It was ok - very long and had some fictional aspects seemingly mixed in? So wasn't exactly what i was expecting. Also, i read The Babysitter a few years ago about Tony Costa so it is weird this one is called the Untold Story as it has, in fact, been told lol

I knew this would be a true crime book, but I didn't realize the author would write it through the eyes of the serial killer. So, it's a true crime but fictionalized all at the same time. I hadn't heard of this serial killer before so it was interesting, but it might have been a tad too gory for me, I like details, but I don't think I want that many details. I think if you like all the details of a crime scene then this might be the book for you.

True crime is my catnip. Documentaries, books, all of it. I have seldom encountered a bad true crime accounting or at least one that failed to capture my interest. This book was no different. A fascinating story of the 1960's culture and a charismatic leader's murderous actions. Was it the best true crime I've ever read? Not necessarily. Was it a quick and fascinating read? Absolutely.

I'm a big fan of true crime books. I' also love Ptown so was really excited to read this. I had not heard about this serial killer so couldn't wait to delve in. While I liked the writing, the author couldn't seem to choose whether he wanted to write a true crime book or a fiction mystery/thriller. I would have liked this much more if he had chosen just one style.

That said, I did for the most part enjoy this book and will definitely pick up any future books from this author.

DNF at 17% - was drawn to this book having a love for Provincetown, as the setting for a true crime story though was immediately thrown off by the diverging into the early careers of Norman Mailer and Kurt Vonnegut, perhaps two of my least favorite authors. The actual story itself seems to be through the lens of the serial killer himself, also unexpected and not a perspective I can participate in. Cannot move forward with this book I'm afraid - too dark and not really as advertised.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I had a very hard time getting into this at first. While it is a true crime, it was written more in the style of a fictional thriller. As a result a lot of graphic details of the murders from the killer's perspective were included. This may not be for everyone. Ultimately, I did feel that the story picked up and it ended up telling the story in a very interesting and compelling way.

Although I knew this was true crime, I don’t think I expected it to be so gruesome and vivid.

I appreciated all the research that went in to this book but the book dragged and felt incredibly long. The story was okay but I think it would have benefited from being shorter and more concise.

*I received both an audiobook and e-book copy* I loved listening to this audiobook! The narrator had the perfect tone, and everything was said clear and concisely. I'm a big fan of serial killer stories and learning more about them, their life, and all details leading up to their incarceration and ultimate demise.

I had no idea who Tony Costa was before this and have definitely looked into him a lot more since I have finished this book. I did have to stop a few times while listening, for how detailed some of the killings were described. But it made me feel as if I was really there in that moment as a detective getting all the information. So for that reason, and that reason alone, I had to bump my rating down from a 5 star to a 4 star. I can not wait to pick up a finished copy of this to put onto my serial killer shelf in my library!

Thank you netgalley for letting me review this book.

Check content warnings

I really liked reading about a serial killer I did not know anything about. This book was hard to read at certain times, but I did enjoy all the details of the crimes.

#netgalley #Helltown

I am a true crime fan but really struggled through this one. I am not a fan of the written dialogue. If I’m reading true crime I want facts not speculative dialogue. If you want a true crime nonfiction that reads like fiction, then you would probably like this one.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read for review.

This book was so hard to get through. Like it took me months. Partly because of the format of the book partly because of the story. I really would love to give it another shot, maybe audiobook next time.

“This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius” emits from handheld radios on the beaches of Cape Cod while young people full of hope (and high on LSD) make each other crowns of hydrangeas. Kurt Vonnegut and Norman Mailer, rival authors both in the midst of writing seminal pieces of their career, become obsessed with local serial killer Tony Costa. Costa, a known drug dealer and police informant, is a hometown cult figure, always followed by his groupies, many of whom the town believe are witches. Costa would go on to commit gruesome atrocities against many young women in the vacation town of Provincetown, MA located at the northern tip of Cape Cod. Before there was Charles Manson and the Tate-LaBianca murders, Costa driven by his alter ego Cory Devereaux, would hunt young women and use his knowledge in taxidermy and anatomy to perform cruel acts upon their lifeless bodies. This was a book I couldn’t put down! I was surprised I hadn’t heard of this case before, but Manson came right as these events went to trial. Costa was even jealous and would speak about Manson during his time in jail. It’s interesting to hear the impact this case had upon the work of Mailer and Vonnegut as well. As you can imagine, extreme trigger warning for violence and SA. The one aspect that kept me from giving the full 5 stars is that I felt like it was a bit too long with the chapters about the 2 rival authors. I understand that it was building interest and insight into why they wanted to write about the case, but some of that I found to be a little dry.

