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A Descent Into Hell
Bright, attractive, and both from good families, University of Texas college student Colton Pitonyak and vibrant redhead Jennifer Cave had the world at their beckoning. Cave, an ex-cheerleader, had just landed an exciting new job, while a big-money scholarship to UT's prestigious business school lured Pitonyak to Austin. Yet the former altar boy had a dark, unpredictable streak, one that ensnared him in the perilous underworld of drugs and guns. When Jennifer failed to show up for work on August 18, 2005, her mother became frightened. Sharon Cave's search led to Colton's West Campus apartment, where Jennifer's family discovered a scene worthy of the grisliest horror movie. Meanwhile, Colton Pitonyak was nowhere to be found.
A Descent Into Hell is the gripping true story of one of the most brutal slayings in UT history—and the wild "Bonnie and Clyde-like" flight from justice of a cold-blooded young killer and his would-be girlfriend, who claimed that her unquestioning allegiance to Pitonyak was "just the way I roll."
A Descent Into Hell is the gripping true story of one of the most brutal slayings in UT history—and the wild "Bonnie and Clyde-like" flight from justice of a cold-blooded young killer and his would-be girlfriend, who claimed that her unquestioning allegiance to Pitonyak was "just the way I roll."
388 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2008
307 people are currently reading
1438 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Casey
32 books638 followersAn award-winning journalist and a critically acclaimed bestselling author, Kathryn Casey has written eleven true crime books and is the creator of the Sarah Armstrong and Clara Jefferies mystery series. ANGEL FALLS, her first historical fiction, was inspired by the life of Ruth Robertson, who in 1949 measured the world’s tallest waterfall.
Casey’s books have been Literary and Mystery Guild selections, and DEADLY LITTLE SECRETS was made into a Lifetime movie. Her first novel, SINGULARITY, was named a Best Crime Novel Debut by Booklist, and Library Journal chose THE KILLING STORM for its annual list of Best Mysteries. Elle Magazine picked DIE, MY LOVE as one of the ten best thrillers and crime books written by a woman. True crime matriarch Ann Rule praised Casey as "one of the best," and #1 NY Times bestselling author Gregg Olsen has called Casey "a true crime great."
In addition, Casey has written more than a hundred national magazine articles and pieces for The Washington Post, the Boston Globe, and the Houston Chronicle. In 2022, Casey was featured on the top ten Netflix limited documentary series “Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields.” She’s appeared on dozens of television and radio programs, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, 20/20, 48 Hours, Oprah, Investigation Discovery, the Travel Channel, A&E, and other venues.
Casey’s books have been Literary and Mystery Guild selections, and DEADLY LITTLE SECRETS was made into a Lifetime movie. Her first novel, SINGULARITY, was named a Best Crime Novel Debut by Booklist, and Library Journal chose THE KILLING STORM for its annual list of Best Mysteries. Elle Magazine picked DIE, MY LOVE as one of the ten best thrillers and crime books written by a woman. True crime matriarch Ann Rule praised Casey as "one of the best," and #1 NY Times bestselling author Gregg Olsen has called Casey "a true crime great."
In addition, Casey has written more than a hundred national magazine articles and pieces for The Washington Post, the Boston Globe, and the Houston Chronicle. In 2022, Casey was featured on the top ten Netflix limited documentary series “Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields.” She’s appeared on dozens of television and radio programs, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, 20/20, 48 Hours, Oprah, Investigation Discovery, the Travel Channel, A&E, and other venues.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
June 21, 2008
The things wrong with this book:
1. The title. I mean, A Descent into Hell? Really? It sounds like a title that the Lifetime TV movie people rejected as too trite. At least Baby Monitor: The Sound of Fear and Ski Lift to Death (hey, look them up if you don't believe me) had some character.
2. The subtitle. "An Altar Boy" and "a Cheerleader"? Need I say more?
3. The pacing. This is a story about a murder, people. Let's at least bring the pacing up to the level of an episode of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. If the narrative had been any slower, I would have had to don my gorilla suit and read the book while marching back and forth across the room to Sousa marches just to keep myself mildly entertained.
4. The editing. I actually started marking the diction and grammatical errors just because it was a lot more interesting than trying to keep my mind on the book. Examples: "disinterested" instead of "uninterested"; getting one's car "out of hock" to mean getting it out of an impound lot ("hock" means you sold it to a pawnbroker, duh). And I've rarely encountered a tin ear for dialog like the one on display here. A representative sample:
"Finally, she grabbed the arm of a young man in a uniform, shouting, 'Is my sister all right?' [At least it doesn't say "alright" -- I'll give the author that.:]
'Your sister's dead,' he said, pulling away.
When the man walked by again, Vanessa, sobbing, yelled, 'You don't know how this feels.'
'I do,' he said, more kindly. 'My sister jumped off a mountain in Greece last summer. All I can tell you is it will get better.'"
Uh. HUH. And:
"Vanessa's entire body ached. She'd never felt so alone."
Whoa, ace narrative technique there, Hoss! Maybe soon you can graduate to having one of the subjects of the book drop a family portrait so that the glass in the frame shatters.
5. The blurb by Ann Rule saying, "Kathryn Casey is one of the best true crime writers today." This statement is wrong on so many levels that I won't even bother to deconstruct it, but I will say that either the state of true crime writing is worse than I thought or there's some serious logrolling going on here.
Oh, I know, I know. This is what I get for reading true crime. You're probably right. Now excuse my while I go flip though In Cold Blood to get the taste of this thing out of my mouth.
1. The title. I mean, A Descent into Hell? Really? It sounds like a title that the Lifetime TV movie people rejected as too trite. At least Baby Monitor: The Sound of Fear and Ski Lift to Death (hey, look them up if you don't believe me) had some character.
