I really loved her earlier books based here in Baltimore. I feel like something is missing when she writes about these cases further away. Maybe because they are less personal to her? The story soapy opera-y--lots of betrayal and drama. Something about the writing was dull though which was odd because the (true) story was so soapy. I think maybe she wanted to make sure it didn't read too lurid or seedy because the subject was a bunch of soap opera cliches? It did feel like she was very fair and not judging everyone which is good but in doing that I think some of the flavor was sucked out and ironically it made it more difficult to connect. Mike's mom was determined though! All in all, it wasn't bad but I expecting it to be more compelling.

This gripping and unexpected tale unfolds the dark secrets behind a seemingly perfect Southern friendship. Mike and Denise Williams, along with their childhood friends Brian and Kathy Winchester, lived what appeared to be ideal lives as devout Baptists. However, the foundation of their bond was shattered when Mike mysteriously disappeared while duck hunting on Lake Seminole in 2000. His presumed drowning, with no body found, led to the assumption that he had tragically fallen victim to an accident.

But as the years passed, what began as a quiet tragedy soon turned into a shocking and scandalous revelation. Within five years, Brian Winchester divorced Kathy and married Denise, sparking suspicions about the timing of their relationship and raising questions about Mike's disappearance. Over the next 12 years, whispers turned into full-blown rumors, and the truth—when it finally emerged—was nothing short of unimaginable.

This story is a stark reminder of how things are never as perfect as they seem, and how betrayal and deception can hide behind even the closest relationships. The twists and turns in this true-life mystery keep readers on edge, and the eventual revelation is both chilling and jaw-dropping. If you enjoy true crime stories filled with suspense and shocking outcomes, this one will keep you hooked from start to finish.

I’m a huge fan of true crime in all formats and love finding stories that I haven’t heard of before.

Guilty Creatures spotlights the story of two couples who were best friends and devoted members of the Baptist church. Lurking beneath the surface is a tale of infidelity turned deadly.

Yikes! Getting to know these people was like getting to literally take a peek behind the curtain of their lives. Brottman has done a very thorough job of collecting details about the couples, the murder, and the aftermath that you almost feel like you’re getting first hand information from those involved.

I think I would have enjoyed this one more if it was a bit shorter. At times it felt repetitive and easily could have been condensed more.

Overall, this is one I would recommend to true crime fans looking for a look into a strange little Florida tale.

Murder, sex and religion all mixed together in Tallahassee FL with two couples who are close friends. So close that one husband kills the other husband and marries his widow. Pretty awful but let that sit and marinate for 18 years while life goes on for all, leaving an unsolved mystery.

It wasn't until near the end of the book that I realized I had seen this story on Dateline or one of the True Crime shows. Author Mikita Brottman carefully tells this story including all the details that the reader understand the whys behind this heinous murder.

My thanks to Net Galley and Atria/ One Signal for an advanced copy of this e-book.

Thank you to Atria for the ARC!!

A fast-paced, engrossing true crime read. Although the second half the book slowed down a bit, it still held my attention. True crime fans would enjoy this one.

“Guilty Creatures” is out now!

I find true crime fascinating, but I don’t read much of it. I made an exception for GUILTY CREATURES: SEX, GOD, AND MURDER IN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA, and I’m really glad I did.

This is the shocking and sad story of Mike Williams, a man whose wife and best friend commit the ultimate betrayal. It’s about dark secrets and what guilt does to people, but it is also a story of a mother’s love. I could cry thinking about what this poor man’s family went through. This read like a thriller, and as they say, the truth has a way of revealing itself. Add it to your list- I also recommend the audio if you can get it!

4.5 obsessed. This story is insane and probably more common than I’d think. The fact that she slightly believed that she had nothing to do with the murder of her husband after so many years of telling her lie is fascinating while disturbing

Denise & Michael, Brian & Kathy were good, Christian friends all through high school. Their super conservative upbringing had not allowed them to dance, drink, or sleep around. In college they all let loose and went a little wild. They eventually got married and started families and seemed happy. Until they weren't. When Brian & Denise started having an affair, they also started plotting Michael's murder. For 17 years, no one knew the truth. Many suspected the two of them were involved, but there was no evidence. But eventually one turned on the other and the whole story came out. A very interesting true crime novel of lovers, murderers, and friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

What a wild story! This was such a good, true crime book. The only thing missing was picture within the book, but I did my share of Googling while reading too!

As far as true crime novels go, this wasn’t one of my favorites. It embraced a very “tell not show” vibe, which, I can understand for the genre to an extent. But, it left me feeling very detached and I didn’t ever start to really care about the story.

If this crime intrigues you, give it a read. But if you’re not already interested in that certain story, I’d pass.

In Guilty Creatures: Sex, God, and Murder in Tallahassee, Florida, Mikita Brottman explores a gripping true crime case centered around a mysterious disappearance, betrayal, and murder. While the subject matter promises intrigue and drama, the execution falls a bit short in delivering a compelling read.

Brottman’s deep psychological insights and meticulous research are commendable, and for those specifically interested in the details of the case, there is plenty of valuable information. However, the writing can feel a bit dry at times, with a pacing that may not captivate all readers. The heavy reliance on police transcripts and factual data sometimes interrupts the narrative flow, making it less immersive than one might expect from a true crime thriller.

