This is an interesting book written by a man who is currently serving time in prison for murder and is now a journalist. The book delves into the sensationalization of true crime stories and enlightens the reader to the lives of those with long prison sentences. This book is an inside look into prison life and how one survives. This book was eye-opening.

I received a copy for review. All opinions are my own. This is a very important book that everyone should read. It’s rare to get such a deep look at this side of true crime. The author really did a great job of telling the stories of these men without bias. I feel like I really got to know everyone’s story in the most thorough way possible. Definitely add this to your must read list!

The Tragedy of True Crime by John J. Lennon is a stimulating fact-finding probe of crime, punishment, and redemption. As a young man, Lennon took another person's life and was sentenced to prison.

Lennon has written a memoir interlaced with the stories of the men he met in prison and their crimes. This was a page turner and I didn’t want to put the book down. Readers learn what it's like to live in prison. They will also learn what it's like to live with themselves knowing they have committed an unspeakable act against another human being.

Not everyone will acquit Lennon, but I felt so much empathy for him and the family of the man who died.

Thank you NetGalley and Celadon Books for providing an ARC.

How unique to read a book written by a currently incarcerated man who tracks his own three other inmate's experience of being an inmate in several prisons. The book is well written, and nicely laid out as each chapter rotates among the four men's stories.
I felt that the author was very honest and real in his take on his crime and his circumstances. I needed him to hold himself accountable for his crimes and his circumstances in order to then experience his story as his actual truth. He accomplished this critical element for me.

One of the four inmates is Rob Chambers, The Preppy Murderer whom I vividly recall following as the story of his crime in the '80's happened in NYC. I found it interesting to hear about Rob Chamber's trajectory while incarcerated.

I feel much of my curiosity of life in hard core prisons was satisfied by reading the honest truth in this book.
Thank you NetGalley and Celadon Books for the ARC. These thoughts are my own honest review of this book.

The Tragedy of True Crime by John J. Lennon is a thought-provoking exploration of crime, punishment, and redemption, penned by an unlikely narrator—someone who has himself taken a life. This immersive journalistic account challenges the public's obsession with sensationalized true crime stories, offering instead a complex and humanizing look at the lives of four convicted murderers, each with a distinct background and motive for their crimes.

What sets The Tragedy of True Crime apart is its challenge to the conventional narrative of true crime. Lennon emphasizes the importance of understanding the complexities and histories that lead to violent acts, urging readers to consider the full human story before passing judgment. His own journey adds depth to the narrative, making the book not just a report on others’ lives but a personal reflection on his own.

The Tragedy of True Crime is a bold and necessary contribution to the true crime genre. By giving voice to the incarcerated and shedding light on the complexities behind violent acts, Lennon invites readers to rethink the stories we tell about crime and the people who commit it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for providing an eARC of The Tragedy of True Crime prior to publication.