2. The subtitle. "An Altar Boy" and "a Cheerleader"? Need I say more?
3. The pacing. This is a story about a murder, people. Let's at least bring the pacing up to the level of an episode of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. If the narrative had been any slower, I would have had to don my gorilla suit and read the book while marching back and forth across the room to Sousa marches just to keep myself mildly entertained.
4. The editing. I actually started marking the diction and grammatical errors just because it was a lot more interesting than trying to keep my mind on the book. Examples: "disinterested" instead of "uninterested"; getting one's car "out of hock" to mean getting it out of an impound lot ("hock" means you sold it to a pawnbroker, duh). And I've rarely encountered a tin ear for dialog like the one on display here. A representative sample:
"Finally, she grabbed the arm of a young man in a uniform, shouting, 'Is my sister all right?' [At least it doesn't say "alright" -- I'll give the author that.:]
'Your sister's dead,' he said, pulling away.
When the man walked by again, Vanessa, sobbing, yelled, 'You don't know how this feels.'
'I do,' he said, more kindly. 'My sister jumped off a mountain in Greece last summer. All I can tell you is it will get better.'"
Uh. HUH. And:
"Vanessa's entire body ached. She'd never felt so alone."
Whoa, ace narrative technique there, Hoss! Maybe soon you can graduate to having one of the subjects of the book drop a family portrait so that the glass in the frame shatters.
5. The blurb by Ann Rule saying, "Kathryn Casey is one of the best true crime writers today." This statement is wrong on so many levels that I won't even bother to deconstruct it, but I will say that either the state of true crime writing is worse than I thought or there's some serious logrolling going on here.
Oh, I know, I know. This is what I get for reading true crime. You're probably right. Now excuse my while I go flip though In Cold Blood to get the taste of this thing out of my mouth.
July 12, 2012
Colton’s girlfriend Laura Ashley Hall was a real piece of work! Written with depth & compassion, this is the Ist book by Kathryn Casey I've read; I'm going to look for more from this author.
January 12, 2014
First of all, I must say that I think that murder case of Jennifer Cave does deserve a book. All the elements for a gripping narrative are present in this case. The problem I have with this book though is that author's approach is, in my opinion, wrong and here is why:
1. Title of the book is overselling it. While every murder is shocking in it's own way and every family involved deeply shaken, regular non-fiction readers will find the case quite ordinary. However, while the narrative of the murder, arrest and following court proceedings is quite linear and not very engaging suspense-wise, persons involved in the case and their relationships are quite extraordinary and that brings me to my next point.
2. This should have been a book about relationships, about psychology. Relationship between Jennifer, Colton and Hall should have been at the center of the story. All three of them developed very strange and destructive emotional bonds among themselves. Reading the book we learn about consequences of these relations, but nothing about what caused these pathological bonds between two culprits and the victim. Most of opinions and testimonies used in the book to build psychological profiles of characters came from persons emotionally involved in the case and therefore are quite unreliable.
3. For all non-fiction crime writers out there: Violent end of every person's life is terrible no matter if the victim was a good or a bad person. There is no need to depict the victim in superlatives so that we, the readers, would be compassionate and emotionally invested in the story. Furthermore, I finished reading the book feeling bad I never met real Jennifer but instead this saint-like projection of her that lives in the minds of her relatives and friends.
4. Finally, the amount of supernatural events described in this book is off-putting. While many authors will include claims of supernatural accounts by victim's relatives primarily to depict the state of a mind of a bereaved relative, author of this book appears to truly believe they took place. I cannot claim that described supernatural events did not really happened, but, when you're reading a true crime book, you above all expect to confront a reading filled with facts and rational thinking. Let me put it this way: If culprits of the crime claimed that some supernatural entity made them do it, would the author approach these claims with same open-mindedness as she did concerning the claims of victim's friends and relatives?
In the end, this book is readable for the same reason most true crime books are, regardless of their literary quality - we want to know what happened next. While author's approach and writing may not be to our liking, we will power-through wanting to know the conclusion of the case because behind the book stand real events, real persons and real drama. Still, after reading the book I never felt that I've been offered anything more than just a digest of already available and known facts.
1. Title of the book is overselling it. While every murder is shocking in it's own way and every family involved deeply shaken, regular non-fiction readers will find the case quite ordinary. However, while the narrative of the murder, arrest and following court proceedings is quite linear and not very engaging suspense-wise, persons involved in the case and their relationships are quite extraordinary and that brings me to my next point.
2. This should have been a book about relationships, about psychology. Relationship between Jennifer, Colton and Hall should have been at the center of the story. All three of them developed very strange and destructive emotional bonds among themselves. Reading the book we learn about consequences of these relations, but nothing about what caused these pathological bonds between two culprits and the victim. Most of opinions and testimonies used in the book to build psychological profiles of characters came from persons emotionally involved in the case and therefore are quite unreliable.
3. For all non-fiction crime writers out there: Violent end of every person's life is terrible no matter if the victim was a good or a bad person. There is no need to depict the victim in superlatives so that we, the readers, would be compassionate and emotionally invested in the story. Furthermore, I finished reading the book feeling bad I never met real Jennifer but instead this saint-like projection of her that lives in the minds of her relatives and friends.
4. Finally, the amount of supernatural events described in this book is off-putting. While many authors will include claims of supernatural accounts by victim's relatives primarily to depict the state of a mind of a bereaved relative, author of this book appears to truly believe they took place. I cannot claim that described supernatural events did not really happened, but, when you're reading a true crime book, you above all expect to confront a reading filled with facts and rational thinking. Let me put it this way: If culprits of the crime claimed that some supernatural entity made them do it, would the author approach these claims with same open-mindedness as she did concerning the claims of victim's friends and relatives?
