I thought this book sounded gripping and interesting. Unfortunately it did neither for me. I ended up not finishing the book. I felt like there was way too much information all at once and other times were there wasn’t any. There was no flow and felt too chaotic, not organized in any way. I was so looking forward to this book, sadly it wasn’t for me. Thank you NetGalley for this digital arc.

If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would! The Scientist and the Serial Killer: The search for the Houston Lost Boys by Lise Olsen is well done. Lise Olsen is a well known investigative journalist who turned her findings into a book. This book centers around Dean Corll a prolific serial killer, 17 year old Wayne Henley who killed him and Dr. Sharron Derrick, a forensic anthropologist.

Decades after the murders took place, Dr. Sharron Derrick found boxes of unidentified remains from Dean Corll's victims and worked hard along herside her team to reunite them with their loved ones. In 1973, Dean Corll's murder count was 27, with 7 of them being unidentified.

Throughour the years Dr. Sharron Derrick was able to put names to 7 previously unidentified remains and reunite them with their families. From 2008 to 2014 she was able to identify Randell Lee Harvey, Joseph Allen Lyles, Michael baulch, Roy "ikie" Bunton, Steven ferdig-sickman, Donnie falcon and Willard k "rusty" branch jr.

I thought the book was really brought together with the inclusion of pictures, taken from police archives and records. It was also interesting to learn that the terms John Doe, Jane Doe and Baby Doe are no longer used as they are considered unprofessional and dehumanizing to the dead.

Thank you to Lise Olsen for partnering with NetGalley. I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

This book hits stores April 1st 2025

Really interesting story. I have actually watch some documentaries and listened to some podcasts on the Candyman case.
While anyone can know the ending of the story from a quick Google Search or if they follow true crime, the author wrote this in a way that still had suspense.

The author really did a great job of illustrating just how awful the case was, while balancing the human elements of this case.
I really enjoyed this one. I do hope that this book can bring light to an often overlooked case.


Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

True story of a forensic scientist who finds the victims of a serial killer known as the Candy Man. Investigate journalist Lise Olsen studies the case, the teenagers to find out what happened to them.

Such an interesting non fiction read. You really get I sight into how science helped catch a killer.

The story is comprehensive, and the author balances all human, scientific, and procedural aspects, creating a vivid picture of the complexities that surrounded this case. The inclusion of insights from the justice system of that era adds a fascinating layer of context, revealing both the strengths and shortcomings of legal and investigative practices at the time.
The Scientist and the Serial Killer is an engaging book for anyone interested in true crime, forensic science, and the human stories behind major criminal investigations.

Unfortunately, I will be DNFing this at 50%. I am not saying this is a bad book or anything, but I really had trouble with the way it was written. It really jumped perspectives and timelines a lot, and I felt myself becoming confused with the constant backtracking, then jumping ahead again. I do feel interested in the cases and these stories, and I really loved the scientific aspect of discovering unidentified bodies. I have a lot of respect for the work of the Dr. and also this author for being so detailed in covering the cases. However, I think that if this was told in a more chronological timeline this would make a lot more sense to readers. I think the chapters need to be rearranged.

"The Scientist and the Serial Killer: The Search for Houston's Lost Boys" by Lise Olsen is a gripping true crime narrative set to be released on April 1, 2025. This meticulously researched book delves into the chilling case of Houston's lost boys and the relentless pursuit of justice that spanned decades. Olsen, an accomplished investigative reporter, brings her journalistic prowess to the forefront in this compelling work. The book chronicles the haunting story of a mass murder that has plagued Houston for years, focusing on the brave forensic investigator who finally brought closure to families long ignored by authorities.
The narrative is praised for its masterful storytelling, with Olsen's writing described as dramatic and engaging. Her ability to craft vivid character descriptions and maintain suspense throughout the book has been highly commended1. The author skillfully balances the grim realities of the case with a profound sense of empathy, creating an engrossing and thought-provoking read.
One of the book's strengths lies in its exploration of the families' private investigations and perpetual grief. Olsen's portrayal of their struggles and the persistent efforts of the forensic investigator adds a deeply human element to the story, making it resonate long after the final page1.
While the subject matter is undoubtedly dark, Olsen's approach is both sensitive and thorough. She uncovers new information about the case, immersing readers in an astonishing story and revealing long-held secrets about these crimes. This fresh perspective on a decades-old case demonstrates Olsen's commitment to uncovering the truth and bringing it to light.
"The Scientist and the Serial Killer" is not just a recounting of events; it's a testament to the power of persistence in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Olsen's work serves as both a gripping mystery and a tribute to those who refused to let the lost boys of Houston be forgotten.
In conclusion, this book promises to be a must-read for true crime enthusiasts and those interested in the intricacies of forensic investigation. Olsen's skillful blend of rigorous reporting and compelling storytelling makes "The Scientist and the Serial Killer" a standout addition to the true crime genre.

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.

The writing style is great. Very thorough, well thought out and researched. But, did not finish due to not my type of book.

