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Letters to the Purple Satin Killer
Jonas Williker is considered one of the most sadistic serial murderers of the modern era. This epistolary novel explores the aftermath of his arrest and the psychological trauma of those who lived through it. The Pennsylvania native brutalized his way into the zeitgeist during the early part of the new millennium, leaving a trail of corpses across five states before his eventual arrest. All told, Williker was responsible for the rape and murder of 23 women, and is suspected in the deaths of dozens more. His calling card—a torn piece of fabric found on or inside the bodies of his victims—helped popularize his now ubiquitous nickname. The Purple Satin Killer. In the years following his arrest, Jonas Williker received hundreds of letters in prison. Collected here, these letters offer a unique glimpse into a depraved mind through a human lens, including contributions from family, the bereaved, and self-professed “fans.” They represent a chilling portrait of the American psyche, skewering a media obsessed culture where murderers are celebrities to revere. What you learn about the man from these letters will shock you, but not as much as what you learn about yourself.
340 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2024
50 people are currently reading
1725 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
May 10, 2024
So I was perusing Edelweiss the other day when I came across this title. The cover art immediately got my attention causing me to sit up straight to take a closer look. I was so intrigued that I set all other arcs aside and dove in. Am I glad I did. This was absolutely riveting.
What makes this serial killer story stand out from so many others is the format. Never once do we ever here from the titular killer, Jonas Williker, rather, Chaplinsky tells this story through letters. We all know how these infamous murderers gain large followings and I've always been curious as to why some people feel the need to communicate with human monsters. What entices them?
Hybristophilia: is a paraphilia involving sexual interest in and attraction to those who commit crimes. In popular culture, this phenomenon is also known as "Bonnie and Clyde syndrome".
I learned a new word, Yay me!
"Collected here, these letters offer a unique glimpse into a depraved mind through a human lens, including contributions from family, the bereaved, and die-hard fans. They represent a chilling portrait of the American psyche, skewering a media obsessed culture where murderers are revered as celebrities."
Jonas' mother, Judith, makes up a good majority of the letters. That poor woman. How does one accept that the son they have loved and raised turned out to be a rapist and murderer of 23 woman spanning several states? I can't even imagine. Her heartbreak is evident but she's also spinning her own fair share of delusions. She believes her son to be a good man, a smart man, a man incapable of doing the things in which he's been charged.
We also here from his childhood best friend, William Peters. A lifetime sufferer of depression made only worse by the revelation that Jonas is a serial killer.
A psychotherapist, Candace Bennington, a PHD candidate studying hybristophilia. In fear of spoilers I will say that this relationship grows quite toxic.
Ginny Goodwinch, a lonely mother of two that falls in love at first sight the very first time she see's Jonas on the news.
Grant Singer, a former detective that had a run in with Jonas before he was caught. That run-in has haunted him since. He always knew something wasn't quite right.
Lily Anderson, his ex-girlfriend and mother to Anna whom Jonas would help with homework and with rides to and from school.
The one that got away, who remains nameless, as she tries to navigate her life suffering from enormous survivor guilt.
There's also victim family members, a porn star, murder memorabilia collectors, ghost hunters, religious fanatics, plus so many more.
All of these letters come together making this one of the most unique character studies in which we never actually here from the *character* himself. Not only highly unusual but a highly successful endeavor. My hats off to you, Joshua Chaplinsky! 4 stars!
I almost forgot to mention this but Chaplinsky has the best Goodreads profile picture of any author I've come across. I love a person that doesn't take themselves too seriously. 😂
Thank you to Edelweiss and Clash Books for my complimentary copy.
What makes this serial killer story stand out from so many others is the format. Never once do we ever here from the titular killer, Jonas Williker, rather, Chaplinsky tells this story through letters. We all know how these infamous murderers gain large followings and I've always been curious as to why some people feel the need to communicate with human monsters. What entices them?
Hybristophilia: is a paraphilia involving sexual interest in and attraction to those who commit crimes. In popular culture, this phenomenon is also known as "Bonnie and Clyde syndrome".
I learned a new word, Yay me!
"Collected here, these letters offer a unique glimpse into a depraved mind through a human lens, including contributions from family, the bereaved, and die-hard fans. They represent a chilling portrait of the American psyche, skewering a media obsessed culture where murderers are revered as celebrities."
Jonas' mother, Judith, makes up a good majority of the letters. That poor woman. How does one accept that the son they have loved and raised turned out to be a rapist and murderer of 23 woman spanning several states? I can't even imagine. Her heartbreak is evident but she's also spinning her own fair share of delusions. She believes her son to be a good man, a smart man, a man incapable of doing the things in which he's been charged.
We also here from his childhood best friend, William Peters. A lifetime sufferer of depression made only worse by the revelation that Jonas is a serial killer.
A psychotherapist, Candace Bennington, a PHD candidate studying hybristophilia. In fear of spoilers I will say that this relationship grows quite toxic.
Ginny Goodwinch, a lonely mother of two that falls in love at first sight the very first time she see's Jonas on the news.
Grant Singer, a former detective that had a run in with Jonas before he was caught. That run-in has haunted him since. He always knew something wasn't quite right.
Lily Anderson, his ex-girlfriend and mother to Anna whom Jonas would help with homework and with rides to and from school.
The one that got away, who remains nameless, as she tries to navigate her life suffering from enormous survivor guilt.
There's also victim family members, a porn star, murder memorabilia collectors, ghost hunters, religious fanatics, plus so many more.
All of these letters come together making this one of the most unique character studies in which we never actually here from the *character* himself. Not only highly unusual but a highly successful endeavor. My hats off to you, Joshua Chaplinsky! 4 stars!
I almost forgot to mention this but Chaplinsky has the best Goodreads profile picture of any author I've come across. I love a person that doesn't take themselves too seriously. 😂
Thank you to Edelweiss and Clash Books for my complimentary copy.
