Huh.
This book was not what I was expecting to read. As someone who works in law and has been around the families impacted by murders, I was anxious to read this one. The Gacy case has long been a case that has fascinated me and to me this feels a bit performative. Very focused on her "role" in the case.

I completely disagree with her takes on the lawyer in the case. She assumed he would be deeply traumatized and almost tried to gaslight the reader into thinking that the lawyer had to be deeply troubled but just didn’t want to admit it. Again, I went to law school and have been involved in several murder trials. Lawyers are good at their jobs because we can turn off that part of our brain and are able to disassociate from the horrible things we are forced to see. It doesn’t mean we aren’t disturbed; we just are taught how to process these things. There are cases that will still pop into my head, but you can’t let it have power over you, or you aren’t able to do your job well.
The author seemed to think that everyone needed to react in a very specific way to the things that happened in this horrible event. This was an odd read…

I received my copy from NetGalley and this is my unbiased review.

Oh, where to start with this book… I tried hard, and I have never done this before, but I DNF this book. I think that I gave it a fair chance by reading over 80% of it. I truly went into this book thinking I am going to love hearing a different POV and discuss generational trauma. NOPE, that wasn’t even what this book was about.

I really felt as if the author was trying very hard to give herself a “roll” in the John Wayne Gacy murders. Wanting us to say, “yes, we see your trauma and you are part of it.” Ugh. I am not saying that her mother, Kim Byes, did not play a pivotal role in identifying the receipt that was with Rober Piest belongings. Some parts of the book, I felt like she was almost torturing her mother with making her go back to the places that she last saw Rob Piest. It only continued to get more cringy when the author explained how she wanted to put her hands in the cold river that they found Robs body in until they were wrinkled. But, oh well, she had to catch a flight. WHAT?!?! It was felt very dramatic acting from a girl whose mother knew someone who was murdered.

It was a very self-serving book for the author, and even when people (the lawyer) explained to her that he did not have any trauma from being close to the John Wayne Gacy case, she decided that he did, and he was hiding from it. The content seemed redundant and almost felt like she was just adding descriptive details to fill pages.

Unfortunately, I would not recommend this book. I requested this book, not only to see a different POV from this author, but I am going to see her speak at our local library.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Kensington Publishing/Citadel for the opportunity to read and review an advanced reader's copy of this book.

In summary, a woman finds a way to make a crime spree against boys and young men in the 1970s (before she was even born) about herself. The sensitivity to trauma and privacy is about on par with CrimeCon. (Is that still happening?) Wild.

This book is so self-involved. O'Neil's link to the Gacy case is through her mother, a high schooler at the time and a key witness to one of the victim's disappearance. Her mom's insights and wonder are beautiful, thoughtful, and often nostalgic. But O'Neil's interest seems only to be in immersing herself in the past, adding herself into the narrative somehow. And it's a shame, because there are a few surface level windows into how the generational trauma affected the families differently, how it shaped a community. (It also bothered me that she seemed insistent on how this crime spree directly affected the perceived safety of young women. While young women are a demographic very much at risk of violent crime, this specific case wasn't about us. Leave that space for the actual victims and don't insert yourself.)

This wasn't investigative journalism and didn't add much to what we already know or can imagine. It was mostly a rehashing and dredging up of past trauma, for what? O'Neil took pictures of a stranger's house, criticized a lack of memorial (at the serial killers once-home, who would want that?), and solicited neighbors who probably spent much time and energy already trying to move on. She dropped a Mother's Day card on the doorstep of the Piest home, despite her own mom's well-intentioned hesitation. (It sounds like Kim hadn't kept up with the Piests in years, otherwise it would have been a beautiful and less potentially jarring gesture.)

And a side note: In chapter six, O'Neil references Jonestown and poisoned Kool-aid. It wasn't Kool-aid, but Flavor Aid. This is a common misconception and not a huge deal, but it does reflect the level of research (or lack of) that it feels went into this book. Ironically, the next chapter - "...perhaps this research I'm doing will limit the sort of reduction that happens with narrative over time. As decades pass, stories are watered down."

This read wasn’t really my cup of tea, but that’s not to say that it would be other’s. I am a huge fan of serial killers and would actually say I know quite a bit about them, including John Gacy. That said, I didn’t really receive any more insightful information that what I already knew, which was kind of a let down overall. I didn’t go into it expecting it to be informative, but I did go into it looking for a unique perspective and insight. The author does deliver on that point, but she was really more about her own insight rather than delivering to appeal to the reader.

On December 11, 1978, a young man named Rob Piest never arrived home for his mother's birthday party. He had been at work and seen by many people, disappearing shortly after seen speaking with a man about a job in construction. His coworker, Kim Byers, told police the man Rob was seen with was named John Wayne Gacy. At the time, young men weren't labeled missing, they were mostly labeled runaways, so everyone thought Rob would appear home soon. Sadly, Rob was never seen alive again. The search for Rob led police to investigate John Wayne Gacy, in whose home the decomposing bodies of 29 young males were found. Also found were some of the victims' belongings, including a jacket worn by Rob Piest the day he disappeared and a receipt for photo printing. Rob's coworker, Kim, was able to identify the jacket as Rob's, John Wayne Gacy as the man seen speaking to Rob, and identified a receipt for photo printing Kim had placed in Rob's jacket. "Postmortem" tells the story of The Killer Clown's victims, as told by the daughter of Rob Piest's coworker, Kim.

