Thank you Barnes and Noble and NetGallery for this ARC.of Helltown.The author combined three different elements into his nonfiction book of two well-known authors and a young serial killer all residing in Provincetown,RI during the 60’s.This book is well written and researched but the murders were described very graphically and grotesquely which was difficult for me to read without putting down frequently to get a fresh breath of air.I was quite interested in the two authors,Mailer and Vonnegut which I knew little about but knew of their names, books,and movies associated with them. I would highly recommend this book just based on info about those two well known authors.

I have heard of Tony Costa, the Cape Cod serial killer, before. However, I was not aware that he was from my hometown and that he had many ties to Boston. A couple of tidbits of information I was not aware of until I read this book: Kurt Vonnegut and Norman Mailer were also on Cape Cod during this time period and the fact that Provincetown was so involved in the drug scene and hippies (growing up, Cape Cod was idyllic in my eyes), I enjoyed the research that went into the writing of this book. Not only did I learn something about my home city/state, the information from the police departments to the landladies added to the story. I highly recommend this book., but be forewarned, it can get pretty gruesome. (But I am guessing if you chose this book to read, you were expecting gruesome.)

Free ARC from NETGALLEY

Almost killed the story, and it is a great one, with all the history in the first 90 pages but then we got in to "Terrible Tony" killing it on Cape Cod and it never slowed.

Good book, push through the early pages

In the aftermath of the Vietnam war, with so many searching for peace, love and understanding, the stage was set for damaged narcissist Antone “Tony” Costa to play to peoples fears and desires to attain cult-like devotion. The evil so shallowly under the surface, as well as the simple “wrong place, wrong time” circumstances that allowed women who trusted or loved Tony to become victims and impacted those close to them, was chilling. The juxtaposed stories of Mailer and Vonnegut provided interesting perspective but for me, crowded the narrative and interrupted the cadence of the story. The witchcraft storyline also had a similar effect. Though I lived through the 60’s, I was a child. The glimpses into pervasive misogyny in the obvious forms, physical abuse and more subtle marginalization of women, the female juror told to just keep looking pretty, was also disturbing.

Quick Take: The 1960’s was a crazy time for crime and Provincetown, Massachusetts is no exception.

Helltown by Casey Sherman combines multiple storylines all converging in Province Town Masschussetts, also known as “Helltown.” The main storyline follows Tony Costa, a serial killer, who murdered many young women. Woven into the story is a feud between Kurt Vonnegut and Norman Mailer. While these concurrent storylines may seem jarring at first, they are all tied together in the end by Provincetown.

On the outside, Tony Costa appeared to be a mild-mannered, local handy man and low-level drug dealer. On the inside, Tony Costa’s alter ego Cody — was looking for his next victim. Costa could only get off if a woman were harmed or dead, this is what drove him to murder young women. Unfortunately, this was the 1960’s, a time when young women ran away and disappeared with regularity. So, when several young women were reported missing the local police didn’t take it very seriously. It wasn’t until the body of a young woman was discovered in the woods that police began to investigate.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys true crime. The book was well-written and kept my attention, especially on the parts about Tony Costa. I think this book would benefit from a Forward/Introduction written by the author explaining his vision for the book. Without a unifying vision and foreknowledge of the pieces, the beginning of the book feels disjointed.

Rating: 4/5
Genre: True Crime

Wife vs Husband. Ones accused of hiring someone to murder the other. One is ready for revenge.

Olivia is spending five years in jail for hiring a hit on her husband, that she was framed for. Now after serving her time she is ready to recover her relationship with her daughter and even the score with Dominic. She has many friends on her side, but her husband has enough secrets to keep them guessing.

While mystery writing can commonly be found to have a few twists, and a few different supporting characters, this read felt like it had more to me. And yet, it worked. It wasn't overly busy, and confusing with all of these aspects. The beginning was a bit slow, but that is common. Then the twists and turns started happening, and I read through the book quickly.

The story kept me hooked from the beginning and the twists were amazing. There wasn't just a little bit of drama, it was everywhere, and I was living for it! Great read.

