Reviewed by Bernadette Longu for Readers' Favorite

If you are a true crime fan then Hidden Demons: Evil Visits A Small New England Town by Margery B. Metzger will hold your attention from the first page to the last. The author has written in such a way that the reader feels that they are part of the investigation and can actually feel the frustration of the detectives, state troopers, and police investigating these murders by Lewis Lent, Jr. The author shows the reader how complicated and frustrating an investigation into murder can be, especially when one realizes that the other day-to-day work still has to be done in between the new investigation. There are numerous references to articles that appeared in newspapers and press releases from the police and State Attorney’s office. This makes for very interesting reading and the reader realizes that the detectives and police have to do everything by the book or a murderer could be let off on a technicality.

Margery B. Metzger has taken the very difficult subjects of murder, serial killers, and the feelings of the families involved, with family members that may have been murdered, to help families negotiate the rocky path of the newspapers and TV channels that suddenly descend to get a story, expecting people to just down tools and tell them their most intimate secrets to be broadcast all over the world. Margery ends the book in such a way that it makes the reader realize just how hard everyone in the various justice and police departments worked to get justice for the families who lost a member to murder by this serial killer. The newspapers and TV channels also get a thank you for their help with the coverage of these murders. Thank you for such an insightful book. I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Crystal Wazny for Readers' Favorite

Click Click Click is about a murder that occurred in the hometown of sisters Anne Varner and Karen DeVanie. Anne and Karen are the hosts of the true-crime podcast Sugar Coated Murder. They were contacted by a producer from Investigation Discovery after doing an episode about the murder of Trent Whitley in their hometown of Franklin, VA. While researching the case further for an episode of television that did not happen, the sisters could not let the story go and decided to tell the story of Trent and what led one of his killers to kill him. The sisters take you along on the journey as they recount the events that happened before and after the murder of seventeen-year-old Trent Whitley.

Click Click Click is the first book in the Say My Name series, and I hope the series will continue and look forward to the subsequent stories. I love that Anne and Karen want to focus on Trent rather than his killers. With Franklin being the hometown of Anne Varner and Karen DeVanie, the sisters have first-hand knowledge of the town and some of the families of those involved. This adds to the ambiance and enables the authors to provide another layer to the story that an outsider would not have been able to give. To help remember Trent, be sure to say his name aloud like Anne and Karen request as a way to keep his memory alive and help keep Trent at the forefront of the tragedy that happened to him.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Girl I Never Knew: Who Killed Melissa Witt? is a work of non-fiction in the true crime and thriller subgenres by LaDonna Humphrey. As the title suggests, the work focuses on the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of Melissa Witt, and the answers to her untimely death seem to lie within the Ozark National Forest, Arkansas. Humphrey’s vested interest in unmasking Melissa’s killer is impressive for her sheer determination and attention to detail, but also remarkable considering that she never actually met the victim in person. So begins a real-life thriller of cracking the case and the strange twists in life that following Witt’s killer have given the author.

I am an avid fan of true crime and trying to unpick and understand why vicious people do vicious things, so I was sucked into the exciting premise offered by LaDonna Humphrey from the start. That is not to say this is a gory tale, because Humphrey is enormously respectful of the tragic fate that befell Melissa Witt, and the circumstances of her death are never glamourized or used to gratuitous effect. Moreover, it is the dogged tenacity and powerful sense of justice that Humphrey possesses that rockets this work of non-fiction into action and will certainly keep readers flipping pages to see what clue is uncovered next and how these experiences have shaped the author as a person. The Girl I Never Knew is a superb work of true crime narration that no fan should be without.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

Thistles and Thorns by Jessica Lee Peterson is a powerful and gut-wrenching memoir of a mother’s tragic struggle to overcome trauma following the death of her children, Amara, Sophie, and Cecilia, who died at the hands of their abusive father. Her harrowing account of domestic violence begins as she introduces readers to her three wonderful angels, who felt secure in her love. The bliss of their innocent little lives was shattered when Jessica’s ex-husband called and asked to see the kids. She agreed, thinking that Blake may have been trying to be a better father. What happened next would shatter her world and shock an entire community, as she waged a battle that would take her to courtrooms and force her to deal with a deep psychological wound that could fester forever.

