Devil in the Darkness: The True Story of Serial Killer Israel Keyes

by J.T. Hunter

He was a hard-working small business owner, an Army veteran, an attentive lover, and a doting father. But he was also something more, something sinister. A master of deception, he was a rapist, arsonist, bank robber, and a new breed of serial killer, one who studied other killers to perfect his craft. In multiple states, he methodically buried kill-kits containing his tools of murder years before returning and putting them to use. Viewing the entire country as his hunting grounds, he often flew to distant locations where he rented cars and randomly selected his victims. Such were the methods and madness of serial killer Israel Keyes. Such were the demands of the Devil in the Darkness.




This book is the first detailed account ever published about Israel Keyes. It contains exclusive personal information about this frightening serial killer gleaned from extensive interviews with his former fiancee.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Serial Killer, Biography, Audiobook

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 28, 2016

About the author

J.T. Hunter is an attorney with over fourteen years of experience practicing law, including criminal law and appeals, and he has significant training in criminal investigation techniques. He is also a college professor in Florida where his teaching interests focus on the intersection of criminal psychology, law, and literature.

JT's bestselling true crime books include:

Devil in The Darkness: True Story of Serial Killer ISRAEL KEYES
The Country Boy Killer: The True Story of Serial Killer Cody Legebokoff
In Colder Blood: True Story of the Walker Family Murder as depicted in Truman Capote’s, In Cold Blood
Deadly Deception: True Story of Tampa Serial Killer, Bobby Joe Long
Death Row Romeo: The True Story of Serial Killer Oscar Ray Bolin
The Vampire Next Door: True Story of the Vampire Rapist and Serial Killer

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book written about these crimes. The author helped Maureen Callahan when she was writing her book American Predator years later. Callahan's book is much better written. It has flow. Whenever I come across a non-fiction book in a topic that's interesting, it's prudent to read more than one author's perspective. This account of events included more information from the perpetrator's family. I didn't care however for the author's repeated victim blaming. At the end he backed off on that a bit. If you're interested in true crime and/or sociopathic psychopathology it's worth the read.

[Laney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book doesn't really add anything to the newer book by Maureen Callahan: American Predator: The Hunt for the Most Meticulous Serial Killer of the 21st Century, which is better written, much better researched, less sensationalizing, and all around a better read. Don't bother with this book. Read Callahan's instead.

[♥ Marlene♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

As some of you know I am a member of 2 true crime clubs on Facebook. One of them (My favourite) is True Crime keeping it Real. Anyway 2 days ago on my time lime there it showed a story about a girl Samantha Koenig who apparently had been abducted from a coffee stand where she was working as a barista. (I had never heard of the word barista and had to look it up)
So I clicked on the link and there was a video of her being abducted and it made me feel so sad. Probably it struck a chord because I have a daughter that age.

Yesterday I had finished reading one kindle Unlimited book and did not enjoy another one so I checked amazon and came upon this book.

To be honest when I noticed the author's name I immediately thought it would be a short book. Amazon sells a lot of true crime shorties and this author has written and co written a lot and those books are often in the kindle unlimited section.
Now I am not a big fan of those books but when I noticed this was a full book plus it had so many good reviews (Not that that matters much on amazon) I decided to give it a try.

OMG It is so sad.


Sad but also very well written. But going back to the beginning of my story. I was shocked to realise this book was about the case I had looked up the day before! I had even checked if there were any books out but did not get any results. What a coincidence.
Back to the book:
I have to say maybe I am so intrigued and "enjoying" the read because I hardly knew anything about this case before i read it. Because of that I could not stop reading. Stayed in bed way too long just to read what was going to happen and when I finally managed to get out I kept on reading downstairs. (Have read 43% at the moment.)

Now I have a question for someone who has read the book. Spoiler coming up:

In the book the author told how the killer strangled Samantha to death while she lay face down on the floor. But later he comes back after a week or so to the body and the author is talking about lots of blood loss because of a knife wound? So I read the part of where he killed her again but no mention at all of her being stabbed?

Update Finished yesterday May 11 2016.
This part concludes spoilers!

What angers me is how the cops and the FBI treated and this is not exception Keyes as if he was their mate. Letting him keep the control.

Keyes was so worried suddenly about his daughter knowing her dad was a serial killer. Why did not one of them tell him "hey you should have thought about this before killing people" No they let him keep in control and blame them for hm being in the papers.

Yes I understand they wanted to know the names of the other victims but they failed big time.

This guy was such a coward and I am angry that he managed to get away with it. That being said killing himself that way is that a cowards way out? In one way yes of course. his way he does not have to face his accusers but killing yourself in that matter you must be determined.