March 4, 2024
As the author of this book, I loved it!
July 29, 2024
A genuinely interesting and different serial killer novel. It tells the story of a brutal murderer through letters to him in prison written by a variety of people his crimes have touched. I’m not sure it was perfect, but it was certainly compelling, thoughtful and unusual enough to keep me reading.
September 1, 2024
ARC for review. Published August 6, 2024.
This epistolary novel (one of my favorite things, so I was predisposed to liking it) is made up of letters written TO serial killer Jonas Williker as he awaits imposition of his death sentence. It is believed that Williker killed at least twenty-three women, possibly more.
There are some obsessed women here, including a potential jailhouse love, an ex, his mother and a random psycho sex girl. There’s also a dogged male detective and a vast array of others, some amusing. standalone portions of the book are not particularly well written, but the letters are interesting and capture different voice well. I enjoyed the book. Would have gone with a different title.
This epistolary novel (one of my favorite things, so I was predisposed to liking it) is made up of letters written TO serial killer Jonas Williker as he awaits imposition of his death sentence. It is believed that Williker killed at least twenty-three women, possibly more.
There are some obsessed women here, including a potential jailhouse love, an ex, his mother and a random psycho sex girl. There’s also a dogged male detective and a vast array of others, some amusing. standalone portions of the book are not particularly well written, but the letters are interesting and capture different voice well. I enjoyed the book. Would have gone with a different title.
June 16, 2024
4.5 stars
I thought this was such a unique and interesting concept although admittedly I didn’t know if the execution would live up to it. I expected that at some point the ‘gimmick’ would start to wear thin but it was actually the opposite. The more I read the more I wanted to read. I could have read twice as many letters and still wanted more.
While I was excited to read this book it still managed to exceed my expectations. The chronological nature of the letters gave the reading experience the feel of a traditional novel with a beginning, middle and end. The satire shines through an array of very well observed characters all with their own reasons for wanting to correspond with this serial killer. Some of the letters made me laugh out loud while others were disturbing or poignant in some way as we learn more about how Williker’s actions have affected people.
This was an absolutely fascinating and engrossing read that will definitely end up on my favourites of the year.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy.
I thought this was such a unique and interesting concept although admittedly I didn’t know if the execution would live up to it. I expected that at some point the ‘gimmick’ would start to wear thin but it was actually the opposite. The more I read the more I wanted to read. I could have read twice as many letters and still wanted more.
While I was excited to read this book it still managed to exceed my expectations. The chronological nature of the letters gave the reading experience the feel of a traditional novel with a beginning, middle and end. The satire shines through an array of very well observed characters all with their own reasons for wanting to correspond with this serial killer. Some of the letters made me laugh out loud while others were disturbing or poignant in some way as we learn more about how Williker’s actions have affected people.
This was an absolutely fascinating and engrossing read that will definitely end up on my favourites of the year.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy.
January 20, 2025
3.25⭐️
An account of what ensues following the conviction of a fictional serial killer, Jonas Williker. This novel is told in epistolary format via the letters sent to Williker during his imprisonment. It explores his Mother’s deep denial in letters that were unexpectedly quite funny due to her steadfast naïveté. We also see things from the perspective of mentally ill “groupies” who become obsessed with the incarcerated killer, sending him lewd letters and photos. The most impactful of the letters were those from the families of his victims.
I would have enjoyed this story so much more if I’d done a little research prior to reading. Actually, I probably would have skipped it all together. I thought this was loosely based upon an actual person but it immediately became obvious it’s a fictional account. The letters are so overtly over-the-top, particularly the ones from his Mom, that it could never be mistaken for nonfiction.
An account of what ensues following the conviction of a fictional serial killer, Jonas Williker. This novel is told in epistolary format via the letters sent to Williker during his imprisonment. It explores his Mother’s deep denial in letters that were unexpectedly quite funny due to her steadfast naïveté. We also see things from the perspective of mentally ill “groupies” who become obsessed with the incarcerated killer, sending him lewd letters and photos. The most impactful of the letters were those from the families of his victims.
I would have enjoyed this story so much more if I’d done a little research prior to reading. Actually, I probably would have skipped it all together. I thought this was loosely based upon an actual person but it immediately became obvious it’s a fictional account. The letters are so overtly over-the-top, particularly the ones from his Mom, that it could never be mistaken for nonfiction.
September 25, 2024
Original, fucked-up, and surprisingly funny. This was right up my alley.
August 19, 2024
Great idea, but the execution is.... I guess the right word would be anti-climactic?
Beyond a serial killer novel, Letters to the Purple Satin Killer is essentially reverse engineering a character from outside point of views. In this case, from the numerous letters Jonas Williker is getting on death row. It doesn't quite work for two reason: 1) I believe there are too many characters for the tone to be consistent and really dig into Wiliker's psyche. I don't think it was what Chaplinsky wanted exactly here, but it was more about how people define themselves in regards to a memorable character in their lives. Which leads me to my second point 2) A lot of the important characters sounded like the same person. Ginny, Jonas' mom, even investigator Grant Singer write to him with the same type of Southern politeness that didn't add up to me.
Letters to the Purple Satin Killer was conceptually fascinating, but it could've existed with 280 pages instead of 420, I find.
Beyond a serial killer novel, Letters to the Purple Satin Killer is essentially reverse engineering a character from outside point of views. In this case, from the numerous letters Jonas Williker is getting on death row. It doesn't quite work for two reason: 1) I believe there are too many characters for the tone to be consistent and really dig into Wiliker's psyche. I don't think it was what Chaplinsky wanted exactly here, but it was more about how people define themselves in regards to a memorable character in their lives. Which leads me to my second point 2) A lot of the important characters sounded like the same person. Ginny, Jonas' mom, even investigator Grant Singer write to him with the same type of Southern politeness that didn't add up to me.