My heartfelt respect goes out to Jessica Lee Peterson. She wrote her painful memoir to show that she is not just a survivor, but to demonstrate that the process of healing takes time, especially true in her case where the level of violence was unspeakable. She assesses her ordeal to reveal how courage played a crucial role in her survival. It is utterly painful for any parent, especially a mother, to lose a child but even more so when one loses them at the hands of someone they once trusted. She may have moved on, but her journey toward healing continues. Reading her story will draw you into the depths of despair, but it is a step for you and her toward the light. Thistles and Thorns is a must-read for anyone interested in domestic violence, victimization, anti-violence crusades, and trauma discourses.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

Before I even read The Injustice System by Ronarose Train, my perceptions of the fairness of the judicial system weren’t positive. Oh, how this biography supported my misgivings and how unfortunate for Sam Gray, falsely accused of major financial crimes, that he believed justice would prevail. He truly believed he and his wife would be exonerated. After all, they were innocent! When the government froze the Grays’ bank accounts and other assets, they were forced to settle for using a public defender. Because Sam believed so ardently in the justice system, and lying via a plea bargain was against his moral code, he refused to accept said plea bargain. That decision, combined with the disinterest of that public defender, landed both Sam and Marilyn in jail. In Sam’s case, incarceration lasted 10 years!

What I learned from Sam’s biographical account was eye-opening: heaven help anyone who is unfairly implicated in a crime! But what impressed me most about Sam’s time in prison was how he turned it into a positive, not just for himself but for other inmates. This is the best takeaway from reading The Injustice System. Before this book, my perceptions of jail were limited to TV shows and movies…for the most part, pretty horrifying. But, just as Sam did, I met some surprisingly good people inside the various prisons where he served time. Sam's stories about those people are heartwarming and through Sam’s conversational, sometimes even humorous accounts, Ronarose Train has made the chilling aspects of incarceration more bearable by focusing on human kindness and offering hope. Treat yourself to a very different and important true story. The Injustice System is a must-read!

Reviewed by Michael John Leisegang for Readers' Favorite

Alice Kay Hill’s sad and tragic Under a Full Moon is set in the early settler times of the American Mid-West. It is a story of pioneering times, of hardships, and ordinary folk attempting to make a living off the land. These were hard times, and the families were very large. There was increasing pressure on families to create proper shelter for their families and to discover the best ways to produce sufficient food and produce to feed their families as well as to be able to take to the market to make a living. Several of these families are well-documented in the book, but especially the families of the main characters in this true crime story. The main character, Richard Read, had suffered several life-changing events as a child, and this caused him to become more reclusive as he grew up. He had grown into a giant of a boy, and he possessed immense physical strength. He was belittled and taunted as far as he went, mostly due to his stature and his preference for solitude. Richard found shelter for his soul through solitary activities such as working the family farm and tending to the farm animals, which allowed him to keep out of harm’s way from other humans. His speech was slow and measured, which led to many misunderstandings with others. The results of him not being socially acceptable form the basis of how he lived his life, and the disastrous events that took place in his adult years.

Under a Full Moon is one of those books that you simply cannot put down once you start reading. It is almost impossible to think that the story is a real one; true crime at its best. Alice Kay Hill has done some excellent research into the families involved in the story, and the detail assists to put into perspective the hardships these pioneers faced for their survival on the land they had adopted as home. The author’s use of language as spoken by these people makes the story an interesting read, and it helps the reader to understand the level of education provided then as opposed to other higher priorities such as working the land. The story is told by various members of each family and the reader puts into perspective the events and family news as told by the various storytellers. The style is not easy-going, but it is fitting for the harsh times these folk experienced. The reader forms an immediate view in their mind of what the towns and farms looked like, and sometimes even a view of what the characters looked like. Major events like severe weather conditions, or even a fight among the characters, are well-described, and add spice to the main story.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Gunrunner: The Mario Oliveira Story is a work of non-fiction in the true-crime subgenre. It is aimed at mature readers and was penned by author team Mario Oliveira and Keith Knotek. The book follows Boston Detective Mario Oliveira as his investigation into a string of gang-related crimes results in his own tragedy. As he fights for his life after receiving six gunshot wounds, Mario flashes back over his investigation into arms dealer Matt Kramer and his partnership with ex-gang member Leon, which saw the pair enjoy major successes before the criminal elements they were pursuing decided to fight back.

This book depicts an incredible journey of an inspiring individual as their commitment to the ideals of law enforcement and community service sends them on an incredible journey to fight back against gang violence, which ends in a tragedy that nearly tears his life apart. Mario Oliveira’s journey after the attack that came so close to claiming his life is inspiring, and the prose employed by Oliveira and Keith Knotek in this book manages to walk the fine line between authentically depicting a traumatic experience and inspiring hope in the aftermath. The way the book charts Mario’s experiences before, during, and after the attack is simply sublime as he constantly fights to survive and do what is right for his city. Overall, Gunrunner is a book that will challenge readers with the harsh life and death reality for those on the front lines of law enforcement, but it is also an insight into an extraordinary member of the police and the fraternity that exists between those who have pledged to protect and serve.

