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Killer in the Family: The Hidden Costs of Loving Someone the World Hates
What’s it
really
like to be related to a murderer? Beyond the shock value of crime dramas and documentaries, there are real people who know this painful reality, yet their voices often go unheard.
What if the son you took to Little League grew up to kill your grandchildren? What if your Nana who served you cookies also served time for dismembering her mother? What if the father who called you princess and kissed your forehead at bedtime was a serial killer?
Could you still love them knowing what they had done?
Author Melissa G. Moore, daughter of Keith Jesperson, “The Happy Face Killer,” has made it her mission to connect with other families who know the heartbreak and shame of learning that one of their own secretly committed monstrous acts. For six years, Moore was invited into the private lives of nine families tied to some of the most infamous, headline-making crimes in the world, and welcomed as a trusted fellow family member who understood their unique kind of grief.
Through deeply personal interviews with spouses, siblings, children, grandchildren, and more—including some individuals who agreed to speak for the first time—this book exposes the shared undercurrent of guilt and betrayal that unites these families. Stories
Chris Watts, family annihilator. Left Parents Ronnie and Cindy/Sister Jamie Keith Jesperson, serial killer. Left Daughter Melissa Moore Diane Downs, monstrous mother. Left Ex-husband Steve Downs Diane Downs, biological mother. Left Daughter Becky Babcock John E. Robinson, the Internet’s first serial killer. Left Kidnapped niece Heather Robinson Drew Peterson, killer cop. Left Son Stephen Peterson Magen Fieramusca, baby stealer/killer. Left Brother Corban Bates Christine Varness, slayer granny. Left Granddaughter Kourtney Nichole Nicole Brown Simpson, crime of the century. Left Sister Denise Brown
Killer in the Family is the intimate, unflinching account of what it’s like to love a killer in the family. Moore and coauthor Michele Matrisciani share these rare, unguarded conversations resulted from asking deeply uncomfortable questions that until now have gone undiscovered—moments where these families opened up exclusively and without reservation about the hidden cost of loving someone the world hates.
What if the son you took to Little League grew up to kill your grandchildren? What if your Nana who served you cookies also served time for dismembering her mother? What if the father who called you princess and kissed your forehead at bedtime was a serial killer?
Could you still love them knowing what they had done?
Author Melissa G. Moore, daughter of Keith Jesperson, “The Happy Face Killer,” has made it her mission to connect with other families who know the heartbreak and shame of learning that one of their own secretly committed monstrous acts. For six years, Moore was invited into the private lives of nine families tied to some of the most infamous, headline-making crimes in the world, and welcomed as a trusted fellow family member who understood their unique kind of grief.
Through deeply personal interviews with spouses, siblings, children, grandchildren, and more—including some individuals who agreed to speak for the first time—this book exposes the shared undercurrent of guilt and betrayal that unites these families. Stories
Chris Watts, family annihilator. Left Parents Ronnie and Cindy/Sister Jamie Keith Jesperson, serial killer. Left Daughter Melissa Moore Diane Downs, monstrous mother. Left Ex-husband Steve Downs Diane Downs, biological mother. Left Daughter Becky Babcock John E. Robinson, the Internet’s first serial killer. Left Kidnapped niece Heather Robinson Drew Peterson, killer cop. Left Son Stephen Peterson Magen Fieramusca, baby stealer/killer. Left Brother Corban Bates Christine Varness, slayer granny. Left Granddaughter Kourtney Nichole Nicole Brown Simpson, crime of the century. Left Sister Denise Brown
Killer in the Family is the intimate, unflinching account of what it’s like to love a killer in the family. Moore and coauthor Michele Matrisciani share these rare, unguarded conversations resulted from asking deeply uncomfortable questions that until now have gone undiscovered—moments where these families opened up exclusively and without reservation about the hidden cost of loving someone the world hates.
- GenresAudiobookNonfictionCrime
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 13, 2026
About the author
Melissa G. Moore
4 books139 followersMelissa Moore is an Emmy-nominated journalist, as well as the Executive Producer and Host of Monster In My Family on LMN network.
She is an expert and speaker on the topics of recovery from trauma, domestic violence, and serial violent crimes.
Moore was raised as Melissa Jesperson, a daughter of the infamous "Happy Face" serial killer, Keith Jesperson. Growing up in a small town in Washington State, she survived the escalating trauma from her home life and the man she called father. Moore previously shared her inspirational story in the memoir, Shattered Silence.
Today, she frequently shares her insight and background with other families and survivors seeking healing from violent crimes.
She is an expert and speaker on the topics of recovery from trauma, domestic violence, and serial violent crimes.
Moore was raised as Melissa Jesperson, a daughter of the infamous "Happy Face" serial killer, Keith Jesperson. Growing up in a small town in Washington State, she survived the escalating trauma from her home life and the man she called father. Moore previously shared her inspirational story in the memoir, Shattered Silence.