That said, Guilty Creatures is still worth considering for those deeply invested in true crime, particularly if you’re drawn to the psychological exploration of the people involved. While it didn’t entirely live up to my expectations, Brottman’s expertise in delving into human nature and the dark secrets of small-town America adds depth to the story​, and makes it worth considering.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

The true crime genre is popular at my library so I think this book would circ well. For me, the book bogged down a little in the intervening years in which not much happened.

One for the True Crimes readers, this is a deep dive into the murder of Mike Williams in December of 2000 by his wife and his best friend. A look into the strict religious culture of Tallahassee, and how the sheltered high school friends became wilder and more uninhibited as adults, leading to an affair that ultimately ruined all their lives. This book is a timeline of the events that lead up to and then after his murder, which was unsolved for 17 years, and the betrayal that led to a confession. A quick read that kept me interested the entire time, this is one that I would recommend to anyone who is looking for True Crime.

Book about murder set in Florida? Yes, please. These were my first thoughts as I requested this book. I, like many southerners, have spent many years vacationing in different parts of the Florida panhandle and was excited to read a true crime set in the area. While it was good, it was like reading an episode of Dateline without the added bonus of Keith Morrison. It wasn't anything we haven't already heard before from any other part of the country or anyone else in another walk of life. My biggest takeaway from the book is that either the author is a Baptist, is fascinated by Baptists, or truly dislikes Baptists for as much as the church, religion, and this particular denomination is mentioned (which was most of the book). Thank you NetGalley for the advanced preview.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Mikita Brottman’s latest true crime exploration, Guilty Creatures: Sex, God, and Murder in Tallahassee, Florida, is a riveting dive into the dark and twisted underbelly of a seemingly serene Southern town. Known for her meticulous research and gripping narrative style, Brottman once again delivers a compelling account that is as thought-provoking as it is chilling.

The book centers around a shocking murder case that intertwines themes of sex, religion, and the human psyche. Brottman meticulously unravels the story of a couple whose lives are marred by a heinous crime, delving deep into the psychological and societal factors that led to the tragedy.

What sets Guilty Creatures apart is Brottman’s ability to probe the psychological depths of her subjects. She doesn’t just recount the events; she explores the motivations, fears, and moral dilemmas faced by those involved.

Brottman’s narrative is engaging and unsettling, drawing readers into the world of far-right conservative Christianity and its impact on the individuals at the heart of the story.

In conclusion, Guilty Creatures is a masterful addition to the true crime genre. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in the psychological intricacies of crime and the dark corners of human nature. Brottman’s ability to weave a compelling narrative while maintaining a respectful and insightful approach to her subjects makes this book an unforgettable read.

You can almost hear Keith Morrison narrating this story as you read. Let this serve as a lesson that love triangles and murder never work out.

Honestly not my favorite style of writing but still a good read nonetheless.

Thank you #NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC #GuiltyCreatures.

I was shook to know this was a true story. I did more research on this after reading this book. I absolutely loved the writing style of this book. I couldn’t put this down and wanted to know what was going to happen next. This was a new author for me but definitely won’t be my last read. Would definitely recommend!

Guilty Creatures
I'll just never understand how people actually think that murdering someone is the answer to all of their problems. They’re honestly just so stupid.
Surprisingly, this couple got away with it for a looong time. But eventually, just deserts.
I'm already a true crime fan, so this was an easy one for me.
Thanks to #netgalley and #atriapublishing #onesignalpublishers for this #arc of #guiltycreatures by #mikitabrottman in exchange for an honest review.

Anyone who likes Dateline will be a fan of this book. I appreciate the attention to detail and the fact that the crime was solved, so it has a satisfying conclusion.

A genre I (almost) never read ?
True Crime
But ... for some reason when this one was proposed to me by @atriabooks it did sound intriguing and being far enough away in time and space I had not heard anything about Mike Williams disappearance and the investigation that followed and his courageous mother's fight for finding her son... in the end I think it is yet another case that shows that the old saying "two people can keep a secret only when one of them is dead" does hold some water !
A wildly intriguing true crime novel about a close-knit (apparently) group of couples/friends, religion, adultery, murder, and the lengths a mother will go to find the truth. Mikita Brottman gives the facts of the case without bias, leaving it up to the reader to form their own opinions. She takes a close look at the pressure that religion and others in your community can have on a person and how that can lead to a tragedy...in this case how it leads to murder.
Two couples, high school friends, Baptists, community minded people end up entangled in a murder mystery ... unraveling the how and the quite baffling "why" is quite entertaining if you don't know any of the parties involved.
Mike went to go duck hunting and never returned.
Everyone was shocked.well except Denise and Brian, but they pulled off living with the lie for almost 20 years.
A few years after Mike's death, Brian and Denise married. Then, years later, things started to unravel.
I'm not sure that this mystery would have been solved had they not begun to turn on each other.
This was actually shocking in its banality, these were no criminal masterminds and it still took almost 20 years to get answers and from a legal perspective it is also quite disappointing that Brian is in jail but will not serve a day for the murder of his former best friend - the disregard for a life for so many possibilities simply taken away is shocking and i can't help myself I love thrillers and mysteries but if actual people with actual families, loved ones who miss them dearly are at the center I still find it hard to enjoy the story.