In the end, this book is readable for the same reason most true crime books are, regardless of their literary quality - we want to know what happened next. While author's approach and writing may not be to our liking, we will power-through wanting to know the conclusion of the case because behind the book stand real events, real persons and real drama. Still, after reading the book I never felt that I've been offered anything more than just a digest of already available and known facts.
September 28, 2016
This is the first Kathryn Casey book that I didn't particularly enjoy. You can overlook the fact that she repeatedly brings forward a supernatural belief by people who knew Jennifer. It's unconventional in a true crime book, but hey, if that's what the people were reporting I guess it is fair to include it. You can over look the fact that the majority of the characters in this book are not especially likable. But you can't really overlook the fact that this story is hardly book worthy. I mean, harsh as it may sound, junkies die. Junkies kill each other. Families are devastated. The fact that the defendant agrees he killed Jennifer but doesn't remember how he did it again speaks to it's total lack of noteworthy behavior.
If Casey had investigated what goes on in the muddled mind of a junkie there might have been something to learn from this book. If Laura had been manipulated and a bit of research was done on how women can be manipulated into committing acts of desecration to try to protect those they love, that might have been noteworthy. This was a news worthy story, but hardly a book that was worth reading.
I would not recommend this book for most true crime readers simply because I do not feel it has much to offer in that regard. I would possibly recommend it to legal thriller readers, maybe. There is at least a fair amount of coverage of the trial and the legal strategies used. I found that at least interesting.
If Casey had investigated what goes on in the muddled mind of a junkie there might have been something to learn from this book. If Laura had been manipulated and a bit of research was done on how women can be manipulated into committing acts of desecration to try to protect those they love, that might have been noteworthy. This was a news worthy story, but hardly a book that was worth reading.
I would not recommend this book for most true crime readers simply because I do not feel it has much to offer in that regard. I would possibly recommend it to legal thriller readers, maybe. There is at least a fair amount of coverage of the trial and the legal strategies used. I found that at least interesting.
September 5, 2010
I learned that I am a sucker for true crime books set in Texas...this one kept my interest!
November 21, 2015
Great book very well written. I love books that make me feel like I know the people. this is certainly one of them
November 11, 2012
Review: I lived in Austin right before this tragedy happened so I thought it would be an interesting read. First off, the title of this true crime novel is misleading. Jennifer Cave was a cheerleader many years before the murder happened and Colton Pitonyak was several years removed from his days as an altar boy. The title should reference something about the dangers of drugs.
Cave, a pretty redhead, grew up in Texas and became a party girl in high school. She moved to San Marcos and later Austin for college, dropping in and out of classes while moving from job to job. Colton Pitonyak was an upper middle class kid from Arkansas who moved to Austin for a scholarship at University of Texas' business school. Pitonyak quickly spiraled downward into the drug scene, both using and selling. These two met at a party and developed an unhealthy relationship. Pitonyak wanted to date Cave, while she kept him in the friend zone and used him for free drugs. Cave told friends on numerous occasions that she didn't feel safe around Pitonyak and foreshadowed her own fate that he would one day kill her. Her concerns proved correct when their relationship ended in tragedy. After a night of partying on 6th Street, Pitonyak killed Cave, dismembered her body and attempted to flee to Mexico with his crazy pseudo girlfriend, Laura Hall. Pitonyak was quickly caught and convicted of murder while Hall was convicted of tampering with evidence.
This was my first Kathryn Casey book and I like the general way it was arranged. A background on the key players and the events leading up to the crime were the first half, while the back half focused on the court case. I knew nothing about the case prior to reading this so I had no preconceived notions. The general writing style was almost too casual for my taste but it was very readable.
It is clear that Casey did a lot of research and became extremely close to the Jennifer Cave's mother, almost too closer perhaps. Almost every person who interacted with Jennifer thought she was the sweetest person ever, while Colton was practically portrayed as the devil. There was some attempt to humanize Colton during his time in Austin but it seemed halfhearted (In Casey's defense, I think his parents declined to be interviewed for the book). While I have no doubt that Jennifer was a sweet person, it is clear she was a drug addict (a fact her mother seemed unable to admit) who would have been homeless if not for the charity and kindness of her friends. She engaged in reckless behavior that was alarming, including several months before her murder, she was living with her boyfriend and doing drugs while his young daughter was napping. She was attempting to clean up her life and started a new job at a law firm the day before her murder. Her mother believes she was turning everything around-we'll never know the truth but I think the depth of her addiction too great for her to quit on her own willpower. Colton certainly seemed so deep into his addiction that his endgame was prison by one means or another.
I also disagree with Casey's theory on how the murder happened. At his trial, Colton claimed he was high on meth for a week and does not remember killing Jennifer, but must have by accident because she was his friend and he had no reason to kill her. Prosecutors were never able to determine a motive. Casey claims the motive was that Colton wanted a romantic relationship with Jennifer and she didn't (I would think that the detectives assigned to the case would have asked that question when interviewing witnesses). Casey's hypothesis is that Colton forced Jennifer to his apartment with a knife, she told him she was trying to break out of the drug scene, did not want to date him and he shot and murdered her. I believe she went to his apartment willingly to do drugs (pot and meth were found in her system) and he shot her by accident. She was shot in the arm and the bullet then traveled to her chest and killed her immediately. His attorney's didn't seem to highlight this fact but it seems odd that someone would purposefully try to kill someone by shooting them through the arm. His actions following her death are incomprehensible and it is shameful that under the Texas penal code they only warrant a misdemeanor. The extent of Hall's participation in the dismemberment will never been known (her DNA was found on only four items in Colton's apartment related to the crime but she bragged about her actions to several 'friends' including making statements about the case on facebook of all places). It is frightening to think that Laura Hall will be out of prison in just a few years.