Today, she frequently shares her insight and background with other families and survivors seeking healing from violent crimes.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Review of advance copy
This was really interesting. I was in the mood for a true crime podcast but also wanted to listen to a book, and this one ticked both those boxes. It's a look into the families of killers and how it impacts them. How some of the family members continue to still love the family member that is a murderer. And it's all told by the daughter of the Happy Face Killer, the story of which I am familiar with due to true crime documentaries I've watched. I thought this was a really interested twist on true crime stories.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐💫 Too Many Stories, Not Enough Connection
Killer in the Family has a genuinely compelling premise, and that is probably why I found the book more frustrating than bad. Melissa G. Moore, the daughter of the Happy Face Killer, is in a unique position to explore what happens to the families connected to notorious crimes. The individual cases were interesting, and several of them made me want much more than the book was willing to give. I wanted more context about the crimes themselves, more understanding of the circumstances surrounding the people involved, and then more time with those who had to live with the aftermath. Instead, each story seemed to end just as I was beginning to become invested.
The structure also made the book feel increasingly like a podcast in book form. Each case is introduced, explained, discussed, and then replaced by another before much emotional attachment can develop. The focus also begins to broaden in ways that made the central idea feel less precise. Early cases concentrate on relatives of killers who are forced to live with the consequences of someone else’s crimes, while later sections include people such as Nicole Brown Simpson’s sister, which shifts the meaning of who the book is actually about. None of those perspectives are unimportant, but the wider the scope became, the less focused the book felt.
Moore’s own experience was another mixed element for me. Her history clearly gives her empathy and provides the foundation for the project, but there were moments when I felt she inserted herself too heavily into stories that needed more room to belong to the people she was interviewing. I wanted her experience to remain in the background as context rather than repeatedly enter the foreground. There is a much deeper and more emotionally powerful book inside this concept, but I think it would have required fewer cases, more time with each person, and a willingness to let those individual stories breathe.
Thank you to NetGalley, authors Melissa G. Moore and Michelle Mastriciani, and RB Media for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
#KillerintheFamily #NetGalley
Killer in the Family has a genuinely compelling premise, and that is probably why I found the book more frustrating than bad. Melissa G. Moore, the daughter of the Happy Face Killer, is in a unique position to explore what happens to the families connected to notorious crimes. The individual cases were interesting, and several of them made me want much more than the book was willing to give. I wanted more context about the crimes themselves, more understanding of the circumstances surrounding the people involved, and then more time with those who had to live with the aftermath. Instead, each story seemed to end just as I was beginning to become invested.
The structure also made the book feel increasingly like a podcast in book form. Each case is introduced, explained, discussed, and then replaced by another before much emotional attachment can develop. The focus also begins to broaden in ways that made the central idea feel less precise. Early cases concentrate on relatives of killers who are forced to live with the consequences of someone else’s crimes, while later sections include people such as Nicole Brown Simpson’s sister, which shifts the meaning of who the book is actually about. None of those perspectives are unimportant, but the wider the scope became, the less focused the book felt.
Moore’s own experience was another mixed element for me. Her history clearly gives her empathy and provides the foundation for the project, but there were moments when I felt she inserted herself too heavily into stories that needed more room to belong to the people she was interviewing. I wanted her experience to remain in the background as context rather than repeatedly enter the foreground. There is a much deeper and more emotionally powerful book inside this concept, but I think it would have required fewer cases, more time with each person, and a willingness to let those individual stories breathe.
Thank you to NetGalley, authors Melissa G. Moore and Michelle Mastriciani, and RB Media for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
#KillerintheFamily #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a Non-Fiction book because the family of Murders. I read this book by listening to the audiobook, and I really enjoyed this audiobook. I think this is a really well written book, and it was very interesting. I really enjoyed this book, and I did not want to put this book down. I had heard about most of the Killers that were talked about in this book, so seeing a different take on it was interesting. I also think murders should not be so publicized on TV like they are, but I love true crime. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Powerful Premise That Lost Its Consistency
⭐ 3/5
🎧 Audiobook: 4.5/5
Killer in the Family explores a side of true crime that doesn’t receive nearly enough attention: the families of people who commit horrific crimes.
These relatives didn’t commit the crimes, but they may spend the rest of their lives living with the consequences.
That premise immediately interested me.
I appreciated Melissa Moore’s perspective as the daughter of the Happy Face Killer, particularly her determination to establish an identity beyond her father’s actions. Several of the family accounts were genuinely moving and thought-provoking.
The experiences of Diane Downs’s family, Steve Peterson’s efforts to keep his siblings together, and the discussion of generational trauma were especially memorable.
I also appreciated the recognition that families have ordinary memories of people the rest of the world knows primarily through their crimes. Loving someone doesn’t mean excusing what they’ve done, and understanding that complexity was one of the book’s greatest strengths.
Unfortunately, I struggled with the consistency of that message.
In some chapters, I wanted a clearer distinction between what family members believed and what was established about the crimes.
But my biggest frustration came near the end.
The final section shifted toward the perspective of a victim’s family member, which felt disconnected from the book’s central focus on relatives of perpetrators.
I don’t question the importance of that family’s experience. I questioned why it was included in this particular book.
The discussion also felt noticeably different in tone, and the author’s reflections on her career and personal connections left me feeling that the focus had shifted away from the families themselves.
By the end, what had initially felt compassionate and illuminating began to feel more preachy and inconsistently applied.
That’s frustrating because so much of the earlier material genuinely worked for me.
Who Should Read or Listen?
True-crime readers interested in the experiences of perpetrators’ families, inherited stigma, and generational trauma will find some meaningful perspectives here.
