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American Predator
American Predator: The Hunt for the Most Meticulous Serial Killer of the 21st Century | Maureen Callahan
A gripping tour de force of investigative journalism that takes us deep into the investigation behind one of the most frightening and enigmatic serial killers in modern American history, and into the ranks of a singular American police force: the Alaska PD Most of us have never heard of Israel Keyes. But he is one of the most ambitious, meticulous serial killers of modern time. The FBI considered his behavior unprecedented. Described by a prosecutor as "a force of pure evil," he was a predator who struck all over the United States. He buried "kill kits"--cash, weapons, and body-disposal tools--in remote locations across the country and over the course of fourteen years, would fly to a city, rent a car, and drive thousands of miles in order to use his kits. He would break into a stranger's house, abduct his victims in broad daylight, and kill and dispose of them in mere hours. And then he would return home, resuming life as a quiet, reliable construction worker devoted to his only daughter. When journalist Maureen Callahan first heard about Israel Keyes in 2012, she was captivated by how a killer of this magnitude could go undetected by law enforcement for over a decade. And so began a project that consumed her for the next several years--uncovering the true story behind how the FBI ultimately caught Israel Keyes, and trying to understand what it means for a killer like Keyes to exist. A killer who left a path of monstrous, randomly committed crimes in his wake--many of which remain unsolved to this day. A Dark Night in Alaska is the ambitious culmination of years of on-the-ground interviews with key figures in law enforcement and in Keyes's life, and research uncovered from classified FBI files. Callahan takes us on a journey into the chilling, nightmarish mind of a relentless killer, and the limitations of traditional law enforcement, in one of America's most isolated environments--Alaska--when faced with a killer who defies all expectation and categorization.
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nonbinaryandbitter
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Mehso-so

There were some parts that dragged, but overall a fast read

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EmilieGR
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Mehso-so

Callahan missed so many opportunities to start a discussion about police response, psychology, intra-agency relationships, etc., but decided on just a straight retelling of facts and relating of interviews. Not horrible, just not great.

Leftcoastzen I agree! 7mo
Leftcoastzen 😻 7mo
6 likes2 comments
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Coffeymuse
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There is now 4 true crimes books that have scared the bejesus out of me.

Israel Keyes is one truly psychopathic individual who just enjoyed rape and murder. The fact that the FBI is still piecing together his story and victims is chilling. He figured out how to be the almost perfect serial killer and only got caught because he went hunting in his backyard.

Be prepared to read this in the daylight as it's truly horrifying!

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Coffeymuse
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Serial killer and Jimmy Johns... It's great Friday lunch!

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Jolynne
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Pickpick

This was well researched and written. I have read two true crime books and have decided the genre is not for me.

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DGRachel
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Pickpick

Israel Keyes is probably one of the scariest serial killers you've never heard of. The descriptions of his activities, how random they seem, is terrifying. It's also disturbing how much of the investigation into his movements prior to his arrest has not been released due to "national security concerns". This book was well-written and researched. It's a little dry, but informative. The audiobook narrator is also pretty good.

LeahBergen This was a crazy read! 😬 11mo
DGRachel @LeahBergen Right? I kept thinking, with all the Dateline I watch, how have I never heard of this guy? 11mo
LeahBergen 😆 Same! 11mo
54 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Lauren890
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 A very interesting true crime book about a recent serial killer and the investigation. I found a lot of the investigative parts fascinating, and the author did a great job researching the case since so little seems to be known about his crimes. I listened to this on audio and liked that format.

jlhammar This was so good. 12mo
Lauren890 @jlhammar Agree! I‘m only sad I didn‘t hear about it sooner! 12mo
23 likes2 comments
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CaramelLunacy
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Mehso-so

I think I just have to accept that (although the profiling and investigations intrigue me) true crime just isn't really my genre.
This one is about little known serial killer Israel Keyes, how he was caught and what little investigators learned from him about his crimes.
The author was focused and thankfully avoided revelling in the gruesome, so I would read her again. But I'm just not sure we know enough for the book to satisfy me.

CaramelLunacy Pick because I think it is a genre not for me problem rather than a poor example of the genre... 1y
DieAReader 🎉🎉🎉 1y
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Mehall
Pickpick

Sooooo interesting! I highly suggest if you like true crime!

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Nikki_E
Pickpick

Loved the writing, hated the subject. I actually steer away from serial killers despite loving true crime, but Israel Keyes is interesting.