My heart goes out to both the Cave family and Pitonyak family. I cannot imagine the horror of a child being taken before their time in such a manner, nor knowing that you raised a child who could do something like this to another human being. As a parent, this book resonated with me. I have two young children and the drug use/abuse by Jennifer, Colton and their various friends is absolutely frightening.
Grade: B
Cave, a pretty redhead, grew up in Texas and became a party girl in high school. She moved to San Marcos and later Austin for college, dropping in and out of classes while moving from job to job. Colton Pitonyak was an upper middle class kid from Arkansas who moved to Austin for a scholarship at University of Texas' business school. Pitonyak quickly spiraled downward into the drug scene, both using and selling. These two met at a party and developed an unhealthy relationship. Pitonyak wanted to date Cave, while she kept him in the friend zone and used him for free drugs. Cave told friends on numerous occasions that she didn't feel safe around Pitonyak and foreshadowed her own fate that he would one day kill her. Her concerns proved correct when their relationship ended in tragedy. After a night of partying on 6th Street, Pitonyak killed Cave, dismembered her body and attempted to flee to Mexico with his crazy pseudo girlfriend, Laura Hall. Pitonyak was quickly caught and convicted of murder while Hall was convicted of tampering with evidence.
This was my first Kathryn Casey book and I like the general way it was arranged. A background on the key players and the events leading up to the crime were the first half, while the back half focused on the court case. I knew nothing about the case prior to reading this so I had no preconceived notions. The general writing style was almost too casual for my taste but it was very readable.
It is clear that Casey did a lot of research and became extremely close to the Jennifer Cave's mother, almost too closer perhaps. Almost every person who interacted with Jennifer thought she was the sweetest person ever, while Colton was practically portrayed as the devil. There was some attempt to humanize Colton during his time in Austin but it seemed halfhearted (In Casey's defense, I think his parents declined to be interviewed for the book). While I have no doubt that Jennifer was a sweet person, it is clear she was a drug addict (a fact her mother seemed unable to admit) who would have been homeless if not for the charity and kindness of her friends. She engaged in reckless behavior that was alarming, including several months before her murder, she was living with her boyfriend and doing drugs while his young daughter was napping. She was attempting to clean up her life and started a new job at a law firm the day before her murder. Her mother believes she was turning everything around-we'll never know the truth but I think the depth of her addiction too great for her to quit on her own willpower. Colton certainly seemed so deep into his addiction that his endgame was prison by one means or another.
I also disagree with Casey's theory on how the murder happened. At his trial, Colton claimed he was high on meth for a week and does not remember killing Jennifer, but must have by accident because she was his friend and he had no reason to kill her. Prosecutors were never able to determine a motive. Casey claims the motive was that Colton wanted a romantic relationship with Jennifer and she didn't (I would think that the detectives assigned to the case would have asked that question when interviewing witnesses). Casey's hypothesis is that Colton forced Jennifer to his apartment with a knife, she told him she was trying to break out of the drug scene, did not want to date him and he shot and murdered her. I believe she went to his apartment willingly to do drugs (pot and meth were found in her system) and he shot her by accident. She was shot in the arm and the bullet then traveled to her chest and killed her immediately. His attorney's didn't seem to highlight this fact but it seems odd that someone would purposefully try to kill someone by shooting them through the arm. His actions following her death are incomprehensible and it is shameful that under the Texas penal code they only warrant a misdemeanor. The extent of Hall's participation in the dismemberment will never been known (her DNA was found on only four items in Colton's apartment related to the crime but she bragged about her actions to several 'friends' including making statements about the case on facebook of all places). It is frightening to think that Laura Hall will be out of prison in just a few years.
My heart goes out to both the Cave family and Pitonyak family. I cannot imagine the horror of a child being taken before their time in such a manner, nor knowing that you raised a child who could do something like this to another human being. As a parent, this book resonated with me. I have two young children and the drug use/abuse by Jennifer, Colton and their various friends is absolutely frightening.
Grade: B
May 14, 2013
This is a very sad case.
Laura Hall should've gotten more time. That attitude of hers! I don't think I would've been able to keep from bashing her head into the floor from sheer annoyance. I found her callousness to be especially repugnant.
Wait! Hold that thought!
In an awesome demonstration of Karma, Ms. Hall got the length of her sentence overturned (it was five years for one charge and one for the other to be served at the same time.) At her second sentencing trail, she received the maximum sentence for her crimes (ten years and one for the other.)
I think I fell out of my chair laughing!
Laura Hall should've gotten more time. That attitude of hers! I don't think I would've been able to keep from bashing her head into the floor from sheer annoyance. I found her callousness to be especially repugnant.
Wait! Hold that thought!
In an awesome demonstration of Karma, Ms. Hall got the length of her sentence overturned (it was five years for one charge and one for the other to be served at the same time.) At her second sentencing trail, she received the maximum sentence for her crimes (ten years and one for the other.)
I think I fell out of my chair laughing!
March 16, 2015
It's hard to give a true crime book a five star review because, clearly, the subject matter is not enjoyable and it goes without saying that this crime in particular is horrendous. However, what shines out from the first page is how Jennifer Cave is a spirit that lives on. Her short life was a testament to her immense compassion, humor, love of family and friends, loyalty, and determination. I won't forget her. We lost a beautiful human being. Kathryn Casey ensured that the reader comes away with the positive impact that Jennifer had on all she met rather than on the person who took her life.
July 13, 2015
Very good book keep me on the edge of my seat. Was not over done in details even in the court case. This was a horrific act and Kathryn did a wonderful job of keeping it real but not over the top with the gore.
January 7, 2013
Well written. I think Casey is replacing Ann Rule for my true crime.
