I thought I knew this story, but after receiving the advanced reader copy I was blown away! Kathleen Hale has every detail and psychological component noted within the book. Take some time and read this book, you do not know the whole story until you read this book. Well written!

This was an excellent look at the story of Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier's attack on their friend Bella Leutner. The two girls believed that Slenderman, an internet character, told them that they needed to kill their friend. The author shows great empathy in her storytelling because the perpetrators both suffer from mental health disorders.

This was a heartbreaking story, but if you are a fan of true crime, this is one you won't want to miss.

So much of this story has been shrouded by internet myth and now, from Kathleen Hale, a well-researched timeline and insight into the crime has been compiled into a book. Hale quickly dispels the myths and sorts through the confusion surrounding the stabbing of a 12-year old girl.

I remember hearing about the crime when it first occurred and wondering how anyone could confuse fictional stories (many written by juveniles) with truth. But Hale, through interviews with parents, the perpetrators of the crime and others, is able to show how two young girls, one who had early-onset schizophrenia; and the other, a lonely, depressed girl looking for a friend, could use stories of Slenderman and his proxies to unite in their friendship and quickly become caught up in the mania.

The book follows their lives from before the crime, to the act, and beyond while the girls are in and out of court, juvenile jail, and treatment centers. While the victim, Peyton (who went by Bella at the time of the stabbing) recovers physically from the horrific ordeal, Hale is sympathetic to Anissa and Morgan (the perpetrators) as they and their families navigate the court system. It is hard to feel sympathy for two almost murderers, but Hale sheds light on the limited-capacity of the justice system to provide means of rehabilitation, medication, and resources for two 12-year-olds.

This book made me consider questions about justice versus vengeance; the purpose of prison; how to handle children who commit horrific crimes; and the still present stigma surrounding mental illness.

I had heard about Slenderman on the periphery but had not heard of this case (I don't watch a lot of tv) so was interested to learn more about this event. I think for the most part, this book seems well-researched and provides a detailed account of the events and how they unfolded, including court room proceedings. If you are interested in true crime, I would recommend this book. I do wish there had been photos included but perhaps as this was the ARC the published edition will have them.

If you're anything like me, hearing the word "Slenderman" evokes a faint memory of numerous national news headlines about a fictional character that provoked two young girls into committing a heinous crime. Kathleen Hale does a masterful job of taking those news headlines and exploring the crime that was committed from every possible angle - from victim (Payton Leutner), to suspects (Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier), to their close friends and family. Two twelve year old girls attempting to fatally stab their close friend is a story that sounds too upsetting and unreal to be anything but fiction. While it would be easy to portray Morgan and Anissa in an entirely negative light, Hale is able to show empathy for all parties involved. In addition to performing a deep-dive into the Slenderman stabbing itself, this book also details the dangers that can evolve when the internet and mental illness collide. Combined with family neglect, the intricacies of the juvenile and adult court systems (and how they can fail), and the lack of mental health treatment within the criminal justice system, this novel will leave you with a new understanding of why Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier chose to do what they did, and a genuine feeling of hope that all three girls (now women) involved will find peace in their future.

I could not believe it when I heard about this case. Two 12-year-old girls in a suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, tried to kill another 12-year-old girl (one of the girl’s best friends!) by stabbing her viciously 19 times and leaving her in a park. How the hell does that happen?

Kathleen Hale, a Wisconsin native, has written a dynamic (heartbreaking)non-fiction account of the case based on court records, transcripts, public sources and interviews with one of the perpetrators who is in a mental institution.

Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weiner were obsessed with a website “creepypasta” where people posted horror stories, including ones about Slenderman. It is hard to understand why no one stopped them. This stuff was obviously unedited and not for 12 year olds. The girls became obsessed and there is evidence that both sets of parents knew about this. This was the first incredibly unfortunate circumstance.

The girls told police that they believed that they should kill Morgan’s best friend, Bella, so that they could walk to a forrest preserve and find Slenderman’s castle so they could live there forever. The book also tackles mental illness and how the Wisconsin court system exacerbated Morgan’s schizophrenia by not allowing her to be properly medicated until after her trial in adult court.

