Những con quái vật đội lốt người trong thị trấn

by Mitzi Szereto, An Trạch (Dịch giả)

Sẽ thế nào nếu một ngày bạn chuyển đến một thị trấn tưởng chừng như không một hiểm nguy nào từ phố thị có thể đe dọa tới nơi đây nhưng thực chất hàng xóm của bạn là kẻ sát nhân hàng loạt?

Hay một ngày kinh hoàng bạn phát hiện mình bị cưỡng hi*p, tiền trong tài khoản ngân hàng không cánh mà bay, hoặc trong những trường hợp nghiêm trọng, bạn bị mất một hoặc vài cơ quan nội tạng?

Bạn nghĩ đó là những điều điên rồ và hoàn toàn là do trí tưởng tượng ư? Thật đáng buồn đó đều là những sự việc có thật đã từng xảy ra ở nơi “không có ai phải lo lắng nếu quên khóa cửa nhà”. Sau khi đọc cuốn sách này, bạn sẽ nhìn những người hàng xóm của mình bằng cặp mắt hoàn toàn mới… hoặc có lẽ là không bao giờ muốn nhìn họ nữa!

“Những con quái vật đội lốt người trong thị trấn” gồm các tình tiết hoàn toàn mới về TỘI ÁC CÓ THẬT từ khắp nơi trên thế giới và xảy ra ở các khoảng thời gian khác nhau. Trong tuyển tập này, tác giả đã vén bức màn bí mật để phơi bày sự thật trần trụi đằng sau những thị trấn nhỏ hoàn hảo này. Nó không chỉ giúp độc giả nhìn thấy những tội ác và những cá nhân phạm tội, mà còn cho thấy những ảnh hưởng t.iêu cực của chúng đối với cộng đồng. Ngay cả khi thời gian trôi qua thì dư âm của những hệ lụy đó vẫn tồn tại cho đến ngày nay.

Nếu bạn đã từng đọc những cuốn sách thể loại tội ác giả tưởng nhưng chưa đủ đô thì đây là sự lựa chọn hoàn hảo cho bạn. Một thế giới đầy chân thực sẽ đánh thức nỗi sợ hãi trong bạn và nuốt chửng lấy nó.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, History, Horror, Short Stories, Biography

288 pages, Paperback

First published July 14, 2020

About the author

OFFICIAL ACCOUNT
Mitzi Szereto (mitziszereto.com) is an American-British author, anthology editor, and short story writer whose books encompass multiple genres, most recently in true crime, including her latest release Women Who Murder: An International Collection of Deadly True Crime Tales as well as her popular series The Best New True Crime Stories. Her work has been translated into several languages. A contribution in her anthology Getting Even: Revenge Stories received the Crime Writers’ Association Short Story Dagger “Highly Commended.” She has the added distinction of being the editor of the first anthology of erotic fiction to include a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. Mitzi has appeared internationally on radio and television and at major literature festivals, and has taught creative writing around the world, including universities in the UK. In addition to having produced and presented the London-based web TV channel Mitzi TV, she portrays herself in the pseudo-documentary British film, Lint: The Movie. Follow her on social media @mitziszereto.

Reviews

[Amber Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as fascinating as the serial killer edition, but still pretty good.

[Sarah Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 🌟 it was good and I liked how it was different stories but it wasn’t the greatest at holding my full attention

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent collection of true crime stories that you most likely haven't heard about

[Donadee's Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mitzi Szereto – The Best New True Crime Stories – Small Towns – Reviewed 7/12/20 – Read 7/7/20
We cannot hide from the monsters, they are all around us, be alert!!

Mitzi Szereto has done all the work for us as she compiles the many, and I say again MANY gruesome accounts of true stories. This book highlights some of the small towns around the world and tells us the facts of the crimes, especially highlighting serial killers. These are the ones that do not make the big headlines, as they are in small communities everywhere. She visits the sights and walks in the same paths as they do. Taking notes and visiting with locals of the area to give their insight.