Wow! The 60’s were just a time of drugs, love, and serial killers. In Casey Sherman’s book, Hell Town, they recount the story of Tony Costa, the Cape Cod serial killer. Tony Costa is a charming young man which causes women of all ages to flock to him. In fact, he quickly became the image of their counter-culture movement. But Tony is hiding a deadly secret.

It isn’t long before women start disappearing around Cape Cod. It is the 60’s and all. While he was overlooked in the beginning, even Tony Costa’s charisma can’t protect him from the consequences of his own actions. It isn’t just the police though that are after Costa. Two of America’s greatest writers are also looking to finger him for his crimes, Kurt Vonnegut and Norman Mailer.

If you are looking for all the gory details, then pick up this book. If that is not your thing, I suggest you proceed with caution. Read the trigger warnings and some background on the original crimes so that you are prepared when you pick this book up. I am a huge true crime fan. I read a lot of different genre’s but my go to is either horror or true crime. What threw me off with this book, is the writing style. If you read a lot of true crime and nonfiction books, there is a writing style that you expect to see. This book is written in a different way. Sherman’s storytelling quickly transports you to Cape Cod in 1969. He does it with a fiction-esque style. It was a different type of writing for a true crime novel. Sherman did his best with recreating different dialogues throughout the story with key players.

I would recommend this book to someone who doesn’t traditionally read true crime/nonfiction.
Thank you Netgalley, Sourcebooks, and Casey Sherman for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest unbiased review!

(Thank you very much to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.)

Prior to this book, I had actually never heard the horrific story of American serial killer Tony Costa. His obsession with cutting women up like taxidermy projects, these details are not for the faint of heart. A truly sadistic man.

The author does a phenomenal job not just telling you about Tony and how he became aware of the victims and the details of the murders, he also digs deep into the lives and stories of the victims, the journalists covering the stories, families, friends, etc. so you really feel you are getting to truly know the story. You aren't missing a thing.

A truly fascinating dive into the sadistic mind of a despicable man and his unfortunate victims who had so much more life left to live.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks for a copy of Helltown by Casey Sherman in exchange for an honest review.

Helltown: The Untold Story of Serial Murder on Cape Cod is a nonfiction, true crime story about the 60's and Tony Costa who was the most dangerous man on Cape Cod.

"1969: The hippie scene is vibrant in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Long-haired teenagers roam the streets, strumming guitars and preaching about peace and love... and Tony Costa is at the center of it all. To a certain group of smitten young women, he is known as Sire―the leader of their counter-culture movement, the charming man who speaks eloquently and hands out hallucinogenic drugs like candy. But beneath his benign persona lies a twisted and uncontrollable rage that threatens to break loose at any moment. Tony Costa is the most dangerous man on Cape Cod, and no one who crosses his path is safe.
When young women begin to disappear, Costa's natural charisma and good looks initially protect him from suspicion. But as the bodies are discovered, the police close in on him as the key suspect. Meanwhile, local writers Kurt Vonnegut and Norman Mailer are locked in a desperate race to secure their legacies as great literary icons―and they both set their sights on Tony Costa and the drug-soaked hippie culture that he embodies as their next promising subject, launching independent investigations that stoke the competitive fires between two of the greatest American writers."

This book did make me want to look more into the crimes of Antone “Tony” Costa. The only thing that put me off about this novel is the author writing out dialogue that more than likely did not occur between the real life people the book is written about. The fictional elements threw me some, but other than that, still a fascinating read.

This case was already pretty familiar to me but I really enjoyed how the author put her own unique take on the story! She was eloquent and i really enjoyed her writing style!

Helltown is a good true crime novel about a serial killer I had not heard about. It is a chilling read, and the setting really adds to the mystery.

DNF @ 10%. The story focused too much on extraneous stories (Vonnegut, Mailer) and I hadn’t yet felt pulled in to the rest of the plot.

This book was very interesting as I have never heard of this killer and I am live close to the area where this took place. The book did go back and forth from the murderer to historical events happening at the same time and focused on two famous authors who lived in the area. This added some VERY interesting local facts it also could be a distraction from the story. Many times I had to reread what was happening with the characters in this story after it would jump to what was going on locally at the same time.

I love me some true crime and this was no different. I have not heard of Tony Costa and this story was interesting to read about.