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God’s Not Here, Only Devils: Revelations from the Toolbox Killers
The District Attorney began his opening statement with, "If you don't know what hell is like, you're about to find out."
In 1979, Lawrence Bittaker and Roy Norris went on a rape and killing rampage. The pliers, screwdrivers, hammers, sledgehammers, and ice picks they used on their victims became their calling card and moniker: The Toolbox Killers. They were soon apprehended and convicted for their atrocities, but for decades, refused to reveal the location of their victims' bodies. More than two decades later, criminologist Laura Brand had the opportunity to interview this sadistic pair as they sat behind bars, probing the depths of their depravity right up to the days of their deaths. Over this relentless six-year period, Bittaker finally gave Brand what he had withheld from law enforcement and families alike: the precise locations of two victims' remains. Brand's investigation tore open sealed police reports, court transcripts, and witness accounts, and unearthed brutal and shocking new findings: undisclosed victims, forgotten evidence, and chilling new insights that resurrected this nightmare in unimaginable ways.
God's Not Here, Only Devils is told through a powerful blend of narratives: the voices of Bittaker himself, his victims, traumatized witnesses, the tenacious lead detective, and the hardened District Attorney. This book pulls the reader into a visceral retelling of the horrors that unfolded and the legacy of terror the Toolbox Killers left behind.
In 1979, Lawrence Bittaker and Roy Norris went on a rape and killing rampage. The pliers, screwdrivers, hammers, sledgehammers, and ice picks they used on their victims became their calling card and moniker: The Toolbox Killers. They were soon apprehended and convicted for their atrocities, but for decades, refused to reveal the location of their victims' bodies. More than two decades later, criminologist Laura Brand had the opportunity to interview this sadistic pair as they sat behind bars, probing the depths of their depravity right up to the days of their deaths. Over this relentless six-year period, Bittaker finally gave Brand what he had withheld from law enforcement and families alike: the precise locations of two victims' remains. Brand's investigation tore open sealed police reports, court transcripts, and witness accounts, and unearthed brutal and shocking new findings: undisclosed victims, forgotten evidence, and chilling new insights that resurrected this nightmare in unimaginable ways.
God's Not Here, Only Devils is told through a powerful blend of narratives: the voices of Bittaker himself, his victims, traumatized witnesses, the tenacious lead detective, and the hardened District Attorney. This book pulls the reader into a visceral retelling of the horrors that unfolded and the legacy of terror the Toolbox Killers left behind.
- GenresNonfictionTrue Crime
256 pages, Hardcover
First published June 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A searing account of grizzly murders and the inner workings of a killer’s mind forms the basis for this true account the 1979 Tool Box Killers.
Lawrence Bittaker along with his partner, Roy Norris, tortured, raped and murdered five teenage girls between the ages of 13 and 18. They met in California Men’s Colony in San Obispo and began to plan their crimes. What began according to Bittaker as “bullshit” talk slowly morphed into reality upon release. A phenomenon known as “Folie á faux” came from 19th C French psychologist Charles Lasegue and Jules Falret to describe a rare psychological condition in which two people share delusional beliefs or fantasies. But more than that there is a dominant who imposes the delusions on the submissive partner. Once however the delusion is shared it cements the serial killer partnership. In addition these killers have distinct traits like antisocial or sadistic personality disorders.
The book goes on to break apart the personalities of serial killers. Exploring other psychological aspects of human nature, the author exposes patterns and aspects of human psychology that possibly predispose certain individuals to serial homicide. Additionally serial killers are able to appears “appropriate” in social settings because in certain settings they can show empathy such as with family members. I found the chapters that explored these elements extremely interesting and helpful in understanding this kind of human.
The book also breaks down the cunning aspects of planning the murder - insane men acting sanely - and the mechanical and emotionless explanations of the events in the van (where the torture - using tools - and murders occurred) - described as if explaining dissembling a car engine. These are particularly scary moments in the book because they are said as if this is”normal.”
Interspersed in the book is the author’s story of what lead her to become a criminologist. I’m not sure how much this added to the book but given Brand got a sadist to share his crimes (they forged a connection where he named her are executor of his will), I’m giving that a pass. Plus as I write this I think Ed her story relieved some of the darkness of this story.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Academic for granting me access to this ARC.
Lawrence Bittaker along with his partner, Roy Norris, tortured, raped and murdered five teenage girls between the ages of 13 and 18. They met in California Men’s Colony in San Obispo and began to plan their crimes. What began according to Bittaker as “bullshit” talk slowly morphed into reality upon release. A phenomenon known as “Folie á faux” came from 19th C French psychologist Charles Lasegue and Jules Falret to describe a rare psychological condition in which two people share delusional beliefs or fantasies. But more than that there is a dominant who imposes the delusions on the submissive partner. Once however the delusion is shared it cements the serial killer partnership. In addition these killers have distinct traits like antisocial or sadistic personality disorders.
The book goes on to break apart the personalities of serial killers. Exploring other psychological aspects of human nature, the author exposes patterns and aspects of human psychology that possibly predispose certain individuals to serial homicide. Additionally serial killers are able to appears “appropriate” in social settings because in certain settings they can show empathy such as with family members. I found the chapters that explored these elements extremely interesting and helpful in understanding this kind of human.
The book also breaks down the cunning aspects of planning the murder - insane men acting sanely - and the mechanical and emotionless explanations of the events in the van (where the torture - using tools - and murders occurred) - described as if explaining dissembling a car engine. These are particularly scary moments in the book because they are said as if this is”normal.”
Interspersed in the book is the author’s story of what lead her to become a criminologist. I’m not sure how much this added to the book but given Brand got a sadist to share his crimes (they forged a connection where he named her are executor of his will), I’m giving that a pass. Plus as I write this I think Ed her story relieved some of the darkness of this story.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Academic for granting me access to this ARC.
April 2, 2026
ARC Read: NetGallery & Bloomsbury Academic
Pub Date: June 25th
God’s Not Here, Only Devils is a nonfiction ARC I received about The Toolbox Killers.
It wasn’t quite what I expected. Instead of diving deeply into Lawrence Bittaker and Roy Norris killing sprees in their van. The book focuses more on criminologist Laura Brand and her earlier life, being very descriptive with wording and adding fun facts about serial killers ect.
Pub Date: June 25th
God’s Not Here, Only Devils is a nonfiction ARC I received about The Toolbox Killers.
It wasn’t quite what I expected. Instead of diving deeply into Lawrence Bittaker and Roy Norris killing sprees in their van. The book focuses more on criminologist Laura Brand and her earlier life, being very descriptive with wording and adding fun facts about serial killers ect.
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April 18, 2026Review coming soon.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews