Once St. John lets Howatt into his world, her instincts as an investigator and observer are quickly sharpened, as she tags along with him to crime scenes, autopsies, and sobering interactions with grieving family members, shaking her emotions but strengthening her resolve to tell his story. And that story has all the makings of a gritty crime novel, with Howatt capturing nights spent in St. John’s Crown Victoria squad car, booths in Denny’s, and interviewing a slew of colorful witnesses. She never shies from sharing the most brutal details from St. John’s investigative beat, crafting a suspenseful narrative that centers on his arrest of “Freeway Killer” Bill Bonin and successful case against serial killer Bill Bradford.

Howatt’s pressing desire to write is eventually eclipsed by her disarming friendship with St. John, who, throughout, maintains his unshakable belief in her ability to deliver his story. The pair are as mismatched as they are engaging, but their bond is undeniable—lasting through his retirement and until his death, where, at the end, he whispers to Howatt that “you loved homicide and you loved me. That’s all I ever wanted,” sentiment that will soften even the most seasoned true crime fans.

Takeaway: An unlikely friendship sets the stage for a touching true crime memoir.

Comparable Titles: Janet Malcolm’s The Journalist and the Murderer, Michael Finkel’s True Story.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A