This book fits a very specific niche of enjoying The Last Podcast on the Left and just getting into true crime. Only the former is true for me.

This is basically like an “encyclopedia” for the “most heinous serial killers.” (At least in LPOTL’s viewpoint - frankly amazed at some of the guys they didn’t cover.) This includes folks like Ted Bundy, BTK, and Jeffrey Dahmer.

For someone that’s been into true crime for a while, there wasn’t a lot new that I learned - in a way it was like reading a more entertaining, better-written version of said killers’ wikipedia pages. I personally have gotten more meat out of listening to the actual podcast episodes about the killers they cover in this book, and I think Parks, Kissel & Zebrowski’s humor comes off better in the form of spoken-word. I do however give the guys credit for maintaining their air of complete mockery, and zero glorification of the killers covered.

If you’re a big LPOTL fan, definitely pick this one up. If anything, check it out for the radical artwork. (I’m gonna have to check out a physical copy soon, just to see the illustrations in full color.) If you’ve never listened to the podcast… I think there are more informative ways to learn about these specific serial killers. LPOTL does a great job of covering the basics and adding some lightness to the topic, but not much more than that. ( )

Really enjoy the podcast, but this just didn't work as a book. What makes the pod work is the interplay of the hosts and the delivery of the lines. Trying to replicate that in a book format was a noble effort, but it just wasn't the same. What you have is 9 synopses of killers the show has already covered, with not that funny asides interspersed. Save your money and just listen to the show. ( )

The majority of this book is about serial killers most people know about. I gave this book a 4 because the comedy and picture throughout it is what made this books stand out from other books. I might have given this book a 4.5, but Ben Kissel is a Packers fan so that cost them half a star for me. LOL. Otherwise the book is really in-depth and show that the team did their research. It is a great book for a laugh. ( )

Cleaver concept that works better as a podcast than a book. Stopped half way through. ( )

This is a review for the audio version. It's like listening to the podcast except that it sounds a little awkward with the jokes. During the normal podcast, they play off of each other and it's improvised and therefore more natural. Since this is all pre-recorded separately and read from pre-written jokes, it loses that and sounds stiff. However, it is nice that Marcus isn't interrupted as much, especially mid-sentence. It's a bonus that he has a nice voice. I like that there is also information not included in their episodes on these same serial killers, so it doesn't sound just like a reiteration of the podcast. Think of this book as a companion piece to the world of Last Podcast rather than a separate piece of work. ( )