I would recommend it with reservations about the consistency of its framing and its concluding section.
The audiobook itself was a strong listening experience for me, earning 4.5/5 independently of my concerns about the content.
⭐ 3/5
🎧 Audiobook: 4.5/5
Killer in the Family explores a side of true crime that doesn’t receive nearly enough attention: the families of people who commit horrific crimes.
These relatives didn’t commit the crimes, but they may spend the rest of their lives living with the consequences.
That premise immediately interested me.
I appreciated Melissa Moore’s perspective as the daughter of the Happy Face Killer, particularly her determination to establish an identity beyond her father’s actions. Several of the family accounts were genuinely moving and thought-provoking.
The experiences of Diane Downs’s family, Steve Peterson’s efforts to keep his siblings together, and the discussion of generational trauma were especially memorable.
I also appreciated the recognition that families have ordinary memories of people the rest of the world knows primarily through their crimes. Loving someone doesn’t mean excusing what they’ve done, and understanding that complexity was one of the book’s greatest strengths.
Unfortunately, I struggled with the consistency of that message.
In some chapters, I wanted a clearer distinction between what family members believed and what was established about the crimes.
But my biggest frustration came near the end.
The final section shifted toward the perspective of a victim’s family member, which felt disconnected from the book’s central focus on relatives of perpetrators.
I don’t question the importance of that family’s experience. I questioned why it was included in this particular book.
The discussion also felt noticeably different in tone, and the author’s reflections on her career and personal connections left me feeling that the focus had shifted away from the families themselves.
By the end, what had initially felt compassionate and illuminating began to feel more preachy and inconsistently applied.
That’s frustrating because so much of the earlier material genuinely worked for me.
Who Should Read or Listen?
True-crime readers interested in the experiences of perpetrators’ families, inherited stigma, and generational trauma will find some meaningful perspectives here.
I would recommend it with reservations about the consistency of its framing and its concluding section.
The audiobook itself was a strong listening experience for me, earning 4.5/5 independently of my concerns about the content.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
📖 Title: Killer in the Family
🖋️ Author: Melissa Moore; Michele Matrisciani
🎙️ Narrator(s): Libby McKnight
📅 Pub Day: October 13, 2026
💌 Publisher: RBmedia
🎧 Format: Audiobook
🏷️ ISBN: 9798899736353
⏱️ Length: 7h 32m
📌 Genre(s): True crime, nonfiction, psychology
⭐ Star Rating: 3
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
This was okay. It was informative, and I liked the idea of exploring what life looks like for the families of people who commit horrible crimes. There's a lot to unpack when it comes to loving someone who has done something unforgivable, and I thought the subject itself was interesting.
My problem was that I expected something a little different. We get a brief discussion of the crime, then spend a much longer time hearing from the family member and learning about their experience. Some of those stories were interesting, but the format started to feel repetitive, and I found myself losing interest as it went on.
I think I wanted more time spent on the crimes themselves and the circumstances surrounding them, rather than moving so quickly. I understand that the families are the focus, but I never felt as invested in the individual cases as I wanted to be.
I still found this informative, well researched, and I can appreciate what the authors were trying to do. It just wasn't quite what I expected, and I ended up finding it a bit boring. Not a bad audiobook, just one that didn't really work for me.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
If you like:
✔️ True crime
✔️ Criminal families
✔️ Family perspectives
✔️ Psychological impact
✔️ Complex family relationships
✔️ Behind the headlines
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Thank you to NetGalley, Melissa G. Moore, and RBmedia for gifting this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
This review is cross‑posted across multiple platforms.
🖋️ Author: Melissa Moore; Michele Matrisciani
🎙️ Narrator(s): Libby McKnight
📅 Pub Day: October 13, 2026
💌 Publisher: RBmedia
🎧 Format: Audiobook
🏷️ ISBN: 9798899736353
⏱️ Length: 7h 32m
📌 Genre(s): True crime, nonfiction, psychology
⭐ Star Rating: 3
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
This was okay. It was informative, and I liked the idea of exploring what life looks like for the families of people who commit horrible crimes. There's a lot to unpack when it comes to loving someone who has done something unforgivable, and I thought the subject itself was interesting.
My problem was that I expected something a little different. We get a brief discussion of the crime, then spend a much longer time hearing from the family member and learning about their experience. Some of those stories were interesting, but the format started to feel repetitive, and I found myself losing interest as it went on.
I think I wanted more time spent on the crimes themselves and the circumstances surrounding them, rather than moving so quickly. I understand that the families are the focus, but I never felt as invested in the individual cases as I wanted to be.
I still found this informative, well researched, and I can appreciate what the authors were trying to do. It just wasn't quite what I expected, and I ended up finding it a bit boring. Not a bad audiobook, just one that didn't really work for me.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
If you like:
✔️ True crime
✔️ Criminal families
✔️ Family perspectives
✔️ Psychological impact
✔️ Complex family relationships
✔️ Behind the headlines
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Thank you to NetGalley, Melissa G. Moore, and RBmedia for gifting this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
This review is cross‑posted across multiple platforms.