Somewhere in our upbringing, we are told that big cities are where all the crime is, especially murder. Well, read this and find out the truth of that statement. As Mitzi goes from sight to sight, she fills us in on the background, the chase, and the final results of legal action.

What did I like? Well, first, it saddens me to read these stories, but I know that there are people out there in the world that are driven to do this. Whether it is due to cruelty as a child, or it just happens. It does not take a genius to figure out where it will all end. These accounts were all in the past, and hopefully, all the guilty parties have met their just deserts, but being a realist, I know that there are many more out there. By reading accounts such as this gives us an edge to learn more about what is going on around us. If we are vigilant of our surroundings and take a closer look at the actions of those closest to us, maybe, just maybe your life can be saved from ever experiencing up close or even around us any of these situations!

What will you like? The most important thing you will like is that you can see the research that Mitzi did in writing her book. The details are precise and informative. The way that she describes the events and locations, taking our mind's eye to the place and time. That in itself is really scary as none of us ever want to go through something like this, but facts are facts. Take your time, read, and learn. Mitzi is giving you a leg up to learn about the realities of life. Absorb them and learn what to watch for. Of course, no one can predict where or even when it will happen, but at least you have some ideas as to when you need to bring the authorities into the matter. If only some of the victims in the book had had that knowledge, maybe some of them would be here today. An excellent account of horrible situations, an unbelievably detailed read.

• File Size: 791 KB
• Print Length: 202 pages
• Publisher: Mango (July 14, 2020)
• Publication Date: July 14, 2020
• ASIN: B085QDD134
• Genre: Forensic Psychology, Popular Forensic Psychology, Medical Forensic Psychology

[Claire Self · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I have given The Best New True Crime Stories: Small Towns by Mitzi Szereto five out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Chills. Endless chills.

Whilst reading this anthology of true crime stories, I don’t think I’ve ever experienced so many chills and shivers (and I’m certain it’s not because it’s November as we’ve turned the heating on in our house). A lot of these stories, some more than others, will stick with me for a long, long while. They were all so haunting in their own way. I find it incredibly fascinating how we’re all wired in completely different ways, which I believe 99.9% that it stems from a traumatising experience not from birth.

There were some stories that I read in this anthology which made me think long and hard, this made me step away from the book for a little while as I found all of the disturbing information difficult to register and needed it to pass or to sink in properly as some of the events that occurred are pretty heavy and are definitely not for the faint-hearted.

I thought each story was well-written and told in such an addictive way I didn’t want the stories to end. I wanted to know more and more detail about each messed up criminal. I enjoyed this anthology even more knowing that I hadn’t heard of any of the true crime stories that were told, it introduced me to so many criminals and their stories.

Recently I’ve been listening to Crime Junkie podcast on Spotify which has really opened up a bigger interest into true crime stories so when I had been given the opportunity to review this book I jumped at the chance.

My thoughts go out to all of the victims who were sadly murdered or permanently traumatised in these stories and to all victims from around the world who have been affected. Reading a book like this really puts everything into perspective about how anything can happen to anybody at any time and so it’s best to always be cautious.

I would definitely recommend this anthology to fans of true crime, short stories and for readers with strong stomachs.

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 2 out of 5]

A presumptuous title.

[Sissy Hashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Finally finished it. This is a collection of true crime stories, but in all honesty, the majority were high school essays about a murder. So much boring detail that it felt like they were trying to meet a word quota and structuring the story in a formal essay form. I would say only 2 out of 15 stories were actually captivating. This book was a gift from my mom because she knew I loved true crime, but this book is it's own crime.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uneven writing due to the variety of writers, but the stories were basically solid, interesting, and many I hadn't heard of.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy.

Perfect for anyone that is into true crimes, with great details and an incredible look into what really can go on in a small town.

[Angie Agerter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having received this copy for my review, I have to say it was pretty great. I am all about true crime and this one hit the nail on the head. Each chapter is a different small town true crime written by a different author. Some of the stories I wanted, badly, for it to go on longer than the one chapter while others I didn't have care for the story itself. Overall, a good one for those of us that love true crime.

