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The Kentucky Cannibal: The True Story of an Outlaw, Murderer and Man-Eater
In 1850, following a divorce and a number of encounters with the law, Boone Helm headed ‘Out West’ to chase the Californian Gold Rush with his cousin. When his cousin pulled out at the last minute, Helm was incensed, and brutally stabbed him to death. Helm was detained in an asylum for the mentally disturbed but managed to escape.
Helm continued his journey west with renewed vigour, where he opportunistically killed and consumed the flesh of adversaries and travelling companions, earning him the nickname ‘The Kentucky Cannibal’. After several brutal months in the wilderness, he finally made it California. At a time where violence was the law of the land, Helm’s savage set of skills could finally be recognised and rewarded.
The Kentucky Cannibal is a riveting account of Boone Helm and his bloody exploits across the Wild West. Ryan Green’s entrancing narrative draws the reader into the real-live horror experienced by the victims and has all the elements of a classic thriller.
CAUTION: This book contains descriptive accounts of abuse and violence. If you are especially sensitive to this material, it might be advisable not to read any further
Helm continued his journey west with renewed vigour, where he opportunistically killed and consumed the flesh of adversaries and travelling companions, earning him the nickname ‘The Kentucky Cannibal’. After several brutal months in the wilderness, he finally made it California. At a time where violence was the law of the land, Helm’s savage set of skills could finally be recognised and rewarded.
The Kentucky Cannibal is a riveting account of Boone Helm and his bloody exploits across the Wild West. Ryan Green’s entrancing narrative draws the reader into the real-live horror experienced by the victims and has all the elements of a classic thriller.
CAUTION: This book contains descriptive accounts of abuse and violence. If you are especially sensitive to this material, it might be advisable not to read any further
148 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2020
551 people are currently reading
424 people want to read
About the author
Ryan Green
32 books482 followersRyan Green is a true crime author in his late thirties. He lives in Herefordshire, England with his wife, three children, and two dogs. Outside of writing and spending time with his family, Ryan enjoys walking, reading and windsurfing.
Ryan is fascinated with History, Psychology and True Crime. In 2015, he finally started researching and writing his own work and at the end of the year, he released his first book on Britain's most notorious serial killer, Harold Shipman.
He has since written several books on lesser-known subjects, and taken the unique approach of writing from the killer's perspective. He narrates some of the most chilling scenes you'll encounter in the True Crime genre.
"Ryan Green is an incredible storyteller...he doesn’t just tell the story, he allows you to be part of it." ~Blackbird
Ryan is fascinated with History, Psychology and True Crime. In 2015, he finally started researching and writing his own work and at the end of the year, he released his first book on Britain's most notorious serial killer, Harold Shipman.
He has since written several books on lesser-known subjects, and taken the unique approach of writing from the killer's perspective. He narrates some of the most chilling scenes you'll encounter in the True Crime genre.
"Ryan Green is an incredible storyteller...he doesn’t just tell the story, he allows you to be part of it." ~Blackbird
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
July 18, 2020
Compact, detailed, and fascinating review of the criminal escapades of serial murderer and cannibal Boone Helm. It is a story of complete psychopathy enabled by the essentially lawless frontier among gold seekers of the mid-19th Century.
September 28, 2020
Zane Grey and Louis L’Amour never wrote a western like this. Kentucky Cannibal is written in the form of a novel to tell the tale of the dreaded Boone Helm, a dangerous, murderous outlaw of the old west, circa 1850 to 1864. Boone would rather kill than ever leave a witness to his crimes. He also never gave a second thought to feasting on the flesh of his friends and traveling companions when the need arose. He traveled all through the west and even frightened the good people of Canada with his rampages. This was an excellent book, well written and thoroughly researched. 5 stars!
April 1, 2022
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I've never heard of Boone Helm, and after reading this book, I'm pretty glad that I haven't. This was informative yet gruesome and gave me the shivers.
I've never heard of Boone Helm, and after reading this book, I'm pretty glad that I haven't. This was informative yet gruesome and gave me the shivers.
December 27, 2023
Much better once I started thinking about it as pure fiction instead of true crime
June 17, 2020
Another great true crime tale written by Ryan Green. Boone Helm was born in Kentucky, but carried out a crime spree across the American frontier in the late 1800's. In the days before instant news and media, it is hard to know how many serial killers might have been active in those times.
Mr. Green has a knack of writing about true crime that is different than a lot of books in this genre. He takes the facts and writes them in a way that makes the story come alive instead of just writing dry facts. As you read this book, you can almost hear, feel and smell the story in your mind.
