Publication date UK format 12/7/22 audio time 15h 31m book 509 pages
I would like to thank the author, publishers and Netgalley for allowing me to pick this to read and review all my reviews are honest.
Synopsis
Before Charles Manson, there was Tony Costa―the serial killer of Cape Cod 1969: The hippie scene is vibrant in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Long-haired teenagers roam the streets, strumming guitars and preaching about peace and love... and Tony Costa is at the center of it all. To a certain group of smitten young women, he is known as Sire―the leader of their counter-culture movement, the charming man who speaks eloquently and hands out hallucinogenic drugs like candy. But beneath his benign persona lies a twisted and uncontrollable rage that threatens to break loose at any moment. Tony Costa is the most dangerous man on Cape Cod, and no one who crosses his path is safe. When young women begin to disappear, Costa's natural charisma and good looks initially protect him from suspicion. But as the bodies are discovered, the police close in on him as the key suspect. Meanwhile, local writers Kurt Vonnegut and Norman Mailer are locked in a desperate race to secure their legacies as great literary icons―and they both set their sights on Tony Costa and the drug-soaked hippie culture that he embodies as their next promising subject, launching independent investigations that stoke the competitive fires between two of the greatest American writers. Immersive, unflinching, and shocking, Helltown is a landmark true crime narrative that transports us back to the turbulent late 1960s, reveals the secrets of a notorious serial killer, and unspools the threads connecting Costa, Vonnegut, and Mailer in the seaside city that played host to horrors unlike any ever seen before. New York Times bestselling author Casey Sherman has crafted a stunner.
My Review
This was a fantastic read. I really enjoyed reading and learning the horrors of this serial killer. I knew nothing about him before reading this book. I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by the author. He did a very good job and I loved the pitch and tone of his voice. This is a very unique true crime story. The author actually wrote a section of this book like a fiction book making this book all the more exciting and really brought the horrors of his crimes alot more real. It was rather gruesome and very shocking but it held so much power. I thought this book flowed so well. The audiobook is very long at 15 hours but held my attention throughout. I really do recommend that you read or listen to this book. I actually feel that true crime fans might not fully appreciate the fictional section as it can't be compared to other true crime books which might happen. The fictional part is based on what was happening and said. I think this book would be a perfect fit for crime readers who are thinking of moving into reading true crime non fiction books. I loved his writing style. For me it really brought out the extra dimension and made it feel all the more scary as there was a great sense of atmosphere and tension. This book will definitely say with me for so time.
So much praise goes out to the author and publishers for bringing us his unique and horrific killer to life in a very thrilling way. I will definitely be looking out for more books by this talented author.
Where you can buy this book
Amazon US K $7.92, AUDIBLE, HC $16.99, PB $18.99
Waterstones HC £20.99
Google Books £6.99
B&N HC $ 26.99, PB $18.99, E $9.99
Kobo A £19.99, E £7.99
Amazon UK K £6.99, AUDIBLE, HC £20.64, PB £16.85
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