I have a confession to make…

I am obsessed and I mean obsessed with serial killers. Why are so many of us obsessed with such awful creatures who have stolen so many lives.

I can’t answer that. Maybe it’s because it seems just so far removed from reality that we are beyond curious as to why they do what they do and we are begging to understand it and cure the crazed!

I spend my evenings either reading thrillers or glued to the TV marathon watching ID Discovery.

I
JUST
CANT
GET
ENOUGH

so when I come across a book that combines my love for serial killers and reading, you know I’m all over it.

This book is absolutely incredible and will blow your mind, Love Letters to a Serial Killer.

Well, that just about knocked my socks off and I’m here for it. After I picked my jaw off the floor I had to sit for a minute to reflect back on what I just read and all I can say is, WOW!

Tasha Coryell, has hit the ground running and can not be stopped.

Check out this teaser :

An aimless young woman starts writing to an accused serial killer while he awaits trial and then, once he’s acquitted, decides to move in with him and take the investigation into her own hands in this dark and irresistibly compelling debut thriller.

Recently ghosted and sick of watching her friends fade into the suburbs, thirty-something Hannah finds community in a true-crime forum that’s on a mission to solve the murders of four women in Atlanta. After William, a handsome lawyer, is arrested for the killings, Hannah begins writing him letters. It’s the perfect outlet for her pent-up frustration and rage. The exercise empowers her, and even feels healthy at first.

Until William writes back.

Hannah’s interest in the case goes from curiosity to obsession, leaving space for nothing else as her life implodes around her. After she loses her job, she heads to Georgia to attend the trial and befriends other true-crime junkies like herself. When a fifth woman is discovered murdered, the jury has no choice but to find William not guilty, and Hannah is the first person he calls upon his release. The two of them quickly fall into a routine of domestic bliss.

Well, as blissful as one can feel while secretly investigating their partner for serial murder…

Big thank you to Berkley, Tasha Coryell and NetGalley for allowing me to read this stunner prior to the big release (June 25, 2024) in exchange for an honest review. My review/post will go live one June 20 @thrillbythepage_

This was an interesting story. It is hard for me to wrap my head around the obsession with serial killers. I was intrigued with this story and felt like it covered the topic well.

Title: "Love Letters to a Serial Killer" - A Messy, Feral Thriller with Dark Intricacies

Tasha Coryell's debut thriller, "Love Letters to a Serial Killer," takes readers on a twisted journey into the mind of an aimless young woman named Hannah, who, in a quest for meaning, starts writing to an accused serial killer. The story unfolds as she immerses herself in a true-crime forum, finding a community determined to solve the murders of four women in Atlanta. The narrative twists when the accused killer, William, is acquitted, and Hannah decides to move in with him, taking the investigation into her own hands.

The blurb, unfortunately, reveals major spoilers that may dampen the curiosity of readers. The unforeseen twist in the final third adds an element of surprise, but the synopsis could be improved by leaving readers to discover the full scope of the mystery.

Hannah, the protagonist, may not be everyone's cup of tea, but her motives offer a unique perspective on the concept of attraction to serial killers. The exploration of "hybristophilia" is a courageous dive into a thought-provoking and contentious real-life topic.

The novel's pacing may falter during the trial segments, but the author successfully picks up the momentum in the last third, concluding with a bizarre resolution that keeps readers on their toes. The blurred lines between the mental states of Hannah and William contribute to the novel's intrigue, leaving readers questioning which character is more disturbed.

Coryell's writing, while not adhering to a basic style, injects a messy, feral energy into the narrative that aligns with recent literary trends. The book, with its dark humor and controversial themes, raises questions about the intentions behind its satire. Is it meant to be funny, self-deprecating, sneering, celebratory, or critical? The reader is left to decide, and the ambiguity may leave some with an uncomfortable feeling.

"Love Letters to a Serial Killer" stands out as an enjoyable debut thriller that offers a different flavor. While it may not appeal to those who prefer a basic writing style, its unique energy and exploration of true crime obsession make it a distinctive addition to the genre. If you're open to a narrative that diverges from the conventional, this debut novel is worth a read, offering a fresh perspective that lingers long after the last page.

I quite liked this. Hannah is feeling rudderless. Not going anywhere in her job, her best friend is getting married, her ex has moved on, & Hannah feels like she’s going nowhere. One day at work, she becomes engrossed in a story about a murder in Georgia. Soon this becomes an obsession with not only the murders, but the man supposedly responsible for them. After she gets fired, she decides to go to the trial. After months of correspondence with the convict, she finally sees him in person. This story becomes about a woman who falls in love with the idea of being involved with someone & wanting one thing, but in fact becomes something different. Not any likable characters, but this was very entertaining.