If you are squeamish, this might not be the book for you. But, since it IS titled with the word "Cannibal", you have been warned! Some of the images from this story will stick with me for a long time.
The narrator, Steve White, does a great job and adds a lot to the listener's enjoyment. I hope that Mr. Green continues to write true crime books for a long time for those of us who can't get our fill of them!
Mr. Green has a knack of writing about true crime that is different than a lot of books in this genre. He takes the facts and writes them in a way that makes the story come alive instead of just writing dry facts. As you read this book, you can almost hear, feel and smell the story in your mind.
If you are squeamish, this might not be the book for you. But, since it IS titled with the word "Cannibal", you have been warned! Some of the images from this story will stick with me for a long time.
The narrator, Steve White, does a great job and adds a lot to the listener's enjoyment. I hope that Mr. Green continues to write true crime books for a long time for those of us who can't get our fill of them!
January 17, 2022
The Wild West at its worst...
The Commonwealth of Kentucky has contributed such legendary historical figures as Judge Roy Bean, Jim Bowie, Kit Carson, and Abraham Lincoln. Less venerable figures include contemporary serial killers Donald Harvey and Charles Manson but also a truly contemptible frontiersman, the subject of this book, Boone Helm. The heinous acts of this man earned him an absolutely grisly but tragically appropriate moniker, the Kentucky Cannibal.
The harsh reality of the American frontier, in truth, had little in common with the highly glamorized depictions favored by Hollywood. Hardships and misfortune plagued the settlers who had to be made of grit and sheer determination to survive. The lawless, the vicious, and the greedy were only part of the peril that confronted the intrepid frontiersmen. (Think less Little House on the Prairie and more Bone Tomahawk). It is against this rugged backdrop that a boy grew into a man of extreme violence and perverse proclivities. The life and misdeeds of Boone Helm are thoroughly explored in this book and the author, Ryan Green, provides his customary blend of meticulously researched background with his astute psychological insight to provide an exceptional and riveting account of one of America’s most reprehensible contributions to history. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in true crime, historically accurate westerns, and students of criminology and behavioral sciences.
I was provided with an advance copy of this book by the author but I also chose to purchase a copy and I am voluntarily offering my honest and unbiased review.
The Commonwealth of Kentucky has contributed such legendary historical figures as Judge Roy Bean, Jim Bowie, Kit Carson, and Abraham Lincoln. Less venerable figures include contemporary serial killers Donald Harvey and Charles Manson but also a truly contemptible frontiersman, the subject of this book, Boone Helm. The heinous acts of this man earned him an absolutely grisly but tragically appropriate moniker, the Kentucky Cannibal.
The harsh reality of the American frontier, in truth, had little in common with the highly glamorized depictions favored by Hollywood. Hardships and misfortune plagued the settlers who had to be made of grit and sheer determination to survive. The lawless, the vicious, and the greedy were only part of the peril that confronted the intrepid frontiersmen. (Think less Little House on the Prairie and more Bone Tomahawk). It is against this rugged backdrop that a boy grew into a man of extreme violence and perverse proclivities. The life and misdeeds of Boone Helm are thoroughly explored in this book and the author, Ryan Green, provides his customary blend of meticulously researched background with his astute psychological insight to provide an exceptional and riveting account of one of America’s most reprehensible contributions to history. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in true crime, historically accurate westerns, and students of criminology and behavioral sciences.
I was provided with an advance copy of this book by the author but I also chose to purchase a copy and I am voluntarily offering my honest and unbiased review.
May 28, 2020
This savage is not fit to be called a man.
I was given a free arc of this book in return for an honest review.
It didn't take long for the name Boone Helm to become notorious in the wild west. His savagery seemingly knew no bounds. He was a survivalist, and would kill and eat whatever he could, in order to survive. He didn't even baulk at killing and eating his fellow human beings, if it meant that he could survive for longer, miles away from civilization. His methods were cruel and primitive, showing not one iota of compassion for his victims. The descriptions of the killings are hard to stomach, as they are very detailed and gory. Though they are necessary to provide a complete picture of this savage monster that dared to call himself a man.
I commend the author's talent at getting right inside the heads of his characters and what motivates them. This book highlights that the days of the wild west were not just all about heroes and damsels. There was a darker side.
I really enjoyed reading this book, even if some of the parts dealing with slaughter made my stomach turn.
I was given a free arc of this book in return for an honest review.