Reviewed by Susan van der Walt for Readers' Favorite

In Scrapped: Justice and a Teen Informant, Lisa A. Peebles and John O'Brien investigate the abduction of Heidi Allen on the early morning of Easter - April 3, 1994 - from the store where she worked. Despite no evidence linking them to the crime, two brothers, Dick and Gary, are charged with kidnapping and brought to trial. Records found Dick was the last person to buy from the store before Heidi's kidnapping. Ironically, he was found not guilty, but his brother Gary was convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life. It is clear early in the book that Gary is innocent. Lisa and John's investigation shows the incompetence of the Oswego County Sheriffs' department, ignoring critical leads, misplacing vital documentation, and twisting evidence to fit their theories. And even the judges conspire to protect the system instead of ensuring justice.

This book is not an easy read. At 64 years, Gary has been in prison for 22 years. Lisa is in a race against time to prove Gary's innocence as his health deteriorates. She repeatedly loses in court despite endless hours scrutinizing all the information and evidence. But even when Lisa Peebles and John O'Brien discover the truth about Heidi's kidnapping, she has no legal way to have Gary acquitted and the real culprits prosecuted. In the end, there was no justice for Heidi Allen or Gary, an innocent man who died in prison. Scrapped: Justice and a Teen Informant is an extraordinary book and will suit readers who love true stories, court dramas, and root for the underdog.

Reviewed by Ankita Shukla for Readers' Favorite

Evil has lurked among us since the beginning of time, but very few actually witness its gruesome and gutwrenching display of cruelty. In his career as a detective, Robert Davidson (aka Robbo) saw more monstrosity than most of us. In his memoir, The Evil I have Seen, Robert Davidson has described six gruesome true crime cases. This memoir is not for the faint of heart; it is not fiction so the reader does not have the luxury of waving away the disturbing cruelty of culprits, crediting it to the author's imagination. Case after case, the audience stands face to face with the worst and the most innocent of humans, wondering how could someone do that? Although each case was as unsettling as the next one, the one titled Jeff's Friends was beyond heartbreaking.

The Evil I have Seen by Robert Davidson is one of those books that will live with readers and even haunt them for a long time. By his own admission, Robert struggles with the evil that he had seen, even today. Each crime story, though presented with hard facts and pieces of evidence, is heavy with the author's emotions. The audience watches as the author switches gears from presenting facts and logic to reflecting on the victim's suffering, the culprit's soulless act, the lifelong heartache of the victim's friends and family, and the everlasting impact on the detective. The author's words are filled with a contagious passion. When he says, "It's not something we talk about -- people in law enforcement -- our nightmares, our anxieties, our fears of making a wrong decision in a split second," readers feel a palpable sense of dismay. Robert is an authentic writer whose sentiments rise out of the pages and touch the hearts of his readers. I highly recommend The Evil I have Seen by Robert Davidson.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

Stephanie Scott was a 26-year-old teacher who moved to Leeton, New South Wales. A few days before marrying Aaron Leeson-Woolley, tragedy strikes when this bride-to-be goes missing. In Monique Patterson’s crime non-fiction book, United in Grief: The Tragic Story of Stephanie Scott’s Murder and the Effect it had on the Small Town of Leeton NSW, the author gives an account of what transpired behind Scott’s disappearance and the harrowing confession from the man responsible for her death that left an entire community shocked and devastated. The culprit, school cleaner Vincent Stanford, was known for many wonderful things, but psychometric tests revealed that he manifested deeply entrenched faults in his personality. As for the small town of Leeton, the developments of the investigation will continue to leave them in horror and at a loss for words, as their community gets into the spotlight for the wrong reasons.

United in Grief is a moving and heartbreaking story, and Monique Patterson succeeds in reminding readers that evil can lurk in any corner and assume different forms. The narrative moves in a direct line, taking you step-by-step through the events that led to Scott’s rape and murder. It also provides generous information on the profile of Stanford. Patterson motivates readers to ask: what type of human being would do something so heinous to another person? United in Grief is a gruesome real-life tale of murder with a considerable emotional impact, honoring the memory of a promising life that was snuffed out like a candle flame. True crime is more horrifying than its fictional counterpart, and this story proves it.