January 12, 2023
I have mixed feelings about this book. I feel like Kathryn Casey became too emotionally involved with the case. Jennifer Cave was absolutely perfect a saint. Everyone loved her, she was kind, sweet, just perfect. Her drug issues are swept under the rug as one bad year despite the fact that she used right up to her death ad they even found drugs in her system. She even used while caring for her boyfriend's young child which was extremely dangerous and irresponsible to do. Colton Pitonyak is painted as completely cold and evil. He might be, I mean he is a murder but I do believe they were both high at the time and he lost it on her for whatever reason and killed her. He had a history of pulling weapons on her in the past. It doesn't excuse his actions especially what he did to her after she was dead. I do believe Laura Hall played a bigger role than just essentially being the get away driver. This book definitely suffers from the obvious friendship between the author and Jennifer's mom and reminded me of Ann Rule's Bitter Harvest where she paints one person as perfect and the other as pure evil without looking into the why. Why did Colton Pitonyak kill Jennifer? What led him to it? Did the drugs just simply mess with his head and make him paranoid about something? Did they have a fight and he snapped? Was Laura Hall there or somehow encouraging him to do it somehow even from afar? Or is he simply pure evil as the book constantly tries to imply? A good true crime like older Ann Rule books leave enough information for the reader to draw their own conclusions about the why of a case. This book beats you over the head with he's simply evil. The answer of motive is never really reached. Overall it was a decent read but biased. It would've been nice to have a more rounded look by talking more to the Pitonyak family during the trial see how they felt about things and maybe get a more nuanced picture of Colton. I mean friends and family seemed to think he was a decent person and as good as Jennifer was when he was younger. Even Jodi Arias couldn't get anyone to speak up for her. But as I said it's an okay read it kept my attention so not a total write off.
August 26, 2022
I have hesitated to write a review on this book for years, but after my 3rd reread this year I have finally decided to say a few things. It's not really a review, but more like a statement as to why I keep reading this book, that maybe isn't so well written (as many have said), and why I keep giving it a 5 star rating when I read it.
My senior year of high school in Bishop, Texas I had to take a freshmen level class that I had somehow missed, and I ended up meeting Jennifer Cave. She was a cute, happy little cheerleader, and I soon came to find out she was the younger half sister of a girl named Vanessa, a super cool cheerleader who was a senior when I myself was a freshman. Jennifer and I became pretty good friends that year, but when I graduated we lost touch (there was really no social media in 1999).
I was horrified when I found out she was brutally murdered a few years later. As shocked and upset as I was at having someone from our tiny town that I considered a friend be murdered in cold blood, finding out what those savages did to her body afterwards just tore my heart into pieces. Every time I reread this book, it's like hearing about it again for the first time, and I always cry so hard imagining what she went through, even if she was already gone. It blows my mind what humans do to other humans, and it hurts me to know that someone that once brought happiness and laughter into my life was treated like that.
Did I know Jennifer as she became, when drugs overtook her life? No, not at all. But NO ONE deserves to go through what she went through, and no family deserves knowing that their loved one was brutalized in such a manner. Reading some of the comments people have written, about how the things that happened to her were her own fault because of the drug use, just break my heart. She was so young, and had so much to live for and was hopefully on her way to getting her life together. She shouldn't be judged so harshly, because the last time I checked the punishment for drug use is not the death penalty.
As for the actual writing of the book, it could be a bit cheesy at times, but I feel like I am too close to the subject and my feelings about Jennifer overshadow everything else. I need to try another book from this author to make a more accurate determination.
My senior year of high school in Bishop, Texas I had to take a freshmen level class that I had somehow missed, and I ended up meeting Jennifer Cave. She was a cute, happy little cheerleader, and I soon came to find out she was the younger half sister of a girl named Vanessa, a super cool cheerleader who was a senior when I myself was a freshman. Jennifer and I became pretty good friends that year, but when I graduated we lost touch (there was really no social media in 1999).
I was horrified when I found out she was brutally murdered a few years later. As shocked and upset as I was at having someone from our tiny town that I considered a friend be murdered in cold blood, finding out what those savages did to her body afterwards just tore my heart into pieces. Every time I reread this book, it's like hearing about it again for the first time, and I always cry so hard imagining what she went through, even if she was already gone. It blows my mind what humans do to other humans, and it hurts me to know that someone that once brought happiness and laughter into my life was treated like that.
Did I know Jennifer as she became, when drugs overtook her life? No, not at all. But NO ONE deserves to go through what she went through, and no family deserves knowing that their loved one was brutalized in such a manner. Reading some of the comments people have written, about how the things that happened to her were her own fault because of the drug use, just break my heart. She was so young, and had so much to live for and was hopefully on her way to getting her life together. She shouldn't be judged so harshly, because the last time I checked the punishment for drug use is not the death penalty.
As for the actual writing of the book, it could be a bit cheesy at times, but I feel like I am too close to the subject and my feelings about Jennifer overshadow everything else. I need to try another book from this author to make a more accurate determination.
August 31, 2015
I always feel a little strange about "rating" a true crime novel because it's about someone else's pain and suffering and that part of it doesn't seem like it should be up for judgement. But, Kathryn Casey handle the topic with care and the reader puts down the book feeling like everyone who deserves respect got it.
Without getting too much into the actual crime, I thought Casey treated the different players with both honesty and fairness. Colton Pitonyak, the boy who would grow up to commit a drug-fueled murder, was a child of wealth and opportunity. MUCH of the bad (sometimes criminal) behavior of and his friends was excused because their families could pay enough to make problems go away. However, while Casey didn't excuse these "spoiled rich kids," she was careful to point out the kids who DIDN'T behave that way and didn't imply she thought all kids who grew up with wealth behaved as this group did.
