
Member Reviews

"Love Letters to a Serial Killer" is like a bad accident on the highway. You know you shouldn't look but you cannot help yourself. Hannah is a pretty pathetic character throughout the story. Even her investigatory skills are somewhat sad; she does manage to discover some important information but does not take adequate steps to hide what she learns from people, including William, who will use the information against her.
The story has some decent twists; nothing too surprising but satisfying.

Love Letters to a Serial Killer is, as you would suspect, is messed up and cringeworthy. You know when you’re getting second hand embarrassment from a situation and can’t look away? That was how I felt reading this book. Train wreck waiting to happen. But in a good way.
Hannah, stuck in a stagnant job and recently single, becomes fixated on a series of murders. To her surprise, she starts corresponding with the accused serial killer, William, who responds while awaiting trial. Upon William's release, they move in together, but Hannah's obsession with the murders persists. Despite pretending to lead a normal life, she continues investigating the crimes and her boyfriend.
This story really pulled me in and I could not put it down. I think a lot of that was because I did identify a lot of aspects from real life and that I could see this being a non-fiction book just as much as fiction! Hannah’s character though, was pretty unlikeable.
Coryell did a wonderful job of making this feel like something I could flip on the news to see right this very minute.
I do think for a debut novel this book has a lot of promise and it will be interesting to see what this author comes up with next!
Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group @BerkleyPub and Netgalley @Netgalley for this e-arc. All thoughts are my own

▪️𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘴
▪️𝘶𝘯𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴
▪️𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘰𝘳
▪️𝘶𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯
wtf was this book?! besides everything. unhinged, feral, unfiltered Hannah decides to write to the serial killer who’s case she has been obsessed with.. but when he writes her back an unlikely connection forms. this book is cringe in the best way possible, i found it hilarious while still being twisty. i couldn’t put it down, highly recommend.💌
thank you @netgalley & @berkleypub for the eARC!💀

Let me start by saying I’m a huge fan of this cover.
This was definitely a twist on the usual thriller and a way to have discourse around our fascination with serial killers. The MC was the worst. I hated her. I’m sorry 🫣 I figured out the twist fairly early but it was an enjoyable ride. There were a lot of cringey moments for me but maybe that was the point- to point out that these obsessions in and of themselves are nothing to be proud of.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Receiving an advanced copy was a delightful surprise. I believe both existing fans and newcomers will find it equally enjoyable.

3.5 Tasha Coryell's novel explores the fascination of women with serial killers, particularly Hannah, who becomes self-deprecating after being dumped by unrelated men. Hannah joins a true crime forum to solve the cases of three women in Atlanta who were found naked, drowned, and lifeless. She writes a hate letter to William Thompson, expecting him to respond, but he does not, leading to a chain of events that could change Hannah's life forever. The novel explores the motives behind Hannah's attraction to serial killers, a paraphilia similar to "Bonnie and Clyde syndrome." The book's intriguing topic, layered characterizations, and satisfying conclusion earn it a rating of 3.5 to 4 serial killer stars. However, the book's synopsis should be revised to attract more crime thriller enthusiasts.
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and Tasha Coryell for this advanced copy for an honest review.

So well written a book about a serial killer a book with so many twists and turns.An author I will be following a book that kept me reading late into the night.#netgalley #berkley

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for my gift copy!
First. I am completed obsessed with this cover. I knew it was going to be a fun read just by looking at it. It was definitely fun, and a little twisty. But I have never wanted an MC to meet their demise as badly as I wanted Hannah to bite it. I know the author's intent is to take us into the minds of the women who fall in love and obsess over men who have committed horrific crimes, but this just got a little TOO ridiculous sometimes.

"Love Letters to a Serial Killer" by Tasha Coryell is a haunting exploration of the human psyche entangled with the allure of darkness. The novel delves into the complex relationships formed with infamous serial killers, unraveling the fine line between fascination and repulsion. Overall, "Love Letters to a Serial Killer" is a compelling read that will linger in the mind long after the last page is turned.

