This book was not what I thought it was going to be but I was pleasantly surprises by Jana Monroe. A former FBI agent and one of the most influential woman ever in the FBI. She is a total bad ass. This books is. Ore like memoir and really can be a bit gruesome in parts. I did find her experiences as a woman in the FBI fascinating. I loved that she set the standard for women in the FBI. What an interesting to read.

This book was just “meh” for me. I felt like I was reading it because I had to finish it instead of reading it because I wanted to finish it. I can’t quite put my finger on what it was.

Unapologetic Feminism Without Agenda.

Clarise Starling tells all without the Hollywood glamor.

Jana Monroe, retired FBI behavioral scientist and (toted) model for Jodie Foster's infamous role pulls back the FBI curtain in this, her underrated memoir. I have read similar stories, mostly written by men humbling themselves with collections of tales from yesteryear.
While entertaining, these accounts tend to be detached and outdated, plagued with problematic rhetoric and a lack of diversity. In the pursuit of telling a good story, many details get overlooked or buried- but not with Jana.

In the telling of her FBI career, Jana Monroe finds the perfect balance of honesty and integrity. I cannot argue that every chapter is a rip-roaring tale of good vs. evil, rather her narrative is one of passion and perseverance as she battles gender inequality in the bureau. She is a down-to-earth narrator, commenting on successes, failures, and improvements she wishes she'd made during her 25+ year career. Admittedly, I liked Hearts of Darkness best AFTER we got past the 'Silence of the Lambs' fanfare. It was then that Jana really shone as a woman hoping to pave the way for generations after as the byproduct, not the focus, of her decades-long struggle to find her seat at the table. Or in her words: bringing a folding chair.

[Thank you to NetGalley and Abrams Press for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.]

Jana Monroe has lived a life full of insane tales and she was not afraid to divulge the details in her book! Part memoir part true crime, Jana’s time in the FBI is extremely fascinating. I found most of her stories to be action packed and mind blowing. As a woman in a male dominated field, she overcame the sexism and makes herself a known name in the FBI. Overall, this book was a great read and Jana Monroe is an inspiration!

Hearts of Darkness was incredibly good. It was deeply insightful and chronicles some of the worst cases set before the newly formed BAU and the first woman to join there ranks. It was heart breaking, inspiring and profoundly educational not only as crimes are solved (or not) but in the knowledge gleaned from the criminal minds of the Hearts of Darkness our author hunted during her distinguished career. If you like true crime the book is a must read and I highly recommend reading it!

This sounded exactly like a book I’d love to read - a woman FBI agent writing about her time working in the BSU is right up my alley - but I was disappointed in the execution and the way a lot of the content was presented. The writing was… not great. I’m sure there was a ghost writer involved who tried to keep her voice as authentic as possible, but I wish the ghost had been a bit more visible in shaping the prose.

The later parts of the book read like a checklist of assignments she was on — and she was involved in the investigation of SO MANY well-known events — this should have been beyond fascinating but ended up feeling like a bit of a slog.

Monroe definitely has some interesting stories to tell, and I’d love to see her tell them in person because I’m sure she’s riveting, but I didn’t enjoy reading this as much as I’d have liked to.

I expected more of a case load and/or true crime aspect, but it was still a great read overall. Hearts of Darkness introduces the woman behind many characters and screen-time storylines. It was great to get her story from her own words.

Engaging and informative. A recommended purchase for collections where true crime and thrillers are popular.

A woman’s story of her time in the FBI. This one lured me in because of the subtitle mentioning the Behavioral Sciences Unit, but I found very little was about that (relative to other things). It was a lot more about her career as a whole, getting into the FBI, etc.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book wasn't quite what I was expecting, as it is a memoir and not as true crime heavy as I expected it to be. I enjoyed hearing about the female perspective from the early days of the FBI and some of the case info that was shared.

I was so, so excited for this book the moment I read the synopsis, but it just didn't live up to it for me. If I could, I'd probably give it 2.5 stars, but 3 stars seems fairer than 2 since I can't.