Hannah is feeling unsatisfied with her life- no boyfriend, no luck dating, and no career to speak of. She finds herself drawn in and fascinated with a true crime serial murder case. When the murderer is captured, she writes him an angry letter without expecting a response. Instead, she finds herself enthralled and falling for the mysterious accused killer.

I loved this unique thriller! Although Hannah isn’t especially likable, you can see through her thoughts and narration how she is drawn into the case and becomes obsessed with William. She’s lonely and doesn’t see herself or the world realistically, and she’s certainly a fascinating narrator. I loved how the book was written in parts and skips around a bit in time to tell the story. There are some excellent plot twists and red herrings along the way to the exciting final chapters. I’d encourage readers to go in blind so nothing is spoiled and the wild ride can be enjoyed.

Thank you to Tasha Coryell, Berkley, and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me get my hands on this book early! I don’t think I’ve ever disliked a main character so much, but I couldn’t put this book down. The unlike-ability must be what pulled me in until the very end. A good read for thriller lovers.

Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley for the copy of Love Letters to a Serial Killer by Tasha Coryell. Talk about a book you can’t put down! It would have been more suspenseful if the description hadn’t given away so much about what would happen, but I was still glued to the pages. Reading about Hannah’s life felt like passing a car accident; you don’t want to look but you can’t help it. In this case, besides needing to find out what happens to Hannah, the writing had me in its grip from beginning to end. I always wondered about women who are attracted to men in prison, especially serial killers, so Hannah’s story was an eye-opener. Her obsession with William led to unexpected and shocking consequences. If you’re looking for a book with an immersing story, captivating writing, and an intriguing main character, this book is for you. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

I enjoyed this despite the fact that I absolutely hated our narrator Hannah. She was unlikely and made me cringe so often, but I also couldn’t stop reading because I needed to know how her story played out.

While I predicted the ending by the time I got 3/4 of the way in, I still enjoyed this book a lot. Reading from the perspective of one of “those” women was both uncomfortable but addictive for me.

I am not touched by the True Crime Bug but I have a lot of friends who are. Women who watched 20/20 and have now graduated to podcasts and Netflix series. I did read Helter Skelter and the Zodiac Killer books back in the day but it seemed almost like fiction to me.

That might be why Hannah's story interests me so much. She seems to not know what she wants in any capacity, unformed, uninteresting and unmotivated. The first thing that seems to catch her interest is a local crime. When a body turns up in a ravine and a chat group begins "investigating," Hannah can't help but get involved. The immediate gratification she gets online excites her and she is hooked. Hooked so far that she begins to write to the man who is eventually arrested for the crimes taking place in the ravine. What starts as almost a diary or journal becomes an actual connection when she receives and answer.

What happens next will surprise you! I really enjoyed this story and the point it made and I think you will too!
It wouldn't make sense to meet up with the characters again, but I am wondering about them, so you know it really resonated. #berkley #Berkleypublishing #netgalley #tashacoryell #loveletterstoaserialkiller

Tasha Coryell ventures into risky territory with an unconventional love story that sparks heated debates about what lures women to serial killers.

Meet Hannah, a directionless young woman in her early thirties, dissatisfied with her dead-end job at nonprofit organizations, unable to secure promotions, and perpetually seeking her parents' approval. Unlucky in love, she becomes self-deprecating after being dumped by men she never intended to date in the first place. Stuck with fluctuating body weight, a small apartment adorned with thrift shop finds, and a former friend who abandoned her for a boyfriend, Hannah's discontent takes a surprising turn when she joins a true crime forum aimed at solving the cases of three women in Atlanta. All three victims share a common connection: romantic involvement with the charming, well-coifed, competitive lawyer, William Thompson. The women were discovered in a ravine, naked, drowned, and lifeless.

As Hannah actively uses social media to seek justice for the victims, she decides to write a hate letter to William, convinced he won't respond. To her surprise, he does, setting off a chain of events that could change Hannah's life forever—resulting in job loss, a road trip to Georgia to attend the trial with fellow William sympathizers, and an unexpected transformation in William's role in her life, becoming a confidant, priest, therapist, and lover.

Why is Hannah drawn to William? Is it a desire for the spotlight, an attempt to tame the beast, a quest for a drama-free relationship, or an avoidance of the relationship dramas she's experienced before? Is she simply falling for a bad boy and trying to suppress this desire by delving into the mystery of why he killed those women? Or does she genuinely believe in the possibility of his innocence? One thing is certain—she has no idea she's playing with fire, akin to a moth drawn to a flame.