October 15, 2026
i thought this was such an interesting addition to the true crime genre. you rarely ever get to hear from the families/loved ones of killers, but their perspective adds so much to the story. my biggest issue with this one was the author inserting their experience into almost every chapter. this would normally be okay but the first chapter was literally dedicated to her experience as the family member of a prolific killer so i would have preferred the other chapters to solely focus on the other family members of killers being profiled. lastly, Ann Rule was catching some strays in this and that makes me want to look into her work and work processes more because if what the author says is true then Rule sounds like a shitty person lol
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and Recorded Books Media for gifting me an audio ARC of this true crime collection by Melissa Moore and Michele Matrisciani, narrated by Libby McKnight. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!
Melissa Moore is the daughter of the notorious Happy Face Killer, and she has made it her life work to investigate and report on true crime stories, but with a focus on the victims. There are 8 cases presented here, with a short synopsis of the crimes, the media coverage, and those left behind. I appreciated the fact that the perpetrators of these crimes were not the focus, instead it was on the family members. It was a dive into how parents, siblings, children came to grips with the fact that they love someone who could commit such heinous crimes. It was a different side to true crime, and I listened to it in one sitting. The narration was well done and kept me listening.
Melissa Moore is the daughter of the notorious Happy Face Killer, and she has made it her life work to investigate and report on true crime stories, but with a focus on the victims. There are 8 cases presented here, with a short synopsis of the crimes, the media coverage, and those left behind. I appreciated the fact that the perpetrators of these crimes were not the focus, instead it was on the family members. It was a dive into how parents, siblings, children came to grips with the fact that they love someone who could commit such heinous crimes. It was a different side to true crime, and I listened to it in one sitting. The narration was well done and kept me listening.
October 15, 2026
What is it really like to love someone the world rightfully hates? Beyond the lurid sensationalism of streaming documentaries and headline-grabbing crime dramas lie the quiet, forgotten voices of the families left picking up the shattered pieces. Co-authored by Melissa G. Moore—who carries the unique, heavy perspective of being the daughter of the "Happy Face Killer"—Killer in the Family delivers a deeply needed shift in the true crime space. Instead of fixating solely on the monsters, it shines a compassionate, necessary light on the secondary victims: the innocent parents, children, and siblings forced to live with the devastating fallout of a loved one's monstrous acts.
Hearing these raw, heart-wrenching stories forces you to confront a painfully complex question: How do you reconcile the gentle parent or child you knew with the person who committed the unforgivable? Moore and co-author Michele Matrisciani masterfully layer hard factual crime histories with the subjective, emotional reality of navigating that unimaginable grief. True crime isn't fiction—it isn't meant to be tidy, consistent, or wrapped up in a neat little bow. It’s real life in all its messy, heartbreaking complexity.
Structurally, the book unfolds like an addictive investigative podcast series. Each case provides a focused snapshot of a notorious crime before turning the floor over to the family members left in its wake, naturally inspiring you to seek out deeper case histories and documentaries afterward. While some readers felt the scope broadened too much when including victim perspectives—like Nicole Brown Simpson’s sister—as a true crime devotee, I loved every single angle. Violence leaves a massive blast radius, ripple-effecting far more innocent lives than society usually acknowledges.
If you take one piece of advice: experience this on audio. The episodic layout is custom-built for an immersive listening experience, and narrator Libby McKnight delivers a phenomenal, deeply empathetic performance that captures the weight of every story. Killer in the Family is a profound, thought-provoking book that will settle in your mind for a long time—an essential listen for anyone who consumes true crime and wants a deeper, more human perspective on the aftermath of tragedy.
Thank you to Melissa Moore, Michele Matrisciani, RBMedia, and NetGalley for the ALC
Hearing these raw, heart-wrenching stories forces you to confront a painfully complex question: How do you reconcile the gentle parent or child you knew with the person who committed the unforgivable? Moore and co-author Michele Matrisciani masterfully layer hard factual crime histories with the subjective, emotional reality of navigating that unimaginable grief. True crime isn't fiction—it isn't meant to be tidy, consistent, or wrapped up in a neat little bow. It’s real life in all its messy, heartbreaking complexity.
Structurally, the book unfolds like an addictive investigative podcast series. Each case provides a focused snapshot of a notorious crime before turning the floor over to the family members left in its wake, naturally inspiring you to seek out deeper case histories and documentaries afterward. While some readers felt the scope broadened too much when including victim perspectives—like Nicole Brown Simpson’s sister—as a true crime devotee, I loved every single angle. Violence leaves a massive blast radius, ripple-effecting far more innocent lives than society usually acknowledges.
If you take one piece of advice: experience this on audio. The episodic layout is custom-built for an immersive listening experience, and narrator Libby McKnight delivers a phenomenal, deeply empathetic performance that captures the weight of every story. Killer in the Family is a profound, thought-provoking book that will settle in your mind for a long time—an essential listen for anyone who consumes true crime and wants a deeper, more human perspective on the aftermath of tragedy.
Thank you to Melissa Moore, Michele Matrisciani, RBMedia, and NetGalley for the ALC
October 13, 2026
Woof.
Maybe my hopes were too high, but from the premise of this book, which had me hooked, I was expecting a *lot* more nuance and emotional connection when it came to the subjects and their families.
There were a couple of moments that acknowledged said nuance (both when it came to the subjects’ role as family to killers and the author’s role profiting off of their stories), but it was very brief and felt shoehorned in by our co/ghost writer.