I think my issue with the book is the synopsis, I went into it believing that it was going to majority be about Jana Monroe's time in the Behavioral Science Unit of the FBI. In actuality, I think that was about 35 to 40% of the entire book, and more so focuses on her career as a whole going from the police academy to 9/11 and working in cybersecurity.

Parts of the book were interesting, and it was fun and at times disheartening to read about her experiences as a female cop in the 70s and one of the very few women in the FBI at the time. But I wasn't a fan of her attitude about certain things, mostly her attitude surrounding Rudy Ridge and Waco, as it comes off as people had no right to mistrust the government at all. Also, towards the end, it got a bit too politically heavy for my taste.

I genuinely don't think this is a bad book, and I did enjoy parts of it, but ultimately, I was just disappointed with what I believed it was and the direction that it went.

Jana knows what it’s like to be the only woman in the room. She was at one point the only woman in the FBI’s Behavioral Sciences Unit where she consulted on more than 850 cases over the years. Jana also worked with several celebrities to help them succeed in the films they were working on. Jana was the inspiration for Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs. This book shows how a woman can survive in the male dominated FBI.

This is a hard book to review because it’s not true crime, it’s a memoir, and I struggle rating those. I was slightly misleading by the publisher that this was going to be true crime. I expected this book to go into some of the ins and outs of the serial killers that the FBI captured, but it really wasn’t about that. This book was more about the obstacles female law enforcement officers face. The writing wasn’t bad; however, I did find some of the chapter breaks to be a bit jarring and they didn’t really tie into the next chapter. This book would be the perfect book for a young woman to read before she goes into law enforcement. I enjoyed how the book also discussed the relationships that Jana had with her fellow law enforcement officers; it was heartwarming. I also enjoyed reading about the interactions that Jana had with celebrities over the years.

If you are looking for an interesting memoir about strong women in law enforcement, then check this one out.

Thank you to the publisher Abrams Press, and Netgalley @Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Jana Monroe is a ground breaking influential woman in a man’s world of the FBI Behavioral Sciences Unit at Quantico. Working cases of infamous serial killers this woman knows her stuff.

I am a huge fan of all things true crime and this is a book that I WILL buy in hard copy and try to get a signature. She does not pull any punches or take it easy on the reader while telling the story of how heinous crimes are committed and how these killers feel and think and what causes them to act the way they do.

This is an authentic retelling of her perspective as a trailblazing woman in a scary world while chasing monsters.

Hearts of Darkness by Jana Monroe is a memoir chronicling the career of the first female FBI agent in the behavioral science unit since it's conception. I'm a social worker, so I was hoping that this book would discuss more about the behavioral science unit and the psyches of individuals that she worked with. I've always been fascinated by this genre, and also wanted to hear more about how sexism in the workplace more than likely played a role in her experience there (Shocker-- it did!!).
I quickly learned that this book was mostly about her career in law enforcement. If you want flowery descriptions or even detailed info or analysis of criminals, this isn't going to be the book that you're looking for. The best way that I can describe it is that you can tell that it WASN'T written by a ghostwriter??? The storytelling wasn't captivating to me, and it seemed like many chapters were broken up in weird spaces with weird last lines.
I also wasn't a fan of the way that she talked about some individuals in her early stories. There was little talk about how systemic institutions (like the justice system as a whole, cough cough) perpetuate abuse and poverty that exacerbate the mental illness and violence that she saw so often. There were some flippant sentences about juveniles who deserved to be in adult prisons that I found out-of-touch from the perils of the juvenile justice system. If it weren't such an integral part of the stories and her career, I would maybe say that just isn't her scope of expertise. But it's not our of her scope, so it felt like a poor take.
All in all, I wasn't a fan, unfortunately because I was very excited!

In the chilling and captivating memoir "Hearts of Darkness," Jana Monroe takes readers on a journey into the heart of the FBI Behavioral Sciences Unit, where she pursued some of the world's most heinous serial killers. For fans of crime thrillers like "Mindhunter," "Criminal Minds," and true crime enthusiasts devouring "My Favorite Murder," this memoir is a gripping and riveting page-turner that leaves you at the edge of your seat, yearning for more.

