I do not remember requesting this book nor do I remember seeing it on my shelf for download. I haven't read it and it doesn't seem like a book I'd be interested in.

2 stars solely for the audiobook narration. The author did well with the narration. However, the book itself I was not a fan of. I expected a true true crime story, but I felt there was too much embellishment with conversations that could have taken place but in reality had no idea what occurred and what did not. There were also too many side stories within the main story that just further made me uninterested.

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy

I didn’t care for all the dialogue in here. The murder mystery aspect and all the true crime facts were very much appreciated. It felt too long.

It was such an interesting book! I've been adding more non-fiction to my TBR and this one was fantastic!

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS (non-fiction) as well as the author for this informative ARC in exchange for my honest reaction.
#NetGalley #SOURCEBOOKS(non-fiction) #Helltown #CaseySherman

Title: Helltown
Author: Casey Sherman
Format: eBook
Publisher: SOURCEBOOKS (non-fiction)
Publication Date: July 12, 2022


I would not call myself a “fan” of true crime. It’s undeniably interesting and, like many people, I can’t help but be drawn to it occasionally. That being said, yikes! This book is the unfortunate true story of serial killer Tony Costa and his terrorizing of Cape Cod. This book is a blend of fiction and non-fiction.

The fictional aspect of this book was unexpected, to be sure. The author added a lot of dialogue that, I assume, was there to make the book more poignant and readable. In addition to this, parallels are drawn between author Kurt Vonnegut and Norman Mailer and Tony Costa. I liked these comparisons as I felt that it made things clearer. I also felt that some of these portions of the book were a little longer than they should have been. My feelings on the fiction sections of the book were very mixed. I did feel that it made the book more emotionally accessible and readable, but I also felt it was a little contrived. I’ve never read a true crime book like this one.

This book was incredibly detailed and gruesome. The author is talented with his imagery, but it’s not easy to read. I felt almost complicit during some of this book. On one hand, I felt that reading this was disrespectful to the victims and their families. On the other hand, these women went through absolute hell and the least I can do is know their stories. Their stories are told here and then some. I felt that the author did a good job on being honest without reveling in the grisly details. More importantly, I did not feel as though the author was elevating this human monster to celebrity status. This is a big reason why I’m picky with my true crime.

All in all, saying that I enjoyed this book would not be accurate. It was a tough read and my recommendation would be to read responsibly with your own health in mind. This author did a good job with the subject matter and is a good place to turn if you are someone who reads true crime habitually.

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS (non-fiction) | Sourcebooks and to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

The year is 1969 and there is a serial killer running around Cape Cod....Did they catch him? Read the book to find out.

The premise of this book was interesting, but I thought there were some details that could have been left out. The author also tells what he thinks the person was thinking ( although he would have no way of actually knowing ) and that I didn't like. He also tells other stories along the way in this book.

This one was just ok for me.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. I found this book to be long-winded and full of irrelevant details. It also incorporates the stories of other tragedies as well as the lack of who the deceased really were. In my opinion, it sensationalized the murderer which was exactly what he hoped for. I found my mind wandering while reading which is something I’ve never done with a good book. Difficult to finish this as well as attempt to follow the multiple stories that really weren’t pertinent to the story. Maybe a different title would have allowed readers to decide if they wanted to read this book…I wouldn’t have if I would have known that is was only partially related to the actual story of the Costa murders.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. I found this book to be long-winded and full of irrelevant details. It also incorporates the stories of other tragedies as well as the lack of who the deceased really were. In my opinion, it sensationalized the murderer which was exactly what he hoped for. I found my mind wandering while reading which is something I’ve never done with a good book. Difficult to finish this as well as attempt to follow the multiple stories that really weren’t pertinent to the story. Maybe a different title would have allowed readers to decide if they wanted to read this book…I wouldn’t have if I would have known that is was only partially related to the actual story of the Costa murders.