Compulsively readable, I loved this one so much and I immediately went to see if the author has written other books as soon as I finished, which is a good sign. I related way too hard to the main character as she made the worst possible decision at every turn and saw myself in her insecurities. Just. ARGH. SO GOOD!

Are you in search of your next twisted, totally messed up, ‘what the heck did I just read?’ book? You’ve found it!
Love Letters to a Serial Killer is, as you would suspect, seriously messed up and cringey. And I couldn’t put it down. You know when you’re getting second hand embarrassment and can’t look away? Yeah, that was this book.
Hannah initially becomes obsessed with a few cases of missing women. When their killer is put behind bars, she decides to write him a letter. She didn’t expect he’d write back.
I would recommend the read if you find the synopsis appealing and are in the mood for some cringe!
Thanks to the publisher for the gifted (free) ARC

WOW gosh where do I begin. First of all, I think this is one of the most realistic protagonists I've read in a while. She was so fleshed out in her flaws and foibles that pretty much every page I was thinking to myself, "This is EXACTLY like so-and-so." The author did a fabulous job of crafting a realistic protagonist and demonstrating how someone can get sucked into the semi-destructive tunnel of true crime. It was a harrowing read, and the mystery of whether William really was and wasn't the murderer was so engaging while still prioritizing character development. It was a fascinating read and I'm very eager to check out the author's other works.

Hannah, stuck in a stagnant job and recently single, becomes fixated on a series of murders. To her surprise, she starts corresponding with the accused serial killer, William, who responds while awaiting trial. Upon William's release, they move in together, but Hannah's obsession with the murders persists. Despite pretending to lead a normal life, she continues investigating the crimes and her boyfriend.
While I was eager to dive into this book, it ultimately fell short for me. The main character, Hannah, lacked enduring qualities, and none of the characters proved particularly likable. The unexpected twist at the end did add some intrigue, but overall, the book didn't resonate with me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

In Tasha Coryell's "Love Letters to a Serial Killer," we meet Hannah, a thirty-something navigating the aftermath of being ghosted and the suburban exodus of her friends. Hannah finds solace in a true-crime forum dedicated to solving the murders of four women in Atlanta. As the group zeroes in on William, a captivating lawyer, as the prime suspect, Hannah begins writing him letters as an outlet for her pent-up anger and frustration. This act initially empowers her, offering a sense of catharsis. However, the narrative takes a haunting turn when William responds to Hannah's letters. Her curiosity morphs into an all-consuming obsession that leaves no room for other aspects of her life, leading to the implosion of her personal and professional worlds. After losing her job, Hannah travels to Georgia for the trial, where she befriends fellow true-crime enthusiasts. The discovery of a fifth murdered woman forces the jury to acquit William, and upon his release, Hannah becomes the first person he contacts. The story takes on a twisted dynamic as Hannah and William fall into a routine resembling domestic bliss. However, this façade masks Hannah's covert investigation into William's potential involvement in the serial murders. Coryell deftly explores the psychological complexities of a woman grappling with her desire for justice, her attraction to a man accused of heinous crimes, and the unsettling realization that the line between love and obsession can be dangerously blurred. "Love Letters to a Serial Killer" is a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of obsession, justice, and the intricate nature of human relationships. Coryell's writing is sharp and evocative, drawing readers into Hannah's tumultuous journey as she navigates the dark recesses of her own mind and the chilling possibility that the man she has come to love may be capable of unspeakable evil.

This book was really good! I predicated what happened pretty early on but the way the author set the story up was believable. There are so many serial killer admirers out there that I will never understand. This story gave us a glimpse into their brains.

This story is the craziest story I’ve ever read, but I couldn't put it down. It felt like a cheesy soap opera that kept me hooked. The concept was interesting - it explored how people's fascination with serial killers can blur their moral compass. The plot was a real page-turner, but I found the main character Hannah very unlikable. It was insane how much she was attracted to a serial killer. Every time she professed her love for him, I cringed while she hoped that she wouldn't end up dead. The story did not turn out to be a thrilling one as I had expected, but it was still very interesting, and the ending was satisfying.
Thank you to NetGallery and to Berkley Publishing for giving me a copy.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tasha Coryell & Berkley for a digital galley of Love Letters to a Serial Killer in exchange for an honest review.
Tasha Coryell was not previously an author I was familiar with, but the cover & title of this book grabbed my attention immediately & then once I read the synopsis, I knew I had to give it a go.
My initial thoughts were that it made me think of Love in the Times of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson, which I loved, so here we go!
It was definitely not the same as Alicia's book, which in a way is good, because I love originality.
Hannah, bored & unhappy with her current life seeks something lacking from her life and joins a true-crime forum dedicated to solving the murders of four women. Hannah then begins to write letters to the man, attractive attorney William, who was arrested for the murders. Then William begins to write back. Hannah becomes obsessed with this case & William. She leaves her job and life and travels to Georgia to attend trials and to become a true part of the true-crime obsessed community.
A fifth victim is found murdered while William is in prison and on trial and since he couldn't have possibly done it, the jury finds him not guilty. William and Hannah immediately begin a relationship have fabulous, ordinary, happy relationship. Except, Hannah is still investigating William to make sure he is not truly a serial killer.
I will admit that I'm not a true crime junkie, but I enjoy reading books with characters who are. I'm from Arkansas and a similar situation happened her with the story of the West Memphis Three when Damien Echols was wrongfully convicted & on death row (released in 2011) and his now wife, Lorri Davis, began writing to him while he was incarcerated. They struck up a relationship in married in 1999. So, I know that things like the plot of this story truly do happen in real life.
Then there is the fact that William is very attractive and not who you would look at and think "he's a serial killer" - (cough cough) Ted Bundy.
This story really pulled me in and I could not put it down. I think a lot of that was because I did identify a lot of aspects from real life and that I could see this being a non-fiction book just as much as fiction.
Coryell did a wonderful job of making this feel like something I could flip on the news to see right this very minute. While I was rooting for William & Hannah, like Hannah, I couldn't rest easy until I knew the whole truth about William, because we all know that just because someone is imprisoned, doesn't mean they can't get someone else to commit a murder for them, especially at a time when it would be crucial to their release.
Not everything worked out the way I or Hannah thought it would, but that's not a bad thing.
This story has stuck with me & I'm still thinking about it long after finishing the book, and for me, that says a lot. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves true crime, suspense, mystery, thriller, even romance. And I can't wait for Coryell's next book!

Who are these people giving this book anything other than 5 stars?!?! This is one of the best books I've read in the last year, and I've read around 50. It's also incredibly fucked up, in the most delicious way.
Hannah's life is boring, meaningless, and lonely. Her boyfriend has dumped her, her best friend is engaged, and her job is unfulfilling. Then she becomes obsessed with a serial killer and starts writing him letters, and her life finally has meaning. It also spirals out of control as she loses her job and goes to Georgia for the trial. Society's obsession with true crime is so well done.
I don't want to give too much away, but this book has some great twists. However, what I loved most was how Hannah is constantly worrying if the men in her life to find her attractive and if they love her, even when she's afraid one may kill her (but does he think she's hot? Does her breath smell bad? Will her corpse at least be attractive?) I also loved how the danger turns her on.
I started to read this book more slowly as it went on, because I didn't want it to end. I plan to go back and read it again. It was that good.

Love Letters to a Serial Killer is a good attempt at a serial killer thriller but Tasha Coryell fails to exceed past other thrillers but just makes it ok.

This book is def darker than it seems from the cover and description, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing! I couldn’t put it down.