crime. Were the ones dying! The women in these cases could be any of us"

The author has an entire section on how her love of true crime is hereditary, going as far back as her grandmother obsessing over true crime, reading true crime detective magazines, and reading crime novels.

My true crime obsession is also through my mother. She has always been interested in true crime, and we watch crime shows together. We have slightly different tastes though, where she has a preference for documentaries including documentary tv crime shows 20/20 , Forensic Files and 48 hours where I also love dramatisations and legal/detective/crime shows (which a generally based on real life cases) like Criminal Minds , Law & Order: SVU , Elementary . My mother and I have a penchant for British crime shows like Broadchurch , Line of Duty and of course our favourite, Midsomer Murders . My sister is slowly getting corrupted by us, where we have forced her to listen to my favourite podcasts and watch shows I know she will like. The process is slow but I know I will be successful in having another obsessive fan in my family.

"I feel like, for me, im just always trying to figure out what are all the warning signs of a murderer."

True crime has been around for longer than many think. True crime is a booming genre, with big streaming services like Netflix pumping them out like candy, and true crime podcasts cropping up like weeds. There are more ways to consume true crime than ever before, and it is a genre that will be hard pressed to die (pun intended) as crime is a side-effect of living in a society. Documenting true crime has evolved throughout history and it is highlighted in the first section. I loved this look at the past, the timelines of true crime and the evoltion of the genre.

"How are women not supposed to be afraid? Our husbands are always killing us!"

There are many references to many famous true crime cases; including The Zodiac Killer, Ted Bundy and Lizzy Borden. I was not only excited to read about crimes I already know, but I was excited to read about new cases. There is an entire section about Ted Bundy but plot twist, it is actually about Ann Rule!! I love that Ann Rule was the real focus because not only is she the true queen of true crime, but Bundy's notoriety has been exaggerated in a way that doesn't do justice to the victims.
I appreciate the author focusing on the victims of not just Bundy's crimes but also other famous crimes like the Zodiac killer. There was a small amount of information about their interests because they were more than murder victims; they were people with lives, loved ones, futures.

"We need to teach ourselves, our daughters, to trust their gut feelings. If you think something is wrong, it is."

Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell doesn't shy away from the political issues of true crime. They illuminate the media handling of victims, particularly female victims, and the inherent misogyny and racism within crime reporting and investigating. Women who are victims of crime are often slut-shamed, and "women are either the virign or the whore in the press" defined by their items of clothing or jobs.

Sex workers are one of the most vulnerable people in our society and experience higher levels of violence against them. Statistics range from 40% to 60% more likely to be murdered than non-sex working women. One study says 93% of women sex workers had been the victim of sexual assault. Transgender sex workers and trans women, especially people of color, endure higher rates of violence than those of cisgender women. Violence against sex workers is difficult to investigate (if they are even reported or if the police actively try to solve the case). In countries where sex work is illegal, sex workers are unable to report violence against them as they too could be arrested themselves. Sex work is widely, highly stigmatised, resulting in many cases remaining unsolved. The police themselves are often the perpetrators of this violence, and the trust between the sex worker community and the police is almost non-existent.

People of colour are often the most ignored victims when it comes to true crime shows and documentaries, and Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell rightly states, men of colour are somewhat 'expected' by society to perpetuate rape and murder, so when a white man does it, it is senstaionalised and studied as if they are an anomaly. Ted Bundy is an obvious example as someone who was constantly underestimated, given freedoms that most convicted killers are not, and had groupies that believed he was innocent. There are so many people of colour who are often victims of false convictions; people who cannot afford bail so they sit in jail for years without a conviction, and others in jail for racisit policies like the war on drugs, and the three strike laws. Feminism has entered the true crime genre in a new exciting way that allows women and other identities to be in charge of their own stories, and uplifts victims that have been silenced for too long. Women like Ann Rule, Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark (from My Favorite Murder ), Michelle McNamara (I'll Be Gone In The Dark), Ava DuVernay and Sarah Burns( When They See Us ) and so many more!!

There are so many books, podcasts, movies and documentaries and tv shows that are mentioned. I had to stop to add each book to my goodreads but some book titles were really hard to read, and I struggled with a few of them, that I had to try and guess the book through my goodreads recommendations of other books. I was disappointed with the end. I had expected a list at the end that has all the books, podcasts tv shows and movies mentioned.

"Never date a truck driver. They can hide a body anywhere."

I was surprised when I finished it because it felt somewhat unfinished. It is fitting, she ends it with her mum, watching a true crime show, but I might have expected some form of ephiphany. A conclusion that talked about the future of true crime, and where the genre will evolve towards. I had hoped there would be resources, mental health services, a call to action for people who can help victims of crime, and petitions for legislation changes, or even a satirical to-do-list to avoid getting murdered. I guess it itself had an unsatisfying ending like the crimes Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell talks about. Life keeps going, and we hope that ourselves or the people we love don't become the victims of crimes.

"I've actual learned to be a stronger woman because of true crime! It has taught me to stand up for myself and listen to my instincts, so i dont wind up on Dateline!"

Overall, this is an empowering, funny and informative memoir that is perfect for fans of true crime or just starting to gain an interest in the genre and friends and family of someone obsessed with murder and wants to understand why.