I think if I'd been the author I would've been tempted to leave out some of the drug use of the victim, Jennifer Cave, for fear of judgement. But, that wouldn't provide an accurate story. Kathryn Casey handles that part of the story with honesty and grace. She doesn't mince words when she described Jennifer's drug use and her mistakes. She doesn't mask Sharon Cave's (Jennifer's mother) frustration with her middle daughter. But she also lets the reader know that her family, her mother included, never stops pulling for her, never stops trying to help her to be the best person she can be. It hurts so much to know that Jennifer was finally on the way to the life she wanted when she was brutally murdered. The author leaves the reader with some great life questions to ponder like: while you want your children to be kind and watch out for the underdog, should you teach them how far to take it so they don't get drowned by people looking to take advantage of them? I think Sharon Cave would say, "yes." You want your kids to be kind but you want them to be safe and ALIVE as well.
Without getting too much into the actual crime, I thought Casey treated the different players with both honesty and fairness. Colton Pitonyak, the boy who would grow up to commit a drug-fueled murder, was a child of wealth and opportunity. MUCH of the bad (sometimes criminal) behavior of and his friends was excused because their families could pay enough to make problems go away. However, while Casey didn't excuse these "spoiled rich kids," she was careful to point out the kids who DIDN'T behave that way and didn't imply she thought all kids who grew up with wealth behaved as this group did.
I think if I'd been the author I would've been tempted to leave out some of the drug use of the victim, Jennifer Cave, for fear of judgement. But, that wouldn't provide an accurate story. Kathryn Casey handles that part of the story with honesty and grace. She doesn't mince words when she described Jennifer's drug use and her mistakes. She doesn't mask Sharon Cave's (Jennifer's mother) frustration with her middle daughter. But she also lets the reader know that her family, her mother included, never stops pulling for her, never stops trying to help her to be the best person she can be. It hurts so much to know that Jennifer was finally on the way to the life she wanted when she was brutally murdered. The author leaves the reader with some great life questions to ponder like: while you want your children to be kind and watch out for the underdog, should you teach them how far to take it so they don't get drowned by people looking to take advantage of them? I think Sharon Cave would say, "yes." You want your kids to be kind but you want them to be safe and ALIVE as well.
November 29, 2017
DNF this one. Casey is a good writer, but I don't want to read about these people at all because I can't connect with the victim or the perp.
11/17--Picked it back up to give it another shot...
Update 11/29/17:
Just finished the story! Once I was able to get into the story, I liked the book. Casey is a great true crime writer, and I'll definitely be looking for more by her.
11/17--Picked it back up to give it another shot...
Update 11/29/17:
Just finished the story! Once I was able to get into the story, I liked the book. Casey is a great true crime writer, and I'll definitely be looking for more by her.
March 19, 2017
I am a long-time Austinite and remember this case well. I agree with all the criticism already stated on this board. The writing IS cliched and in need of a proofreader. There are so many factual mistakes that, while minor, make me feel that I can't believe what I am reading. For example, Casey states that 6th street (Austin's sad strip of shot bars and cheesy clubs is known as "The Drag." No.."The Drag" is the section of Guadalupe next to the University of Texas.
The title is stupid as is the sub title. "Descent into Hell?" Really? Is that the best you can do?
There are multiple examples of Jennifer Cave's "Ghost" coming to comfort her grieving family. While these stories MAY have been told to the author, Casey presents them as fact...I felt like I was reading a ghost story.
The good? Casey does her homework. The story moves along and gives plenty of details and I found myself enjoying the book despite the flaws mentioned above. For someone wondering if they should read the book, I would say yes because what makes the crime so unique. Laura Hall assisted her boyfriend after the murder happened but is THE villain of the story. She is a sick narcissist and deserves the fate she receives.
Overall, I give it 3 stars because of the background research. The flaws are annoying but don't destroy the experience of reading this true crime book.
The title is stupid as is the sub title. "Descent into Hell?" Really? Is that the best you can do?
There are multiple examples of Jennifer Cave's "Ghost" coming to comfort her grieving family. While these stories MAY have been told to the author, Casey presents them as fact...I felt like I was reading a ghost story.
The good? Casey does her homework. The story moves along and gives plenty of details and I found myself enjoying the book despite the flaws mentioned above. For someone wondering if they should read the book, I would say yes because what makes the crime so unique. Laura Hall assisted her boyfriend after the murder happened but is THE villain of the story. She is a sick narcissist and deserves the fate she receives.
Overall, I give it 3 stars because of the background research. The flaws are annoying but don't destroy the experience of reading this true crime book.
April 15, 2016
This is the first book I have read by this author, I have mainly read Ann Rule, that being said, I enjoyed this as much as any of Ann Rule's books. It is very well researched, the author took the time to talk to as many people who knew the victim and perpetrator as possible. The events are detailed but not over dramatized and I was drawn into the story. She gave enough detail I was able to follow the events as they unfolded, but did not get bogged down. I even read through the trial part, something I usually skim through.
I would recommend this book to others.
I would recommend this book to others.
March 26, 2015
Reading true crime like this leaves me in awe that I've never been murdered. When I think about the dumb shit I did in school (what we ALL did in school/our young lives). I was going to UT at the time this murder happened and remember it was a scary time...yet why did I still get up every morning at 4 am and run around the streets behind my apartment in pitch black? What a fucking numbskull. It wasn't until I neared 30 that I started to feel fear and be more aware of my surroundings. I've got to stop reading this stuff.
July 9, 2016
I really enjoy true crime books. Something that you sincerely think can only be fiction turns out to be true. I wanted more information so I Google the names in this book. They keep denying parole for Laura Ashley Hall, who is Colton's accomplice. The last article I read about her was in 2015 and she is scheduled to be released in 2018/2019. I hope the family of Jennifer Cave are doing well and know they are never alone; I am a mere stranger but I was devastated reading this book knowing what happened, even though it was over 10 years ago.