It didn't take long for the name Boone Helm to become notorious in the wild west. His savagery seemingly knew no bounds. He was a survivalist, and would kill and eat whatever he could, in order to survive. He didn't even baulk at killing and eating his fellow human beings, if it meant that he could survive for longer, miles away from civilization. His methods were cruel and primitive, showing not one iota of compassion for his victims. The descriptions of the killings are hard to stomach, as they are very detailed and gory. Though they are necessary to provide a complete picture of this savage monster that dared to call himself a man.
I commend the author's talent at getting right inside the heads of his characters and what motivates them. This book highlights that the days of the wild west were not just all about heroes and damsels. There was a darker side.
I really enjoyed reading this book, even if some of the parts dealing with slaughter made my stomach turn.
July 3, 2022
The Kentucky Cannibal: The True Story of an Outlaw, Murderer and Man-Eater was a great true crime read by Ryan Green. In 1850, Boone Helm headed out west after a divorce and a number of encounters with the law. He was chasing the Californian Gold Rush with his cousin. His cousin pulled out at the last moment and Helm was incensed when he stabbed his cousin to death. Helm was detained in an asylum for the mentally disturbed where he managed to escape. He earned the nickname "The Kentucky Cannibal by opportunistically killing and consuming the flesh of adversaries and traveling companions. When he made it to California, violence was the law of the land, where his savage set of skills finally got him recognized and rewarded. I enjoyed reading this true crime story and can't wait to read more by the author.
January 5, 2026
Well this was a fascinating read, having never heard of Boone Helm his story was really quite disturbing as it tells of a man who meets what once called a psychopath, and to be honest it really does suit him. He seems to have no thought or feelings towards anyone but himself, and that seems to apply no matter what your relationship is to him, be it parent, sibling, wife, or child. This may be a relatively short account but Green lays out the story in full, not holding back from any aspect, to show the kind of man Helm was and how he was able to get away with such things for so long. There is a feel of the fictional with some of the telling, especially where Helm was the only survivor but this adds a bit of colour to the telling of what is an already colourful story. Without doubt this was an interesting way to see in the new year.
June 18, 2020
Cannibal of Kentucky
This book just grabs you from the first page and brings you to a satisfying end. Mr Green is the best author, by far, if you want to read about the monsters of society. He tells each story from the criminals perspective. This gives you the true feeling of the horror that made this person go sideways. If you want to know the why and ways someone turns into the person that society despises, Ryan Green is the author you need to tell the true story. I highly recommend this book and author.
This book just grabs you from the first page and brings you to a satisfying end. Mr Green is the best author, by far, if you want to read about the monsters of society. He tells each story from the criminals perspective. This gives you the true feeling of the horror that made this person go sideways. If you want to know the why and ways someone turns into the person that society despises, Ryan Green is the author you need to tell the true story. I highly recommend this book and author.
September 29, 2020
A wild story of old west lore that, at times, seemed quite unbelievable. As with any story of "legend" the full truth can never be known, and we must take the author at his word since he is the one that performed the research and put pen to paper to make it all happen. And if what the author wrote is factual - and not fabricated - than Boone Helm is truly one of history's most violent and sadistic villains.
November 2, 2020
Story gripped me
I was so drawn into this story, so well written.. I couldn't believe how this monster got away so many times, and how people would befriend him even knowing how earlier friend met terrible ends. I was happy to be reading on tablet though. I am not uneducated but the choice of the author to use less common words for things would have interfered with the smooth flow of the story.
I was so drawn into this story, so well written.. I couldn't believe how this monster got away so many times, and how people would befriend him even knowing how earlier friend met terrible ends. I was happy to be reading on tablet though. I am not uneducated but the choice of the author to use less common words for things would have interfered with the smooth flow of the story.
November 24, 2023
Interesting
Intriguing, yet violent true story of Boone Helm. A truly violent man, even from his earliest years....moving From Kentucky to Missouri. Always a loner in his family, and even with the women, as well as townspeople AND the 'law'. He never had any respect for the law. IN HI OPINION, HE WAS THE LAW! ! ! Recommended Reading for those interested in history and violent 'true crime' stories. This book is NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH ! ! !
Intriguing, yet violent true story of Boone Helm. A truly violent man, even from his earliest years....moving From Kentucky to Missouri. Always a loner in his family, and even with the women, as well as townspeople AND the 'law'. He never had any respect for the law. IN HI OPINION, HE WAS THE LAW! ! ! Recommended Reading for those interested in history and violent 'true crime' stories. This book is NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH ! ! !
