Ciao, amici! I’ve got a true crime book review today. If you read Sue Coletta’s guest post not long ago, you’re already familiar with this one. I’m delighted to share my thoughts about the book with you below. I’ve already posted to BookBub and Goodreads and will also post to Amazon when the preorder goes live.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It’s More Chilling Because It’s True
I read Sue Coletta’s stories because they always send a shiver up my spine. When I saw she was writing a true crime book about female serial killers, I couldn’t wait to read it. Talk about chilling!
If you (like me) read true crime accounts or watch television specials about murderers and their victims, you’ve sat through—or given up on—some boring ones. Pretty Evil New England isn’t like that. Coletta doesn’t write this like a textbook but rather almost like a novel, with plot and scene-setting and dialogue that will keep you invested in these five women’s histories the way she does her own fictional tales. But in the case of this work, it’s all the more horrific because it’s all true.
I was particularly interested in the different motivations that prompted the killings. But then, without a motivation, there is no crime. Also worth noting is the forensic science and the criminal procedures that we get to see. And I was pleasantly surprised to find out how our forensics today have been impacted by those times.
This was an impressive work that I’m delighted to have read. I hope there are more installments to come. Whether there are or not, this one is an easy five-star recommendation.
Have you read this one yet? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below. Saluti!
I just read Mae’s review, so you two are in sync. I’ve loved Sue’s posts about serial killers. They’re fascinating. And it’s great to see some of her research transformed into a book. Great review and recommendation. Congrats to Sue.
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Sue really found her calling, I think. She definitely deserves the accolades. Thanks, Diana.
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Staci… ❤ ❤ ❤
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Aww, thank you, Diana!
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Putting it on my list.
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Thrilled to hear that. I hope you find it as interesting as I did.
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Yay! Enjoy, murderinne!
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Sorry I’m late, Staci, but I love your review of Sue’s book. I do not read true or realistic crime as a rule because I find it often upsets me for days, but I have Pretty Evil New England waiting for me on my Kindle. After learning more about it, and reading Sue’s excerpts, I’m pretty sure I can handle this one. I’m really looking forward to it, in fact, and your review just cinched it for me. Thanks! And congratulations, Sue, on yet another great review. Sending you loads of wishes for huge success with this one. 🙂
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Friends are never late, Marcia. Thanks for continuing the celebration.
And I’m thrilled to hear you’re taking a chance on Sue’s book.
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Thank you, Marcia!
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My pleasure, Sue. Looking forward to giving the book a try! 🙂
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Female serial killers! What caused females to kill? Revenge? Hatred? Psychopath? So very interesting. It sends a chill down my spine. Great review, Staci!
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Love your reaction! I’m fascinating by female serial killers, too, Miriam. 🙂
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Yes, something must have happened to cause them to act against their supposedly selves. 🙂
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All great questions. You’ll have to read the book to find out!
It is spine-chilling. And so very interesting. Thanks, Miriam.
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You’re welcome, Staci.
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This sounds like a very intriguing read, Staci! Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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It’s engrossing, Jan. A truly compelling account. Well, five accounts.
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Thanks, Jan!
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This is on my TBR list, Staci. It’s getting great reviews and your review only intrigued me more.
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Glad to hear that, Denise. It was gripping from the first page to the last. You won’t be disappointed.
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Yay! Thank you, Denise.
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For some reason, female serial killers seem even more chilling than men. Maybe because we normally consider women to be caregivers and these murderers are the antithesis of this?
Wonderful review, Staci. I’m really looking forward to reading this one!
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You might be right about that, Jacquie. I don’t know what it is, but they do get under your skin.
I think you’ll really enjoy it,
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I haven’t read this one yet, but I do want to. Sue caught me with some of her brilliant extracts floating about, and hey, female serial killers. Need I say more?
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You needn’t. That pretty much summed it up for me when I saw her first start talking about it. You’ll love it, Jess.
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It’s on my list!
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Terrific review, Staci. Sue has a winner for sure.
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She sure does, John. Thanks for weighing in.
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Thank you, John!
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I just finished an ARC of this book and was thoroughly blown away by how good it is. Sue really outdid herself. I was riveted from cover to cover, and can’t recommend it highly enough. Awesome review, Staci, and so well deserved. All the best to Sue!
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Thank you so much, Mae! ❤
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The high praise is well-deserved, indeed. Thanks, Mae.
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I can only figure some people’s brains are wired differently. I shake at the sight of blood and they grin, or worse. Sounds like an impressive tome, Staci!
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Some killers are born evil, that’s true. No amount of love and attention can change a true psychopath. For others, nature and nurture collide into the perfect storm and an innocent child grows into a killing machine. Those gray areas intrigue me most.
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Well said. I want my heart to break only for those who were taught evil. Hmm…
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I can’t say it better than Sue did. It is, indeed, an impressive work. Thanks, Jacqui.
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I’m planning on reading this one. It’s a little down the list, but I know Sue will deliver on her premise.
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Thanks for the confidence, Craig!
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No question about it. She absolutely did.
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I’m even more intrigued after your wonderful review! I know I will love this book ❤️
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Yay! Enjoy, Tessa!
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I can’t say enough good things, Tessa.
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What a nice surprise. Thank you, Staci!!! ❤
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I only wish I’d posted it sooner, Sue.
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Don’t be silly. Your timing couldn’t be more perfect. Btw, your signed copy looks so snuggly. 😉
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It was the perfect way to finish the book. It was a cold, rainy day. Serial killers were everywhere. A blanket seemed like the right choice.
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Hahaha. Definitely the right choice!
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That’s what would be so bizarre while reading it – it’s all true. Nice review, Staci – congrats to Sue!
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Yeah, it’s hard to wrap your head around that. You get sucked into the stories like a novel, then you take a breath and realize it’s NOT a novel and WOW.
Thanks, Teri.
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Thanks, Teri!
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I have this on pre-order and can’t wait to begin reading it! Nice review, Staci!
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You’ll love it. It’s fascinating. I’m probably using that word a lot, but it really is. Thanks, Joan.
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blush You humble me, Staci. ❤
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If you read pdfs, Joan, I can send it to you early if you’d like. Due to the photos and details the ARC pdf doesn’t transfer well to a Kindle. That’s the only problem. Up to you! 🙂
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Oh, I’d love an ARC copy. I’ll message you my email address on Facebook. Will that work?
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Sure! Or email me at sue@suecoletta.com
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Doing it right now. Thanks so much!
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This sounds like a fun read. Thanks for sharing, Staci 🙂
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Not sure I’d call serial killers “fun” (not in public, anyway, lol), but it was a seriously impressive piece of work. I hope she continues writing in this genre.
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I just spat my coffee out!! Tee he hee! 🙂
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You’re in luck! I have a new true crime series planned that’s a spinoff of Pretty Evil New England. I’m concentrating on one female serial killer per book to dive even deeper into her life. Working on the first “lady” now. Plus, although I loved writing this book, at times it wasn’t easy living with 5 female serial killers inside my head. One at a time is plenty. 😉
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I can guarantee you one reader! (And I can’t imagine them taking up mindspace like that. Shudder!)
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Good review. Pretty Evil New England sounds like a fascinating read.
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It really was. Sue did a fantastic job.
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Thanks, Priscilla!
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