Happy Wednesday, everyone!
Today I have a review of The Kill Jar: Obsession, Descent, and a Hunt for Detroit’s Most Notorious Serial Killer publishing by Gallery Books on August 14. This book is a hybrid of well-researched true crime nonfiction and memoir based on the author’s self-proclaimed obsession with a serial killer. I do not often read true crime, but on the rare occasion when I am in front of the television, I watch true crime shows like Dateline and 48 Hours. All of that to say, this book was a shade outside my norm, and as a result, a different type of review for me to write. 😊
My Thoughts:
A serial killer in the Detroit, Michigan area abducted and murdered four children in 1976 and 1977. The author was six-years-old when the murders occurred, and someone dressed as a security guard attempted to abduct him during that same timeframe. After, J. Reuben Appleman says he became obsessed with the Oakland County Murders.
The narrative reviews the available evidence in true crime fashion, and these sections were well-written and engaging, though of course, extremely difficult to read due to the content.
The abductions stopped without rhyme or reason, and the task force shut down without an arrest.
The author has a history with violence, and he details his past and how he was shaped by the early events in his life, including the attempted abduction by a possible serial killer. The author connects the crime to his own thoughts as he grew up and relays his own opinions. I found this an interesting added layer of honesty, but I also could see how it might be distracting, especially if you are looking for a straight-up true crime book.
My favorite aspects of The Kill Jar were the investigations into the murders. The details were laid out in an easy-to-follow format, and the author clearly had performed extensive research. Appelman covers the corruption and possible scandal and illustrates why these murders have proven difficult to solve.
While I am not sure the true crime genre is one I will visit regularly, The Kill Jar held me captive. I wished for an outcome (i.e., some answers) for these families throughout reading, and I will continue to wish that for them now knowing the cases are still unsolved.
Thank you to Gallery Books for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own. The Kill Jar will be released on August 14, 2018.
Synopsis:
Enthralling. Gripping. Cinematic. Raw. A cold case murder investigation paced like a podcast, as visually stunning as a film, and as brave and personal as our darkest memoirs. J. Reuben Appelman cracks open one of America’s most notorious murder sprees while simultaneously banging the gavel on his own history with violence. A deftly-crafted true crime story with grit, set amid the decaying sprawl of Detroit and its outliers.
With a foreword by Catherine Broad, sister of victim Timothy King.
Four children were abducted and murdered outside of Detroit during the winters of 1976 and 1977, their bodies eventually dumped in snow banks around the city. J. Reuben Appelman was six years old at the time the murders began and had evaded an abduction attempt during that same period, fueling a lifelong obsession with what became known as the Oakland County Child Killings.
Autopsies showed the victims to have been fed while in captivity, reportedly held with care. And yet, with equal care, their bodies had allegedly been groomed post-mortem, scrubbed-free of evidence that might link to a killer. There were few credible leads, and equally few credible suspects. That’s what the cops had passed down to the press, and that’s what the city of Detroit, and J. Reuben Appelman, had come to believe.
When the abductions mysteriously stopped, a task force operating on one of the largest manhunt budgets in history shut down without an arrest. Although no more murders occurred, Detroit and its environs remained haunted. The killer had, presumably, not been caught.
Eerily overlaid upon the author’s own decades-old history with violence, The Kill Jar tells the gripping story of J. Reuben Appelman’s ten-year investigation into buried leads, apparent police cover-ups of evidence, con-men, child pornography rings, and high-level corruption saturating Detroit’s most notorious serial killer case.
Have you read The Kill Jar, or do you plan to? Do you enjoy true crime nonfiction? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
Fascinating review, Jennifer! How chilling that the cases were never resolved and the author’s own experience adds another layer of authenticity. I’m a big true crime fan, though I watch more on TV than I read. My first was The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule, about Ted Bundy, and next was Fatal Vision by Joe McGinnis, about Jeffrey MacDonald. The latter was made into a TV movie and was excellent. Highly recommend both.
FYI, Dateline is one of my “never miss” shows😊
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Thanks, Jonetta! Thank you so much for the recs. I am going to add them on GR right now. I need to check out the TV movie, too. I never miss Dateline either. My DVR has a backlog of them. Somehow it’s a little easier to watch rather than read.
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Wonderful review! I have only read two true crime novels, The Fact of A Body and I’ll Be Gone in the Dark. The last one also followed an investigation in unsolved crimes and it ended also without knowing who did it. It certainly is different from fiction books where it’s always tied up with a neat bow. It’s realistic but I’m still happy that after 30 or more years someone’s finally been arrested. This sounds like a similar experience and a good read for someone who likes to watch and read more about interesting cold cases!
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Thanks, Inge! I love your recs because I have them both here unread! I think it was a 48 Hours special with the author of I’ll Gone in the Dark that piqued my interest about that story. The author has since passed away. It’s amazing that was finally solved after all that time. You are absolutely right about the neat bow. I think with fiction I can also rationalize as I’m reading that THIS didn’t really happen, where with a book like this, I kept thinking, oh no, this really happened. I am going to take note to get to those books in my sea of TBRs! Thanks, Inge! 😊
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Sad to know that the murders were never solved. I don’t read True Crime a lot but the few that I have read end with an arrest which kinda brings some closure. Curious about this one though especially because of the well-detailed investigations that you mentioned.
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Thanks, Diana. It is sad, and I think especially hard to read about a cold case. The author has been following the cases his entire life, so his hard work shows in the writing. Thanks for stopping by, Diana. 💕
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This is certainly different, but also interesting. I’m going to keep this in mind when my craving for True Crime books kick in.
Great review, Jenn! 😀
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Thanks, Rachel! It was definitely different for me, too! I stretched a little! 😊
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Wow, really different review! I wasn’t expecting to see a true crime title! That surprised me…Great review!
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Thanks, Lana! Everyone once in a while, I like to surprise you! (And myself!) 😂 ♥️
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Awesome review Jen! I love true crime TV shows like Dateline and the ID channel shows but I’ve never really gotten in to the books! Weird right?😊💖
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Thanks, Sus! I totally understand because I’ve only dabbled with the books. I think it’s easier to tune things out with TV than with a book. So reading true crime can be harder on us to some extent. I get nervous during my shows, too, but I am glad that most of the time the culprit is caught! Hope you are having a great Wednesday! 💕 💗
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Intriguing review. No I have not read this one. I watch cold cases and Dateline.
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Thanks, Virginia! I’m happy you enjoy those shows too! 💗
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Sounds like I would like this one, Jennifer. Thanks for a wonderful review!
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Thanks, Marialyce! I didn’t know you enjoyed true crime! It’s definitely intriguing and captivating!
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Fab review, I’ve had my eyes on this book, it sounds really interesting! I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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Thank you, Zuky! It definitely held my interest. I hope you enjoy it if you pick it up! ♥️
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Amazing! True crime is something I enjoy, though not sure why. It scares me a little, knowing things like this happen in the world and people go free or never get caught. I enjoyed your review of this book and will be placing it on my TBR list. I watch more true crime than read it, but I think this one will be worth it. It is nice knowing that someone out there still cares about these child murders even after the police have given up.
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Thank you! I totally agree about watching more versus reading, and also that someone out there is still putting the spotlight on these murders to they aren’t forgotten. If you are able to fit this one in, I hope you find it a worthy read, too. 💕
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This sounds a too heavy for me. I enjoy thrillers, as long as they’re fiction! lol
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I understand, Jacquie! It was quite heavy!
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Wow! Sounds gripping and chilling, great review😊
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Thanks, Holls! It definitely was! Different to be on the true crime end of things rather than a psych thriller.
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Lovely review Jennifer! I do grab the occasional true crime read when the urge hits me and the story sounds interesting and you just know it’s going to be even more chilling since it’s reality.
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Thanks, Carrie! Yes, it was really chilling, and the author is also a screenwriter for some famous works. He added something extra to this with his personal angle.
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You’re welcome!
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I’m not sure I’d like the bits where the author talks about his own life but otherwise this does sound interesting. I do read true crime but usually of older crimes – somehow it doesn’t bother me so much if everyone connected to it is long gone. The Victorians had lots of interesting crimes and criminals… 😉
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I read in some reviews that other people didn’t like that perspective, and I understand. Ohh, I probably need to explore older true crime. Hmm. I think I have a rec from you for one of those already! 😉
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Really interesting review Jen! I’m reading I’ll Be Gone In The Dark for my non fiction book at the moment and it’s a very different sort of read for me too but one I’m enjoying. 😁
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Thanks, Beth! I have that one, too, and I’m scared. 😂 I do hope to read it soon and can’t wait to read your review on it! I’m glad you are enjoying it. ♥️
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No I haven’t read this book or any true crime titles, but I love true crime TV shows. So maybe I should give this one a try!
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It’s nice to branch out a little, especially when you know you enjoy the shows. I hope your next read is a great one! 😊
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I haven’t read enough true crime and this one sounds so thrilling! Awesome review, Jenn! 😘❤
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Thanks, favorite M! It was definitely both thrilling and chilling! Xo 😘
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Don’t think i’ve ever read a true crime book, apart from In Cold Blood, but this sounds interesting, mainly because of the personal involvement of the author.
It kind of reminds me of what happened to one of my classmate when we were 7 years old. She was abducted on the way home. She was found within hours, and wasn’t hurt, just scared, and she said the worst part was, that nobody tried to help her. Some man just picked her up, and when she screamed the dude told everyone she’s his little sister and she always does that. Truly scary.
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Oh gosh, Norrie, that is scary. Your story actually reminds me of another book I’m reading now, Rust & Stardust, where the main character was abducted as a child and something similar happens. This is based on a true story that inspired Nabokov to write Lolita. You are right- super scary that kind of thing can happen and that bystanders don’t help! I need to check out In Cold Blood.
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Oh interesting! I remember reading Lolita. It’s such a good book. Well, the topic, not so much, but the way it’s written.
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I agree- the topic was interesting, and this one really is too. I hope to have the review up on Tuesday. I think this one is a less graphic rendition than Lolita.
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Ooo… I haven’t read true crime in a while, but I have an unhealthy fascination with serial killers! Lol! I think because I don’t understand why they would do what they do, it makes me want to read everything associated with them! I think it’s amazing that the author is talking about their personal experiences.. I’ll have to check this one out!
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This is definitely a unique take on true crime with the author’s experiences tied in. He is a screenwriter, and a popular one at that, so it’s well-written and engaging. I look forward to what you think if you work it in.
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