What happened to Bella was horrendous and disgusting. She spoke out in 2019 (then 17) about what happened to her. This is not included in the book because only Morgan’s family participated in interviews with Hale.

I’ve seen some criticism that the book is overly positive vis a vis Morgan because her family participated in interviews. I really did not find that to be the case. Though not overtly critical of Morgan’s parents, the book points out signs of mental illness that Morgan’s parents did not pick up on and the things they knew shew was reading and viewing that were just far from ok for any kid, let alone a 12-year-old. The book is just sad all around.

Thank you to @netgalley and @grove for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading the Slenderman. This story is just one instance to show that mental health conditions affect persons of all ages. The tricks our minds can play on us and how believable things can seem to be can be a deadly combination if left untreated.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: August 16, 2022
In May of 2014, thirteen year old Morgan and her friend Anissa, brought Morgan’s best friend, Bella, into the woods and brutally stabbed her more than nineteen times. Morgan and Anissa both claimed they were doing it to avoid being victims of Slenderman- the Internet urban legend. As the lengthy investigation and trial began, the entire town of Waukesha Wisconsin was divided on who was to blame- the parents? The internet and its provision of the Slenderman story? The girls themselves?
Kathleen Hale tells the almost unbelievable true story of three young girls, whose lives were destroyed by tragedy. “Slenderman: Online Obsession, Mental Illness and the Crime of Two Midwestern Girls” is more than just the story of the online phenomenon of “Slenderman” that sparked an almost cult-like following; it is also the tale of codependent, budding teenage friendships, and the hauntingly depraved mental health system.
From early on, Morgan clearly has a psychological disorder (schizophrenia) and, although her father, Matt, has the same diagnosis, so many professionals and non-professionals (including her parents) ignored the warning signs. Once she was officially diagnosed (after the crime was committed), Morgan’s mental illness continued to be untreated, resulting in hallucinations and delusions that any person would deem “crazy”. Morgan’s story alone was devastating, and I felt for her every step of the way, as she battled with a mental health system that could not or would not help, and with parents who refused to accept the stigma that came with a diagnosis.
“Slenderman” starts with the crime itself, and Hale introduces all three characters in such a way that her reading audience immediately connects with them (even though the outcome of the story is known). Once the crime is committed, the focus of the book shifts and the reader is faced with the ongoing legal battles, and the issue of “Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity” (NGRI) as a defense.
“Slenderman” is well told and well researched. The characters are portrayed honestly, and, regardless of their actions, they still generate empathy and compassion from a reader. Hale touches on a lot of complicated issues (the state of the country’s mental health care, for one, and the effect of the Internet and social media on developing minds) but she manages to avoid being divisive, and instead allows readers to decide what side of the line they’re on. What Hale writes is a true crime story far more haunting than the actual Slenderman urban legend could ever dream of being.

This is an exceptional, compassionate, VERY readable account of a crime that has been relentlessly covered since it happened. I knew a fair amount about the incident, but beyond knowing that Morgan was schizophrenic, hasn't gone much deeper. This book is an indictment of parental failures, law enforcement failures, court failures, and-- of course, because always-- the failures of mental health treatment systems in our country. It's heartbreaking all the way around.

This was an excellently written and researched book by Kathleen Hale. On May 31, 2014, Morgan Geyser and her friend Anissa Weier had decided that their friend Bella Leutner needed to be killed. This was due to an obsession with a fantasy internet character, Slenderman. Both come to believe he was real and Morgan stabs her friend over a dozen times.

Fortunately, Bella survived this horrific crime, but obviously was left with both physical and emotional scars that will last forever.

Kathleen Hale presents the book advocating for both Morgan and Anissa. Both girls at 12 years old, the Judge decided should be tried as adults. This really is a book about severe mental illness. Morgan Geyser had active schizophrenia and was suffering from delusions, paranoia, and hearing voices. She was not making choices based on reality. Anissa Weier also had several emotional problems and came to also believe Slenderman was real and was in danger.

