This was a great audiobook, a must for any true crime fan. There were quite a few I hadn't heard of. The depravity of these people is astonishing. How do some become so evil?

The Serial Killer Next Door by Richard Estep is a thrilling book that takes readers to the darker and more twisted parts of the lives of the most notorious serial killers in history. Estep has revealed the lives of twenty-seven murderers through his meticulous research and creation of a very gripping story, revealing to readers the very core of such sick minds.

The book provides much more than a simple list of crimes. It is composed of sections related to the criminals’ lives, facts about their minds, and their criminal profiles. Estep’s approach humanizes the killers, making them more understandable, but never excuses or justifies their acts. The victims are treated with dignity, and their tragic stories receive the attention they deserve.

Each chapter of The Serial Killer Next Door focuses on a different serial killer, presenting a brief but detailed account of their murders, the psychology that drove their actions, and, in many cases, insights from individuals who knew them personally. The structure gives the book the feel of an anthology, with each section providing a new viewpoint on the horrific reality, showing how the most notable murders went undetected for years.

Estep’s attention to detail and inclusion of lesser-known cases with the more infamous separates this book from previous true crime compilations. It will surprise even the most seasoned true crime readers.

The audiobook edition, narrated by David Stifel, enhances the experience even further. Stifel’s narration is perfect for the material, adding a disturbing realism to Estep’s words. Listening to the audiobook is nearly like being immersed in a high-quality narrative crime podcast, making it an appealing option for people who prefer audio formats.

Estep does not shy away from gruesome facts, and some readers may find parts of it difficult to read. However, for those who can stomach all of that, this book provides a look into serial killers’ minds and methods. It’s a horrific yet fascinating journey into the heart of true crime that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression.

This audiobook was just ok for me. It had a wide variety of stories and characters, so I appreciated the variety. However, I felt like I just couldn’t get into the book. I typically enjoy true crime-documentary type topics, but this book just couldn’t hold my attention.
I don’t think there was anything “wrong” with the narrator as he was easy to understand, but again, the stories just didn’t hold my attention.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. David Stifel narrates and does a great job reading this book!

I have an odd fascination with serial killers so I was excited to listen to this one. Each chapter is dedicated to a SK and goes into the right amount of info about the person, their family, early life, victims and eventual capture. I think its just the right amount of detail. I guess I did not realize that there are so many SKs that are "small time" if that is even a thing. I expected this to be about the more notable killers but found that the majority were unknown to me.

3.5 stars rounded up.

The Serial Killer Next Door: The Double Lives of Notorious Murderers asks the reader the question, “How well do you know your neighbor?” A lot of serial killers live “double lives,” meaning they have two sides to them….the normal everyday life (they hold down a job, maybe a family, and they seem “normal.”) and the side that kills. More often than not serial killers don’t stand out. This book takes a closer look at several serial killers and many of their victims.

A few killers included in this book are: The Green River Killer (Gary Ridgeway), Robert Lee Yates (he buried a body outside his window while his wife slept), and Genene Jones (a nurse who ended the lives of dozens of children and infants), etc.

If you are a true crime junkie, read this book! I’m a huge true crime fan and this is one of the better true crime books I’ve read. Estep provides details (some details that if you get triggered easily you may want to skip this read) of the crimes committed. It’s easy to tell Estep did his research.

I listened to the audio version of The Serial Killer Next Door. David Stifel did a tremendous job narrating. It felt like I was watching a documentary or an episode of ID or something.

I really wanted to enjoy this book! Yes I know how that sounds. Enjoying a book about serial killers. There are always lessons to be learned that might save you or a loved one. I just couldn’t get used to the narrator. He was a bit monotonous for me. I think I’ll read it on my own and hopefully get a better handle on it.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was great. The different, lesser known (at least to me) serial killers were interesting to learn about. This book was terrifying and I highly recommend it to any other true crime fanatics!

The narrator did a great job reading this book, and kept it engaging and interesting. Although this book was inderesting enough for a True Crime fan, I think it sounded like an extended podcast episode. There were details and insights into a long list of Serial Killers, and their MOs/ What would have been great to include is more insight into what drove them to commit the crimes they commited.
The cases where medical professionals were the Killer gave th eextra insight into the field, and what may have been motives/drivers for the crimes, due to the authors personal background in the medical field. Insights like these would have been very interesting in the other cases as well.
I would have liked more to each case, not just what can be found on most True Crime podcasts.