From the very beginning, Monroe's unique position as one of the first female agents in the renowned Behavioral Sciences Unit sets the tone for a tale of courage, determination, and breaking barriers in a male-dominated world. As she describes over 850 homicide cases, including chilling encounters with infamous serial killers like Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, Edmund Kemper, and Aileen Wuornos, Monroe paints a vivid and haunting picture of the twisted minds behind these heinous crimes.

Not only did Monroe's expertise make her an invaluable asset in cracking these cases, but she also served as the real-life inspiration for the iconic character Clarice Starling in "The Silence of the Lambs." Her influence in the FBI cannot be overstated, as she pioneered the way for women in law enforcement and intelligence analysis, leaving a mark on the Bureau's history.

Monroe's narrative spares no detail, peeling back the layers of victimology and diving deep into the psyche of serial killers. As she recounts her experiences, it's impossible not to be in awe of her tenacity and commitment to justice. But "Hearts of Darkness" is not merely a thrilling collection of crime stories; it's an intimate exploration of the toll such a career can take on one's psyche. The weight of these cases, the horrors witnessed, and the emotional trauma are laid bare, allowing readers to glimpse the profound impact this work had on Monroe's life.

The memoir also sheds light on the challenges faced by a woman navigating through the male-dominated world of the FBI. Despite the obstacles and prejudices she encountered, Monroe remained steadfast, proving that gender would not define her capabilities nor determine her success.

As she narrates her involvement in the aftermath of tragedies like Columbine and leading the FBI's post-9/11 investigation in Las Vegas, the book not only offers a behind-the-scenes look at these landmark events but also reveals Monroe's dedication to protecting society from its darkest elements.

"Hearts of Darkness" is an enthralling and occasionally gruesome exploration of the depths of human depravity, and the heroes who stand tall against it. Monroe's writing style is compelling and authentic, pulling readers into her world and making them feel like they're right beside her, facing the monsters head-on.

"Hearts of Darkness" is a must-read for anyone with a fascination for true crime, a love of psychological thrillers, or an admiration for trailblazing women who shatter glass ceilings. Jana Monroe's exceptional life and career as a pioneer in the FBI disclose the strength of the human spirit and the relentless pursuit of justice in the face of darkness. Prepare to be enthralled, moved, and forever changed by this gripping memoir that offers a rare glimpse into the heart and mind of a woman who dedicated her life to chasing monsters.

“An unflinching and unforgettable account of one woman's courage in the face of darkness. Jana Monroe's 'Hearts of Darkness' is a true crime masterpiece."

"A mesmerizing and chilling journey into the minds of serial killers. Jana Monroe's firsthand experiences as an FBI profiler make 'Hearts of Darkness' a must-read for any true crime enthusiast."

"Jana Monroe's memoir is a triumph of resilience and determination, paving the way for women in law enforcement. A captivating and gripping read from start to finish."

"A trailblazing woman's account of her groundbreaking career in the FBI. 'Hearts of Darkness' offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the world of criminal profiling."

"Monroe's stories of infamous killers send shivers down your spine. Her authentic voice and unique experiences make this book stand out in the crowded true crime genre."

"From the pages of 'Hearts of Darkness,' Jana Monroe's unwavering dedication to justice is nothing short of inspiring. A riveting memoir that leaves an indelible mark on readers' minds."

"In 'Hearts of Darkness,' Jana Monroe proves why she is an icon in the world of criminal profiling. Her insights into the minds of serial killers are unparalleled, making this a must-read for anyone fascinated by the human psyche."

"A captivating and haunting account of one woman's pursuit of justice amidst darkness. Jana Monroe's story will stay with you long after you've turned the final page."

"A page-turning memoir that reads like a gripping crime novel. 'Hearts of Darkness' is an eye-opening journey through the world of criminal investigations, expertly narrated by a true master of the trade."

"With 'Hearts of Darkness,' Jana Monroe solidifies her place as a true crime legend. Her firsthand experiences and impact on the FBI Behavioral Sciences Unit make this memoir a captivating and insightful read."

