Caroline Builta's Reviews > Love Letters to a Serial Killer

Love Letters to a Serial Killer is a dark, funny, and compelling debut thriller by Tasha Coryell that is simply unputdownable. This was truly a wild ride from start to finish.

Our protagonist is Hannah, a late-twenties woman who finds community in an online true-crime forum after being ghosted by her not-boyfriend and feeling left behind by her friends. She begins writing letters to William, an accused serial killer awaiting trial, and as he responds and their correspondence gains steam, becomes obsessed with his case. Hannah's life spirals as she wonders - is her new boyfriend a murderer? Is that even a dealbreaker for her?

This book is laugh out loud funny and not quite as straightforward as it might seem upon first glance. Hannah is a very frustrating character, but while I found myself cringing at her sardonic inner dialogue, it was partially because some of her most self-deprecating thoughts hit a little too close to home. Is there any woman in her twenties who hasn't wondered why she hasn't gotten her happily ever after? Just because our coping mechanisms aren't quite as bad as Hannah's doesn't mean we don't understand how she got there. Coryell's writing is sharp and hilarious, and kept me turning the pages. Obsession is one of my favorite themes in literature and this story handles it so well.

This story is unique, engrossing, and wholly original. The thriller market has honestly become so oversaturated, and I love having a fresh voice take on a totally fresh take. I'm not claiming that this is a perfect book, but it's a very, very fun one. A perfect pool read for those of us who prefer slightly darker books. This is totally bonkers - but in the most fun way imaginable.

Thanks for the advance review copy, Berkley! This book is out 6/25.