Letters to the Purple Satin Killer was conceptually fascinating, but it could've existed with 280 pages instead of 420, I find.
March 14, 2024
In Letters to the Purple Satin Killer, we get to know the sadistic serial killer Jonas Williker solely through the letters he received while he was locked away in prision, awaiting the outcome of his trial.
His mother, an old childhood friend, an ex-girlfriend and her daughter, a lonely woman looking for a penpal, the one who got away, fanatics and crazies, a wanna be author, one of the jurors, even a cop who ended up crossing paths with him out in the real world before putting two and two together - they all write him on the regular. And through them, and their letters, we begin to piece together who Jonas was back when, who he is now, or what he could be, to each of them. They love him, they hate him, they want him, they want to hurt him, they are hurt by him, they want to be loved by him...
I wasn't sure how I was going to like it but it didn't take long to realize I was already hooked. Full transparency, for a hot minute I actually wondered if Joshua was writing a fictional account of an actual serial killer. I no-shame googled the name, the states and type of murders, just to make sure I wasn't missing something, it was that good.
And since we're in a no-shame kind of mood, I also don't mind telling you that the last letter... it might have made my eyes a little wet. Damn you Chaplinsky!
It's a really cool addition to the serial killer fiction that's out there and a book that shouldn't fly under anyone's radar. If you're reading this review, you gotta go read this book!
His mother, an old childhood friend, an ex-girlfriend and her daughter, a lonely woman looking for a penpal, the one who got away, fanatics and crazies, a wanna be author, one of the jurors, even a cop who ended up crossing paths with him out in the real world before putting two and two together - they all write him on the regular. And through them, and their letters, we begin to piece together who Jonas was back when, who he is now, or what he could be, to each of them. They love him, they hate him, they want him, they want to hurt him, they are hurt by him, they want to be loved by him...
I wasn't sure how I was going to like it but it didn't take long to realize I was already hooked. Full transparency, for a hot minute I actually wondered if Joshua was writing a fictional account of an actual serial killer. I no-shame googled the name, the states and type of murders, just to make sure I wasn't missing something, it was that good.
And since we're in a no-shame kind of mood, I also don't mind telling you that the last letter... it might have made my eyes a little wet. Damn you Chaplinsky!
It's a really cool addition to the serial killer fiction that's out there and a book that shouldn't fly under anyone's radar. If you're reading this review, you gotta go read this book!
June 8, 2024
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant! Gorgeous cover, original premise, impeccable execution. This book deserves to become a classic! What an achievement.
Joshua Chaplinsky's 'Letters to the Purple Satin Killer' contains a series of letters addressed to a fictional serial killer, Jonas Williker, the infamous "Purple Satin Killer." He killed 23 women (as far as we know), in increasingly awful ways, leaving a purple satin piece of fabric behind as his trademark. Now he's in prison, specifically on death row, and the letters cover the whole period of his incarceration.
His voice, however, is totally absent from the book; we only read the letters sent from people who either know him, want to know him, hate him, love him, need him, or simply want to work for/with him: his mother writes regularly, women confess their love for him, cops condemn him, former girlfriends express surprise, true crime fans approach him with more and more eccentric ideas, paranormal show hosts ask him for tips to connect with the ghosts of his victims - there are letters even from an old childhood friend with severe mental issues, and -shockingly!- letters from "the One Who Got Away" as well.
As the novel progresses, and the letters start including or referring to Jonas' responses, the complexity increases exponentially, and the implied horrors multiply. Gradually, the incredibly dark humor, the subtle ironies, the disturbing implications, they all congeal into a worrisome picture: stories develop between the lines, from the shenanigans of a female super-fan to a copycat killer. Surprises abound; unpredictable twists crop up right up to the ending; in fact, the serial killer's story, Jonas himself even, is the least interesting part of the book: his evil actions seem boring next to their impact! Plus, the intricacy of the stories is stunning, especially when one takes into account that the book flows like water, the writing flawless, deceptively plain, precise, the multiple voices always sounding genuine, the content carefully crafted as non-fiction.
Indeed, I had trouble keeping in mind that this serial killer person is entirely fictional. Chaplinsky has done his work and the book brims with authenticity. Jonas' mother is easily recognizable as that next door neighbor who never realized (or never acknowledged) what's happening right before her eyes; Jonas' true crime fans engage him repeatedly in very realistic ways. Chaplinsky, however, adds an entire pantheon of characters with their own aims and aspirations: Jonas' female number one fan goes to pieces, recovers, and ends up somewhere impossible to see at the beginning; Jonas' former childhood best friend, facing mental health problems, crumbles, and then goes through his own journey of self-discovery; Jonas' one victim that escaped, well, she's creeping towards her own self-revelation.
Although there's very little gore and an almost total lack of graphic scenes, the atmosphere of dread and the feeling of horror throughout the book cannot be understated. Chaplinsky's book is psychological horror at its best, a masterpiece of epistolary fiction. Haunting, bewitching, mesmerizing. But also great entertainment: its dark humor, often bordering on satire (the mom's letters almost always begin with, "Dear Jonas, It's your mother."), will recalibrate your thoughts!
An absolutely amazing and horrifying story!
Joshua Chaplinsky's 'Letters to the Purple Satin Killer' contains a series of letters addressed to a fictional serial killer, Jonas Williker, the infamous "Purple Satin Killer." He killed 23 women (as far as we know), in increasingly awful ways, leaving a purple satin piece of fabric behind as his trademark. Now he's in prison, specifically on death row, and the letters cover the whole period of his incarceration.