September 20, 2008
on Friday, September 12, 2008 I wrote about this book:
Good book that I enjoyed. Very well written but a sad story. 8.5
Good book that I enjoyed. Very well written but a sad story. 8.5
June 28, 2009
this book was chilling!!!! it is unimaginable at times to comprehend the horror that this guy did to his victim.
August 24, 2014
This is one of the better true crime stories. A chilling read and so very sad.
November 30, 2022
Excellent, well researched and written.
June 12, 2017
Very well written book. A can't put down book.
February 21, 2024
Very Taunt and Instructive
“A Decent Into Hell” is my first (definitely not my last) exposure to Kathryn Casey discovering her with a Kindle Unlimited recommendation. After reading the summary and a number of the reviews, I decided to give this one a go since I have exhausted most of Anne Rule, Greg Olsen and a number of other true crime writers extensive work. I had actually began finding the genre tiresome, depressing and without any further understanding of the human condition, the rational, scientific approach, philosophy, theories, synopsis, explanations or better; lack of a coherent and rational explanation that held any semblance of reality and congruence with traditional science like biological chemistry; the human bodies natural pharmacological properties in relation to the brains “normal” activity or natural levels of isotopes, proteins, hormone’s, pheromones, testosterone, triglycerides, tryptophan, adrenaline and dopamine; the human bodies own pharmaceutical therapy that are synthetically designed and manufactured for prescribed treatment when a person is apparently deficient of the dopamine and other chemical properties we rely on for maintaining a healthy, rational, calm disposition. People who are not chemically balanced tend to be more depressed, unmotivated, obsess with sex, chronic masterbating, low self esteem, aggressive, highly agitated, impulsive and very impressionably always looking to fit in and will conform their entire lives overnight to match the perceived conception of their latest lifestyle choice. Furthermore, they will instantly become an expert in their new obsession often pissing their new friends off that completely alienate themselves from this newcomer who doesn’t know shit but acts like they invented this lifestyle chosen. Either the person will chill and settle down, allowing the group to warm to them or the new way of life is short lived, completely pissing everyone off in the venture burning the bridge permanently with the worst embarrassment and humiliation of their own making. Borderline Personality Disorder, the Psychopath of ultimate narcissistic character. Heartless, without conscious, compassion or remorse: EVER! The only time these people people cry or show pain is because they were CAUGHT! NEVER BECAUSE THEY ACTUALLY FEEL BAD, REMORSEFUL! They are either terrified that their “look good” their “I’m so awesome” reputation is in question or has been completely destroyed, or they have to pay consequences like money, jail, community service. No matter how guilty these people are, they will NEVER ADDMIT IT REGARDLESS OF HOW DEAD TO RIGHTS WE HAVE THEM! Their need to be right and be perceived as right far outweighs the the cost of the relationships they annihilated, bridges burned, and the peoples lives lost indirectly or directly. In their minds eye, these relationships are only as important as the monetary or back up these relationships provide. Never is there a true concern for the persons actual wellbeing the entire duration of the relationship. These people are incapable of understanding much less feeling what that even is- even though they except it from everyone else. Monsters that can only be some what maintained with proper pharmacology under a psychiatric physicians care.
Thats why reading these kinds of stories make me CRAZY! The courtroom banter and provisions the law provides make me even crazier! So, I have to be careful about how many “A Decent Into Hell”s” I read! This one is exceptional because it rattled me into this explosive position of spewing diatribe by most readers account I’m sure! My apologies- if you have actually read this far, you too may need some assistance with patience, tolerance and acceptance? I go to AA for mine! I will not return to the more comfortable environment of storytelling with novels more along the lines of Arther Machen, Brian Eversen, Nick Cutter, Bentley Little, Chuck Palahniuk, Caitlin R Kieran, Gemma Files, Laird Barron, John Langan, Warpole, Blackwood, Lovecraft, Bloch, Derleth, Gaiman, Oscar Wilde, etcetera-….. in these dark places and reaches of the universe, it’s all fiction.
“A Decent Into Hell” is my first (definitely not my last) exposure to Kathryn Casey discovering her with a Kindle Unlimited recommendation. After reading the summary and a number of the reviews, I decided to give this one a go since I have exhausted most of Anne Rule, Greg Olsen and a number of other true crime writers extensive work. I had actually began finding the genre tiresome, depressing and without any further understanding of the human condition, the rational, scientific approach, philosophy, theories, synopsis, explanations or better; lack of a coherent and rational explanation that held any semblance of reality and congruence with traditional science like biological chemistry; the human bodies natural pharmacological properties in relation to the brains “normal” activity or natural levels of isotopes, proteins, hormone’s, pheromones, testosterone, triglycerides, tryptophan, adrenaline and dopamine; the human bodies own pharmaceutical therapy that are synthetically designed and manufactured for prescribed treatment when a person is apparently deficient of the dopamine and other chemical properties we rely on for maintaining a healthy, rational, calm disposition. People who are not chemically balanced tend to be more depressed, unmotivated, obsess with sex, chronic masterbating, low self esteem, aggressive, highly agitated, impulsive and very impressionably always looking to fit in and will conform their entire lives overnight to match the perceived conception of their latest lifestyle choice. Furthermore, they will instantly become an expert in their new obsession often pissing their new friends off that completely alienate themselves from this newcomer who doesn’t know shit but acts like they invented this lifestyle chosen. Either the person will chill and settle down, allowing the group to warm to them or the new way of life is short lived, completely pissing everyone off in the venture burning the bridge permanently with the worst embarrassment and humiliation of their own making. Borderline Personality Disorder, the Psychopath of ultimate narcissistic character. Heartless, without conscious, compassion or remorse: EVER! The only time these people people cry or show pain is because they were CAUGHT! NEVER BECAUSE THEY ACTUALLY FEEL BAD, REMORSEFUL! They are either terrified that their “look good” their “I’m so awesome” reputation is in question or has been completely destroyed, or they have to pay consequences like money, jail, community service. No matter how guilty these people are, they will NEVER ADDMIT IT REGARDLESS OF HOW DEAD TO RIGHTS WE HAVE THEM! Their need to be right and be perceived as right far outweighs the the cost of the relationships they annihilated, bridges burned, and the peoples lives lost indirectly or directly. In their minds eye, these relationships are only as important as the monetary or back up these relationships provide. Never is there a true concern for the persons actual wellbeing the entire duration of the relationship. These people are incapable of understanding much less feeling what that even is- even though they except it from everyone else. Monsters that can only be some what maintained with proper pharmacology under a psychiatric physicians care.
