The Scientist and the Serial Killer is investigative reporter Lise Olsen's true crime retelling of the crimes, eventual murder, and investigations surrounding Dean Corll, aka "the Candyman". Released 1st April 2025 by Penguin Random House, it's 464 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.
This is a gruesome story. One of the most prolific serial killers in history, who preyed on young men (some very young). He paid accomplices to find and procure victims whom he tortured and subsequently murdered. Despite the horrific subject matter, the author does a decent job of remaining factual and avoiding the most prurient details.
The book contains a limited number of black and white archival photos and artist rendered portraits of some of the victims. For the most part, they are entirely bland and unremarkable (thankfully) and entirely respectful to the families of the victims. There are a few exhumation file photos, but again, they're black and white and figleafed except for one generic (unidentified) police file photo of skeletonized human remains.
Although written in layman accessible language, the book is well annotated and the source materials and chapter notes will provide true-crime fans many hours of further reading.
It's a very sad story, fairly well written. Three and a half stars. Definitely one for true-crime fans.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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