I wish the blurb didn't reveal William's acquittal and the deaths of four women, major spoilers that, in my opinion, dampen the curiosity of readers. Until the last third, we believed there were only three victims. The final twist is somewhat foreseeable, and in my opinion, rewriting the book's synopsis to conclude with Hannah's participation in the trials would generate more interest in the main mystery.

Despite not being particularly fond of Hannah, I appreciate her motives, which differ slightly from women clinically diagnosed with "hybristophilia," a paraphilia involving sexual interest and attraction to serial killers, also known as "Bonnie and Clyde syndrome."

The author courageously delves into a thought-provoking, contentious real-life topic. While my interest waned during the trial parts, the author thankfully picked up the pace in the last third, concluding with a bizarre resolution. At times, I found myself questioning which character is more mentally disturbed—Hannah or William.

In conclusion, the intriguing topic, unreliable yet layered characterizations, and a satisfying conclusion earn the book a rating of 3.5 to 4 serial killer stars. However, I believe the book's synopsis reveals too much and should be urgently revised to attract more crime thriller enthusiasts.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for generously providing this digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[3.5/5 ★★★] In this captivating story, we delve into the seemingly simple life of Hannah, who's currently entangled in a job that lacks fulfillment and a chaotic love life. Her unremarkable existence takes an unexpected turn when she becomes obsess with a serial murder investigation, scouring blogs for clues and then connecting with William, the enigmatic mastermind behind the crimes.

The book starts with a killer ;) opening line and introduces a protagonist who is far from charismatic or relatable, yet the story proves irresistibly engaging. It becomes a page turner journey into obsession, love, and the intricate dance between justice and blurred moral lines. As we navigate through Hannah's mind, her justifications for delving into the dark corners of murder investigations, intruding into victims' private lives in the name of justice offer a thought-provoking and somewhat disturbing experience.

This story is absolutely gripping; it's like you're watching a real-life documentary unfold. As a reader, you dive deep into Hannah's journey, witnessing firsthand how she gets wrapped up—enamored—with a serial killer and the effects that that brings into her life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Love Letters to a Serial Killer by Tasha Coryell was an interesting book, and certainly disturbing. I detested the main character Hannah, but she gave me some insight into the psychology of women who carry on relationships or major crushes with men in prison, and I imagine her depiction was close, if not spot on. There were several characters in the book I disliked, but kudos to the author for eliciting the strong emotions I believe she intended.

A very different read, this was well done and had several twists that I anticipated but the book was compelling enough to follow them. I do have a criticism that I would have loved more vivid backstories, especially a window into Hannah’s background and childhood to show more clearly why she is the way she is. While her own self awareness gave some background to this, I think this book would be strongest as a character study of Hannah and similar women, but I felt an opportunity was missed by focusing more on the plot and her present, rather than her past. I would recommend this for any reader of a softer thriller, but if you want to like the characters on your books as people, beware that this book is not about that.

Hannah's life is a mess. She is just another aimless thirty-something stuck in a dead-end job and unable to make her one-time boyfriend want to be with her. Hannah finds community in a true-crime forum fixated on solving the brutal murders of four women in Atlanta. A handsome lawyer named William is arrested for the killings. Hanna writes him a letter in a moment of pent-up frustration and rage over both her life and the crimes. But William writes back. Hannah's interest in both the case and William rapidly develops from curiosity into obsession. as their relationship turns romantic. As her life implodes, she abandons everything to attend William's trial in Georgia. Her proximity to him — to a suspected killer — is intoxicating. But William is acquitted after a fifth body is discovered while he's still in custody. Soon, he's at Hannah's door and William's role transforms from a suspected serial killer to a doting boyfriend. Yet Hannah still can't seem to stop investigating him…

I had so much fun with "Love Letters to a Serial Killer." I always adore a story about an unhinged, messy and completely feral woman and that's exactly what Hannah is. No one is likable in this story. It's a different sort of thriller than what you usually get, but engrossing and intoxicating.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Berkley for the advance copy!