I was unable to finish this book. After skimming the first few chapters, I decided it wasn't for me. As a general rule, I enjoy reading true crime, but I simply couldn't get interested in this book and finally gave up.

Growing up with TV shows such as: Unsolved Mysteries, Dateline specials, City Confidential, and Cold Case Files, I am certainly no stranger to True Crime. Reading True Crime, however, is a first for me and it was Casey Sherman's 'Helltown' that roped me in and tempted me to give the genre a try.

Sherman weaves fact with fiction to outline the true story of Cape Cod serial killer Tony Costa. I was not previously familiar with Tony Costa's story, but Sherman's depictions were expertly narrated to provide thorough information throughout. Admittedly, I skimmed through the more gruesome details, which should only be a testament to Sherman's masterful writing – I was truly squeamish through the parts my eyes did brush over. This was a tough read for me in the sense that I had to remind myself that it was factual, and real victims were at the heart of a book I picked up for entertainment. That reflection had me wondering if perhaps I am not a right fit for this genre for the time being. While a parallel story of two writers ran between the telling of Costa's crimes, my attention toward their place in the big picture didn't hold. I chose not to finish the book at the half-way point, finding comfort with the events I ended on. Respectfully, I reviewed the Author's Notes and References at the end of the book, which I highly valued. I found Casey Sherman's dedication to the facts and details of the real life events admirable. The extensive research he completed to format this book is again, another testament to his mastery at his craft. I may not be the right reader for the entirety of this book but, Sherman offers True Crime enthusiasts a deeper look into a serial killer's story, the mindset of the small town he lived in, and the events of the world at that time as well. "Helltown' is a True Crime read that will certainly come to life for its audience.

I appreciate both the publisher, Sourcebooks (non-fiction), and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this electronic Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

Disclosure: This book was provided to me by Netgalley free of charge in return for an honest and unbiased review.

In all fairness to the author, this just is not my style when it comes to true crime. I prefer my true crime clinical, with facts, and with a glossy section sandwiched somewhere in the middle abundant with slightly scandalous pictures.

My impression of "Helltown" is that it is trying to evoke something akin to "The Devil in the White City" - a book that I thoroughly enjoy. "Helltown", however, ultimately misses its mark. Similar to "Devil in the White City", "Helltown" uses an alternating chapter format to set the scene of a late 1960's Provincetown, Massachusetts.

Half of the book's chapters revolve around Antone "Tony" Costa - hippie, budding cult leader? (this is touched-upon towards the end with no real evidence presented), and serial killer. While there are some facts hidden within these chapters, they are presented as a story with completely fictionalized, frankly, downright corny dialogue that never happened.

The rest of the chapters revolve around Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., Norman Mailer, and the late 1960's counter-culture. These chapters are less fictionalized, but are mostly comprised of random quotes made by or about Vonnegut and Mailer which are then mashed into something that resembles a narrative. The overall effect is clunky and awkward. In my opinion, these chapters were just trying to cover more than they needed to. There was a ton of skipping around and the overall read could have been greatly improved with some focus.

The sections on Mailer were of little significance and could have been weeded out completely. I didn't mind the sections on Vonnegut as he did write about and have some connection to Tony Costa (although the interactions between Edith Vonnegut and Costa were greatly exaggerated by Vonnegut himself in the July 25, 1969 article he wrote covering the murders for <i>LIFE</i> Magazine).

I also did not enjoy where, towards the end of the book, Sherman creates this "what if" scenario involving a follower of Costa, dubbed Strawberry Blonde, linking her to a completely unrelated unsolved murder. The implication is that the Cult of Costa lives on in Provincetown. Sherman explains that this part is completely fictionalized but not until the Author's Notes in the back and, realistically, how many people even read those? What a mess.

Oddly enough, my favorite part of "Helltown" is the Author's Notes. Sherman mentions his contact with Edith Vonnegut and Avis Johnson, Tony Costa's former wife. In the end, I would have preferred a book that incorporated more of the author's research presented as facts over the heavily fictionalized account that is "Helltown".

This book was fantastic! It was indeed dark, but the storyline was captivating and well-rounded. The doses of nostalgia, and the author's clear admiration for Cape Cod made this book very enjoyable despite the heavy topic! I have already recommended this to several family members and friends.