This book was an interesting perspective on a well-known case. Usually, the focus is on Gacy and his ability to hide in plain sight in his community. With the focus shifted to the victims, it made me realize how rarely we remember the victims; more often, we remember the brutality of the crimes and the perpetrator of them. With the book's author being a daughter of one of the case's main witnesses, it was an interesting look at how the victim's of crimes and those affected can be pretty widespread to others who seem to barely touch the main crime. The focus on generational trauma was very enlightening. I also liked the author's use of storytelling from both the past and present and use of primary sources including diaries, court transcripts, and interviews.

*** I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. ***

Honestly, I was a little bit disappointed with this book. I'm a big true crime fan, but the John Wayne Gacy case isn't one I'm that knowledgeable on, so I was hoping to learn a little bit more about it from a source who was close to the case. I found the book to be a little bit boring, and kind of self indulgent. It was interesting to read about the case from a different perspective but I didn't really learn much more than I already knew.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. In my opinion, the author put her own interests and needs ahead of anything else while writing the story, and it was uncomfortable to read. Her comments about there being no memorial at Gacy’s house as an “erasure” seemed especially insensitive, as the families have long stated they didn’t want a memorial at his home. There were several moments like that that made me decide this book wasn’t for me.

This is a new angle for an often over done genre. Unexpectedly deep, it addresses inter generational trauma in a simple and meaningful way. This author brings clear eyes and much needed emotion that other books about the case lack. I’m so tired of work that promotes the human monsters as the center of the story, without exploring the consequences of their crimes. There’s a lot here to think about, the memories that inhabit places, what it means to be a mother, the under appreciated role of teenagers in solving crimes…I would love to use this book in my American History Crime course. Truly excellent work.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a e-arc review copy. This book was so compelling and a really important victim focused look at true crime. Courtney is the daughter of Kim Byers who was a friend and work colleague (they both worked at Nissan Pharmacy) of John Wayne Gacy’s final victim Robert Piest. She was one of the last people to see him alive on shift and she put her recent photo receipt stub in Robert’s jacket that night which was eventually found in Gacy’s house and helped unravel the whole truth of Gacy’s murders. It also helped fuel the police’s mass digging operation at the property and the discovery of the boys buried in his property and the hunt for some suspected victims which were found in the local river also. Courtney doesn’t dwell much on the crimes themselves or Gacy but on who Robert was through his families eyes (Kim was close to the Piests) and the community of Des Plaines and through Kim’s eyes. We learn through Courtney and Kim’s diary how Kim dealt with Roberts disappearance and then the discovery of his body and then becoming a star witness to a huge trial all at a very young age. How this shaped her future relationships and her mothering style (protective and cautious). Courtney says this has also been a parenting style she has adopted through her inherited trauma from her mother of Robert’s death. The focus on Robert and the emphasis on the importance of Kim’s story told with the added emotional impact of the author being her daughter, made this book so special. Women are usually depicted as victims in the true crime genre so for the focus to be a woman’s narrative with a focus on the lives of the victims of Gacy was so compelling and powerful and unique. Also Courtney’s writing was just stunning and poignant so bravo! A 4.5/5 stars.

First off a big ranks to the publisher as well as to the author and NetGalley for the invite to read and re read Postmortem as well as other thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy of it . As soon as I saw that it was nonfiction and true crime I knew I had to read it , and I']m glad I did because it was on a topic I already knew somethings about but not a hole lot. It was also shocking to realize that the last victim had been killed in 1978 and that at that time I would have been 1 year old since I was born in 1977. Plus it brought up some questions , that will never be answered. Over all it was an excellent reading experience.

Courtney Lund O'Neil offers a richly written, haunting exploration of the aftermath and ripple effects of Gacy's crimes. Kim Byers' memory of seeing Rob Piest alive for the last time reflects the deep emotional and psychological scars left on the community, along with the lasting trauma and disenfranchised grief experienced by the many friends and family members left behind.

Postmortem: What Survives the John Wayne Gacy Murders is a rare blend of meticulous research and heartfelt reflection, revealing not only the horror of Gacy’s actions but the lingering impact and lasting wounds inflicted on countless lives. It's a difficult but thoughtfully written and richly layered true crime narrative. Postmortem stands out as a well-crafted tribute to those taken and those left behind. It is a powerful reminder that justice, while served, rarely brings complete healing, and that the pain left behind demands compassion and understanding across generations.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read and review Postmortem: What Survives the John Wayne Gacy Murders prior to publication.

What an interesting book! I loved the way the author set it up - one chapter was the actual events and how they unfolded, the next chapter was modern day and how the events shaped the future lives of the people involved. Each chapter alternating back and forth. The story was told in a narrative that drew me in and kept me wanting to read more. I became invested in the lives of the survivors and also in the life of Rob. Definitely a book I'll be talking about with others for months to come.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from netgalley. I was not required to read or submit a review. All opinions are strictly mine.