If you love true crime and are interested in serial killers then you will love this book. It talks about 30 different people and the horrendous crimes they committed. Richard Estep knows how to bring them to life. He talks about their lives and what could have set them off. He talks about, not only the notorious ones, but the lesser known ones as well. This isn't his first book about the subject, but it was the first one I've read. I need to go back and read his others. The subject has always fascinated me. If boggles the mind that people could do this to others and get away with it for so long. I definitely recommend this one.

Thank you to NetGalley, Richard Estep and HighBridge Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book.

The Serial Killer Next Door is a compendium of several lesser known serial killers and their crimes. Estep does a great job of cutting to the chase giving the listener necessary details without overloading them with tedious and unnecessary information. It’s important to note that some cases may be difficult to listen to depending on what the listener may find triggering. The narrator kept the listener engaged & it reminded me of the narration style used in a lot of crime shows with a deep & foreboding tone. I was only aware of 2 cases discussed so this was chocked full of plenty of new information to me & hopefully all listeners that are true crime fans & used to hearing about the same cases 24/7.

Thank you NetGalley & High Bridge Audio for the advance copy.

This was a great audiobook with information about killers and crimes that I hadn't heard of previously, it shows how people can appear 'normal' but have very dark sides to them.

The Serial Killer Next Door: The Double Lives of Notorious Murderers implies a deep dive into the lives of some of history’s most notorious serial killers, but unfortunately, it doesn’t quite deliver on that. While the idea of exploring the contrast between their public personas and hidden, horrifying tendencies is compelling, the execution left something to be desired. I was looking forward to gaining real insight into these killers' lives—understanding how they managed to deceive those around them, perhaps through interviews with family, friends, and colleagues. Instead, what I got was mostly a detailed recounting of their crimes. While some might find the meticulous crime details fascinating, it felt more like a collection of facts that could easily be found online rather than a thoughtful exploration of these individuals' double lives.

The narration was solid (albeit quite slow on the default speed. This was my first time cranking up to 2.5x) and the stories themselves are undeniably chilling.

If you’re looking for a catalogue of serial killers and play by plays of their crimes, this will be for you.

It’s like listening to a forensic files episode.

Lots of information on killers you may not know about, and some you do. It was easy listening for those true crime junkies. Pop it on and do your errands or to do list, and enjoy.

The Serial Killer Next Door is both interesting and informative book. I recommend this book to all true crime readers.
Thank you to Netgalley and HighBridge Audio for this ARC.

I am DNFing this and will not post a public review.
Why?
1. It was supposed to give a different side to these people, but it felt like I was reading a Wikipedia page. Nothing was new or interesting. I already knew quite a lot about several of the people profiled prior to my quitting. I was going to continue though, but problems 2 and 3 arose.
2. Gerard Schaefer's birthdate is incorrect. I know that online you will find both March 25 and March 26. But his death certificate is easily found online and it is listed as March 26. March 25 is used in this book. My birthday is also March 26, which is why I went down this rabbit hole. So it began to make me doubt the accuracy of other information in the book.
3. The Golden State Killer's chapter. This is what pushed me over the edge. I know a LOT about these cases. Like years before he was caught. Prior to his arrest, I'm fairly certain I'd read every book and watched every documentary on him. Less so after his arrest, but only due to the increase in volume and none of it really added anything. Anyway, I found a few things in this chapter to be a bit misleading. Especially timelines. I didn't even finish the chapter. Combined with reasons 1 and 2, I decided that this book was not for me.

I feel like I was lied to. Even in the intro, I was promised insight as to how they managed to go under the radar. This is what stems my fascination with serial killers- HOW CAN NO ONE KNOW?! Anyway, it failed to deliver that. I

The Serial Killer Next Door: The Double Lives of Notorious Murderers by Richard Estep is a compelling exploration into the shadowy world of some of history's most notorious serial killers. With meticulous detail, Estep uncovers the chilling stories of twenty-seven killers, providing a vivid account of their crimes, victims, and twisted motivations.

