Okay, so I'm a True Crime addict. I binge each new Netflix true crime docuseries, take notes during each episode of Dateline, the whole shebang. When I saw I could get an ARC of Amanda Knox's "Free," I jumped. The Meredith Kercher case was an international media circus when it happened. I was living abroad at the time and I couldn't escape the headlines, even if I had tried.

I didn’t follow the details closely at the time, but the whole "she was convicted because she didn't look and/or act how an innocent person is supposed to" thing always stuck with me.

A big chunk of "Free" focuses on Knox's correspondence with the prosecutor, Dr. Guiliano Mignini. She basically paints him as Inspector Javert from Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, relentlessly hounding her. She's desperate for him to admit he was wrong, to say she's innocent. Honestly, their back-and-forth just felt... unresolved. Like she's still trying to make him see her side.

And here's the thing: I really wanted to like this book. I went in rooting for Amanda. But, man, it was a slog. I found it surprisingly dull, and I just couldn't connect with Knox's voice. I forced myself to finish it, hoping for some kind of satisfying resolution, but it just wasn't there for me.

Honestly, I think I need to reread Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning" now. That's a book about finding purpose in suffering, and it's actually, you know, well-written.

Which brings me to my biggest issue: the writing in "Free" is just... not good. I don't know if Knox wrote it all herself, if there was a ghostwriter involved, or if it's a collaboration with ChatGPT, but it feels clunky and unengaging.

Look, no one can truly know what Amanda Knox went through. Years stolen, reputation destroyed, still guilty in the court of public opinion despite being acquitted. It's a horrific situation.

I genuinely hope she finds peace and can live a happy life away from the spotlight. But as a book? "Free" just didn't do it for me.

Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. This review reflects my personal and independent opinion.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is Knox's second book, and I also read her first. The story in totality has always fascinated me because it wasn't truly *that* long ago, and yet it's insane to think that something like this could happen to someone in the day and age where we have every technology at our fingertips to catch criminals. Amanda's situation is truly a story like no other and if you have any preconceived notions about what really happened, I strongly encourage you to read her first book before you pick this one up.

This book focuses a lot more on both her time in prison as well as what her life has been like following the entire ordeal. Her reflections on her past and what she has been through, and how it shapes her attitude toward the future, is very powerful and thought-provoking. Her education and power of the pen are ever present throughout the book, which made it for a very compulsive read. I thought there were maybe some questionable opinions and thoughts around the Italian prosecutor but I also completely understand why she chose to say what she did in the book. I think for any non-fiction or true crime reader, this one is a home run.

I knew of Amanda's case and watched some of the movies, but was excited to pick up her story. I enjoyed learning more about her side and there were some interesting details left out of the news. I don't think it was groundbreaking or any hot new details, but it was a good story.

This one was a hard book to read. I was an American student in Italy when Amanda was going through this nightmare, so as soon as I got home, I was tuned to all the news trying to get the latest on the trial. So being able to read this second book by Amanda was quite an interesting and at times intense read. Hearing about how poorly she was treated not just in Italy but also back home was absolutely heartbreaking. I can't imagine what it is like to never be able to truly be able to move on from something like this. Overall, this was a great but heartbreaking book. For all of you true crime enthusiasts, this first-hand re-telling is a must.

I don't often read non-fiction books or memoirs but I was really interested in reading this book. This was an interesting read! I enjoyed it and I look forward to reading more books in this genre.

I mean I will always love a memoir. I love learning of others experiences and this one was no different! well done, both emotional and informational. the perfect recap of everything that happened and closure she is so desperately seeking.

Amanda Knox may be extremely eccentric and odd, but she is also well read and very well educated. This memoir is thoughtful, thought provoking, heartbreaking, and courageous.

Went into this knowing absolutely nothing about Amanda Knox. Came out of it understanding why her story has captured the nation, or rather several nations. Interesting to hear things unravel from her perspective for the first time. Would recommend to true crime fans.

WOW! This book was a complete honest, and brave story. Amanda Knox, writing was absolutely incredible. She was able to paint such a picture that I felt like I was experiencing this with her. The way she was able to forgive others, and stay strong in life is such a key to her character. I thought I knew the story, but so much more I had no idea. I would love to read more by her, and her new life.

I had watched the Netflix documentary and seen the dramatized version. I knew her name and knew about what happened. It was very interesting and moving to read her story from her point of view. Hard to read at times because we can easily put ourselves in her shoes. But her writing is very strong and she seems like a very interesting person to know.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

Free By Amanda Knox
To be published March 25th 2025

"Nothing I would ever do or say would cut that noose from my neck." And yet this memoir will take you on the path of how Amanda did just that.

Everyone may think they know the story. And to a degree we do! But we do not know the truth or the impacts. Only Amanda and those directly involved know that. And this is her chance to share both.

Not only did I cry reading this book. I felt a sense of thankfulness and healing too.
Amanda explains that's not everyone had been falsely imprisoned, but those who have traumas can still have common emotions.

While reading this, you will be taken into the interrogation room when she's about to be arrested, to court, to America finally free, back to accused, and you will get to hear about the private meeting of Amanda with Guilano Gignini.