This is a very insightful book for fans of true crime, criminal minds, or those in criminal psychology. As someone who has been reading on this topic for fifteen years, I was delighted to find a book that taught me things I didn't know about the history of the BSU, and the fact that Monroe was involved with the Silence of the Lambs was a bonus. Overall an entertaining and educational read.

This book is a memoir so it may not be for all true crime fans. I really enjoyed how the author talked about the cases she worked on and didn't just focus on one. It was interesting to hear about what it was like being a female agent in the FBI. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about the BSU.

Gripping and insightful. I couldn’t put this down.

As soon as I read BSU (Behavioral Science Unit) I was hooked, but once I discovered Monroe coached Jodie Foster for her role in Silence of the Lambs I was obsessed. An inside scoop of the FBI’s famous BSU to the personal experience of a female special agent, every single aspect of this book fascinated me. True Crime is a favorite genre of mine, purely for the psychological aspects to better understand what motivates a person to commit a violent offense. But also to learn about the brave individuals who put their lives at risk every day for the sake of others. This book delivered on every level.

Jana’s perspective was fascinating and well-rounded, since her career in the FBI took her down many different avenues over two decades including being the first female profiler in the behavioral science unit, and the first female Assistant Director of the Cyber Division. It was also interesting to follow her journey as she branched off into the private sector where she still works now.

Her encounters with celebrities were engrossing, and I particularly enjoyed reading about her role in coaching one of my favorite actors, Jodie Foster, whom was sent to Quantico to research her role playing Clarice Starling in Silence of the Lambs. Looking back, I can see the influence Jana had, particularly in the scenes filmed inside the facility where it’s a predominantly male oriented space. It definitely brought a sense of authenticity to the movie that might not exist if not for her insight. I also enjoyed reading the brief mention of the bureau’s relationships with writers researching the subjects studied in the BSU such as Thomas Harris and Patricia Cornwell. I also share a mutual interest with the author when it comes to the types of women who fall in love and/or marry serial killers before and while they’re incarcerated, a topic she touches upon but doesn’t dive in too heavily. Perhaps this could be her next book.

My favorite parts of the book centered around the dangerous serial murderers she was often tasked with shaping a profile for. I also loved reading about her relationships with the other agents she worked with, including John Douglas, whose books I’ve read and enjoyed. Although her job obviously entailed chasing the darker aspects of life, this book does not go into the grisly details, and Jana manages to keep a boundary between the reader and the extreme violence she submerged herself in for decades.

The book was fast paced, tightly-written, and clear and descriptive without being too gory. Every chapter was different and flowed expertly from one unique experience to the next. I’ll probably refer back to it and reread some parts in the future.

5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For readers who enjoy true crime, criminal psychology, dark topics. If you’ve enjoyed books by John Douglas, Paul Holes, or Michelle McNamara then pick this one up.

Hearts of Darkness is the memoir of Jana Monroe’s experiences working in the FBI, when women were a rarity, and of her time in the BSU (Behavioral Sciences Unit) as one of the first female profilers and at the time sole woman in the department. Monroe is probably best known for being the agent Jodie Foster modeled her character on in the movie Silence of the Lambs. The breadth of her experiences and the time period make for a really fascinating story.

This was such an interesting read! I think just the subject of the BSU in general would have been fascinating topic but this book covers not only her personal experience as one of the few woman in the FBI at the time and how the agency was adjusting to women agents, some of the stories are just wild, but it’s also an interesting time period in terms of changing technology and historical events. Not only was she there for the transition from analog to digital but she was actually heading it as an AD at the beginning of the FBI’s Cyber Division. Not to mention being in the FBI during major events such as the Waco siege and 9/11. Reading about her actual experiences gives such a unique and compelling perspective.

If you are interested in the BSU and true crime, what things were like behind the scenes during a really interesting time period for the FBI and what it was like from a woman’s perspective this is a great read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Hearts of Darkness is a fascinating look into the inner workings of the FBI's Behavioral Sciences Unit. The author Jana Monroe recounts her time as one of the first female profilers at the BSU. The narrative is compelling and at times quite chilling. An excellent read.