4.5

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The lead detective, George Murtie has a varied and fascinating life story, but Israel Keyes, an Army veteran, loving husband and father, and small business owner turned serial killer is the star of the performance.

Information was cultivated from reports, videos, court documents, interviews, newspapers and Facebook postings..

We will be traveling from Vermont to Alaska, with some stops in between.

Samantha Koenig…bad luck and what ifs would plague me if I were her loving father. Israel Keyes didn’t choose her specifically, he chose the place. She just happened to be there.

IF his story is true, she was compliant, having many opportunities to try and escape, but Israel has convinced her not to. I always wonder how I would act and I can only hope it would be immediate and violent, a fight to the death, seeing he (?) would probably kill me anyway, might as well fight and go down on my own terms.

The more I read, the more I think I have seen this on TV.

Sounds to me like he was exactly what he wanted to be, the guy next door….but, no emotions. Everything he did was for fun. He played the authorities and took his own way out.

Devil in the Darkness by J T Hunter is written in an easy to read format. There is some repetition, but that is to be expected when gathering information from people and places at different times, being true to the facts as J T knows them.

All in all, a well written, grimly told story of evil that walks the earth in the guise of a man.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Devil in the Darkness by J T Hunter.

See more at fundinmental

[berthamason · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The podcast 'True Crime Bullshit' is a better account of Keyes's life and crimes.

[Bettye McKee · Rating 5 out of 5]

He had everyone fooled

Israel Keyes was a highly organized, intelligent, meticulous and depraved serial killer who lived in Anchorage, Alaska. He was a meticulous planner and hid "kill kits" in various locations, sometimes years before he intended to use them.

Keyes went to great lengths to ensure that his crimes were random, anonymous, and had no links to him. For instance, he flew from Anchorage to Chicago, rented a car and drove to Vermont where he murdered two strangers, then drove to Indiana to attend a family wedding, and drove back to Chicago before flying back to Anchorage.

This is an interesting case. Keyes was unlike any other serial killer before him because he selected his victims completely at random and left behind no clues or signature or identifiable pattern. He was caught because he used a victim's debit card to withdraw from an ATM.

The number of his victims is unknown. He confessed to three murders and hinted at another five without identifying them, but also hinted that there may be more.

Mr Hunter is a good writer, producing well-researched and well-organized facts in a very readable format.

[britt_brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one about Israel Keyes. It’s a weird need to be a pseudo expert sometimes, not this would ever be a normal topic of conversation. I’ve had enough now. This guy was the worst kind of monster. Thankful he was caught before inflicting even more suffering and death. That he had a daughter blows my mind. Even being a father couldn’t save his disgusting deviant behavior.

[Nemo Nemo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lacks insight.

I have to agree with other commentators here that his book proved to be devoid of any insight that had not already been revealed in relation to the criminal.

I read true crime because I want to understand the motives and mind set of the criminal so I can better protect me and mine should we be unfortunate enough to fall foul of such a monster as Keyes. I do this because I want to feel confident that my response would be measured in meeting the threat posed.

I don't feel that my personal requirements were met in anyway by through the reading of this book. As one other reader correctly observed it was written as though in magazine format.

It felt as though the writer had extorted the reader and exploited the victims and their families for financial gain.

Nothing to see here, move along now. 2 stars - Disappointing.

[Leilani’s Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was fantastically chilling.
I listened to the audio from audible, and sadly, that brought my rating down.
The narration was abysmal. You could constantly hear him swallowing, and his speech pattern had the most horrible pauses in the middle of sentences and thoughts.
Who ever directed this production did a HUGE disservice to the author’s work.

[Bookschatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devil In The Darkness is the third True Crime work published by J.T. Hunter, who has extensive experience in criminal law, investigative techniques, and "is also a college professor in Florida where his teaching interests focus on the intersection of criminal psychology, law, and literature". This is the second book I have read by this author, on the back of his latest release, 'Tortured With Love', and it didn't disappoint; however, this story is a lot more focused on the feelings of the people involved rather than just on the killers and their deeds.

Once again the author takes us through the events in as much of a chronological and logical order as it is possible given the events presented, based on extensive research which includes official court filings, FBI and local police interviews and evidence, as well as interviews carried out by the author with close family and friends of the known victims and of Israel Keyes, and with law enforcement officers, including Detective George Murtie from the Essex Police Department (a full list of sources is given).

The third person narrative is tight, and concise, whilst at the same time providing all relevant facts and insights into the investigations, the crimes, and how they affected all parties directly involved, as well as the local communities. At times this appears odd, as we are presented with intimate thoughts of the victims whilst the crimes were being committed - how could the author possibly know those with any degree of accuracy? It is my understanding that these insights come from the direct interviews the author had with people who were extremely close to the victims, such as Sam Koenig's father, her boyfriends, colleagues, CCTV footage, and statements made by the killer, which allowed the author to identify with the victims and their likely behaviour.

All characters are vividly brought to life and the reader is pulled into their world, sharing their emotions and frustrations (and frustration is what the second part of the book will bring). Hunter does not shield the reader from the brutality of the crimes, but at the same time he handles all involved with respect and dignity, particularly the victims and their relatives, without getting dragged into gossip or into non-relevant aspects of their personal lives (this comment will make more sense once I publish my review of a more recent and hyped book which deals with the same killer). Whilst presenting oddities and curiosities, he is never judgemental.

Various timelines intersect as we follow the disappearance of a couple in June 2011 in Essex, Vermont, then the abduction of Samantha Koenig in Anchorage, Alaska, on 1 February 2012, followed by the hunt for her kidnapper, his apprehension and incarceration. This is interspersed with the killer's own personal backstory, presented in italics, which starts on 7 December 2000 and ends up catching up with current events. All is well presented and easy to follow, and it gives us food for thought when it comes to the question of what makes a serial killer.

As I mentioned above, the second part of the book becomes frustrating and repetitive due to the interactions between Keyes and law enforcement, and this section could arguably have been abridged somewhat. However, that may have detracted from the overall realism, and accuracy of the story.

There is also an instance during the description of how Keyes dealt with Samantha's dead body which appears at odds with the events reported for her murder; I investigated this and what Hunter presents is accurate according to what was recounted by Keyes in an official interview with the FBI. It would have been helpful for the author to have reconciled this in the two relevant sections.

Hunter once again made me think and spurred me to look further into matters. It is worth noting that this is a contemporary crime, and investigations relating to it are still active, with the FBI releasing new evidence and making a renewed call for information in May 2020, which made it all the more poignant and left me wondering just how many serial killers are out there who go completely undetected; at this point I could actually write an essay about Keyes's behaviour and psychology, and about the early tell-tale signs which continue to be ignored in our society and why that might be.

I look forward to continue catching up with J.T. Hunter's back-catalogue.

BooksChatter

[Michelle Tackabery · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't recommend this book as it's basically a re-hash of media articles about Keyes' capture and interrogations while he was in federal custody awaiting trial for the murder of a young woman working at a coffee stand in Alaska. There should not be any spoilers here, but if you don't know anything about Keyes at all, this book will only give you a fantasy story, not fact. The investigations into Keyes' criminality is ongoing and it is too early to write "the true story" of him at this point. The book's introductory scenes and other scenes where Keyes is depicted committing crimes are purely speculative and, frankly, done better by fiction writers.

During interrogations Keyes bragged that he had killed many people around the US, as well as committed bank robberies and arson. He tried to fool his interrogators and string them along as much as he could without actually revealing much detail about any crimes, but was forced to admit to the murder of a couple in Vermont. His testimony about that murder, however, was contradictory over several days and is probably not the whole story, or even the real story, of how or why he chose this particular couple, who lived on the other side of the country from his home. Keyes committed suicide before the FBI could get more out of him, but investigations continue. I think there is much more coming, and a better writer to bring it to us.

[andrew y · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

This is it, I swear, I'm done with true crime for a little while.
Okay in reality this book was actually halfway decently written and reported. It felt a little like a rewritten magazine article at times but at other points appeared, at least, to contain original work from the authors.
But the authors maybe should have thought twice about publishing and profiting off some pretty gross criminal acts that even the perpetrator said multiple times he didn't want in the public eye.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is factual, concise and straightforward. It's perfect for anyone (like myself) who had no idea who Israel Keyes was or about the crimes he committed. There's no speculation or opinion from the author, but I'm sure there are other books that give you that. Devil in the Darkness simply tells the story of Keyes and his victims in a mostly linear way.
This book is a great reminder that there is rarely an Agatha-Christie-style tell-all monologue in real life. Keyes was very vocal about certain things he did but the police were left frustrated that he didn't provide more information, or a motive. Even one of the detectives involved tries to remind the public during the investigation that real life isn't an hour-long episode of a crim drama and that real investigations take time and often involve following useless tips. The scenes in the interrogations are repetitive, and while this might not make for an exciting story, it shows how frustrating interviews with criminals can be.
Keyes' concern for his public image is an interesting detail, and the fact that he asked for the death penalty to get it all over with is very telling. His views on other serial killers mirrors his own feelings - he judges BTK for repenting but he says often that he is not sorry about what he did.
Keyes was a horrific man who manged to lead a double life (as many killers do), and this book is pretty creepy.

