I got this book because it was on sale for only 1$ and because Im interested in graphic memoirs. That turns out to be a great bargain. The author explores possible reasons for her passion for true crime and in so doing explores human psychology and changes in society. Embedded in her story are the stories of several murders with respectful attention to the victims. This isnt about "the gore" nor an exploration of motivations for murder but detailing events in each case and how the murderer was caught. In doing so she shares her opinions and conversatuons with families and friends who share the interest. She summarizes the rise of interest in true crime, mentioning examples for each form of media. At the end she explores some sociological questions that society is addressing. This is a very thoughtful book but not preachy.
I found that once I started it I couldnt stop reading. I missed supper and it is her fault for engaging me in a topic I thought I was only mildly interested in and also a bit afraid of (Im nightmare-prone). She ends on a positive note, given the subject matter, and I think satisfactorily explains the fascination.
I read the Kindle version using my Android phone app. I alternated between the Kindle navigation for graphic stories and just enlarging pages with my fingers to read each panel at a time. I used both for different sorts of layouts-sometimes the page was very sequential, sometimes I wanted to be reminded of her overall page design.
I dont feel qualified to comment on art. I found it satisfactory for telling the story although she included some panels of her on the toilet while she was narrating something. I guess toilet humor is universal? Also a few pages' content were a bit scattered, but that may have been meant to convey her style of talking to family. It only happened about 2 or 3x out of about 300 pages and then she caught the thread and moved forward. It was not a big hurdle or I wouldve gotten my supper! Highly recommend for autobiography lovers, true crime fans or not and persons interested in niche history or history made personal.
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Murder Book: A Graphic Memoir of a True Crime Obsession
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Reviews with images
A True Crime Junkie Kindred Spirit
I’ve spent so much time watching, reading and listening to all things true crime and I’ve wondered at times if my interest is too weird, too morbid or too much. I love that Hilary shares my obsession.In this graphic memoir, Hilary traces her true crime obsession, from members of her family whose obsessions sparked her own to the movies, books, TV shows and podcasts that kept the flame burning.David Fincher’s Zodiac had a huge impact on Hilary, in part because she lived so close to some of the crime scenes. True crime even got her back into reading as an adult, first with Robert Graysmith’s Zodiac and then anything by Ann Rule.Hilary considers why the majority of people who watch, read and otherwise devour true crime are women. She also tracks how the types of true crime that have been written about have changed throughout the decades.Although this is a memoir, Hilary also explores some crimes that hold special significance to her, including the murder of Anne Marie Fahey and the murders committed by Ted Bundy. I never expected to see true crime explored in a graphic novel, but it worked.The victims of crime are often practically invisible in their own stories but there was a focus on them here. I especially appreciated learning what their interests were. For example, Betty Lou Jensen liked art, school, studying and fashion.“I know I like to joke, but in all seriousness, a large part of the reason I love true crime is the hope of justice for the victims.”If you’re a true crime junkie, you will find a kindred spirit in Hilary. If you know someone who loves true crime but you just don’t get the fascination, this graphic novel may help you understand what it’s all about.There’s a lot more text in this graphic novel than most I have previously read. I had difficulty figuring out which order I should be reading panels on some pages but the majority of them were easy to follow. I enjoyed the artwork.There’s humour, like this all too accurate description of movies that are ‘based on true stories’.“It’s the DRAMATIC, SEXY version of a REALLY HORRIBLE situation that you would never find sexy if it happened to YOU!”It’s relatable. Hilary’s ability to love true crime, Disney, horror movies and Peanuts simultaneously mirrors my own strangely contradictory loves.It’s a graphic novel I definitely want to reread.My full review can be found on my blog.Thank you so much to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read this graphic novel.