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Erinreadsthebooks
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This book is one of my favorites and it‘s super cheap on Kindle today 🤩🥳🤓

jlhammar This book was so good! 2y
19 likes1 comment
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DeadBy420
Pickpick

Another great crime book. This author holds no punches when calling out police mistakes or misguidance and focus on the facts of this case more than the victims or drama of it. Absolutely love it

5feet.of.fury Seriously! It killed me when they said “if they had just watched further on the surveillance tape” …so many minor mishaps that could have had her found. 2y
DeadBy420 Honestly!!! Or how they didn‘t believe the boyfriend till Keyes backed it. I just wonder if dad and boyfriend ever got an apology… 2y
3 likes2 comments
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SpookyDonut
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Pickpick

This pulled me out of my book slump! This was all around a wild ride. I‘m devastated at the ending of this case and the fact that this didn‘t get as much news coverage due to a lot of mishandling. If you‘re into serial killers, this is definitely one to add to the collection.

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SpookyDonut
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The Waste Lands didn‘t pull me in like I was hoping. American Predator pulled me in right away and I‘ve barely put it down since I started it today. I hate that I don‘t remember hearing about this case as it was happening. #americanpredator #maureencallahan #serialkiller #bookslump #kindle #ebook #library

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LoverOfLearning
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Pickpick

Finished this one! It is always hard to rate true crime books as it describes the worst moment in history for the victims and their families.

I thought Callahan wrote this book well, used factual references, played up the mystery, and stayed on point. The book was disturbing and difficult to put down! This was an extremely interesting case and I hope to read more true crime books by this author.

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5feet.of.fury
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Pickpick

It‘s a “pick” but “meticulous” he was not… it‘s wild how many crimes go unsolved because of TINY but obvious mistakes on the investigators. This man is something out of a horror film though.
#Scarathlon2021
#TeamSlaughter

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JenReadsAlot
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Pickpick

So this guy is terrifying! Excellent true crime. My #bookspin for October @TheAromaofBooks #teamslaughter @Clwojick #outstandingoctober @Andrew65

Andrew65 Fantastic 👏👏👏 2y
Crazeedi I want to read 2y
5feet.of.fury I‘m going to start this one tomorrow! Can‘t wait! 2y
See All 7 Comments
JenReadsAlot @Crazeedi @5feet.of.fury Hope you enjoy it too! 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
KLyn1 Listened to this a while back - so good - and so creepy!! 2y
JenReadsAlot @KLyn1 So creepy! 2y
40 likes1 stack add7 comments
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LoverOfLearning
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Hoping to finish this book tonight!

I never know how to rate true crime books but wow this story is crazy interesting. I have a little over a hundred pages left to read.

sharread That is a scary book! There's a bunch of stuff about him on YouTube that is just as horrifying. 2y
LoverOfLearning @sharread oh I bet! There are so many unsolved stories about him. 2y
perfectsinner on my want to reads list 2y
LoverOfLearning @perfectsinner it was really very good. Extremely well written, interesting, and focused on facts. Definitely recommend. 2y
perfectsinner Excellent, thank you! 2y
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DarkMina
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britt_reads
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Pickpick

Loved this disturbing true crime book! I really enjoyed Callahan‘s writing and the research put into this.

This was my #bookspin
#scarathlon2021 #teamslaughter
#outstandingoctober #littenlisten #spookoweenreadathon #wickedathon #panspookathon #readlikehellathon

TheSpineView Awesome! 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
Andrew65 Great 👏👏👏 2y
31 likes1 stack add3 comments
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DebinHawaii
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#scarathlon #scarathlon2021 #photochalkenge #teamhendrix

Three scary #TrueCrime books: I read Stranger Beside Me years ago but still think about it. I‘ll Be Gone in the Dark was an audiobook I needed to listen to during the daylight. 😱 The tagged book is in my #TBR stack & sounds suitably frightening. 😱

JenReadsAlot I had to check my doors/windows when reading I'll be Gone in the Dark. Lol 2y
Crazeedi I've read all three, all excellent 2y
LeahBergen I‘ve read all three and they‘re all good! 2y
Cathythoughts I‘ve read two .. but not the tagged one , I‘ll stack that one 👍🏻 2y
56 likes1 stack add4 comments
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JenReadsAlot
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23 likes3 comments
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Juzupis
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6 likes2 stack adds
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Lexeegee
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Pickpick

Scary that people like this exist in this world.

IamIamIam I was so frightened after I listened to this book!!! Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction!! 3y
27 likes1 comment
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Andrea4
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Pickpick

In the midst of moving so I've been driving for at least 2.5-3hrs each day since Sunday. I realise it's only Tuesday but I started this Sunday and finished the last 15m this morning and I feel like it's Friday lol.
Imo this is a great only crime novel-it presents a lot of transcripts etc, of course redacted/abridged. TW abound BUT there isn't the super gorey detail one might expect to find. Crimes are stated matter of factly and not dwelled on.

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IamIamIam
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Pickpick

What a frightening book!!!! Israel Keyes is the most meticulous serial killer in recent history, making kill kits to hide, buried, in states across the US, maybe Canada too. The extent of his crimes hasn't, and probably won't ever, be definitely determined. 😶

I've never felt so unsafe in my life.

booklover3258 I agree! 3y
Chrissyreadit I heard about him on my favorite murder. I‘m always anxious now when my kids go anywhere… 3y
Jgacreations Yup! Lol 3y
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IamIamIam @Jgacreations I have been on here so infrequently lately that I just blasted your posts for the last few weeks! 😂😂 This was terrifying!! 3y
IamIamIam @Chrissyreadit I can totally see why... ambush predator is such an excellent term for him! 3y
Kimberlone Samantha Koenig was abducted from the coffee hut that sits a block from my current office building. Her murder happened while I was in college and it was a huge media case during that time. I was surprised how little I remembered of the case when I read this book, and in hindsight I should have been much more afraid at the time. I recognized several names of people who were involved in the investigation. 3y
IamIamIam @Kimberlone Oh my goodness, that's so scary!!! 😟😟😟 3y
Kimberlone @IamIamIam yeah at the time I think I was too preoccupied with finishing my last year of college and writing my thesis to pay close attention. It also took a lot time for Keyes to be caught and to find out what happened to Samantha and unfortunately disappearances are quite common in AK that we are a bit too desensitized to them happening. 3y
IamIamIam @Kimberlone We're all fearless as young adults, though, aren't we? I can't imagine what the town was like with all that happening, though! NY is similar with disappearances too. I'm right outside of NYC so we hear about a lot of missing people. There's an unsolved case that's been going on for a while and my friend said he wondered if the Gilgo Beach Killer could have been Keyes. He was active in upstate! 😫 3y
37 likes1 stack add9 comments
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DarcysMom
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Pickpick
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DarcysMom
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49 likes1 stack add
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quirkyreader
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Pickpick

This was a big oh my.

EvieBee Scary? 3y
quirkyreader @EvieBee Disturbing is more like it. 3y
rwmg We have 79 years to go. Anyone want to beat the record? 3y
31 likes3 comments
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Jgotham
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Pickpick

This book was excellent. Callahan put a lot of work into getting documents, interviews, and being fair to both sides. She gave credit where it was due but also criticized and pointed out mistakes made. I was impressed enough with her skills to read any other true crime she has written or will write. Creepy story of Israel Keyes‘ crimes across North America. Keyes is the guy who sent a ransom note with a pic of the dead victim with her 1/

Jgotham 2/ with her eyes sewn open, and applied makeup to fool everyone she was alive. Cold blooded killer who turned the profiles on their head by bypassing every norm 3y
LoverOfLearning Definitely want to read this one. I still feel so cool saying I study this for my master's! 3y
LoverOfLearning Excellent way to describe this book and her writing ability! I loved this story and will read any other book written by her. 2y
17 likes3 comments
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Jadams89
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Pickpick

I must admit, this freaked me out! Keyes came scarily close to becoming the perfect serial killer. So many cases that he may have been responsible for remain unsolved. A great true crime book!

Thanks for the recommendation @Bookish_AF !

This is my #Bookspin for March.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
39 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Leftcoastzen
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Pickpick

Chilling account of a lesser known but extremely scary & methodical serial killer.Questioning & custody errors account partially for less being known.A blurb on the back compared this to Guinns Manson book or McNamaras I‘ll be Gone in the Dark , I don‘t think the quality of the writing is very close to either of those books.If I had a nickel for every book called the next Catcher In The Rye or To Kill a Mockingbird....🙄🙄

LeahBergen This was a freaky read. 😬 3y
Leftcoastzen @LeahBergen indeed! Sometimes it was freaking me out too much ! I didn‘t read it at night! 3y
MarkoPDX I have to admit, I was a little disappointed in how the case drew to a close. 3y
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Erinreadsthebooks
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Pickpick

Just 3 of the things that made this a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 read for me: 1) Psychotic serial killer 2) Ample mistakes made by local law enforcement officers up to top ranking FBI agents and the Dept. of Justice 3) Really excellent research and writing skills on the part of Callahan. Highly recommend! I couldn‘t put this book down. Anddd now I‘m going to try to go to sleep 😏😬

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Twainy
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Pickpick

🎧 Israel Keyes will give you nightmares!

He lived in Alaska. For 14 years he‘d fly all over the states to where he buried kill kits ... you‘ll have to read or listen to this book if you want to know more about this serial killer.

Trigger warnings all over the place!!

I was on the edge of my seat & listened strait through! Good narration. Highly recommend if you‘re interested in true crime & don‘t mind it spelled out. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

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booklover3258
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Pickpick

My review of this book can be found on my Youtube Vlog at:

https://youtu.be/nz02IJLRfOU

Enjoy!

Twainy My Libby hold list .... 17 books .... this one randomly popped up from the middle of the list as available today!!! Hope the forever wait was worth it 😁 3y
43 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Annie1215
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Pickpick

This is a re-read for me which made it really quick to get through.

I was so glad to get to read through with everyone‘s #lmpbc notes in it though, it made for a whole new experience. If you‘re in to true crime this is a really fascinating case and I highly recommend it!

Checking a box off my #bookspinbingo more quickly than I expected.

65 likes1 stack add1 comment
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rsteve388
Pickpick

Wow, American Predator reveals a dark and meticulous killer who got away with.multiple murders throughout the United States. What a wild story that really makes you think about walking home alone at night, we could all have been a victim of such a person. this was a short and quick read and moved really fast as the story or what we know of the story of Israel Keyes was unveiled.

#LMPBC

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Juzupis
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The rarest form of murder is serial. #maureencallahan#americanpredator

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Bookishlie
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Went out today :) #LMPBC group e and group y Dis you change your name Sace I can‘t tag you :(

ConfessionofaBookaholic Very excited! I‘m a little behind because I got caught up in finals week. Yours should be in the mail soon! 3y
Bookishlie Don‘t worry! Not sure how long international takes but we have plenty of time:) 3y
16 likes2 comments
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Bookishlie
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#Holidaycardswap. On the right is done the left just need to be addressed. Just tagged as #holidaycard because someone said anything with “swap” might be stolen. Some have comments, some have wishes, some have dad jokes. All are random so who knows whose getting what. Lol

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Lauren_reading
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Pickpick

I love true crime stories and this was gripping and scary as anything. I‘d never even heard of Israel Keyes, but once I started reading this book I couldn‘t stop.

The book is wonderful in its setup. From when he‘s caught and interrogated and then flashing back to previous crimes and his growing up. There‘s facts and theories, but also thoughts about the search for evidence and reflection on how the case was handled.

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Luulit
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https://www.luulit.com/product/american-predator-the-hunt-for-the-most-meticulou...

Instant New York Times Best Seller
An Amazon “Best Book of 2019”
A Washington Post “10 Books to Read in July”
A Los Angeles Times “Seven Highly Anticipated Books for Summer Reading
A USA Today “20 of the Season‘s Hottest New Books”
A New York Post “25 Best Beach Reads of 2019 You Need to Pre-Order Now

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TorieStorieS
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Pickpick

I‘ve seen a lot of #LitsyLove for this #TrueCrime read so I was excited to dive in and kick off my Halloween listening! This #audiobook was impossible to stop listening to and I couldn‘t believe that I had never heard anything about these crimes before this! It doesn‘t show Alaskan law enforcement in the best of lights, and ultimately leaves a lot of questions but it‘s certainly chillingly enthralling! #AudioColoring

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful 💗💗 3y
40 likes2 comments
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TheQuietQuill
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Starting off #scarathlon2020 with this page turner! I‘m usually not into true crime books because reading about serial killers scare the bejeezus out of me, but I heard a lot of great things about this book. That‘s why I‘m starting this now instead of waiting for October 1, because I want to read it slow in hopes of not getting too scared 😱

#teamharkness

sharread That book is scary. Watch his interviews on YouTube that makes the whole thing even more scary. Evil is real. 4y
53 likes1 comment
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wideeyedreader
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Pickpick

Ummmm.... wow. I‘ve never heard of this case before, and the more I think about it, the scarier it gets! A very well-written book, and the audiobook narration is great!

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suvata
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Pickpick

I don‘t remember this being real big news in the lower 48 states. But, gosh, what a horrific predator Israel Keyes was. We really should get more news from Hawaii and Alaska. The investigation was fascinating. If you like true crime, this is your book.

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego This one was so good! 4y
suvata @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego I just finished it. I may have a hard time falling asleep tonight. 4y
Bklover I just bought this today- started it an hour or so ago and am already hooked 4y
suvata @Bklover 👍🏻 4y
54 likes5 stack adds4 comments
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eanderson
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Pickpick

Daggum! So many moving pieces with this case. It angers me that some people are too big for their britches and feel the need to compromise a case because they want to play ‘who has the biggest dangle‘. Keyes was creepy as heck! (I feel like my 85 year old grandpa as I write this up. 😜 all the sayings he has.) This book is a prime example of a small part of why our criminal justice system sucks!
Also getting a jump start on #superseptember #botm

eanderson #murder2020 33/50 (edited) 4y
Annie1215 I was SO frustrated with the FBI/police department in this case! 4y
eanderson @Annie1215 yeah... I cannot believe they behaved that way. Just stupid. 🤦‍♀️ 4y
Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 4y
51 likes1 stack add4 comments
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suvata
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I really can‘t take all this chaos, unrest and hatred in the world today. That‘s why I‘m going to relax with a calming non-fiction book. #ReadingTheBestMedicine

DebinHawaii So good you picked a light read! 🤣 4y
suvata @DebinHawaii IKR ... It feels like opposite world so, what the heck. 4y
49 likes2 comments