Estep meticulously researched each serial killer. I have been a fan of true crime for years and I even had a difficult time stomaching the details provided. The facts about these cases could not be revealed in a mainstream cable channel format due to parental warnings or censorship. So, if you are triggered easily, this audiobook is not for you.

In The Serial Killer Next Door, Richard Estep delves into the lives and crimes of several infamous serial murderers. I thought that I would give you some samples of three noteworthy individuals included:

1. Ted Bundy - Bundy preyed primarily on young women, often luring them with his charm before committing horrific acts of violence. Estep suggests that Bundy's actions stemmed from deep-seated psychological issues and a desire for control over his victims or did he just enjoy killing? Did he really act alone? Any true crime follower questions this.

2. David Berkowitz (Son of Sam) - Berkowitz targeted young couples, which he claimed was driven by delusions that he was following orders from a supernatural entity. Estep discusses how Berkowitz's troubled upbringing and subsequent mental health issues played a significant role in his violent behavior. But many people come from abusive backgrounds and never kill.

3. Aileen Wuornos - Wuornos murdered several men whom she claimed attempted to assault her. Estep claims that her tragic history of abuse and neglect drove her to commit these acts as a means of survival, revealing the darker complexities of her life and motivations.
Estep's examination of these killers highlights their backgrounds and the brutalities they inflicted, providing readers with insight into the motivations that often reside beneath the surface of such heinous crimes. I just do not buy them. One either can control these impulses or not.

The Serial Killer Next Door is primarily targeted at true crime readers who relish in the gritty details of criminal psychology and the intricate narratives of infamous murder cases. It is also a valuable resource for psychology students interested in studying the minds of those who commit such heinous acts and understanding their violent tendencies. If I were to do it again, I would only read one chapter at a time and do my own additional research. Reading it quickly is too much at once. I must compliment Estep on the amount of detail written about each serial killer.

Estep leaves no stone unturned in his detailed portrayal of each killer’s narrative. The level of detail is both impressive and disturbing, with some descriptions being quite graphic and sexual in nature. In fact, most of the chapters are sexual in nature; this really bothered me. It became a redundant theme.

This book is certainly not for the faint-hearted. However, for those who have a keen interest in true crime and forensic psychology, it provides a comprehensive, albeit morbid, insight into the darkest aspects of human nature.

My feelings about the narrator, David Stifel, are mixed. The first two chapters, his voice was creepy. Then, after becoming used to the voice, it set the tone of the book. But, by the end of the book, the narration became creepy and irritating again. Was that the author’s intention?

Thank you to Netgalley and HighBridge Audio for providing me with a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

This was an interesting book to listen to. I thought the narrator did a good job. I will say that sadly the book didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I was expecting to learn more about each serial killer’s life and instead I got a play by play of the crimes they committed. I was expecting interviews with family and friends to give better insight into their private lives. It was interesting to learn in detail about the crimes they committed, but honestly it isn’t anything a person can’t just google.

I’d recommend this audiobook to readers who are looking for a detailed look at the terrible crimes these serial killers committed and less of a look at the lives they lived.

Thank you to NetGalley, HighBridge Audio, and Richard Estep for the copy of The Serial Killer Next Door.

While this book was informative, I found myself struggling to get through this one. I think the author wanted to cover so many different cases that I couldn’t keep up.

The Serial Killer Next Door by Richard Estep is a great anthology about True Crime and those who commit it. Every chapter is a different serial killer with a been yet about his crimes and in most cases he even talks to those who knew the SK best and how baffled they were and the events that unfolded with their particular Killer. From the Bayou’s of Louisiana, to the Long Knights inAlaska and everywhere in between it seems no place is safe there were many sociopaths in the book I hadn’t heard of and although most of them I have this is not a copy and paste True Crime book because a lot of stuff in it was new to me and I have read a lot of True Crime. The audiobook was narrated by David Stifel, Who I think had the perfect voice for the narrative. I have never heard of this author before but now that I have I will definitely be looking out for his books. His riding style is engaging and you can clearly tell the stories were written and not just copied from another source. This was a great book and one I definitely recommend.#NetGalley,#HighbridgeAudio, #GeorgeEstep, #TheSerialKillerNextDoor,

Was ok but not spectacular
The narrator was pretty monotone.
Maybe I would have enjoyed the book form better on this one but not sure.
Thanks for the ARC