Weirdly, there was very little actual discussion about the complicated feelings the family members of killers must have, being related to and (presumably) loving a murderer. Instead, the book focused mostly on name-dropping the films, tv shows, and actors that adapted their stories. Its attention was *way* more on the business around true crime than it was on the people themselves, and the opening of the book, which gleefully detailed exactly how the author made an empire out of exploiting her and others’ roles as “secondary victims,” was hard for me to stomach. There’s nothing wrong with reclaiming your agency in your own story, but the emphasis on lavish Hollywood parties and show ratings and accumulating wealth by recruiting other victims MLM-style just really didn’t sit right with me.
More than that, each section was so entirely biased towards that subject’s point of view that any sense of truth or objectivity became completely inconsequential. I understand the subject’s point of view might be skewed, but I would have thought the author might have tempered it a little for the audience. Definitely not. If the subject thought the killer was irredeemable, the killer was irredeemable, and a sl*t to boot. If the subject thought the killer was wrongfully accused, the killer was an innocent angel. Except Ann Rule. Ann Rule was always to blame. (Not sure why the author hates Ann Rule so much, but it was almost comical.)
In any case, thank you to Recorded Books and Libro.fm for my advanced listening copy. I wish I had more positive things to say, but I seem to be in the minority. 2 stars ✨
Maybe my hopes were too high, but from the premise of this book, which had me hooked, I was expecting a *lot* more nuance and emotional connection when it came to the subjects and their families.
There were a couple of moments that acknowledged said nuance (both when it came to the subjects’ role as family to killers and the author’s role profiting off of their stories), but it was very brief and felt shoehorned in by our co/ghost writer.
Weirdly, there was very little actual discussion about the complicated feelings the family members of killers must have, being related to and (presumably) loving a murderer. Instead, the book focused mostly on name-dropping the films, tv shows, and actors that adapted their stories. Its attention was *way* more on the business around true crime than it was on the people themselves, and the opening of the book, which gleefully detailed exactly how the author made an empire out of exploiting her and others’ roles as “secondary victims,” was hard for me to stomach. There’s nothing wrong with reclaiming your agency in your own story, but the emphasis on lavish Hollywood parties and show ratings and accumulating wealth by recruiting other victims MLM-style just really didn’t sit right with me.
More than that, each section was so entirely biased towards that subject’s point of view that any sense of truth or objectivity became completely inconsequential. I understand the subject’s point of view might be skewed, but I would have thought the author might have tempered it a little for the audience. Definitely not. If the subject thought the killer was irredeemable, the killer was irredeemable, and a sl*t to boot. If the subject thought the killer was wrongfully accused, the killer was an innocent angel. Except Ann Rule. Ann Rule was always to blame. (Not sure why the author hates Ann Rule so much, but it was almost comical.)
In any case, thank you to Recorded Books and Libro.fm for my advanced listening copy. I wish I had more positive things to say, but I seem to be in the minority. 2 stars ✨
October 15, 2026
First a thank you to Netgally and RBmedia for the audio ARC.
This is not my typical read but I was absolutely drawn to hearing about how the family or loved ones of killer feel and how they live life knowing someone that has been convicted of these crimes. If you like true crime, this is a great view of the other side. Definitely recommend, but know there is upsetting things about how murders and such happen.
This is not my typical read but I was absolutely drawn to hearing about how the family or loved ones of killer feel and how they live life knowing someone that has been convicted of these crimes. If you like true crime, this is a great view of the other side. Definitely recommend, but know there is upsetting things about how murders and such happen.
October 15, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and RBmedia for an audiobook copy of Killer in the Family.
Melissa G. Moore is the daughter of Keith Jesperson.. Keith Jesperson, the serial killer, The Happy Face Killer. She had to endure the heartbreak and shame of learning that her father, the man who was supposed to always love and protect her, was a killer. But she isn't alone in the weird feeling of connecting a loved one to the monster they were. For years, Moore made it her mission to connect with other families that endured the same, the families behind the true crime cases we know. In Killer in the Family, she interviews spouses, siblings, children, grandchildren, and more-- some of which had never spoken out before.
In this, we hear from:
Ronnie and Cindy Watts, and sister Jamie about family annihilator Chris Watts.
Author Melissa Moore herself about her father, serial killer Keith Jesperson.
Ex-husband Steve Downs and daughter Becky Babcock about murderer Diane Downs.
Heather Robinson, who was kidnapped as a young child after her mother was murdered by serial killer John E. Robinson, who gave her to his family illegally.
Stephen Peterson, son of the Drew Peterson, who killed his third wife Kathleen Savio and is suspected in the disappearance (and probable death) of his fourth wife Stacy Ann Peterson.
Corban Bates, the brother of kidnapper and murderer Magen Fieramusca.
Kourtney Nichole, granddaughter of murderer Christine Varness.
Denise Brown, the sister of murder victim Nicole Brown Simpson.
These families, and many more in the world, live with the knowledge their loved ones committed a heinous crime. And in this, many speak out about the effects and costs of their loved ones being someone the world hates. 4.5/5 stars. These are famous cases, ones I knew. With true crime, we never fully think about or delve into the ones left behind, whose lives were affected by their loved ones monstrous acts. These interviews were very well done, and this was nicely written.
Melissa G. Moore is the daughter of Keith Jesperson.. Keith Jesperson, the serial killer, The Happy Face Killer. She had to endure the heartbreak and shame of learning that her father, the man who was supposed to always love and protect her, was a killer. But she isn't alone in the weird feeling of connecting a loved one to the monster they were. For years, Moore made it her mission to connect with other families that endured the same, the families behind the true crime cases we know. In Killer in the Family, she interviews spouses, siblings, children, grandchildren, and more-- some of which had never spoken out before.
In this, we hear from:
Ronnie and Cindy Watts, and sister Jamie about family annihilator Chris Watts.
Author Melissa Moore herself about her father, serial killer Keith Jesperson.
Ex-husband Steve Downs and daughter Becky Babcock about murderer Diane Downs.
Heather Robinson, who was kidnapped as a young child after her mother was murdered by serial killer John E. Robinson, who gave her to his family illegally.
Stephen Peterson, son of the Drew Peterson, who killed his third wife Kathleen Savio and is suspected in the disappearance (and probable death) of his fourth wife Stacy Ann Peterson.
Corban Bates, the brother of kidnapper and murderer Magen Fieramusca.
Kourtney Nichole, granddaughter of murderer Christine Varness.
Denise Brown, the sister of murder victim Nicole Brown Simpson.
These families, and many more in the world, live with the knowledge their loved ones committed a heinous crime. And in this, many speak out about the effects and costs of their loved ones being someone the world hates. 4.5/5 stars. These are famous cases, ones I knew. With true crime, we never fully think about or delve into the ones left behind, whose lives were affected by their loved ones monstrous acts. These interviews were very well done, and this was nicely written.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
These authors have done an excellent job of sharing the subjective, raw, emotional experiences of secondary victims with a framework of factual information about the crimes committed by their family members.
While it isn’t a murderer, I have a similar experience where an extended family member committed crimes where I was also a victim. That person has been prosecuted and sentenced to prison. I find that the entire “justice” process has been awful as a survivor, but also for all the families of the victims, and especially the ones who are also family members of the criminal.
It was interesting and heart rending to hear these stories of people who have violent offenders in their families, in all different conditions and relations. I think that it’s important to remember that the people left behind in the aftermath of a crime are all impacted, and most of them innocent of the crime. It’s especially awful to think of the impact on parents and children. How does one incorporate these two different versions of a person who is so intimately related as a parent or a child?
I listened to the audiobook through the Libro.fm influencer program specifically because of the overlap with my personal experience. So, it makes sense that I found it incredibly impactful. However, I think anyone would be touched by the stories shared here. The voices of the surviving family are captured so well by Melissa Moore, and it’s so easy to understand their perspectives.
This is a book that will settle in my mind for a while, and one that I think is an important read for anyone who consumes true crime.
While it isn’t a murderer, I have a similar experience where an extended family member committed crimes where I was also a victim. That person has been prosecuted and sentenced to prison. I find that the entire “justice” process has been awful as a survivor, but also for all the families of the victims, and especially the ones who are also family members of the criminal.
It was interesting and heart rending to hear these stories of people who have violent offenders in their families, in all different conditions and relations. I think that it’s important to remember that the people left behind in the aftermath of a crime are all impacted, and most of them innocent of the crime. It’s especially awful to think of the impact on parents and children. How does one incorporate these two different versions of a person who is so intimately related as a parent or a child?
I listened to the audiobook through the Libro.fm influencer program specifically because of the overlap with my personal experience. So, it makes sense that I found it incredibly impactful. However, I think anyone would be touched by the stories shared here. The voices of the surviving family are captured so well by Melissa Moore, and it’s so easy to understand their perspectives.
This is a book that will settle in my mind for a while, and one that I think is an important read for anyone who consumes true crime.
October 11, 2026
This was an exceedingly interiesting premise for a book. What happens when a horrific crime is committed and the person who committed the crime is a loved one of yours. After spending my career working with victims of crime, sometimes the perpetrators family, I had an especially keen interest in this one.
The work is put together tightly. We are presented with 8 murder cases. The cases are briefly highlighted followed by very small vignettes about one or to loved ones of the perpetrator. The flow of the work was good. I read through this in a day.
My issues with the book were simply that I felt there was more time spent highlighting the cases then delving into the loved ones aspect of things. In some of the cases these adjacent victims seemed to be footnotes to the main horror of the cases. There is a rich story to be found in these family members stories it just wasn’t presented here. This would be a great book for those new to the true crime genre. I think it also would be good for those just entering the field of working with victims of crime. It is, of course, a very controversial topic and can get you shouted down in some venues, however, it is an important topic that needs to be further accessed and addressed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this work who granted me an Advanced Readers Copy of the audio of this book. This review covers my thoughts and opinions on this work. As I am sure you’re aware opinions do vary so please give this one a try.
The work is put together tightly. We are presented with 8 murder cases. The cases are briefly highlighted followed by very small vignettes about one or to loved ones of the perpetrator. The flow of the work was good. I read through this in a day.