[Kim Schulze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great compilation from Ms. Szereto.

[Scott Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of short true crime essays is good read for fans of the genre. Featuring crimes from across the world (although largely the British Commonwealth), each of the authors uses their distinct voices to tell of crime likely unknown previously to readers. It challenges the oft-held view that bad things don't happen in places like these and it will unnerve you.

[Mel Gold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly excellent and a worthy second volume in her true crime series. I hope there will be many more to come! And if you haven't read the first book in Mitzi's series (The Best New True Crime Stories: Serial Killers) you definitely should!

[Paula Corregan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating true crime book!

This book details crimes that happened all over the world at different time periods. The reader should be aware that many of the stories included in the book are very graphic and disturbing. This is especially the case of the German man who became a cannibal. If you are interested in true crime, and don't mind reading some of the more disturbing details cited in true crime stories, then you will enjoy this book. I highly recommend this book to other true crime readers.

[Joel Vosburgh · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not worth reading.

Poorly researched and written in a dry, dull manner. Author(s) more interested in inserting own misinformed opinions than reporting what actually happened. Glad it’s free because I’d be really mad if I paid to read this rubbish.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that although I’ve always been a big reader and have always loved books, one of my favorite things in high school was reading those huge compilation textbooks of short stories. I read so many good ones and really wish I could get my hands on one of those textbooks again and look at all those beloved stories. As I type this I’m just now realizing that I could probably ask my English teacher brother-in-law if he had any suggestions…but I digress.

One thing I really loved about the short story compilations was that they were all by different authors. I’ve read short story compilations by one author, of course (one of my first memorable ones being from Jumpa Lahiri, so obviously that was awesome) , but there is something fun about reading a compilation of short stories by lots of different people. It’s discombobulating in a way because the writing styles changes and the story matter changes, but it’s also an exercise in training your brain to think fast and be adaptable.

As much as I love those kinds of compilations, one thing they usually lack is some kind of common theme. There’s something fun about picking up a book and reading all kinds of stories with a connecting theme. It allows you to immerse yourself in the topic in a multi-dimensional sort of way, and in the case of Best New True Crime: Small Towns, exposes you to lots of fun cases.

I have to say that I enjoyed this book a lot. It’s the kind of book where you can pick it up and read for awhile, covering many stories and therefore many cases, but it’s also the kind of book where you can “one and done” it and just read one story and be satisfied as well. Each author brings something different to the table. Not only are they good authors whose writing is great to read and definitely a good experience, but some of the chapters are more classic crime-type reports: they introduce the characters, what happened, the investigation, the ending, whereas others vary. Sometimes the case is solved, sometimes it’s not. Sometimes the author is just musing on crime and how it has affected their life or the small town they’re from or connected to. It really was a varied group of stories and storytelling styles that made for interesting reading. I found it to be a good “palate cleanser” book, where if one of the other books I was reading got to be too much, or I just needed a break from what I was reading, or if I just needed a break from what I was doing, Best New True Crime was easy to pick up, read, and put down and continue on my way.

I have kept no secret on this blog in saying that I’m in to crime—I like reading about it, I like watching it, I don’t like committing it. J That being said, these stories were all new to me, and yet they were just as creepy and shocking as the ones I’ve already watched or read about. They’re definitely read-worthy. I especially liked the topic of small towns, as that made it seem even more ominous.

If you are a true crime person, or even if you’re just looking for a book of interesting short stories about crime, this is a good one to check out. My mom and sister, both avid readers of true crime, are excited to get their hands on my copy of this one.

Read my full review here: https://www.readingforsanity.com/2021...