I read this book with my newborn my side and my heart broke for Amanda parents. "What do you make of the fact that someone hates you, wishes you dead, or wishes your mother dead because she raised you?"

Each chapter was an eye opening read that was written in bite sizable chapters written in a way that still made it fun to read, despite the conversation being had on the page.
Well done, Amanda

If you are looking for a rehashing of the trial of Amanda Knox, then go back to her first book. This is much more of a book of someone dealing with and working through their trauma. Won’t get a fast pace true crime type book but a reflective book on how one woman dealt with her experiences in and out of a foreign judicial system. Over all good book with a lot of insights.

I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting book.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating system gave it.

Of all the court cases over the years Amanda Knox’s case is the one I followed the most. Amanda and I are both 37, born in 1987. When she was wrongfully arrested, convicted and imprisoned in Italy while studying abroad, I was a college student myself in New Jersey. She was living my worse fear, of being wrongfully charged with a crime I did not commit. As a rule follower, kind person, who sees the good in others, I see a lot of myself in Amanda. I also believed in her innocence and wish nothing be good things for her in her life. I read her memoir as well and was interested to read her story from a different perspective.

Amanda gives full insight of her life from how she grew up to her life in the present day. She invites us to learn what prison was like for her mentally and physically for four years. How when she was finally acquitted of the charges and essentially freed, that freedom was as much of a prison. Being free after prison, and people still believing she had something to do with the murder of Meredith made it hard to navigate life even in the United States, far from Italy where the murder occurred and where she was imprisoned.

Amanda, thank you for writing this book. It was beautifully written and very insightful. Thank you for being vulnerable. The relationships that you have made along the way in your journey of freedom and the advocacy that you have continue to provide to the Innocence Project in the US and abroad is inspirational, meaningful and encouraging.


Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this eARC in return for my honest review. I would and will buy this book when it is released. This is a book that many should read and could learn a lot from.

Amanda Knox and I are the same age (literally born two days apart), and I remember vividly following her story when I was in college. At the time, I didn’t get too caught up in trying to figure out whether she was guilty, but I remember thinking the truth must lie somewhere in the middle. When I read Amanda’s first book, Waiting to Be Heard, in 2013, I was blown away. I was so impressed by how smart and articulate she was, and what an incredible writer she is. I remember feeling deep empathy for her and realizing I had it all wrong for even slightly thinking she might have had something to do with the murder she was convicted for.

This book builds on the last and has given me an even greater level of respect and empathy for Amanda. She is an incredible human, and there is so much we can learn from her. Reading her book and seeing the grace with which she navigated everything—including making peace with the prosecutor on her case—was so inspiring. It even made me reflect on how I could extend an olive branch to people in my own life who have hurt me in far smaller ways.

Amanda - you are an incredible person and writer. Thank you for the courage to share even more of your story with us.

I am grateful to Amanda, the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy, thank you.

Amanda Knox can write! Beautifully and skillfully done, this book takes us through her thoughts, reflections and hopes in the aftermath of her release from prison. Amanda is very generous in offering up the workings of her mind as she navigates the minefield of media intrusion and, inexplicably, even more legal troubles from Italy. She could have just hidden herself away once she finally made it home, but I'm glad she didn't. There is so much food for thought here, even for those who have never been the victim of injustice.

I liked the non-linear, essay-type format, and if I needed more of a timeline, there are other books for that. Why was I interested? To get into Amanda's brain, quite honestly. I've always wondered why exactly the Italian justice system was so against this girl, and what was her interpretation of that. I have my own theory as to why she was convicted, and some of that was borne out in the latter part of the book.

I've always believed wholeheartedly in Amanda's innocence, and I greatly admire her writing ability, but that does not necessarily mean I'm a fan. Take that for what you will. It may seem contradictory to admire a memoir written by someone you wouldn't necessarily connect with. But I think Amanda would understand, given how far she's come to find peace within herself and with others, and accepting that things can't always be perfect. This theme is elaborated on in the latter part of the book, the details of which will likely come as a surprise to most readers.

Excellent and highly recommended.

Amanda Knox is an incredible writer. She has such an incredible story to tell that is far beyond what the public has been fed, and I am so glad she is continuously to use her voice and speak the truth about her lived experiences. I appreciate that she allows us to see into her pain, recovery, the mundane, the hope, and the persistence. I hope she keeps writing.

Like everyone else, I was engrossed in the trial (and outcome) when it happened. Watching Amanda be portrayed as she was in the media - as a young girl myself - was so infuriating. This book is a fascinating look into not only that time, but what happens when the media storm is over and how we recover from trauma. Reading her talk about being infamous for something she did not do and had very little control over is interesting. I love that she gives a lot of grace to everyone involved - staying true to her narrative while giving space and weight to the emotional journey everyone else (from her mother to the prosecutor to Meredith's family) went on at that time and today. Acknowledging that there are many victims of this story and how that fact (wrongly) overshadows the biggest victim of all: Meredith. I was expecting something a little salacious and was pleasantly surprised to find out its not salacious at all, really, but a deep emotional look at crime and humanity and healing.

What a powerful story from a brave young woman. This is definitely worth reading although I liked some parts better than others. She is an imperfect narrator but that doesn't take away from the overall importance of the story.