His voice, however, is totally absent from the book; we only read the letters sent from people who either know him, want to know him, hate him, love him, need him, or simply want to work for/with him: his mother writes regularly, women confess their love for him, cops condemn him, former girlfriends express surprise, true crime fans approach him with more and more eccentric ideas, paranormal show hosts ask him for tips to connect with the ghosts of his victims - there are letters even from an old childhood friend with severe mental issues, and -shockingly!- letters from "the One Who Got Away" as well.
As the novel progresses, and the letters start including or referring to Jonas' responses, the complexity increases exponentially, and the implied horrors multiply. Gradually, the incredibly dark humor, the subtle ironies, the disturbing implications, they all congeal into a worrisome picture: stories develop between the lines, from the shenanigans of a female super-fan to a copycat killer. Surprises abound; unpredictable twists crop up right up to the ending; in fact, the serial killer's story, Jonas himself even, is the least interesting part of the book: his evil actions seem boring next to their impact! Plus, the intricacy of the stories is stunning, especially when one takes into account that the book flows like water, the writing flawless, deceptively plain, precise, the multiple voices always sounding genuine, the content carefully crafted as non-fiction.
Indeed, I had trouble keeping in mind that this serial killer person is entirely fictional. Chaplinsky has done his work and the book brims with authenticity. Jonas' mother is easily recognizable as that next door neighbor who never realized (or never acknowledged) what's happening right before her eyes; Jonas' true crime fans engage him repeatedly in very realistic ways. Chaplinsky, however, adds an entire pantheon of characters with their own aims and aspirations: Jonas' female number one fan goes to pieces, recovers, and ends up somewhere impossible to see at the beginning; Jonas' former childhood best friend, facing mental health problems, crumbles, and then goes through his own journey of self-discovery; Jonas' one victim that escaped, well, she's creeping towards her own self-revelation.
Although there's very little gore and an almost total lack of graphic scenes, the atmosphere of dread and the feeling of horror throughout the book cannot be understated. Chaplinsky's book is psychological horror at its best, a masterpiece of epistolary fiction. Haunting, bewitching, mesmerizing. But also great entertainment: its dark humor, often bordering on satire (the mom's letters almost always begin with, "Dear Jonas, It's your mother."), will recalibrate your thoughts!
An absolutely amazing and horrifying story!
March 9, 2025
This book is a sharp critique of society’s obsession with serial killers—how the media, social networks, and even true crime fandoms glorify them. We’ve seen it before: conventionally attractive criminals becoming pop culture icons, from Ted Bundy documentaries to felons-turned-models.
What makes this book stand out is its unique storytelling. We never actually hear from the killer himself—instead, his story unfolds through the letters people send him and their responses. This choice adds layers of manipulation, making it clear just how persuasive and dangerous he is.
It also explores how killers captivate the public, how they draw people in, and how society reacts to sensationalized crimes. The letter format might not be for everyone—it took me a minute to adjust—but once I did, it felt immersive and fresh.
The book leans into a true crime vibe, and like many real-life cases, we don’t get direct insight from the killer. Personally, I loved this aspect, but I can see how some readers might find it unsatisfying. It’s also on the longer side, so be prepared for a deep dive.
did-not-finish
November 9, 2025Very cool concept, somewhat disappointing execution. It started out very interesting, but once I got to the actual letters it read more like parody than convincing nonfiction. The ones from the killer’s mother, especially, sounded like comedic monologues from a stage play. I’m setting this one aside for now. It’s not really what I was hoping for. Too silly.
February 16, 2025
Man, I was disappointed by this. I thought the concept was so cool and so original, but it just didn’t do it for me. I felt like I was reading extended car warranty letters that were in someone else's mailbox. I was expecting to learn a little more about the Purple Satin Killer himself, or even more about his crimes... but I felt I was just left hanging.
I do really think it was a unique idea with so much potential... almost like "The Heroine Diaries" by Nikki Sixx... but it just kinda fell flat. I do think people should give it a shot if it intrigues them - I'd be interested in seeing other opinions. It was cool, just too slow and redundant for me unfortunately.
I do really think it was a unique idea with so much potential... almost like "The Heroine Diaries" by Nikki Sixx... but it just kinda fell flat. I do think people should give it a shot if it intrigues them - I'd be interested in seeing other opinions. It was cool, just too slow and redundant for me unfortunately.
June 23, 2024
This was quite the tale by Chaplinsky! Told completely in letters sent to a convicted man, readers learn about the people and events that created the Purple Satin Killer.
Jonas’ crimes were terrible, and the many people writing to him range from those that hate him, love him, and are obsessed with him.
I love these types of tales, with alternate formats being used to tell the stories. Around the halfway mark I did find the momentum slowing down a bit. I think I would’ve preferred a bit of a shorter tale with more impactful letters.
Jonas’ crimes were terrible, and the many people writing to him range from those that hate him, love him, and are obsessed with him.
I love these types of tales, with alternate formats being used to tell the stories. Around the halfway mark I did find the momentum slowing down a bit. I think I would’ve preferred a bit of a shorter tale with more impactful letters.
November 21, 2024
Dear Inmate #66642069,
I am writing to recommend the novel Letters To The Purple Satin Killer. Not only was it weird and creepy, but it was also quite fun/funny. I got a lot of chuckles out of this one, I tell you h'wut. If you would deign to become my prison penpal, I would gladly suggest more books for you to read during incarceration. But start with this one, it kicks ass.
I am writing to recommend the novel Letters To The Purple Satin Killer. Not only was it weird and creepy, but it was also quite fun/funny. I got a lot of chuckles out of this one, I tell you h'wut. If you would deign to become my prison penpal, I would gladly suggest more books for you to read during incarceration. But start with this one, it kicks ass.
October 8, 2025
This book was surprisingly funny and I thought it was very well done. Kudos to the author for the original idea and execution.