As someone who's read extensively on John Wayne Gacy, I went into Postmortem hoping for a fresh angle, especially with its focus on generational trauma. Unfortunately, the book feels like a missed opportunity. Rather than providing a thoughtful perspective, it often comes across as the author forcing a connection to these horrific crimes, sometimes in ways that feel almost exploitative.

The narrative feels self-centered, with the author’s own feelings and need for connection overshadowing any real exploration of her mother’s experience or the victims’ stories. She spends an uncomfortable amount of time on mundane details—like what she snacked on, the smell of her mother’s shampoo, or how often the house was sold and for what amount—none of which adds anything meaningful to the story.

I found the author’s personal reflections often took up too much space, overshadowing any genuine focus on how these events affected her mother or the larger community. The constant revisiting of the Gacy home and complaints about the lack of a memorial, for example, seem tone-deaf. The families and community have spent decades trying to move on, and this fixation felt intrusive rather than respectful. There's even an instance where she writes a card to the mother of a victim, decades after his death, as if her need for closure outweighs the privacy of those still affected.

For anyone familiar with Gacy’s case, this book doesn’t offer anything new or insightful. If you're looking for a thoughtful exploration of generational trauma or deeper reflections on those impacted by Gacy, this isn’t it.

Written by the daughter of Kim Byers the main person to help bring John Wayne Gacy to be punished for his crimes. Her best friend Rob Piest was the last victim of Gacy and this is the story seen thru her eyes. Her daughter uses her diary from those long years and her mom's first hand accounts of the night Rob went missing , his body and 32 other victims being found to the trial and the aftermath. How this event would not only effect her life, the lives of the victims families but her family for many years to come generation to generate.
Gacy may be long gone but the impact his crimes caused on a society will long out live any of us .
This book was very well written and I loved the first hand accounts and the research the author did to make sure the story was told correcly.
At times it was a little slow and may have gone off track a little. But I feel she was trying to explain how this one moment in time effected her mom though out her life.
Overall worth the read.

I thought this was a unique perspective looking at the Gacy killings and its aftereffects. Written by the daughter of Kim Byers, it tells how it changed her mother’s life and her own. I enjoyed the thoughtful writing and consider it a good addition to all the Gacy books out there.

I received a free copy of, Postmortem, by Courtney Lund O"Neil, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Growing up in Illinois, you cant help but of heard about John Wayne Gacy, and his cruel acts. The authors mother, was a friend of a victim of Mr. Gacy. I felt this was an ok read, but had hoped for a better read.

There was just too much unnecessary detail about things that didn't matter and a little more woo-woo stuff (her mother was "fated" to put the receipt in Rob's pocket) than I personally like. It's mildly interesting but will probably frustrate true crime fans more than it will enthrall them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I hold a degree in Criminal Justice and am always looking for new takes on the true crime stories we all know. I know a good bit about John Wayne Gacy, so I was interested in learning more from those affected by the crimes. It's been almost 50 years since the last victim was taken and the author's mother was friends/coworkers with him. In fact, she was there the night Gacy stalked him and took him. This book gave me little insight and really only gave me unnecessary filler and honestly felt more like someone was grasping at straws, wanting to be connected to such gruesome crimes. I felt like it was a bit insensitive at times and didn't really get the in depth look into generational grief I was expecting. Overall, some people might like this but for me, who know about the crimes and tries very hard to remain sensitive to the victims and those who were directly affected, it was hard for me to connect.

Thank you to NetGalley and Citadel for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book is about John Wayne Gacy and the teenage girl, Kim, who was close friends with his last victim. The book tells the story from Kim's point of view and how the arrest, trial and conviction of Gacy affected her life.

This book was a 3.5/5 for me. It was interesting to read a true crime story from someone close to the investigation, but the book was very long and hard to finish at times, a bit boring.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I wanted to read this book for more of a personal reason. Way back in the day in Chicago, John Wayne Gacy walked up to my grandmother in Chicago wanting to hire my uncle for his construction business. My grandmother got a bad feeling from him and he gave her his business card. Needless to say that my grandmother listened to her gut and my uncle dodged a bullet and didn't go work for him, but we can't imagine what would have happened had he went to work for JWG. Ever since learning this little piece of history with my uncle, I have been obsessed and have watched every documentary on this monster.

Back to the book. I found this book very interesting. As you think about the murders and what this monster did, you don't always think about how impact that these horrible acts had on the family members - even years down the road.

This is one of those books that I got sucked into big time and found it really hard to put down. I never thought I would get so sucked into a book that included generational trauma, true crime, and tragedy the way that I ate this book up. This story provided a new perspective to the victims' and their families stories.

This book goes into life after these tragedies, and the after is extremely thought provoking and disturbing. You start to develop a closeness and your heart breaks for the families and communities that were involved during this.

I will be pre-ordering a physical copy of this book, and will recommend it to any true crime enthusiast. In my opinion, this is a must read book!