I thought this would be right up my alley - I like the occasional true crime book, and the events here took place a couple of hours away from where I live and indeed some of the landmarks were familiar to me. And while I didn't hate it, it just wasn't as compelling as I'd hoped it would be. It felt a bit disjointed (I wasn't always quite sure where we were on the timeline of events) and at the same time, it felt repetitive. It just didn't hold my interest, and I'd set it aside and read something else and then get back to it. Eventually I did finish it, but it took much longer than it should have. It's entirely possible that this was a case of timing; had I read it some other time of the year (rather than leading into the holiday season) I might've gotten more from it, and I'm sure that most true crime readers will have a more positive response to it than mine.
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for providing a digital copy for an unbiased review.

Guilty Creatures is a thought-provoking exploration of morality and crime. Brottman’s psychological insights and deep dive into human nature make this a gripping, reflective read.

This book is amazing. Mikita Brottman has such an eye for colorful detail, and in Florida there's a lot of colorful detail to go around. I had listened to a podcast about this case before I read the book, so in theory I already knew all about it. Not true. Brottman's telling of the story had me completely riveted. As it unfolds it's such a twisty tale of greed, lust, stupidity, and sadness. The fact that it took nearly twenty years for the full story to emerge is wild, and Brottman does an incredible job writing about what that might have felt like. She has an intense empathy for everyone involved and a way of using telling details to illustrate larger truths.

It's a fascinating true crime story with a Floridian twist. The perpetrators of the crime are known from the start, but the twists and turns still manage to shock.

Guilty Creatures: Sex, God, and Murder in Tallahassee, Florida by Mikita Brottman is a 2024 Atria publication.

This true crime book details the decades long investigation into the murder of Mike Williams in Florida. Mike went duck hunting one day, but was never heard from again. Meanwhile, it became obvious that Mike’s wife, Denise, and his best friend, Brian, were getting pretty chummy with each other. With only circumstantial evidence and no body, it was hard to prove Mike was murdered and even harder to prove Denise or Brian were responsible for his death. So, for years the case was kept alive by Mike’s mother, Cheryl, and a stubborn Florida reporter until finally, a series of events breaks the case wide open…

This is one of those cases that really does have it all. A bit of of Double Indemnity- a bit of Shakespeare. These people are incredible- one minute they are having a hot and heavy affair, plotting murder, and the next they are deeply religious, devout church members... and seriously convince themselves they are sincere believing their own lies.

This was a high-profile case- especially if one lived in Florida. Mike’s disappearance was featured on the Discovery channel show, “Disappeared”- but I’m not sure if everyone knows the case chapter and verse- so I thought the author could have gone with a more suspenseful approach so that the reader would feel compelled to find out how it would all play out. Instead, very early on we are told some pieces of information that popped that balloon- though there are plenty of twists in the case- and tons and tons of juicy tidbits and gossip. At times it felt like I was reading a trashy novel instead of a true crime saga. But as they say- you can’t make this stuff up.

The writing, though, is just okay- sometimes it didn’t flow well, and though this won’t make sense, it could be dry reading sometimes- but it was never boring- that’s for sure. If you like true crime this case is one you’ll want to check out, especially if you’ve never heard of Denise and Brian. It’s a real jaw-dropper.

3.5 stars

It's so hard to rate true crime stories. This one was wild!!!! You just never know people. Real life is usually crazier than fiction.

Brottman's writing drew me in from the first chapter, I think this is a well-crafted story around a very tragic true crime. I knew nothing about this case before I started reading, but by the halfway point of the book, I was so eager to know what happened that I Googled the case and read all about it. Okay, to be honest, I didn't just read about it -- I went fully DOWN the rabbit hole. So, did I partially ruin this book for myself? Yes, but it's a testament to how compelling the writing was and how invested I became in the book. Even though I now realized where the story was headed, I still enjoyed this read to the very end.

I look forward to reading more from Brottman, and I'd definitely recommend this to any true crime fans!

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.