June 26, 2020
This story is about Boone Helm who I must say was one of the most violent and vile man to live. He lived in violent times but the amount of killings he did was just plain awful. Ryan wrote this book very well and there were parts that were very gruesome but that was the way he was. I wouldn't recommend this book to the faint hearted . This is true western history which is full of savage outlaws.
June 26, 2020
Disturbingly-fantastic and shockingly-twisted! If you like dark, absolutely unpredictable, twisted suspense as much as I do, you can't go wrong with this book!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
August 5, 2021
“Kentucky” serial killer?. Where in this book is there a connection to Kentucky’s?
I didn’t like the numerous misspelled words, and I don’t believe the author followed whatever notes he kept ( if he did), and as I read on , the jumps from place to place became annoying. Again, as referenced in my opening question: where did Kentucky fit In?
All in all, disappointing.
I didn’t like the numerous misspelled words, and I don’t believe the author followed whatever notes he kept ( if he did), and as I read on , the jumps from place to place became annoying. Again, as referenced in my opening question: where did Kentucky fit In?
All in all, disappointing.
January 12, 2023
I was hoping for more out of this book. Understandably it’s set from the 1800’s so the details are washed away in history however, I wished to know so much more about the Wild West. Only to be left in the dark by my questions to be answered by possibly another book about the Wild West or the great adventure west for gold
June 28, 2023
This book was a bit of a chore to get through. It tells the story of this horrible human being named Boone Helm who enjoyed killing people. After he killed them he then ate them. He was abusive to his poor wife who thankfully got a divorce and got away from him. But there were others he met along the way who weren't so lucky. This book made me angry and frustrated at the same time.
July 30, 2020
A western
Green gold the story of aserial.killer in a historical time that was violent. As romanticized as the old West has been the truth about Boone Helms love of killing stands apart from the norm.
Green gold the story of aserial.killer in a historical time that was violent. As romanticized as the old West has been the truth about Boone Helms love of killing stands apart from the norm.
October 10, 2020
Vivid imagination and solid writing
I was expecting more references for a book labeled as the “True Story”, but it was an easy read. It is not unnecessarily graphic, a big plus. I wish I could rate it 3.5 stars. Not quite a 4 but better than 3, which I consider average/passable.
I was expecting more references for a book labeled as the “True Story”, but it was an easy read. It is not unnecessarily graphic, a big plus. I wish I could rate it 3.5 stars. Not quite a 4 but better than 3, which I consider average/passable.
February 24, 2021
Unique for sure!
Prepare to be thrown back in time. The Gross atrocities that happen today assuredly happened way back in the day we just don't think about it. This story gave me a new perspective on the old western front. It wasn't all little house on the prairie.
Prepare to be thrown back in time. The Gross atrocities that happen today assuredly happened way back in the day we just don't think about it. This story gave me a new perspective on the old western front. It wasn't all little house on the prairie.
April 26, 2021
I'd never heard of Boone Helm before in all the books I have read about outlaws in the old west, but this guy tops em all. Described by the author as a serial killer and a cannibal, all other famous outlaws pale in comparison to this monster killing machine.....whewww.
May 12, 2021
Interesting true crime book. I would like to have some idea about where he did his research/got information from, references would've been nice but all in all it was a quick interesting read. Would recommend.
January 18, 2022
This was a riveting read - I really got the feeling I was sitting around a fire, listening to someone tell me a long detailed story about the wild west. Loved this new approach to history and true crime, will definitely be checking out more of Ryan Green's work!
March 20, 2022
Chilling
For true crime and old West fans, this book is a blessing. It tells the story of a terrible man and the evil he can do in a time with little law to stop him. Be ready to cower under your sheets of you read this at night.
For true crime and old West fans, this book is a blessing. It tells the story of a terrible man and the evil he can do in a time with little law to stop him. Be ready to cower under your sheets of you read this at night.
May 27, 2020
☺
This is one of Ryan Green book got to give it 5 out of 5 I have most of his audio books all 100 % I hope there are a lot more
This is one of Ryan Green book got to give it 5 out of 5 I have most of his audio books all 100 % I hope there are a lot more
June 5, 2020
Another great story from Ryan. Expertly told as always. Highly recommended. Can't wait to read the next one.
June 9, 2020
Good read
Pretty good read. It's not the Western horror I expected, but worse knowing it's based on true events. Scary people out there.
Pretty good read. It's not the Western horror I expected, but worse knowing it's based on true events. Scary people out there.
June 13, 2020
Fight - cook - eat - kill - repeat.
June 29, 2020
story was very intriguing as told by Green. I really wish there could have been more to the story but there might not have been any further data available. I am definitely going to look.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews