We'd all like to think that this sort of crime could never happen. Especially in an area where we live. You want to know what was lacking in this young man's home and education that he could become not only an "apprentice" but bring an another young man into their circle of death. The authors have done a very good job of scaring the crap out of the reader as they reveal how easy it would be to hide evil in a community. This is a book that will raise many discussions and cause at least this reader to look at my neighbors differently.

I truly live this book! The candy man is not a case I was ever much interested in but the author I have been which influenced my decision to read this book. Also assistants were not persons I gave thought to either. This book changed my mind. Full of information and data this book is a must read for truecrime junkies!!!!!

I received a free copy of, The Serial Killer's Apprentice, by Katherine Ramsland; Tracy Ullman, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Elmer Henley was 14 when he met Dean Corll, a truly horrible man. Elmer helped the serial killer lure in boys. This book was so hard to read at times. The poor innocent murdered boys and their families is who I feel sorry for.

Dean Corll aka The Candy Man is a case I'm not too familiar with and knowing all the facts beforehand isn't necessary whilst reading this book.

The Serial Killers Apprentice takes a dive into Corll's crimes whilst mainly focusing on the two boys he lured into his heinous acts. It also references other killers who had commited similar crimes.

This story is quite conflicting as there's moments of feeling sorry for Henley but at the same time he was complicit in so much of the horrors.

This book shows that the police failed massively when it came to the missing teens as they had quite a laxed attitude.

This book has clearly been thoroughly researched so is a great read for true crime fans.

An exciting thriller read with twists that keep you guessing till the end! Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

A lot of research and interviews went into the making of this book by Katherine Ramsland and investigative journalist Tracey Ullman. The Serial Killer’s Apprentice details the “Candy Man” murders from 1973 in Houston, Texas. The authors were able to interview the only “apprentice” who remains alive today.

Before John Wayne Gacy there was Dean Corll known as the “Candy Man” by kids in the Houston area. He recruited two teenagers to assist in bringing him other teenagers, even some of their friends, to be sexually assaulted and killed. Until one of the accomplices, Elmer Wayne Henley Jr., killed Corll when he was 17 years old. The second accomplice has since passed away but the authors were able to speak with Henley about the murders and his participation.

The book is not an account of the victims and their lives, the theme is more to explain the crime and the psychology of the perpetrator and the accomplices. The authors explain how someone can become such a heinous predator and how they groom an accomplice. From there, the authors describe how the accomplice would assist the predator in their crime and keep it secret. While they are describing the possible reasons for these behaviors, they weave the murders in while correlating the behaviors to other crimes during the 1970s. They do a great job of giving topical information about the 1970s to give more structure to the story. They give very insightful theories but some of the technical jargon can be a bit dry and there is definitely a bias placed on Henley. The authors paint him as a tragic figure and use psychology to back up their sympathetic tone towards him. The book is fact driven and to the point. The descriptions of the murders can make even a true crime lover queasy.

They also expand upon new research from 2010 that uncovered a sex trafficking ring that was operating in the area which Corll may have been a part of. Something Henley had alluded to during his arrest. They do a great job of correcting misinformation that the press manipulated, mistakes made by the medical examiner when he identified the bodies, negligence by the police at the time of the murders and then round it all out by providing updates from this past year. It’s definitely an insightful read on the psychology of a serial murderer and how it is that they can convince others to help them and keep the crimes a secret.

Thank you to Penzler Publishers and Crime Ink for this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book brings up a very interesting question. What happens to the "accomplice" when they started as a victim but ended up causing alot of harm. It talks about how Huston became the murder capital of the world. These teen boys slowly let the police in on this secret web of depravity and the police have to figure out what to do.
I definitely was so torn when I was reading. Like yes they were victims but they were also perpetrators. They were taken in young and didn't have the best life. But that is not an excuse. It was heartbreaking all around

An interesting take on one of the most disturbing cases in true crime history. I've read a few books on the Candy Man case but nothing else has taken a focus on the teens he had helping him out with his crimes. Also if you don't have much knowledge on the case it isn't a requirement to go into this book, very good for newcomers as well.

An absolute pleasure to read and a solid book! If you are into criminology and serial killers this is the book you must read! So much information is provided and it just captivated me!

Thanks, I hated it.

This book is anxiety-inducing, heart-wrenching, and horrifying. But it's also an insightful and valuable window into the complex story of a young man turned killer's apprentice. It's understandable that many people are still divided on Henley - a victim, perpetrator, or somehow both.

Heart wrenching and tragic case :( I honestly have a hard time eating this one cause …. It’s real. And a murderer. And. :( but it was well written
Thanks for the arc

Emotional Heart Wrenching

Dean Corl was a homosexual loner who had no friends other than the many male children who clambered around him for handouts of free candy and a chance to shoot a few games of pool and listen to the stereo at Corll's apartment. When young boys began to disappear at an alarming rate from the poor and lower middle-class section of Houston known as The Heights, the police did not appear to be concerned and at best, were indifferent.
Many of the boys who disappeared were running away either due from abusive households, or drugs, and some were just thrown on the streets by family members. Corll brainwashed, abused, and bribed two teenaged boys, David Brooks, and Wayne Henley, for a period of 3 years whilst promising money and material goods each time they procured other teenage boys for his amusement and murderous fantasies.
The deaths of 27 boys would have gone long undiscovered had Corll not been shot in the head by Henley, who only then contacted the police and told of the horrors he had witnessed.
This book is professionally written and told the story from the victims, their families, the neighbourhood, and the perpetrators. Sadly, the book is emotional heart wrenching, with the details of torture and death of so many young boys taking far too early. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.