Killer Story by Claire St. Amant offers a gripping, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the cutthroat world of true crime television. With nearly a decade of experience at 48 Hours and 60 Minutes, St. Amant masterfully recounts her pursuit of high-profile cases. This memoir doesn’t just delve into the stories themselves but exposes the relentless pressure, ethical dilemmas, and unexpected dangers journalists face to bring these cases to light. Both revealing and riveting, Killer Story is a must-read for true crime fans eager to learn what happens beyond the headlines.

Many thanks to NetGalley and BenBella Books for providing an eARC of Killer Story prior to publication.

"Killer Story" is an unforgettable read that offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to be a true crime television producer. The stories that St. Amant offers up are an interesting (and sometimes horrifying) look behind the curtain at shows like the one she produced for and gives her own unique insight on just what it takes to create an hour of television to fascinate viewers. I could not book this book down, instead finding myself devouring the words on the pages, looking forward to whatever insane, twisted story St. Amant would describe next. As a journalist myself, this book was particularily intriguing and inspiring as I look ahead to my own career in the media world.

"Killer Story" is out on Feb. 18! If you're a true crime fan, or just curious about the world behind television, this is definitely the book for you!

Thank you to BenBella publications, NetGalley, and Claire St. Amant for the advanced reviewer copy!

A fascinating look at what it takes to work and succeed in the increasingly larger world of true crime television. The author takes you through her journey working for CBS on the legendary shows 48 hours and then 60 minutes. This was very well written and has lots of great behind the scenes stories. I highly recommend this for all true crime fans out there, especially fans of the referenced shows and the author's podcast. Give it a read!

Claire St. Amant's memoir is a page-turner that rings with authenticity. As a true crime reporter, she spent years going toe to toe with murderers rapists, and violent criminals. The book is rich in details. When she is sitting across a table from a cold-eyed serial killer, we can almost feel her heart thudding. She brings high-level emotion to every scene and I read this book in two sittings. Highly recommend. With courage and talent, she opens up a dark world to us.

As a true crime buff and a journalist this book jumped out at me when I saw the cover.

Clair St. Amant takes readers through her career in journalism, specifically true crime television, chapter by chapter. We follow her from a newspaper reporter to a producer for 48 Hours. Milestones are highlighted by the cases she's covering at that time.

It's a passionate story about telling people's stories and empowering them to tell their own. It's a behind-the-scenes treasure trove of how the sausage is made for people, not in the industry.

It's a self-help declaration of listening to your gut and following your dreams.

I found this book fascinating. An avid watcher of true crime I knew the cases mentioned and hearing how the people involved chose to come forward or why some people didn't interested me.

It's a fast and entertaining read.

Claire St. Amant’s *Killer Story* is the kind of book that grips you from page one and doesn’t let go. If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of true crime television, this memoir is your all-access pass. From newsroom rivalries to tense courtroom moments, *Killer Story* gave me an adrenaline-fueled look at what it takes to bring true crime stories to life. St. Amant’s firsthand experience covering major cases adds an undeniable authenticity and urgency to her narrative. But what makes this book truly stand out isn’t just the cases themselves, it’s the raw, behind-the-scenes revelations about the industry.

One of the most fascinating aspects of *Killer Story* is its dive into the relentless nature of investigative journalism. She took me through the exhausting process of getting there. I think, readers will find themselves on the front lines as she battles red tape, skeptical attorneys, and uncooperative witnesses, all while navigating newsroom politics and the pressure to deliver gripping content. What really makes this memoir shine is its honesty. She doesn’t sugarcoat the business of true crime reporting. She lays bare the blurred lines between justice and entertainment, between ethical storytelling and sensationalism. The book raises thought-provoking questions about what it means to tell these stories and who benefits from them.

That said, the sheer number of cases covered can sometimes feel overwhelming. A more focused narrative on fewer cases might have allowed for deeper emotional impact. But if you’re a fan of true crime and want a no-holds-barred look at how these stories make it to air, *Killer Story* is an absolute must-read. *Killer Story* is more than just a gripping true crime read but it’s an eye-opening exploration of the sacrifices journalists make to bring these cases to the public.

Killer Story is a must have book for the true crime buffs and enthusiast. It's an amazing read filled with raw memories and it is simply fascinating. As an avid watcher of true crime documentaries, I was enthralled by this book. 5 out of 5 stars

This book is a must read for every true crime buff! Claire takes you behind the scenes to look at what it’s like to produce a true crime tv show. From trying to find a captivating story, to being able to get the green light from studio executives to produce the show, and even getting a jailhouse interview with the accused; Killer Story truly has it all! Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an advanced readers copy of this book.

A must-read for true crime enthusiasts, offering a captivating behind-the-scenes examination of true crime television.

“The devil you can’t see is always more menacing than someone right in front of you.” Can you imagine sitting across the table from a serial killer to get a story? Are you a true crime television or podcast junkie? Killer Story by Claire St. Amant is a memoir about pulling back the curtain and showing her readers what it takes to put on a one-hour episode of true-crime television.