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the 15 chapters in this edited collection I'm familiar with 10 of them. It’s an easy read and each crime story is written by a different author. The small town is relevant in all these stories as we tend to think most heinous crimes are committed in large cities. Of course the towns depicted have been adversely affected by the reputations brought upon them and it’s apparent that the 'dark tourism' resulting from these crimes is not always welcome. The variety of crimes is disturbing yet fascinating - from cannibalism to serial killing and mass shooting. Small towns feature as either the homes of the victims and/or perpetrators, the crime scenes or all three! Even though I knew of two thirds of these awful stories I learnt something that I didn’t know previously. Overall an interesting book but it’s not for the faint hearted.

[Dominique King · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one looked promising in the store and it's format of being all short stories seemed like it might be an easy read.
It was not.
I found the writing uneven...partially because it was an written by a collection of various authors and the stories took place in many different countries...and because they often had to stop to for short explanations about the various court systems and crime in various areas...making it a slow read.
It certainly proved that True Crime happens all over the world...and that the US doesn't have the corner on gross crimes.
These stories seemed to highlight the GROSS and truly deviant nature of some of the crimes...and spent little time on the progress of the court cases or emotional costs of the crimes.

[Riley Hamburger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Best New True Crime Stories is a very interesting book. It contains a lot of stories you probably haven't heard before and shows that these "monsters" aren't just hiding in the woods, but rather in plain sight. I have not finished the book yet but it is truly fascinating how people can do this and you would never know, it could be your neighbor, your friends, your family, or your spouse.

This book is truly interesting to me because it shows how someone you've known your whole life could flip on you any minute. Even though small towns feel safe and look safe; and nothing bad ever happens in small towns, this book shows otherwise. It is a great mystery book that keeps you on your toes.

[Corbin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad for a freshman college newspaper

Buried leads, obscure details and p!entry of details such as 3rd alley on corner of walk and don't walk by a list of dozens. To be aided by flowery descriptions and mumbled metaphors. As in any anthology, the individual writers styles do vary; but, I had learned by sophomore year that the name of the person who seconded the 12th motion was only included as filler.

[Dung Phạm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vì quyển sách gồm nhiều câu chuyện được đóng góp bởi những tác giả khác nhau nên có chương thú vị, chương thì không quá cuốn hút, đôi khi còn lan man.
Vì mình không giỏi suy luận và nghiền ngẫm các tình tiết để phá một vụ án nên thích đọc câu chuyện đã có lời giải và tìm ra thủ phạm cùng động cơ, diễn biến chi tiết của án mạng đó hơn 🛴
Nói chung là ổn, hehe mọi người hãy tìm đọc thử nhá.
Đánh giá: 3/5

[Emily Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay, I give it 3 stars instead of two because of 3 stories that were memorable:
“Snow town” by Anthony Ferguson
“Who killed Gabriel Schmidt...” by Alexandra Burt
And “in the home of the cannibal” by Joe turner.
Unfortunately, I found the rest of the stories a bit confusing and read them simply to finish the book.

[Virginia Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of non-fiction accounts by international writers centered on crimes in small towns from Australia to Great Britain. As with most collections, the writing levels vary but this is a book clearly shows that terrible things, including murder, kidnapping and shooting sprees happen in small towns as well as in big cities.

[Nadia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hm. Didn't like the narrator's and also did not find many of the stories that interesting. Stopped listening quite a while ago and probably will pick something else if I go back to reading audio books again soon, don't think I will resume this.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short stories

This book contains many short stories that were dragged out with so much repetitive information. On the plus side they were edited well. No grammatical, spelling or other errors.

[Mishon · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with any book that is a compilation of many different authors and separate stories some chapters were better than others. I personally didn’t care for the chapters with unsolved cases. The second last chapter was disgusting and unbelievably nasty.

[Lemon 🍋 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very underwhelming. I haven’t heard of anyone written in these shorts. Maybe that’s why I didn’t really enjoy this one. Not sure.

[Maria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tired of it rather quickly.

[Kristina Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another well curated collection. I look forward to more from this writer/editor.

[Reading For Sanity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this review and others at https://www.readingforsanity.com/2021...