March 7, 2024
Notes from a Decaying Millennial:
edition read was a digital ARC provided, graciously, by the author.
This is not a paid review
-
Letters To The Purple Satin Killer , by Joshua Chaplinksy, was yet another book that I jumped into reading knowing little beyond the title and a few hints about the content. The book is comprised of a series of letters, from diverse range of people, over a period of years. Each letter is addressed to the "Purple Satin Killer". Chaplinsky presents to the material in format and structure similar to many of the true crime books that can be found on shelves today. The end result is very effective. It's a book that examines the spectacle of "Celebrity Killers"and the elaborate fictions we invent to move through life.
Fairly early into my read, I was struck with how much LTPSK reminded me of Edgar Lee Masters'Spoon River Anthology. It's not a 1 to 1 comparison by any means. In Spoon River, Masters presents the epitaphs of the departed of the community. The reader, and eternity are their final sounding board for their pain, anger, happiness, frustration. In Chaplinksy's work, all letters are written to Jonas Williker. For those corresponding to Williker he a sounding board, a mirror (albeit darkly), a figure of desire. Whether passively, or in some cases directly, Williker acts as an enabler. The killer as gateway to those taboo aspects of our shadow selves.
Is the Purple Satin Killer human? Is there something greater swirling beyond the narrow confines of the perspective of these letters? Chaplinsky's narrative drives us to ask these questions, to connect the dots. Are the patterns we are preserving in the book truly there? Or are we, like those corresponding with Jonas Williker, merely seeing what we want to see.
Long after you've finished the book, Letters To the Purple Satin Killer will remain with you.
Like a memorable episode of the famous tv series "Unsolved Mysteries", you'll find yourself awake in bed mulling over details and unanswered questions in Chaplinsky's book. I for one hope to see more from Joshua Chaplinsky. I'll go so far as to hope to see more written in the "Purple Satin Killer Universe".
edition read was a digital ARC provided, graciously, by the author.
This is not a paid review
-
Letters To The Purple Satin Killer , by Joshua Chaplinksy, was yet another book that I jumped into reading knowing little beyond the title and a few hints about the content. The book is comprised of a series of letters, from diverse range of people, over a period of years. Each letter is addressed to the "Purple Satin Killer". Chaplinsky presents to the material in format and structure similar to many of the true crime books that can be found on shelves today. The end result is very effective. It's a book that examines the spectacle of "Celebrity Killers"and the elaborate fictions we invent to move through life.
Fairly early into my read, I was struck with how much LTPSK reminded me of Edgar Lee Masters'Spoon River Anthology. It's not a 1 to 1 comparison by any means. In Spoon River, Masters presents the epitaphs of the departed of the community. The reader, and eternity are their final sounding board for their pain, anger, happiness, frustration. In Chaplinksy's work, all letters are written to Jonas Williker. For those corresponding to Williker he a sounding board, a mirror (albeit darkly), a figure of desire. Whether passively, or in some cases directly, Williker acts as an enabler. The killer as gateway to those taboo aspects of our shadow selves.
Is the Purple Satin Killer human? Is there something greater swirling beyond the narrow confines of the perspective of these letters? Chaplinsky's narrative drives us to ask these questions, to connect the dots. Are the patterns we are preserving in the book truly there? Or are we, like those corresponding with Jonas Williker, merely seeing what we want to see.
Long after you've finished the book, Letters To the Purple Satin Killer will remain with you.
Like a memorable episode of the famous tv series "Unsolved Mysteries", you'll find yourself awake in bed mulling over details and unanswered questions in Chaplinsky's book. I for one hope to see more from Joshua Chaplinsky. I'll go so far as to hope to see more written in the "Purple Satin Killer Universe".
October 20, 2024
man. I'd really been looking forward to this but now that I'm done I'm just disappointed. ran on way too long, and genuinely got boring/meandering/unbelievable and unfunny/flat as satire which made me sad. I get what this was going for, and I wish it could have been that. I might have given him another chance, but I'm going to be honest - making up a Black woman to write the killer to complain about "lack of diversity in the killings" went from parody to just plain offensive to me and I won't be reading any more from this author.
August 9, 2024
This excellent novel blew me away with it's true crime vibe and the way it's presented.
Seriously, if you like true crime this book reads like one. To the point where you might find yourself using Google to see if these events are real or fictional.
These are letters written to a notorious serial killer. We never hear from him though. But there's enough information in their correspondence to tell an extremely creepy and unsettling narrative. Even behind bars and facing execution, this killer manipulates and motivates people.
From potential girlfriends and mates, to his mother who is clearly in denial, to fans of his "work", to people who want to exploit his crimes for profit, to religious people trying to save his soul... they all write to him and we get glimpses into their minds as we're reading. And I'm telling you, it's uncomfortable at times because it's so realistic. You don't have to stretch your imagination to see these things happening in real life.
I absolutely loved this book and I highly recommend it.
Seriously, if you like true crime this book reads like one. To the point where you might find yourself using Google to see if these events are real or fictional.
These are letters written to a notorious serial killer. We never hear from him though. But there's enough information in their correspondence to tell an extremely creepy and unsettling narrative. Even behind bars and facing execution, this killer manipulates and motivates people.
From potential girlfriends and mates, to his mother who is clearly in denial, to fans of his "work", to people who want to exploit his crimes for profit, to religious people trying to save his soul... they all write to him and we get glimpses into their minds as we're reading. And I'm telling you, it's uncomfortable at times because it's so realistic. You don't have to stretch your imagination to see these things happening in real life.
I absolutely loved this book and I highly recommend it.
