New York Times Bestseller!Kevin Ryan is a writer in the much-maligned genre of true crime who desperately needs a devious, over-the-top story for the subject of his next book. How else can he keep his wife Valerie’s roots dyed and keep himself from handing out taco samples at the local supermarket? When Kevin isn’t Googling himself or spot checking his books’ stock at stores around the country or … around the country or online, he’s bringing the hazards (ie, criminals and other crazies) of his job home to wife Val and twin daughters Taylor and Hayley. Kevin is on the hunt for the big one, the story that could break him out of the mid-list and onto the bestseller lists. And then there’s a knock at the door–a story finds him…
A distraught 20-year old Jett Carter shows up at the Ryan house because her mother and sister are imprisoned—perhaps if Kevin writes their story and reveals the truth, he might help exonerate them. The Carters’ tale is the perfect white-trash-attempted-murder-love-triangle that Kevin’s editor will love and his fans will devour. He begins to write “Love You to Death.” Then on a beautiful summer day, the wheels of homicide are set in motion and Kevin’s own story begins to eclipse the crime he is chronicling. When his #1 fan is murdered and another body turns up, the Ryans’ life in Port Gamble and all that Kevin holds dear is in jeopardy. Somewhere in “Love You to Death” and within the “bunch of low rent losers” he’s interviewing is the killer.
PRAISE for Shocking True Story:
Bestselling crime writer Gregg Olsen’s tour-de-force entwines narratives in hypnotic fashion. A uniquely riveting drama, an emotional roller-coaster, SHOCKING TRUE STORY erases all lines between truth and fiction. A spell-binding must-read!
Julia Spencer-Fleming, Edgar finalist and author of I SHALL NOT WANT
A lovingly detailed, hilarious descent into the dark heart of the Real America, Gregg Olsen’s Shocking True Story picks up where the supermarket tabloids and daytime TV leave off. But somehow, his grotesque and driven characters end up beyond laughter: endearing, recognizable, as deadly as a knife in the throat. A funny, frightening, very moving book.
Marc Lecard, author of the acclaimed VINNIE’S HEAD and TINY LITTLE TROUBLES
SHOCKING TRUE STORY is a sly, seductive thriller that grips you from the first page and refuses to let go. Gregg Olsen is a natural born storyteller with a flair for dead-on dialogue and laugh-out-loud satire.
Jason Starr author of THE FOLLOWER
With his keen eye and ear for how real people live today, Gregg Olsen manages to be simultaneously wickedly funny and good-hearted. SHOCKING TRUE STORY is a very witty, cleverly-constructed novel and absolutely delicious read.
Kathrine “KK” Beck, novelist and two-time Edgar nominee
Olsen’s unique voice propels this humorous exploration of some truly quirky lives, deaths and excuses. Gregg’s talent is not only making the reader laugh-out-loud, but hooking us into the story and having us care deeply about the characters as the absurd unfolds.
Toni McGee Causey, author of Bobby Faye’s Very, Very, Very Bad Day
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Sorry, but I couldn’t get past the first few chapters. Way too zany for me. I couldn’t tell the difference between what was happening then, imagined as a script, or something that happened in the past. I gave up.
It’s an entertaining send-up of the true crime genre, with the author’s book woven into his own story. The characters are easy to like (even the criminals – they bring some great entertainment value, even if they seem a little over-the-top at times). If you read it for the humor and have a good sense of the absurd, it’s pretty enjoyable; if you’re …
I enjoyed this book, although I wanted to see the villians get more jail time than they did. These were some seriously scxrewed up people, that I don’t believe jail time would improve. It was well written, although occasionally I got confused a Danny’s mother.
It was ok.
Great book..well read more from this author.
This was o.k. It was entertaining and fairly well written, though it seemed a bit contrived. Ultimately pretty predictable.
Not my favorite by Olsen. I usually really enjoy his writing
This is the first Gregg Olsen book I have not liked. It seemed very uneven and the characters were forgettable.
Did not like.
Just couldn’t get into this book. Only made it part way through and then stopped reading.
Slow start, but eventually pace picked up .
Confusing…but still kept my interest til the end.
Didn’t realize true story until began to read it. For true story aficionados it is a great book
Disappointed
It was not like his usual stroies. It was rather funny in some spots.
Just when I thought I had it figured out, I was wrong. Great read
Wonderful job of describing demented killers.
I loved the plot of this one. a true crime writer involved in a true crime. good read!
Somewhat cliched. I lke reading about areas I know. Kind of a surprise ending. I might try one more of his books.
A departure it seemed from the normal Olsen fare. The cast of charcters at the begining is nothing less than daunting and the constant switchbacks in time were a little confusing. Otherwise not bad.