[Trang Trangg]

If you like something more detailed than what a newspaper can offer then this is the right choice. There is an excessive amount of detail, sometimes makes me fast-pace just to quench the idea of finishing a book, literally finishing i mean...
On top of that, this book somehow makes me feel like the act of murder is heroized. I just feel like that; there is no word or sentence indicating/proving the author's intention or whatsoever like that. Just feel, and emotion is deceptive anyway.

[Natt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a companion piece to Maureen Callahan’s American Predator, which I would recommend if you’re interested in reading more on the investigation leading up to & after his arrest. This one was hard to read at times due to the vast amount of information covering all fronts of this case, sometimes it felt like a ping pong back & forth. I think JT Hunter did well to subtly highlight that sometimes we can never understand why or how a person could commit such horrific crimes, but simply an unsettling realization that these people, or devils perhaps, can exist - in the darkness - and that is truly what is most terrifying here.

[Jeff Geiger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not too bad. A bit gory with the details of the crimes.

[Alana Bookapillar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of True Crime books. This has to be one of the most boring and poorly written books I’ve read in this genre. Repetitive, disjointed, and dull- I found myself skimming after reading the same thing over and over, just phrased in a different ways. Disappointed and will be looking for another author who will cover this story in a more precise, non-repetitive and journalistic manner.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

No "WHY" answer

I dated this 3 stars because I thought that it would be more informative than watching the police interview. I was hoping that perhaps the author had discovered something in killer's last that was previously overlooked which led the killer down the path he chose. So, I was disappointed with that but on the whole of the book, it certainly proved that there are serial killers who are more intelligent and cunning than Bundy. I am especially grateful that he was captured because he was very resourceful, burying kill kits and the randomness of choosing victims was disturbing, there's no telling how many lives were saved!

[nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook after listening to True Crime Bullshit multiple times, and honestly… Hallmark does it better. (Plus, the audiobook narrator grated on my nerves. He took pauses for breath at really bizarre moments that jolted me out of the flow of the book.)

Plus, due to Hallmark and his team’s diligent research and incredible dedication to the case, I found myself ‘well, actually’-ing to myself a few times here and there, which took the book down a few notches. It’s a great introduction to Israel Keyes but I would still recommend True Crime Bullshit to anyone who wants to learn about Keyes and his crimes.

[Nat PlainJanetheBookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admittedly I judged this audiobook by its cover, not a fan of the coverwork. However, I haven't read anything about the serial killer so I went ahead and listened and boy am I glad I did!

The narrator was ok, not the best but not awful. The book content was fantastic. I felt the author did a thorough job but not so much so that it was boring. I've know Israel Keyes was a tool, but after listening to some of the transcript in the book, he was a massive egotistical narcassist, and most definitely a psychopath.

Excellent read/listen, and definitely recommend.

[Pamela Walter · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was very disjointed, e.g. on one page the criminal was married, but on the next he was not married. There was no indication the narrative was going back in time. The writing style was inconsistent with part of the story written almost like a list of facts, as in a police report. It was relatively short, so I was able to get through it, but I did not feel it was worth the read.

[Jeff Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A chilling, well written book about this prolific serial killer. If you are a True Crim/Serial killer fan, you will enjoy this book. It's not graphic but does go into details about his crime. Written in such a way that you see and hear the conversations between Keyes and the detectives. I highly recommend this book.

Just one of many chilling quotes from Israel Keyes:

(This event took place when Keyes was just 14 years old."

"And so, there was a kid and one of his sisters and one of my sisters and we all went up into the woods and I had the cat with me. I took a piece of parachute cord and tied it to a tree. The cord was about ten feet long and I had a .22 revolver with me. And I shot the cat in the stomach, and it ran around and around the tree, and then crashed into the tree and started vomiting. And for me, I didn’t really react. I actually kind of laughed a little because of the way it was running around the tree, but I looked at the kid who was my age and he was throwing up. Kind of traumatized, I think. And he told his dad about it and, of course, his dad talked to my parents about it, and that was pretty much the last time anyone went into the woods with me. I learned my lesson from that. "

If you're a fan, you'll enjoy this book. I look forward to reading the other true crime books by J.T. Hunter.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review may contain spoilers