My issues with the book were simply that I felt there was more time spent highlighting the cases then delving into the loved ones aspect of things. In some of the cases these adjacent victims seemed to be footnotes to the main horror of the cases. There is a rich story to be found in these family members stories it just wasn’t presented here. This would be a great book for those new to the true crime genre. I think it also would be good for those just entering the field of working with victims of crime. It is, of course, a very controversial topic and can get you shouted down in some venues, however, it is an important topic that needs to be further accessed and addressed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this work who granted me an Advanced Readers Copy of the audio of this book. This review covers my thoughts and opinions on this work. As I am sure you’re aware opinions do vary so please give this one a try.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a spectacular book. I wanted it to go on and on and on. I love how honest author Melissa G. Moore was and how much she put herself out there. Our society has become so voyeuristic with crime cases, and it tragically turns victims, their families, and the families of the perpetrators into characters rather than real people. I can only imagine how many more people out there Moore has been in contact with because of her own life story, and how many more people she’s been able to help, who didn’t want to or who will never want to participate in a book like this. I love that she gave a voice and humanized so many situations that have occurred in our society.
The narrator was listed as Libby McKnight. A little bit of a chipper voice at times, for such a deep and dark topic, but still a wonderful narrator.
Thank you NetGalley for the listen. This was a truly fantastic book which I devoured!
The narrator was listed as Libby McKnight. A little bit of a chipper voice at times, for such a deep and dark topic, but still a wonderful narrator.
Thank you NetGalley for the listen. This was a truly fantastic book which I devoured!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed hearing the perspective from the families who had to suffer through having somebody they were very close to become a murderer. I’m sure it’s incredibly hard to draw that line between the person you once knew and the person they ultimately became.
For most of the stories I really felt sympathy for the family members, but when I got to the Chris Watts family, my blood was boiling. I understand that he is somebody’s son, and as a mother that must be difficult. I obviously can’t say what I would do if my son did something like that, but I truly don’t believe that I would be defending him in such a situation, especially if he killed my grandchild. That makes no sense to me. Everybody deals with their trauma differently, and obviously their family is dealing with it in a completely different way than I would.
All that being said, this was a really interesting read and I do highly recommend it.
For most of the stories I really felt sympathy for the family members, but when I got to the Chris Watts family, my blood was boiling. I understand that he is somebody’s son, and as a mother that must be difficult. I obviously can’t say what I would do if my son did something like that, but I truly don’t believe that I would be defending him in such a situation, especially if he killed my grandchild. That makes no sense to me. Everybody deals with their trauma differently, and obviously their family is dealing with it in a completely different way than I would.
All that being said, this was a really interesting read and I do highly recommend it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5/5
This tells the stories of famous killers and their crimes, but through the eyes of their family members. And I felt like that was a really unique perspective for these kinds of stories. You get to see the backlash and outcomes of these crimes in a very different way. How does one deal with sharing the DNA of a serial killer? How do the families cope with the media storm of a murdered loved one? How does your connection to people like this impact how you view yourself and how you live your life?
I would recommend this to any true crime consumer because they have likely heard these cases, but not through this lens. It felt like I have a much more well-rounded image of these situations now.
But the delusional denial of the family of Chris Watts really got on my nerves. That really bothered me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This tells the stories of famous killers and their crimes, but through the eyes of their family members. And I felt like that was a really unique perspective for these kinds of stories. You get to see the backlash and outcomes of these crimes in a very different way. How does one deal with sharing the DNA of a serial killer? How do the families cope with the media storm of a murdered loved one? How does your connection to people like this impact how you view yourself and how you live your life?
I would recommend this to any true crime consumer because they have likely heard these cases, but not through this lens. It felt like I have a much more well-rounded image of these situations now.
But the delusional denial of the family of Chris Watts really got on my nerves. That really bothered me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
October 12, 2026
This is an ALC review for the audiobook copy I received from the publisher via NetGalley.
This is a must-read for anyone who enjoys true crime. The reader must obviously be aware of potential triggers as the book naturally explores many dark and upsetting situations and events. I found it fascinating to see the perspective of the child of a murderer as this typically is not the angle presented to the general public. It really makes you consider how families and victims are impacted by the media frenzy and outrageous headlines surrounding the crimes. What is intriguing and interesting to us is life shattering to them and I think it’s easy for us to forget that they are real people with real feelings. I appreciated how the author lends such insight into the crimes without romanticizing or glorifying them. Very well written.
This is a must-read for anyone who enjoys true crime. The reader must obviously be aware of potential triggers as the book naturally explores many dark and upsetting situations and events. I found it fascinating to see the perspective of the child of a murderer as this typically is not the angle presented to the general public. It really makes you consider how families and victims are impacted by the media frenzy and outrageous headlines surrounding the crimes. What is intriguing and interesting to us is life shattering to them and I think it’s easy for us to forget that they are real people with real feelings. I appreciated how the author lends such insight into the crimes without romanticizing or glorifying them. Very well written.
October 12, 2026
🎧Received this audiobook as an ALC🎧
“The Hidden Costs of Loving Someone the World Hates” - Killer in the Family
This true crime book feels like watching a true crime documentary unfold on the page. What makes it unique is the perspective of the people who were related to and loved the killers, offering a deeper look at the impact of their crimes on those closest to them.
Co-authored by Melissa Moore, daughter of “The Happy Face Killer,” Keith Jesperson, this is an interesting read that explores the hidden struggles of being related to or loving someone the world despises. If you’re a true crime fan, this book is worth adding to your TBR!
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for giving me the opportunity to review this audiobook.