September 29, 2024
Look, this book is not going to be for everyone. But for those it is for, trust me it is absolutely worth the read. I stumbled upon Joshua's tiktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@jaceycockrobin) while scrolling, specifically upon the one where he was searching for his books in Barnes & Noble and signing them with the booksellers. I was intrigued, asked him if he could come to Philadelphia and do this to which he offered to send me a signed copy for an incredibly reasonable price. I knew nothing of the novel but I am glad I reached out because this is a new favorite and I cannot stop thinking about it.
This novel uses an epistolary form to showcase the impact a serial killer has on people through letters received while incarcerated. I have to be honest, I was a little let down when I realized the premise of this book but upon reading the first couple letters the beauty of what Joshua created pulled me in and I was absolutely hooked. There is no first person accountance or even a single line told from the point of view of our serial killer, Jonas Williker, but I know him intimately through the letters he received while in prison. I cannot stress enough how impeccibly crafted this novel is and if you are a fan of the macabre or dark psychological horror I can promise you will love this book.
The dopamine hit each letter delivered kept me up late into the night when I started this, I simply needed to know more about the cast of characters writing Jonas while in prison. You see just how impactful this inmates prior life was on people he both knew such as his mother, lovers, and friends (some he didn't even remember to begin with) and those he never knew before, now obsessed with his actions. I can not explain how real it felt reading these letters and at times I had to stop and think about how crazy our world is, media obsessed and promoting murder to celebrity status.
I cannot state enough how unique and well written this story is. Each character felt tremendously believable and you get a front row seat to their admiration or disdain while he awaits his ultimate demise at the hands of the Indiana State Correctional Facility. I will never forget this read and cannot wait to read more by this truly talented author in the future.
Please be warned, there is A LOT of trigger warnings in this book but I can say nothing felt overly unnecessary and ultimately felt as though we were given the front row seat to exchanges by a real world serial killer.
This novel uses an epistolary form to showcase the impact a serial killer has on people through letters received while incarcerated. I have to be honest, I was a little let down when I realized the premise of this book but upon reading the first couple letters the beauty of what Joshua created pulled me in and I was absolutely hooked. There is no first person accountance or even a single line told from the point of view of our serial killer, Jonas Williker, but I know him intimately through the letters he received while in prison. I cannot stress enough how impeccibly crafted this novel is and if you are a fan of the macabre or dark psychological horror I can promise you will love this book.
The dopamine hit each letter delivered kept me up late into the night when I started this, I simply needed to know more about the cast of characters writing Jonas while in prison. You see just how impactful this inmates prior life was on people he both knew such as his mother, lovers, and friends (some he didn't even remember to begin with) and those he never knew before, now obsessed with his actions. I can not explain how real it felt reading these letters and at times I had to stop and think about how crazy our world is, media obsessed and promoting murder to celebrity status.
I cannot state enough how unique and well written this story is. Each character felt tremendously believable and you get a front row seat to their admiration or disdain while he awaits his ultimate demise at the hands of the Indiana State Correctional Facility. I will never forget this read and cannot wait to read more by this truly talented author in the future.
Please be warned, there is A LOT of trigger warnings in this book but I can say nothing felt overly unnecessary and ultimately felt as though we were given the front row seat to exchanges by a real world serial killer.
July 9, 2024
Letters to the Purple Satin Killer is a phenomenal mix of true crime, horror, mystery, and satire that never leans too far into one genre, and is stronger for it. Fair warning, as the title suggests, it's told entirely in letters to a convicted killer, “to” being the operative word. Chaplinsky delicately threads a narrative through over 400 pages of one-sided letters, keeping readers engaged and provoking thought at every bend. The skill is in how he paints such a vivid picture while also leaving threads dangling to keep the reader's mind spinning and give fans lots to talk about. For that reason alone, this would make an excellent choice for a book club.
It's horrifying without relying on the overly graphic, darkly funny without falling into absurdity, and takes shots at the true crime community, while also understanding the appeal of what draws them in the first place. An easy five stars.
It's horrifying without relying on the overly graphic, darkly funny without falling into absurdity, and takes shots at the true crime community, while also understanding the appeal of what draws them in the first place. An easy five stars.
September 18, 2024
The premise was unique and fun for the first 200 pages, but then the magic of reading letters wore off for me, and it became a chore to finish this book, unfortunately.
April 24, 2024
Can you simultaneously be grateful something is a work of fiction and yet also long for more information?
“Letters to the Purple Satin Killer” is a compendium of letters written to the fictional serial killer Jonas Williker, AKA the Purple Satin Killer. Jonas has been convicted for the brutal murders of 23 women after leaving a torn piece of purple fabric on or inside the bodies of each of his victims. Jonas received hundreds of letters during his short stint in prison on death row, but Chaplinsky states that each letter chosen for this novel was carefully picked for this curated book.
Whether it is the painfully optimistic epistles from his mother Judy, the gradually deranged letters from one of the surviving victims, the loving and then angry letters from his ‘number one fan’ Ginny, the sometimes erotic and always opportunistic letters from true crime fans, or the simple but poignant letters of condemnation, each letter is deeply unsettling.
Although this is not a traditional novel, it still reads like one. Each letter is organized along the fictional timeline so that we can chronologically follow along. For example, we see the developing romance between Jonas and Candance, a young doctorate student, grow from a case study to a sexual encounter, into a marriage, and devolve from parenthood to divorce. Scenes like Jonas’ escape and subsequent events are still vibrant and intense even if they happen ‘off-screen.’
It is an interesting take to write a true crime piece without ever showcasing the criminal. We never hear Jonas speak but he is very much front and center. Chaplinsky writes around Jonas Williker creating a literary silhouette. The world is vibrant around him, but Jonas himself is rather lackluster. It may be embarrassing to admit it, but I had to check several times to make sure that Jonas Williker was fictional. The tone of each letter and the carefully crafted historical timeline made it seem like this was a piece of non-fiction. I wanted to know more about Jonas and the key players of this drama even if it was a quick Wikipedia search.
Chaplinsky has created the ideal for true crime literature in which the focus is deviated from the killer, and focuses instead on the victims, the impact of the crimes, and the vacuum their actions cause. There is something like cognitive dissonance or catharsis within these pages.
Joshua Chaplinsky has created a piece of performative art that leaves the reader unsettled but deeply reflective. “Letters to the Purple Satin Killer” is a book that will haunt me for all the right reasons.
“Letters to the Purple Satin Killer” is a compendium of letters written to the fictional serial killer Jonas Williker, AKA the Purple Satin Killer. Jonas has been convicted for the brutal murders of 23 women after leaving a torn piece of purple fabric on or inside the bodies of each of his victims. Jonas received hundreds of letters during his short stint in prison on death row, but Chaplinsky states that each letter chosen for this novel was carefully picked for this curated book.
Whether it is the painfully optimistic epistles from his mother Judy, the gradually deranged letters from one of the surviving victims, the loving and then angry letters from his ‘number one fan’ Ginny, the sometimes erotic and always opportunistic letters from true crime fans, or the simple but poignant letters of condemnation, each letter is deeply unsettling.
Although this is not a traditional novel, it still reads like one. Each letter is organized along the fictional timeline so that we can chronologically follow along. For example, we see the developing romance between Jonas and Candance, a young doctorate student, grow from a case study to a sexual encounter, into a marriage, and devolve from parenthood to divorce. Scenes like Jonas’ escape and subsequent events are still vibrant and intense even if they happen ‘off-screen.’
It is an interesting take to write a true crime piece without ever showcasing the criminal. We never hear Jonas speak but he is very much front and center. Chaplinsky writes around Jonas Williker creating a literary silhouette. The world is vibrant around him, but Jonas himself is rather lackluster. It may be embarrassing to admit it, but I had to check several times to make sure that Jonas Williker was fictional. The tone of each letter and the carefully crafted historical timeline made it seem like this was a piece of non-fiction. I wanted to know more about Jonas and the key players of this drama even if it was a quick Wikipedia search.
Chaplinsky has created the ideal for true crime literature in which the focus is deviated from the killer, and focuses instead on the victims, the impact of the crimes, and the vacuum their actions cause. There is something like cognitive dissonance or catharsis within these pages.
Joshua Chaplinsky has created a piece of performative art that leaves the reader unsettled but deeply reflective. “Letters to the Purple Satin Killer” is a book that will haunt me for all the right reasons.
October 9, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and CLASH Books for the ARC.
I had to do a fair bit of digging to confirm that this was fiction, so kudos to that. It's a satire of true crime novels, collecting all the letters sent to a prolific (fictional) serial killer. You only see their response to him, never from the killer himself. While you do learn more about the killer in the responses to him, you learn even more about how the world defines themselves against their idea of the killer, which is pretty clever. It's a rogues gallery of characters both intimately connected to him and complete strangers, including: his mother, his childhood best friend, a detective, a lawfirm, the women who fall in love with him, the relatives of the victims, the one that got away, random strangers telling him to kys, true crime memorabilia hawkers, a black metal vocalist, a handful of impressionable young men who want to be like him, among others that I can't recall. Wherein lies the problem, this was very bloated and repetitive after a while. It could have still been funny, dark, and impactful, with maybe a third of the letters cut.
I had to do a fair bit of digging to confirm that this was fiction, so kudos to that. It's a satire of true crime novels, collecting all the letters sent to a prolific (fictional) serial killer. You only see their response to him, never from the killer himself. While you do learn more about the killer in the responses to him, you learn even more about how the world defines themselves against their idea of the killer, which is pretty clever. It's a rogues gallery of characters both intimately connected to him and complete strangers, including: his mother, his childhood best friend, a detective, a lawfirm, the women who fall in love with him, the relatives of the victims, the one that got away, random strangers telling him to kys, true crime memorabilia hawkers, a black metal vocalist, a handful of impressionable young men who want to be like him, among others that I can't recall. Wherein lies the problem, this was very bloated and repetitive after a while. It could have still been funny, dark, and impactful, with maybe a third of the letters cut.
July 20, 2025
So disturbing, but also really clever. Props to the author for such masterful plotting with so many characters. I probs would’ve rated 5 stars but I think it could’ve been at least 50 pages shorter, at 450 pages it felt like it went on a bit long, otherwise, excellent.
March 30, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📝 💜 🩸
If you are into fiction that reads like True Crime, this is the book for you!
Follow the life of Jonas Williker as he waits on his sentencing for being a rather prolific serial killer. This story is told completely through letters written TO Jonas, none being written BY Jonas. The collection of letters comes from a multitude of people affected by Jonas’s actions. He receives letters from his mother, his childhood friend, witnesses, survivors and even groupies. Some of these letters had me laughing, some crying, and others had me flat out wondering what the hell is wrong with people.
Going into this I was a bit unsure as I’d not read a book entirely composed of letters before. I wondered how it would be reading a book that had no input from the main character. The more I read, the more I learned, the more I learned the better Jonas’s outline became. It’s funny how much a series of letters can shape a person’s personality and paint a picture of what that person is like. By the end of this book I felt like I could almost formulate his response letters and found that overall I really enjoyed the story and the writing style!
I was lucky enough to read this book as an ARC. Save the date for August 6th if this is your kind of book!
📝 💜 🩸
If you are into fiction that reads like True Crime, this is the book for you!
Follow the life of Jonas Williker as he waits on his sentencing for being a rather prolific serial killer. This story is told completely through letters written TO Jonas, none being written BY Jonas. The collection of letters comes from a multitude of people affected by Jonas’s actions. He receives letters from his mother, his childhood friend, witnesses, survivors and even groupies. Some of these letters had me laughing, some crying, and others had me flat out wondering what the hell is wrong with people.