The Scientist and the Serial Killer by Lise Olsen is a fun, suspenseful true crime story that draws you into the gripping mystery and holds your attention until the very end. The book feels like a great Dateline episode but never caught me as much as something like I’ll Be Gone In The Dark.

As a lover of true crime I found this book to be meticulously detailed that deeply explores a chilling series of mass murderers during the 70’s in South Texas. This book dives deeply into the perspectives of detectives, the haunting locations where bodies were discovered, the anguish of the witnesses and victims' families, and the scientists who painstakingly pieced together identities from skeletal remains.
The story is comprehensive, and the author balances all human, scientific, and procedural aspects, creating a vivid picture of the complexities that surrounded this case. The inclusion of insights from the justice system of that era adds a fascinating layer of context, revealing both the strengths and shortcomings of legal and investigative practices at the time.
The Scientist and the Serial Killer is an engaging book for anyone interested in true crime, forensic science, and the human stories behind major criminal investigations.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Olsen and Random House Publishing for the ARC of this great book!

Dang. When I started The Scientist and the Serial Killer by Lise Olsen, I immediately had the sneaking suspicion this would be a book which had great information but would end up overstuffed. The first chapter, for instance, is immediately engaging, but oddly, there were a lot of very long sentences trying to cram as much story into them as possible. I hoped it was just beginning jitters, but unfortunately the problem expanded.

The book looks at the serial killer Dean Corll and two of his accomplices. It also follows Dr. Sharon Derrick who in the almost present day is still working to positively identify some of the victims decades later. There is also a few chapters on near victims who barely escaped Corll's grasp. Oh, there is also some allusions to horrible police work and maybe a pedophile ring. Do you see the issue?

On top of this, chapters will jump back and forth between the time of certain killings or the work of Derrick. I could see how Olsen was trying to organize the book but ultimately it was too many people, too many timelines, and stories which could end up half-baked.

It's truly a shame because Olsen does some great work at times. She is clearly trying to bring dignity back to many victims who were shoved to the side. This is not a true crime book which is just peddling in horror and some aspects of it are truly engrossing. Unfortunately, there is just too much of some things and not enough of others.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Random House.)

I enjoy true crime novels. This book tells the story of Houstons Lost Boys, their serial killer and the scientist who helped to ID many of the victims. This book was written in a format that is more dense and scientific so if you are looking for an easier true crime read, this is not for you. It gets more in-depth and at times the story of the victims seemed to get a bit lost. It is sad that not all of the victims have been identified

So many books about this scumbag serial killer have come out lately. But this one is at least different enough to justify existing.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Random House for the copy of The Scientist and the Serial Killer The Search for Houston's Lost Boy by Lise Olsen. I found this book difficult to get into even though it opened with a bang. I couldn’t keep track of or get to know the victims or the killer even though there was a lot of description. In some ways it’s unfair for me to rate this book because as a teen I read and loved Ann Rule books so I’m used to her approach of making the victims relatable. I found it hard to follow because it seemed to jump around a lot. I enjoyed some sections that seemed to be linear, but would then run into a part that once again jumped around and didn’t flow seamlessly. I appreciate how much Dr. Sharon Derrick did to identify the victims and how far DNA testing has improved in the past decades. My main takeaway was how sorry I was for those boys and their families, some who didn’t survive to get resolution. If you are interested in a depraved serial killer that many have never heard of, you might love this book! 3 stars

This is true crime at its best--gritty and immersive without ever feeling exploitive, grounded in research. By looking back at why the victims of the "Candyman's" Houston murders, Olsen does more than recover historical and artifactual remains of their stories: she also offers readers a strong sense of why these stories continue to matter, what they can tell us about ourselves, and how we can move forward.

I think this book was pretty good, just not something I could get into at the moment. So it may just not be for me? It was a cool concept though and the characters were a lot of fun.

In the 1970s, at least 27 teenage boys in Houston were kidnapped, sexually assaulted, tortured, murdered and buried by Dean Corll, given the moniker “The Candy Man.” Many were reported missing, but the police never put the cases together and in many instances wrote off the reports as kids who had run away.The horror these boys experienced was only made known when one of Corll’s young accomplices killed him. As bodies and bones were dug up, most of them were in such decayed condition that they couldn’t be identified. They became known as the “Lost Boys” until thirty years later when forensic anthropologist Sharon Derrick was determined to put a name to as many as she could, an effort that took years and was made possible only by scientific advances.

This is an important story; one that needs to be told and especially the lesson of how, along with prejudice against “ hippies” and homosexuality,
reports of poor teenagers missing from dysfunctional families were basically ignored by authorities. Equally important is the recounting of Derrick’s relentless search for the identity of the lost boys. The account, unfortunately, gets bogged down a bit in details, shifting timelines, and repetition.

The Scientist and the Serial Killer was an in depth (possibly too in depth for some) look at a case that I had long forgotten about. I am so grateful for Lise Olsen's in-depth reporting on a case that was so complex. So many forgotten turns in this case came to light - and I had no idea there were still victims that had not yet been identified! It blows my mind and really sheds light on the lack of motivation by the government to put resources and funding into DNA testing.