Was this book like watching a train wreck in action? Absolutely. But I ate it up. Hannah is lost in life at a dead end job with no romantic prospects. After becoming obsessed with who is killing women in Georgia, Hannah decides to write a letter to the man arrested for the crime. William writes back, and Hannah becomes completely consumed with his life and the case. Hannah is tough to like. She makes a lot of bad decisions, but I still wanted things to work out for her. With true crime on the rise, I think this book will appeal to many crime junkies. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I've read a lot of books with broken, neurotic main characters, but this one really takes the cake. I'm not a psychiatrist (although I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express once), but I'm guessing a real-life Hannah would be diagnosed with a personality disorder or two. At the very least, though, she certainly has some extremely questionable decision-making skills and needs to develop at least a modicum of self-respect.

But, anyway, Love Letters to a Serial Killer was an interesting read. I can't exactly say that I enjoyed it, but I also couldn't stop turning the pages. I saw the twist coming from the very first chapter, and I guessed the “who” of the twist as soon as that person was introduced, so don't expect Agatha Christie-level twists and turns here – it's really kind of predictable. But, at the same time, it's kind of like watching a train wreck that you're powerless to stop and incapable of looking away from.

I mean, I think we've probably all wondered about those women who fall in love with serial killers while they're in prison. What possesses them to desire men who are literally murderers? This novel gives the reader a look into the mind of “one of those women” and it's rather fascinating. I'm sure that some of these “couples” go on to lead incredibly happy lives together (at least as happy as things can be when one of you is in prison, anyway), but I don't think I'll ever truly understand it.

Oh, and the characters? We've already discussed Hannah, but don't expect the rest to be any more likeable (or sane). Pretty much every single one of them could benefit from some heavy-duty therapy (and, in some cases, lots of jail time). The accused serial killer is perhaps the most well-adjusted person in the book, if that says anything about the level of dysfunction that we're talking about here.

So, yeah. Love Letters to a Serial Killer has a somewhat predictable plot and lots of badly-behaved characters, but yet it's still completely engrossing. Where does that leave me rating-wise? I dunno. Three stars, I suppose? It's not fantastic literature, but if you enjoy “true” crime-type thrillers with a heavy dose of bad decisions, you might just enjoy this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.

If you don’t enjoy books about unlikeable people this one is not for you. Our main character Hannah is a little lost and a lot messed up. It is darkly funny even as you scream Hannah noo what are you doing girl? This is an exaggerated tale of the women who get a little too obsessed with true crime. I think at its heart it’s a critique of these types of women which I think a lot of people will miss. I really enjoyed it.

This book was so incredibly messy in the best possible way. It was like watching a soap opera unfold before my eyes. Hannah is a complete train wreck and I devoured every moment of this. It was fast-paced, and Hannah is such an unlikeable character, but I also somehow loved her. I do wish that things would have ended a little differently.

I don't even know where to begin here... let's start with me - a journalist, victim advocate, true crime podcast host, true crime author, horror author, fantasy writer, crime fiction audiobook narrator. I live in the world of crime in real life. I have met many victims, and victim families, and I am one myself. I don't want to get too into it here because you've heard it all before. Still, the sensationalism, romanticizing, fantasizing, and exploitation in this book of victims is atrocious. It is severely obvious this writer has never been the victim of a crime, nor known one, or ever really wanted to.

Secondary to that, the writing itself was decent, although at some points, while written in first person, it seemingly switches to a third person point because there are some things the main character would not know, yet speaks on. I find it could be confusing to some readers.

The main character herself is cringe-worthy. I absolutely hated her from the first paragraph. She is selfish, and whiney, claims to be a good person yet does shady things constantly, is a stalker, and overall I did not care if she lived or died. As a matter of fact, I couldn’t bring myself to read past chapter 12 because I could not stand to be inside her head for another minute. I understand creating unlikeable characters. Usually, this is to show some tremendous growth of that person over the arc of the story, but by chapter 12 she was only getting worse. The character continually wallows in self-pity, and it seems like it will never end. Even the serial killer was more likable than the main character, and that’s saying something.

So, if I hate the idea so much, why did I even read it? I have tons of colleagues in my line of work that speak with killers regularly - journalists, podcasters, authors - and they all have the goal of victimology at hand, or advocacy to more accurately tell the victim’s story. I wondered if the premise of this book might follow that same line of thought, but, to my disappointment, it read more like being in the head of a Manson Family member.

I will not be recommending this book to my audience or other readers.

3.5 stars

I wanted to like this so much more than I did. The MC was atrocious. God she took away from everything good the book had going for it.
I get unlikable characters but this was overkill.

The plot itself was good enough, nothing extraordinary but average mystery/thriller stuff.

Love Letters to a Serial Killer is a wry look at one woman's growing obsession with a local man arrested for murder. Hannah doesn't set out to fall for William, newly arrested for the murders of several women, but a few intimate letters later, and well, here we are.