☁︎ Would I recommend this book?
Yes! Especially if you are interested in true crime, or have a friend or family member that is 'obsessed' and you want to understand their obsession with murder.
☁︎ Would I re-read this book
Yeah, I would love to get a physical book of this, and maybe use it as a coffee table book that I let my friends borrow so they can truly get my obsession.




☁︎  Would I recommend this book?
Yes! Especially if you are interested in true crime, or have a friend or family member that is 'obsessed' and you want to understand their obsession with murder.
☁︎  Would I re-read this book?
Yeah, I would love to get a physical book of this, and maybe use it as a coffee table book that I let my friends borrow so they can truly get my obsession.

This is a True Crime Graphic Novel. I found this Graphic Novel was fun to read. I did find there was parts of this book was a little repetitive, but I still enjoyed it. I enjoyed the pictures in this book, and I found the pictures really help bring this book to life. Even through this book was covering a hard topic (murder) it was funny and fun to read. Great read. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

3.8/5⭐

Thank you to NetGalley for providing the e-ARC for this book for an exchange of honest review. I requested for this one because the description feels relatable to me and indeed, I do enjoy reading it. I find it really funny as how I can relate a lot when the author says about her obsession with true crime. I admit sometimes it blows my mind when watching about how the criminals done their crimes, and then how the police or whoever involved managed to catch them with their hard work. Reading this book, I did not focus on the art style at all.. It is quite messy but I really love how it suits the vibe of this book. And I really love how the author puts her words and explained about the true crime and her obsession with it, while making it sounds humorous. Overall, that was such a fun read!

Murder Book is a graphic memoir of Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell, a cartoonist that loves true crime stories, just like me! So I when I saw this book available on NetGalley, I knew it was my cup of tea.
This graphic novel is sort of an autobiography of the author, she asks herself why she is so obsessed with true crime books, shows, documentaries and podcasts and, shares a few true crime episodes that stuck with her during the years.

I liked this book, it is easy and quick to read, but it didn't completely hit the mark for me.
In the first half I got the impression that the author wanted to feel special about loving something dark and controversial such as murder stories, to the point where she feels like a personal connection to the murders themselves and feels comfortable to joke about them. I'm usually okay with such jokes, but not when mixed with the stories of the victims, it was a poor choice, disrespectful and insensitive.
The second half is better, the author focuses more on the reasons why this genre is so interesting for her and the women in her family and I could see myself in pretty much all the listed reasons.
Towards the end of the book, the author correctly points out that it's usually white serial killers who get all the attention and/or if there are white victims, she condemns the racism that is present also in this specific field and reports the lack of media coverage when it comes to POC killers and victims. Unfortunately, with the exception of this one page, the author does exactly the same thing and talks about killers such as Zodiac, Ted Bundy and Tom Capano, all white men.

The artwork is good but very very simple, I could barely distinguish one female character from the other, but luckily that was not essential to follow the story. The lettering however was sometimes difficult to read and too chaotic.

My favorite part must be when the author explains a murder case to a girl and her father sitting next to her on a flight: during that part we do see other aspects of the author's life, like an unhealthy relationship she had, her anxiety, body issues... and that's when she becomes real and relatable. I just wish we had more of that deep honest person and less "I want to be murdered!" jokes.
3 stars.

Hilary Campbell is a cartoonist. She has written a memoir about her obsession with true crime. Did she inherit this interest from her mom or what? She does think that her mother’s love of true crime rubbed off on her. She gives us the history of true crime in books, film and podcasts. She also tells the reader about its appeal and popularity. The author explains how she personally got into reading about murder, serial killers and more. Her favorite author is Ann Rule and loves “Law and Order” on tv. She also speaks about the victims as she thinks they should be remembered.

The author does a variety of illustrations showing her thoughts and discussions with Mom, friends and more (such as bartenders). Her book is expertly done. I found her thoughts on true crime fascinating and interesting. It’s a memoir that I won’t forget!

A lovely graphic novel that has a great plot and artwork! I will definitely be sharing this with my students as they are in love with great stories!

Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell is obsessed with true crime. Born to later-in-life parents who had already raised a few kids, she grew up mainly in the company of adults, and listened in on the conversations where crimes in the news were often discussed around the table. Soon she was forming her own opinions and becoming hooked on the horrific crimes of the Zodiak and Ted Bundy.

In her graphic memoir, Campbell gives us the stories behind some of her favorite crimes and lists her favorite true crime books, documentaries, and podcasts. She looks deeper into her childhood and her family and the inherited obsession she has with the genre. Fully willing to admit it’s a strange obsession, Campbell looks at the psychology behind it and the reasoning behind why women find the genre so appealing.

This is a humorous memoir that works well in the graphic format! I enjoyed the black and white panels that reminded me of a vintage on-going newspaper strip. Weirdly relatable, this is a book that most any murderino is going to enjoy!

Thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Murder Book is scheduled for release on November 9, 2021.

This was a fun, introspective, thoughtful, and engaging graphic memoir of the author's love of (and grappling with her love of) true crime. I learned a new word ("muderino" a title of endearment for the hard core fans of true crime), learned a lot more about the night stalker and the zodiac killer, and thought a lot about the various arguments and reasons why people might love true crime (and why those fans are overwhelmingly women). The art is very loose and light, which doesn't always go with the subject mater, but it fits the author's boozy low key curious journey. Really enjoyed this.