My Thoughts on Killer Story:
After reading Killer Story, I definitely have a new appreciation for true crime shows. I’ll never watch a true crime show the same way again. I felt like I was alongside Claire as she navigated the complex and often sensitive interactions with victims’ families and incarcerated individuals. I loved reading about her experiences with Thomas Michael Dixon, a surgeon-turned-murderer suspect, and Stuart Little, a serial killer.

My favorite part of the book was the behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to get a one hour episode onto our television screens. I also loved reading about her rookie mistakes. Wardrobe mistakes, traveling mistakes, these are all things in which we can relate.

I appreciated how real St. Amant was in her telling of how far she’d go to get the story. Some reviewers put her down for her tenacity and confidence. St. Amant doesn’t shy away from depicting the less glamorous aspects of investigative journalism. She includes the difficult choices and ethical gray areas that often arise. These even included going against the wishes of her bosses. Although sometimes what she did wasn’t exactly right or lawful, at least she was honest about it. I found this refreshing. I don’t condone it, but in a world of journalism, the nice guy finishes last. St. Amant made this very clear as she worked her way to producer.

I also like how she provided footnotes at the end of each chapter, along with photographs along the way. The book took me longer to read because I wanted to watch the episode that she was discussing or read about it on the internet. (Kindle hint: If you can’t access video on your Kindle, go to your Kindle app on your phone and click on the link that way.). I kept hoping that no one was following my Google search, since I was researching the different murderers. Tonight I will be watching the 60 Minutes episode titled, “The Ranger and the Serial Killer.”

I gave this book four out of five stars. It was a unique memoir that I will think about each time I watch a true crime show.

Thank you to NetGalley, Claire St. Amant, and BenBella Books for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

KILLER STORY is a true exposé that takes readers deep into the sometimes shady underside of True Crime television.

KILLER STORY: The Truth Behind True Crime Television by Claire St. Amant is an Utterly Fascinating and Completely Unforgettable 5 Star Read.

I forgot to mention earlier how genius I think this book cover is. Using a photo of a remote control as the handle of a knife is exceptionally clever. The bright pink cover also draws potential readers’ attention to the book. A+++

In the ‘Acknowledgements‘ section of this memoir, Claire says:

“It is a privilege to tell stories for a living, and I’m still pinching myself that I get to do it.”

Love True Crime?
You MUST READ THIS BOOK!!!
Claire St. Amant has delved deeply into the world of true crime TV in a way that NO ONE HAS EVER DONE BEFORE.

Claire has deftly written about her decades of working for CBS, including producing over 20 episodes of “The First 48” and moonlighting productions for the highly esteemed “60 Minutes” franchise. But those tantalizing stories are only the tip of the True Crime iceberg.

Claire St. Amant proves that not only can she write for news magazines, produce multiple true crime documentaries in a single year, parent a small child, nurture a marriage, and host multiple podcasts, she is also an extraordinary book author.

Her writing is so engaging that even though the cases she writes about are in the past, she has the singular ability to grasp the reader’s attention and make them feel as if they are experiencing the action while it is happening.

I knew that as soon as I finished reading KILLER STORY, I would, through the power of on-demand television, be re-watching the 48 Hours episodes that Claire produced with newly opened eyes and a much greater appreciation of how much time and effort went into creating those single, hour long episodes of the storied True Crime powerhouse that is 48 Hours.

I think it is important, as a True Crime fan, reader, and book reviewer to point out that KILLER STORY doesn’t just recap the crimes and the reporting of each. It is Clair’s humanity that makes this book so engaging. It is her raw, unfiltered and honest portrayal of the toll it takes on those who are repeatedly subjected to viewing the worst of humanity that drew me into her story.

In her writing, Claire pulls no punches and opens reader’s eyes to the truth, whether they want it or not.

Will this book make some of Claire’s colleagues angry? Undoubtedly. However, though they may not like how they are portrayed, it is my humble opinion that if they don’t like what they read about themselves, they should think deeply about whether or not Claire’s portrayal of them is honest. If they don’t like reading certain things about themselves, maybe, just maybe, they should try to change their ways now that their eyes have been opened as to how they are perceived by colleagues. The smart ones will recognize the need for change and acknowledge the honesty of Claire’s portrayal of them. The others? They will act hurt and deny the truth. Hopefully, most of them will use this assessment of their behaviors as a wake-up call. I also believe (and I have no proof of this, not even a hint) that Claire could easily have sunk to the level of other memoirists and could have detailed even more shenanigans than she has written about. Instead, she chose to return to the crime stories, allowing readers unfettered access to how each case affected her in both the short and long-term.

KILLER STORY is peppered throughout with fascinating detail about the ins and outs of this popular genre.

I rate KILLER STORY: The Truth Behind True Crime Television as 5 out of 5 stars and if you are fan of True Crime TV, this is a book you will want in your home library.

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Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free review copy of this fabulous book.