A fascinating look at a series of sociopathic killings that paralleled and yet was overshadowed by the Charlie Manson Family's Tate/LaBianca murders, which occurred around the same time. While those captured the world's attention, Tony Costa's activities slipped into obscurity. They are now resurrected in an excellent narrative by Casey Sherman. Beware that this is not a truly nonfiction work as broad poetic license is taken with many of the characters, including the very real life Normal Mailer and Kurt Vonnegut. Yet, the story captivates and drags you along into a dark tale of just how evil some killers can be. Tony Costa was every bit as charismatic and manipulative as Manson and had his own bevy of witchy devoted followers. Did he truly have q dual personality or was he running a game on everyone? What were his true motives? The reader will decide. Once you begin this tale you will undoubtedly squirm a bit but putting it down will not be an option.

DP Lyle, Award-winning author of the Jake Longly and Cain/Harper thriller series

I could not be pulled into this story although it is a story I'd never heard about before. The writing was drier than the Sahara and I had to keep putting it down because I just could not stay in the story.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is not my first book on the Provincetown Murders and Tony Costa. I had hoped to have more facts and a different perspective on the serial killer and what took place. Helltown does not disappoint and offers well-researched insights into serial killer Tony Costa, his horrific crimes that are laid out in visceral detail, and his subsequent trial.

However, I did not like that more than half of the book focused on Kurt Vonnegut and Norman Mailer. I could not follow how that interruption was relevant or added to the book. It did not add to but took away from the focus on the serial killing and the other aspects of history occuring at that time.

3.5 rounded up.

This is a true crime novel fictionalizing the famous t Tony Costa of Cape Cod. Being a huge Cape Cod fan, I thought I might enjoy learning more about its mysterious and murderous side! This isn't your typical true crime novel though!

Set in 1969, in Provincetown, we learn more about the hippie movement and the dueling famous authors Vonnegut and Mailer. Through the novel we follow Antone "Tony" Costa on his murder spree and court hearings. The novel reads more like a television series and I have heard it is soon to be one!

If you like serial killers (the real kind), Cape Cod and history, this novel is for you!
#Sourcebooks #TrueCrime #NetGalley

Helltown by Casey Sherman is a great true crime story. Even though I had never heard of Tony Costa and the Cape Cod Murders it was a fascinating story that keep me turning pages. This happened just before the Manson murders and in my opinion was way more gruesome and sensational than Manson. Which is saying a lot cuz Manson’s was pretty bad. There was a lot about writers Norman Mailer and Kurt Vonnegut, Jr in the book. I believe it was necessary for the story, but maybe it didn’t need to go into quite as much detail of their lives as it did.

I was a teenager when this happened and devoured all books about serial killers back then, but I had never heard of this murderer till now. I like how it tells the story of these murders through the eyes of the serial killer.

If you like serial killer book this one is a must read.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley #SOURCEBOOKS #Helltown

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS (non-fiction) and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this Digital ARC of Helltown.

All you had to say was murder mystery and I was sold on reading Helltown. In the late 1960s, Cape Cod was terrorized by the murders of an evil man. This book is graphic and not to be read lightly and it depicts the brutal destruction of the lives of many young women. The trial coverage was fascinating and Im surprise this story doesn't get more recognition. If you like true crime this is a book for you

A really great true crime book about Cape cod in the 1960s. I felt instantly transported to that time and place.
Very well researched and compelling, I almost forgot it was non-fiction at times.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

Good book, I recommend reading it.

This is a meticulously researched, well written, and developed book. The setting is super memorable - Cape Cod in the late 1960s, with all the sociopolitical turmoil that categorized this time. Sherman is a talented writer, drawing readers into his tale. It's easy to forgot that this is a non-fiction tale; you get so lost in Sherman's descriptions and dialogue. Well worth a read for any true crime junkies.

Who's says that you can't learn something new ever day. I enjoyed this true crime book about a crime that wasn't technically solved. that was actually kind of scary. So don't read this one when your home alone or late at night.