“The Hidden Costs of Loving Someone the World Hates” - Killer in the Family
This true crime book feels like watching a true crime documentary unfold on the page. What makes it unique is the perspective of the people who were related to and loved the killers, offering a deeper look at the impact of their crimes on those closest to them.
Co-authored by Melissa Moore, daughter of “The Happy Face Killer,” Keith Jesperson, this is an interesting read that explores the hidden struggles of being related to or loving someone the world despises. If you’re a true crime fan, this book is worth adding to your TBR!
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for giving me the opportunity to review this audiobook.
October 14, 2026
3.75 / 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐✨
A gripping and deeply personal memoir that offers a rare perspective on true crime. As the daughter of the "Happy Face Killer," Melissa G. Moore delivers a raw, honest look at trauma, guilt, and breaking intergenerational cycles.
Pros:
Unique Voice: Focuses on the emotional fallout for the killer's family rather than just the crimes.
Vulnerable & Fast-Paced: Moves quickly while keeping a deeply personal tone.
Cons:
Slightly Repetitive: Some reflective points loop back on themselves in the middle chapters.
Not a Procedural: Expect a story focused on healing and identity rather than forensic details.
Bottom Line: A solid, eye-opening read for fans of true crime memoirs focused on resilience and survival. Recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC.
A gripping and deeply personal memoir that offers a rare perspective on true crime. As the daughter of the "Happy Face Killer," Melissa G. Moore delivers a raw, honest look at trauma, guilt, and breaking intergenerational cycles.
Pros:
Unique Voice: Focuses on the emotional fallout for the killer's family rather than just the crimes.
Vulnerable & Fast-Paced: Moves quickly while keeping a deeply personal tone.
Cons:
Slightly Repetitive: Some reflective points loop back on themselves in the middle chapters.
Not a Procedural: Expect a story focused on healing and identity rather than forensic details.
Bottom Line: A solid, eye-opening read for fans of true crime memoirs focused on resilience and survival. Recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC.
October 14, 2026
Thank you NetGalley & RBMedia for the ARC!
This book has a perspective that you don’t really ever get on true crime podcasts and docuseries. The author handles each story with care and compassion, no doubt helped by her own experience in the shoes of the perpetrator’s family, and captures each family’s stories without sensationalizing the content. I was a little worried going into this listen that it would be click-baitey and overly focused on the murderers but was very quickly proven wrong. If you’re a fan of true crime, this is a great read and a great listen of a perspective oft forgotten or overlooked.
This book has a perspective that you don’t really ever get on true crime podcasts and docuseries. The author handles each story with care and compassion, no doubt helped by her own experience in the shoes of the perpetrator’s family, and captures each family’s stories without sensationalizing the content. I was a little worried going into this listen that it would be click-baitey and overly focused on the murderers but was very quickly proven wrong. If you’re a fan of true crime, this is a great read and a great listen of a perspective oft forgotten or overlooked.
October 14, 2026
This is a really interesting read. I was not familiar with the Happy Face murderer so I did not know the author's background or history of work.
True crime fans will enjoy this unique perspective on the genre. Hopefully it helps people realize that these cases aren't just for our entertainment. People have become so desensitized to all this and it can be really disrespectful.
The case studies were mostly ones I had not heard of. The narrator, Libby McKnight, has a very clear voice that shows emotion when needed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Melissa Moore, Michele Matrisciani, and RBMedia for the opportunity to read Killer in the Family. I have written this review voluntarily and honestly.
True crime fans will enjoy this unique perspective on the genre. Hopefully it helps people realize that these cases aren't just for our entertainment. People have become so desensitized to all this and it can be really disrespectful.
The case studies were mostly ones I had not heard of. The narrator, Libby McKnight, has a very clear voice that shows emotion when needed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Melissa Moore, Michele Matrisciani, and RBMedia for the opportunity to read Killer in the Family. I have written this review voluntarily and honestly.
October 16, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, RBMedia & Melissa Moore for allowing me to listen to this advanced copy of this audiobook.
As a fan of true crime I was so excited to read this. It was interesting hearing from the people who killers left behind however I felt there were too many stories in the book. I feel like it would have been better with less stories with more information. It felt more like a summary for each one.
It was interesting however it would have been better to separate them into a series.
The narrator was very good.
As a fan of true crime I was so excited to read this. It was interesting hearing from the people who killers left behind however I felt there were too many stories in the book. I feel like it would have been better with less stories with more information. It felt more like a summary for each one.
It was interesting however it would have been better to separate them into a series.
The narrator was very good.
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October 9, 2026I really enjoyed Killer in the Family. This was such a unique perspective and point of view and I love hearing the details of the families of these true crimes. It really makes you stop and think of how everyone was affected during and after these crimes were committed. Melissa and Michele did an amazing job with this one, and it makes me want to go read Melissa's other books. The narration was very well done and I love that it was the author who did the narrating!
October 16, 2026
Thank you netgalley and Melissa G. Moore for the opportunity to experience this ALC. This story touches on the side of true crime that doesn't receive the amount of attention it deserves. Relatives and friends are the true victims spending the rest of their lives living with the consequences of the killers crime. Melissa did a great job exposing the details of life after crime.
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October 12, 2026This was actually really great for providing insight and a new prospective
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