It's a well written book about serial killer/arsonist/bank robber Israel Keyes. I read American Predator by Maureen Callahan before catching a glimpse of this one. While it doesn't contain the overall level of insight that American Predator has, it's still significant in its own way. Israel Keyes seemed like a regular construction worker, just a guy doing his own thing in Anchorage, Alaska. Until he abducted an 18-year-old and started killing right in his backyard, not his literal backyard, but Anchorage. Keyes, while detained by the FBI, even joked that people would eventually write some "stupid true crime book" about his life. And the thing that prevented the authorities from obtaining much needed information about his past murders was Keyes ability to toy and even manipulate both the police and FBI to his whims. Keyes was also concerned about how his daughter and girlfriend would be impacted by the case, so he withheld what he knew until he could get what he finally wanted-an expedited death sentence. Despite Israel Keyes frighteningly meticulous nature and the depths he went to gratify his urges, he started making mistakes--he became impulsive, sloppy and so cocksure of his ability to outsmart everyone that it eventually led to his demise.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, one scary guy. He was a rapist, arsonist, murderer and bank robber. It always surprises me that a killer can be so ordinary and those around him think he is a great guy and then find out he is a serial killer. Israel Keys was right up there with Bundy, methodical, no remorse, and planned each kill (even though he did not know who would be next) with precision. Devil in the Darkness takes you on a journey of when he started killing, on how he planned his kills, how he evaded the police for so long and how he was caught. Even after being caught Israel tried to control how much the police knew about his crimes and when he would tell them bits and pieces. I love true crime and this is right up there as a book to keep yo up at night. The police and officials involved in this case are to be admired they worked tirelessly tying to help the victims families get closure. I received this book for free with no obligation to write a review.

[Samantha Mosedale · Rating 5 out of 5]

A harrowing read not for the faint-hearted

I honestly recommend this book for fans of True Crime. It was set out perfectly, very detailed. You read about the murderer - Israel Keyes, his family and life in general. Then you learn about all the lovely people that he killed. The way that Keyes wickedly destroyed these lives without a second thought was just unbelievable. Unfortunately the murderer never got to The Death Chamber, he took the cowards way out and committed suicide. Now he will face a higher level of judgement. At times I found myself actually stopping reading and shaking my head, in total disbelief!!!! Be warned, this book goes into great detail of absolutely everything, so not for the faint-hearted at all. My prayers go to the families and friends of all the beautiful people that lost their lives.

[M's ☆~HEA~☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎧Why did the author refer to this piece of shit with the nickname "Is". That made me super uncomfortable...not cool.

This serial killer has always scared the shit out of me. I've never read anything on him prior, all my knowledge coming from documentaries, so I did learn quite a bit from this. His buried kill kits have always stuck with me as particularly scary.

I saw some reviews mention victim blaming and I wasn't quite sure what they were referring to. Yes the details of the crimes explained different situations in which the victim could possibly have made a move but I didn't feel as if there was blame - only reporting. We all understand that the way we'd act during a crime is wildly unknown and God forbid we are in that situation.

Overall a decent read for those who don't know a lot about this monster.

[Chris Smallwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Very well written. A great read for true crime enthusiasts. The depravity of Keyes is beyond words, but the author does a great job of keeping you interested in the crimes without throwing you head over heels into the sickening reality of it all. That must have been a terribly difficult tight rope to walk. The sadness of never knowing the true extent of Keyes' crimes is punctuated thoroughly. All victims in this book, and there are many, are well represented and the reader is left with a great empathy for them all.

[Christine Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly straightforward narrative about Israel Keyes but I was disturbed by some of the details as presented here, not so much the description of the crimes which you would expect from a true-crime book, but the rather lurid details of what the victim was thinking and feeling leading up to and at the point of her murder. This is either entirely made up by the author or based on things Keyes himself said in interrogation. Either way, I found a man trying to get into the head of a young woman at a time of extreme distress distasteful.

[Holly Hold · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did learn new things about Israel Keyes, but was left unsatisfied. Perhaps it is because Israel Keyes disdained healthy human connection and was a control freak to the nth degree---why he was a serial killer.

I'd love to read a book written as Israel Keyes, after commiting suicide in his cell, transcending to the next estate, and discovering how and why he was very sick, and where he deliberately chose self to the extinction of his living victims. Where he confronts evil and makes his ultimate choice.

[Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poorly written. It reads like a hurried gloss of PD reports and interview transcripts. Very repetitive. Lots of typographical errors. Author makes a point of talking about how prurient the American public is about violent crime and then goes on to extensively detail the torture and murder of several people in a way that felt indulgent. I think serial killings, aberrant psychology, and violent crime can be confronted in a way that respects the historical record, provides insight, and prompts important discussion. I don’t feel this book achieved that; I can’t recommend it.