The question becomes how to handle mentally ill 12 year olds who have become violent. I do agree with the author that an adult prison which was not even initially medicating Morgan is not the answer. Both girls end up with Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity pleas. Many believe that means there is little time spent in a facility. This often is not the case at all. Morgan Geyser was sentenced to up to 40 years in a criminal mental institution. Yet, at least here she was given medication to stop her delusion thinking. Once she starts medication her thinking does become clear and has to come to terms with what has happened.

With Alissa not as much information is given about her family background and her mental status throughout her life. She clearly needed mental health treatment as well.

The next issue becomes how long should each girl remain in a locked mental ward? They are able to petition for release, but this is a very complicated case. Morgan at different times becomes delusional again. Alissa has ongoing issues, too. Are they really safe to be released to their family and when? Unfortunately, our legal system is not really set up for cases such as this.

I do wish the author spent more time with some solutions to dealing with violent, but seriously mentally ill children. The laws and system in place to handle these types of cases are not adequate and do not offer many answers. This was a complicated case, but one of many and I think this needed to be talked about more. If a child is severely mentally ill, enough that they can not form rational thought and then commits a crime, something does need to be done. What is a better way to handle this? Some cases children monitored and on medication would probably be ok to be released and others would not. How do we decide this? If a child goes through the juvenile court system, that child will be released at 21 whether safe and stable or not. It certainly left me with much to think about.

I felt so much for Bella and her family and sadly no one realized Morgan was ill. Then this heartbreaking tragedy would not have occurred. Yet, sadly that did not happen and many more answers are needed to help prevent and treat severely mentally ill children.

Thank you NetGalley, Kathleen Hale, and Grove Atlantic for granting me a copy of this book. I am always happy to leave a review.

Slenderman by Kathleen Hale is incredibly well researched. Unlike other true crime books, Slenderman does not fall victim to the sensationalization of the crime. The story is told in an empathetic voice that allows the reader to determine guilt independently. The author's familiarity with the area's culture certainly added an understanding that would not have been offered by an "outsider".

I love true crime books. I also have been fascinated with this case. I’ve watched documentaries on it on tv. Read news articles. It was good to finally have a complete book on it.
Well researched and well written. I enjoyed this one.

This is such a well written and researched true crime story. I remember hearing about this horrific crime when it happened and wondering what in the world happened here. Now I know! Kathleen Hale really did her research in writing this heartbreaking story.. Heartbreaking across the board.

Beautifully written and told with honesty and grace. Likely be a top read of 2022 for me. Many thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for this incredible and important book.

I first heard of the Slenderman case from an episode of 20/20. I then watched the HBO special because quite honestly, I was horror-fascinated by the fact that two 12-year-old girls tried to stab their friend to death, motivated (allegedly) by a fictional character called "Slenderman." The two perpetrators, named Morgan and Anissa, were questioned by police for hours and very matter-of-factly described their obsession with Slenderman and details of how they planned and carried out the crime. The victim, named Payton, came very close to losing her life. Only a few millimeters came between the knife and an artery that if ruptured would have killed her. She has had multiple surgeries and therapy, has been left with 27+ scars, and no doubt will suffer from the psychological effects her whole life.

Kathleen Hale's account of the crime is based in part on her prior reporting, augmented by what sounds like a very deep dive into the documents, interviews, and trial & hearing transcripts. She also discloses that she lived in the area where the crime occurred and so has familiarity with the setting and atmosphere of the small Wisconsin town where it all took place. The book is detailed and clear. While I found the writing less than elegant, that is just a stylistic preference.

It's impossible to read about this case without feeling a tremendous sadness. The victim's life has been changed forever by the trauma.. Morgan Geyser, one of the perpetrators, has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and spent several years being incarcerated in various institutions. The other perpetrator, Anissa Weier, was also diagnosed with psychological issues and also has been incarcerated. (As of this writing, however, Anissa has been conditionally released and Morgan has applied for conditional release.) Hale's account does a good job of showing us the impact of the case on Morgan's and Anissa's lives, as well as those of their families. And while the focus on Morgan (mostly) and Anissa (to a lesser degree) is effective and interesting, it's also the book's biggest shortcoming.

One of the most heartbreaking aspects of the Slenderman stabbing is how complex and nuanced the case is and how futile it is to expect our broken criminal justice and situation to address these complexities. Hale's book is written from a very distinct perspective: she clearly believes that Morgan and Anissa were mentally ill; that their mental illnesses excused them for responsibility for the crimes; and that they were unfairly treated by the system throughout. This focus means that the book glosses over some of the most difficult issues presented by the case by assuming that the reader agrees.

Some examples:

The legal standard for not guilty by reason of mental illness (NGRMI) generally looks at whether the defendant knew that their actions were wrong and whether their mental illness prevented them from following the law. This legal standard isn't the same as asking whether a defendant has some kind of psychiatric disorder and then using that diagnosis as a basis for a NGRMI verdict. Watching the police interviews with Morgan and Anissa immediately after they were apprehended is chilling. One thing that makes it so chilling is the awareness they have that what they were doing was clearly wrong. For example, they describe using code words and speaking quietly around other because they didn't want to go to prison. They wonder about prison and punishment. It's not a stretch to argue that statements like this show that the defendants did appreciate that their actions were wrong.

There was much disagreement about whether the defendants should be tried as adults or as juveniles. Certainly there is a huge difference between a 12-year-old and an adult and science tells us that adolescents don't have fully-developed brains. That being said, in this particular case, the defendants engaged in a great deal of prior planning for their crimes (they discussed where and how to kill Payton, they brought supplies, one defendant took and hid a knife, they had a plan A then devised a back-up plan). They testified that they planned the crime for months in advance. The crime itself was particularly vicious and involved tricking the victim to put her in a vulnerable position. When you consider all of this, the crime looks a lot less like an impulsive act and more like a deliberately planned and implemented one. Maybe you believe that any 12 year old should be treated as a juvenile, but this is an issue worth addressing, particularly for those who have watched portions of the videos.

The issue of juvenile court vs. adult court also plays a significant role in sentencing. Juvenile court only allows the victim to be subject to the court's control until they turn 21 -- less than ten years after the crime occurred. Being tried as an adult means the court had discretion in how long they were incarcerated. I don't think it's unreasonable for the victim and members of the public to be worried about safety, nor is it unreasonable to wonder what would happen if the defendants turn 21 but don't seem to be rehabilitated enough for release.

Another issue that could have been explored: the actions (or inactions) of the defendants' families, particularly Morgan Geyser's. It is inconceivable to me that a parent could be married to someone with schizophrenia and never consider the possibility that their child could have it. It is also at least questionable whether an unmedicated and symptomatic schizophrenic should be the primary caretaker of an infant/child. The Weier situation is even more strange when you contrast how her teachers and family did not see any signs of serious mental illness prior to the stabbing; yet several psychiatrists diagnosed mental illness severe enough to absolve Anissa of criminal responsibility. That's a pretty big disconnect. And if you advocate for conditional release for Morgan and Anissa, you've got to consider whether the families that missed these grave mental illnesses should be entrusted with primary responsibility for them now. What happens if their daughters stop taking their meds? Mental illnesses often require repeated recalibration of meds; can the families commit to this?

Even if you ultimately come down on the same side of the issues as the author, I believe a more objective treatment of the complexities of the case would have made for a better book.

Conclusion: If you're curious about the Slenderman case or are interested in some of the deeply troubling and complex issues it raises -- criminal responsibility in juveniles, the interplay between mental illness and culpability, the effect of internet immersion on adolescents, the failings of the justice system in dealing with these issues -- then "Slenderman" is well worth the read. Just keep in mind that the book is written largely from the perspective of Morgan Geyser and perhaps relies a bit too heavily on the author's beliefs about the appropriate handling of an extremely difficult and complicated case.

I'll start off by saying that I am a true crime junkie; i live for a book. documentary or story that dives into the mind and actions of someone that can do heinous things and what the thinking process was for them either during or after their violence. That being said this book did a good dive into the friendships of the girls involved in the slender man "slaying" specifically on the mental illness of Morgan Geyser and her toxic relationship with Anissa Weirs that led to their extreme violence. The book did clear up some things like; their victim actually survived the attack though it was always presented as a fatality and the harsh wisonsin laws that seem ridiculous when observed from an outside eye.

Either way this book seemed to sympathize on the perpetrators rather than be objective about the crime itself. True, this was focused on perhaps the mental health angle but it felt like it was definitely on the attackers side, so for that reason it felt a bit uneven to me, with a slight bias.

Still I enjoyed reading this and as I said, it had some good insights that I didn't have before.

Prepare to have your heart broken.

I knew the very bare bones of this case going into the book and not much more. The author did a great job of giving you a picture of the community and the families involved. (Her research was phenomenal and it showed. I'd gladly read another book by her.) I felt all sides were fairly and evenly portrayed.

This story is a perfect example of why life is not lived in black and white, but in shades of grey. Yes, the girls committed a crime but they needed mental help, not jail. They weren't hardened criminals but children who needed help.
It's also a good reminder than policies that sound good on paper (Trying children as adults, the time should fit the crime, ect.) don't always make sense in reality and can often do more harm than good. And why on earth are we electing judges? How can we not see what a bad idea that is?

This book was also a tragic portrayal of just how broken so much of our society is - From the justice system, the mental health system, the education system...I could go on and on. There were red flags in both Morgan and Anyssa's life that were constantly either missed or ignored by family and school faculty, even by other parents.

At so many points in this book I felt like crying or screaming in anger. My heart broke for all the families involved. This tragedy could have been stopped before it started with just a little intervention. Society failed all three girls.

Thank you to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The line between fantasy and reality is explored in this book as two young girls commit a horrible crime for their belief in a fictional Internet character. They must sacrifice a loved one to enter the world of the Slenderman. Their buddy and classmate is in terrible danger.

I remember this case- who doesn’t. I had an ARC from NetGalley. I didn’t follow the trial or I don’t remember so this was eye opening. I work in Children’s mental health, so that was my appeal in reading this.
It was a sad event. Morgan’s dad had schizophrenia and was not medicated, but they hid it from her and made him her main caregiver. She was an odd child, but no one expected this. People hid mental illness, people shy away. If we de stigmatize conditions then maybe we wouldn’t have people feeling shame. So many factors played into this- the dad with schizophrenia, aloof parents from other life stressers, parents working a lot to keep a roof over their kids, educators without training to look for signs in students that something is not right. We need to be vocal and feel comfortable when we see kids who are struggling.
It was just overall sad- three young girls lives forever changed. People were scared because you worry what your kid is doing on the internet when things like this happen.
This book shows how the families were impacted, the legal system in Wisconsin, the mental health facilities for kids, and incarceration. I had no idea juvenile detention facilities charge parents child support when kids are sentenced there.
I think parents should read this, mental health professionals and educators.

You might’ve heard about the Slenderman case, which happened in 2014 and was alllll over the news. Two preteen girls, Morgan and Anissa, became obsessed with the online fictional character of Slenderman, leading them to commit a heinous attack against a classmate, Bella.

Most news reports skimmed the surface or sensationalized the crime; this book does a deep and detailed dive into what lead to the attack and what came after. The author has researched extensively and interviewed Morgan and her family, although the other girls and their families declined to participate. The result is a highly readable true crime piece that is empathetic to mental illness and shines a spotlight on the abysmal state of the judicial and prison systems for minors with mental illnesses.

Some readers felt that the narrative comes across as excusing Morgan’s crimes as not being her fault, and although I didn’t view it that way, I can understand that perspective. While Hale does not minimize the horrific nature of what happened to Bella, the book is heavily focused on how adults, schools and the prison system failed the perpetrators, particularly Morgan. The fact that Hale had access to Morgan but not Anissa and Bella surely shaped her somewhat lopsided approach.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for providing me an advance copy of this book.

This book was absolutely amazing. I loved the fact that the author really did their research and really dug into everything. I live in Wisconsin and watched a lot of what was going on with this but there was so much behind the scenes that I didn't know. My thought processes actually changed a little while reading this book and I am glad for that. I hope this author stays on this path and really writes more books like this as I believe this is her calling. She gave fair time to each side and I believe a fair rendition of each side with really no opinions but just statements of facts. Great Job!