Thats why reading these kinds of stories make me CRAZY! The courtroom banter and provisions the law provides make me even crazier! So, I have to be careful about how many “A Decent Into Hell”s” I read! This one is exceptional because it rattled me into this explosive position of spewing diatribe by most readers account I’m sure! My apologies- if you have actually read this far, you too may need some assistance with patience, tolerance and acceptance? I go to AA for mine! I will not return to the more comfortable environment of storytelling with novels more along the lines of Arther Machen, Brian Eversen, Nick Cutter, Bentley Little, Chuck Palahniuk, Caitlin R Kieran, Gemma Files, Laird Barron, John Langan, Warpole, Blackwood, Lovecraft, Bloch, Derleth, Gaiman, Oscar Wilde, etcetera-….. in these dark places and reaches of the universe, it’s all fiction.
May 13, 2020
Such a sad story. Jennifer Cave had everything going for her; she was smart and pretty and well loved by her family and friends. But something was clearly broken in her. Throughout the book, the author hammered away how she wanted to save Colton. And yet, she told numerous people that he was a threat to her and that he'd kill her someday. He did and I can't understand why she kept getting drawn to him. I also didn't get why Colton's girlfriend, Laura Hall, was so adamant about standing with Colton even though he killed a girl and cut up her body in his bathroom. It was all very strange and head scratching worthy. I probably would have....enjoyed (?)...found this book more readable (?), had the author gone into what made Jennifer and Laura so strangely drawn to Colton and not all of the dozens of side characters that came into Jennifer's life for 5 minutes but got chapters dedicated to them. The author seemed to want to impress on the reader that Jennifer was such a good human and so dedicated to helping Colton, but not explain what drove her. Maybe she didn't know and couldn't figure out why, but I wish Casey hadn't spent so much time extolling Jennifer Cave's virtues.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2020
I enjoyed this—-probably due to the fact that I am familiar to the locations (Little Rock, Arkansas and Austin, Texas.) I went to the same high school as the murderer: I was a senior when he was a Freshman. My interest in the subject matter was more personal than that of other true crime books I have read.
In terms of the story, I thought the narrative was simple, sometimes too simple. The story was easy to read, but numerous names did cause some confusion at times. Readers might lose interest because the story is very linear and there isn’t much mystery or detective work for the reader; although, it could have been written in such a way. While it isn’t a page turner for the masses, it was a good read and I learned a lot.
In terms of the story, I thought the narrative was simple, sometimes too simple. The story was easy to read, but numerous names did cause some confusion at times. Readers might lose interest because the story is very linear and there isn’t much mystery or detective work for the reader; although, it could have been written in such a way. While it isn’t a page turner for the masses, it was a good read and I learned a lot.
June 7, 2020
All I can say is -- "WOW!!"
I've been reading True Crime novels for part couple years now and I have no idea how many there were. But Katherine Casey is in a category all her own!
She doesn't really waste too much time to get to get point, but after that? It's a fantastic roller coaster ride through the Haunted House, on a Spider etc.
She never gives you, the reader, an opportunity to take a bathroom break, let the dog in/out, feed the cat, feed yourself or the family!!!
She makes you FEEL the agony of the family who lost a loved one by murder. She brings out of her readers almost exact same emotions the people who ARE the story free.
I'm looking forward to reading many more of Me. Casey's works!
I've been reading True Crime novels for part couple years now and I have no idea how many there were. But Katherine Casey is in a category all her own!
She doesn't really waste too much time to get to get point, but after that? It's a fantastic roller coaster ride through the Haunted House, on a Spider etc.
She never gives you, the reader, an opportunity to take a bathroom break, let the dog in/out, feed the cat, feed yourself or the family!!!
She makes you FEEL the agony of the family who lost a loved one by murder. She brings out of her readers almost exact same emotions the people who ARE the story free.
I'm looking forward to reading many more of Me. Casey's works!
March 1, 2021
Drugs lead to murder
This book is Heartbreaking fascinating enthralling. The author has done a compelling job making you understand all 3 of the main characters not just the Girl that was killed but that both of the people who participated in her killing we're victims is well victims of their own excesses iHeart bleeds for their families I think that Laura got way too light of a sentence and it actually frightens me that she's wandering around loose apparently in Texas this woman I think it's more of a psychopath even then the guy who did the killing It's too bad that when Jennifer seems like she was getting her life back together she was murdered .
This book is Heartbreaking fascinating enthralling. The author has done a compelling job making you understand all 3 of the main characters not just the Girl that was killed but that both of the people who participated in her killing we're victims is well victims of their own excesses iHeart bleeds for their families I think that Laura got way too light of a sentence and it actually frightens me that she's wandering around loose apparently in Texas this woman I think it's more of a psychopath even then the guy who did the killing It's too bad that when Jennifer seems like she was getting her life back together she was murdered .
January 18, 2021
Kathryn Casey knows how to write true crime! The amount of research and details contained in her writing really makes you relive the events. One con was being able to tell when she was being sympathetic to the family of Jennifer Cave and not wanting to victim shame her. It was horrific what happened to her and the pain her family continues to live with. This was a huge story in Texas but one I'd never heard of until this book. