Love Letters to a Serial Killer Book Review

Title: LOVE LETTERS TO A SERIAL KILLER

Author: Tasha Coryell

ISBN: 978 1398 7167 11 

Publisher: Orion Books

Pages: 320

Source: NetGalley

When handsome lawyer, Wesley, is arrested for a series of murders, recently ghosted thirty-something Hannah begins writing him letters as an outlet for both her frustration at her failure to launch and her feminist rage. The exercise empowers her and even feels healthy at first – until Wesley writes back. Their correspondence tips Hannah’s interest in the case from curiosity to obsession, leaving space for nothing else as her life implodes around her. Hannah is the first person Wesley calls upon his release, and they quickly fall into a routine of domestic bliss. Well, as blissful as one can feel while secretly investigating their partner for serial murder…

Official Summary

29 March 2024

I was scrolling through books on NetGalley when this book’s cover caught my eye. All I could do was add it to my wish list. I was very excited when I received an email titled “Wishes Do Come True!” and this book jumped straight to the top of my TBR.

This book is a dark and captivating exploration of obsession, feminist rage and the blurred lines between fascination and danger. The novel delves into the mind of recently ghosted, thirty-something Hannah, who channels her frustration and feminist fury into writing letters to a handsome lawyer named Wesley, arrested for a series of murders.

The premise of Hannah’s letter as an outlet for her emotions sets the stage for a unique and intriguing narrative. The author portrays Hannah’s journey from initial curiosity about the case to a full-blown obsession as her life unravels around her. The author effectively captures the complex emotions that come with the intersection of personal turmoil and the allure of a notorious criminal. The narrative takes a dark turn when Wesley responds to Hannah’s letters, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. The exploration of their correspondence adds layers of psychological tension, making you question the sanity of both characters. Hannah’s descent into obsession with the serial killer is both disturbing and compelling, highlighting the novel’s strength in exploring the intricacies of the human psyche.

The author navigates the delicate balance between suspense and psychological exploration, creating a gripping atmosphere that keeps you hooked. The story twists and turns with a sinister undertone as the tension between the characters and the dark secrets they both harbour add depth to the storyline. (I almost included a bit of a spoiler there.) While this novel is undeniably engaging, there were moments when the pacing felt slightly uneven and some plot development rushed. However, the overall impact of “Love Letter to a Serial Killer” lies in its ability to immerse you in the twisted psyche of its characters and explore the consequences of unchecked obsession.

This book is a gripping psychological thriller that digs into the complexities of obsession and the fine line between attraction and danger. While this offers a darkly compelling narrative, well-drawn characters and the exploration of psychological turmoil, it also manages to feel like a light read, with a touch of humour when you look a little deeper.

Also by Tasha Coryell

Hungary People

“In Hungry People, Tasha Coryell gives us food for hungry hearts. The women are anxious and complicated; the men bring Cheetos instead of flowers. Her stories are tight and intimate, dark and dirty—hot and short with running, racing hearts and bare feet. Like secrets. Like gasps. Like screams. Like smoky, steamy, beery nights plus danger and sex and fireworks.”

-Leesa Cross-Smith, author of Whiskey & Ribbons and Every Kiss A War

“In Hungry People, Coryell holds a prism of human desire into the light, bringing our most primal, irreconcilable, hilarious needs into focus—the yearning to be fed. To feel safe, loved, and remembered. Coryell’s collection lingers on in the heart like her character’s appetites, leaving us satisfied but, as is our folly, lusting for one more taste. A trove of stories to return to, and a writer to watch on her way into the stratosphere.”

About the Author

Author bio from the author’s site

Tasha Coryell’s debut novel, Love Letters to a Serial Killer, is forthcoming from Berkley (US) and Orion (UK) in 2024.

Her book of short stories, Hungry People, was published by Split Lip Press in 2018.

Tasha holds an MFA in creative writing and a PhD in composition and rhetoric from the University of Alabama. She currently lives in St. Paul, Minnesota with her husband, son, and greyhound.

In her spare time, Tasha likes to run, cross stitch, and watch copious amounts of television.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Books for making a wish come true. I loved this book and found I could not flip the pages fast enough. I would highly recommend this book to readers looking for a dark, twisty tale with a touch of humour. Until next time…Happy Reading!

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