Thank you NetGalley and Casey Sherman for the copy of Helltown. This is a fascinating but sad story of a serial killer in Cape Cod and how he did it and how he was caught.

I don't particularly love when an author creates dialog and internal narration for real life people, especially those who are no longer around. I understand why, but it just doesn't sit right with me. I've read Sherman's other book A Murder in Hollywood and I didn't notice it as much and wasn't as bothered by what was there, this felt like a fictionalized version of events because it happened so much.

I was not able to finish this book. It just didn’t catch my interest and I couldn’t get on board. Maybe I will try it again??

I have read widely on serial killer Tony Costa because of my ties to Cape Cod. Casey Sherman presents a glimpse into Tony’s perspective and experience. Through sometimes graphic details the life & murders of Tony Costa are explored and the reader is drawn into his dark world. A great edge of your seat read when you’re craving some gripping true crime. Thanks to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review..

In Helltown, Case Sherman delivers a chilling and immersive exploration of one of America's lesser-known serial killers, Tony Costa, whose reign of terror cast a shadow over the idyllic landscape of Cape Cod during the tumultuous late 1960s. Blending true crime with literary intrigue, Sherman crafts a narrative that is as compelling as it is haunting.

Set against the backdrop of the vibrant hippie scene in Provincetown, Massachusetts, Helltown paints a vivid portrait of a community caught in the grip of countercultural fervor and escalating violence. At the center of it all is Tony Costa, known to his adoring followers as "Sire," whose charismatic facade belies a dark and twisted reality.

Sherman deftly weaves together multiple narrative threads, seamlessly shifting between Costa's descent into madness and the parallel investigations of literary icons Kurt Vonnegut and Norman Mailer. As bodies pile up and the police close in on their prime suspect, Vonnegut and Mailer find themselves embroiled in a desperate race to capture the essence of Costa and the turbulent era he embodies.

What sets Helltown apart is its unflinching portrayal of the era and the individuals who inhabited it. Sherman pulls no punches in depicting the brutality of Costa's crimes or the moral ambiguity of Vonnegut and Mailer's pursuit of literary fame. The result is a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is harrowing, forcing readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the nature of violence and the allure of celebrity.

Sherman's prose is sharp and evocative, transporting readers back in time to a world where peace and love coexist uneasily with darkness and despair. From the sun-drenched streets of Provincetown to the smoke-filled cafes of New York City, the novel is infused with a sense of place that is both immersive and atmospheric.

In Helltown, Case Sherman has crafted a true crime narrative that is as compelling as it is unforgettable. With its blend of historical detail, literary intrigue, and unrelenting suspense, this is a book that will linger in the minds of readers long after the final page is turned. For fans of true crime and literary fiction alike, Helltown is a must-read masterpiece.

"Helltown" is a non-fiction book by Casey Sherman. It chronicles the true story of the Boston Strangler murders in the 1960s and the subsequent investigation that led to the arrest and conviction of Albert DeSalvo. Sherman provides a detailed account of the crimes, the victims, and the impact on the city of Boston, as well as the efforts of law enforcement to solve the case. With its gripping narrative and thorough research, "Helltown" offers a chilling and insightful exploration of one of the most notorious crime sprees in American history

This is a hard pass for me. The author tried to do internal dialogue for both victim and killer. I HATE when authors do that - there is no possible way to know what anyone was thinking, especially not the victims! Nope, not for me. DNF @ 25%

I ultimately had to DNF this true crime novel. It was filled with too much gore for my taste and also felt very slow. For whatever reason, it could not hold my focus and I had little desire to want to pick it up and read it. This might work for other readers, sadly it just wasn't for me. I appreciate the opportunity to be given this arc.

Unable to download.
I read another copy of this book and did not like it. Was very hard to make mysef finish

A very interesting true crime book. I had never heard of Tony Costa as many others. This was a well written book that kept the reader interested and reading until the end.

Fantastic story of a crime in New England that had ties across the country.Put this one at the top of your TBR