Going into this I was a bit unsure as I’d not read a book entirely composed of letters before. I wondered how it would be reading a book that had no input from the main character. The more I read, the more I learned, the more I learned the better Jonas’s outline became. It’s funny how much a series of letters can shape a person’s personality and paint a picture of what that person is like. By the end of this book I felt like I could almost formulate his response letters and found that overall I really enjoyed the story and the writing style!
I was lucky enough to read this book as an ARC. Save the date for August 6th if this is your kind of book!
December 21, 2024
real rating 2.75
this book is so unserious.
it was kind of a massive disappointment because i have to say that the cover? stunning. whoever did it? i truly bow to you because the cover alone was enough to make me really excited about the book. but unfortunately it's not living up.
this book is the most on the nose shit i have ever read. i adore epistolary, and when i saw this, i had such high expectations and i guess that's where i fucked up. i expected more depth out of this than i’ve gotten. truth be told, at least half of the content in this book is shoved there for shock value - and some of it is REALLY WEIRD, by the way, especially written by (presumably) a white cishet author. im not saying the author did them wrong or anything, i guess im not the one to say. im just wondering if some of it was necessary.
so yeah, if you want a book that explores the themes of crime, psychology of killers, the legal system of us and such, find something else to read. if you want a wild fucking experience with the most surface level attempt at making a point but definitely enjoyable at times, you'll have lots of fun getting through this book on your lunch break or something
this book is so unserious.
it was kind of a massive disappointment because i have to say that the cover? stunning. whoever did it? i truly bow to you because the cover alone was enough to make me really excited about the book. but unfortunately it's not living up.
this book is the most on the nose shit i have ever read. i adore epistolary, and when i saw this, i had such high expectations and i guess that's where i fucked up. i expected more depth out of this than i’ve gotten. truth be told, at least half of the content in this book is shoved there for shock value - and some of it is REALLY WEIRD, by the way, especially written by (presumably) a white cishet author. im not saying the author did them wrong or anything, i guess im not the one to say. im just wondering if some of it was necessary.
so yeah, if you want a book that explores the themes of crime, psychology of killers, the legal system of us and such, find something else to read. if you want a wild fucking experience with the most surface level attempt at making a point but definitely enjoyable at times, you'll have lots of fun getting through this book on your lunch break or something
March 6, 2024
A collection of letters written from many different sources including the serial killers' mother, ex-girlfriend, that one that got away, weird fans who develop romantic feelings plus people who hate the serial killer and a possible copy cat killer.
From the letters we are told the story of the murders and major life events. How Jonas Williker The Purple Satin Killer destroyed not only the lives of people he murdered but those around him. From his mother's struggle to believe what her son did and to his best friend at school looking at the past with his rose tinted glasses. Despite Jonas being on death row he is still destroying lives.
This was an unique and interesting take on the serial killer genre. A thought provoking and engaging read.
From the letters we are told the story of the murders and major life events. How Jonas Williker The Purple Satin Killer destroyed not only the lives of people he murdered but those around him. From his mother's struggle to believe what her son did and to his best friend at school looking at the past with his rose tinted glasses. Despite Jonas being on death row he is still destroying lives.
This was an unique and interesting take on the serial killer genre. A thought provoking and engaging read.
August 6, 2024
Wow - this was a ROLLERCOASTER OF A RIDE!
First of all, let me speak to the creativity of this novel. This is written in pure letters of people surrounding a terrifying villain. One might not immediately think this will instill fear in readers. How could we fear something we never directly hear from or know their voice. However, Joshua Chaplinsky bulldozed me with terror in this story!
We never hear directly a word written by the Purple Satin Killer - but somehow that made him much scarier. It's just brilliant writing! The last time I experienced something like this was with "the Sluts."
One of the more overwhelming aspects of this story is the sheer amount of characters. I think in the print version of this story, being able to more easily reference the cast of characters will ensure readers can seamlessly follow along. I did find myself getting a couple characters mixed up at times, but overall the writing established for each unique character made me need to know all of their stories! (I think Stacy was my favorite to be honest)
The methodical way we inched towards the climax of this story had me furiously reading to know which characters were going to make a surprise return and which might not write to the killer again. I enjoyed creeping towards the end and getting to experience the joy of that ending.
It's a wild ride, be sure to check this out!!
First of all, let me speak to the creativity of this novel. This is written in pure letters of people surrounding a terrifying villain. One might not immediately think this will instill fear in readers. How could we fear something we never directly hear from or know their voice. However, Joshua Chaplinsky bulldozed me with terror in this story!
We never hear directly a word written by the Purple Satin Killer - but somehow that made him much scarier. It's just brilliant writing! The last time I experienced something like this was with "the Sluts."
One of the more overwhelming aspects of this story is the sheer amount of characters. I think in the print version of this story, being able to more easily reference the cast of characters will ensure readers can seamlessly follow along. I did find myself getting a couple characters mixed up at times, but overall the writing established for each unique character made me need to know all of their stories! (I think Stacy was my favorite to be honest)
The methodical way we inched towards the climax of this story had me furiously reading to know which characters were going to make a surprise return and which might not write to the killer again. I enjoyed creeping towards the end and getting to experience the joy of that ending.
It's a wild ride, be sure to check this out!!
August 10, 2024
DNF about halfway through. This is a fresh and interesting take on the serial killer novel. There are definitely some ties to Ted Bundy that become apparent as you read. Some of the letters are humorous and some are just sad. I especially loved the upbeat updates from mom. What I had a hard time with was the redundancy of just reading letters over and over. While there is a story through the letters, it was just getting a little bit less interesting as I kept reading. I am definitely in the minority here in my opinions. I applaud the author and what he was doing with this book, it just wasn’t able to sustain my attention for over 300 pages. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc.
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