"Average" True Crime

The crime in this tale - the coldblooded murder of four "low-quality" young adults (drug users/dealers and hoodlums) by two horrendous examples of the worst that humanity has to offer - teases some hints of redeemability.. but I had trouble caring about any of the people involved. M. William Phelps does a nice job of trying to humanize the individuals involved (extensively interviewing grieving family, for example) - and describes incredibly professional investigators (eventually) chasing the perpetrators down - but solving the case required the murderer's heroin/cocaine addict husband voluntarily turning Christine Paolilla in after a drug-addled confession. This is an "NHI" case: "No Humans Involved".
That said, the writing is capable, the exposé is structured logically, and the research is impeccable (interviews, recorded interrogations, and court documents). Unfortunately, occasionally amateurish text plagues the book throughout ("My goodness.. there was a lot of blood" isn't a very professional observation). Beyond being unable to shake me from a "Society Didn't Lose Much" attitude regarding the crime, Phelps regularly took me out of immersion with jarringly immature editorial statements.

Reader Keith Sellon-Wright contributes to my "Meh" evaluation of the book with an uninspired narration, too. Don't get me wrong.. his performance exhibits creditable diction, timbre, cadence, and voice-acting.. but his tone is noticeably disinterested (Sellon-Wright is clearly here to collect a paycheck).

Altogether, I quite enjoyed this 7.5/10-star documentary. As a 'Plus' selection, it was an entertaining way to spend a couple of quiet afternoons.. I'm merely suggesting you spend your Credit on something else should they ask for one.

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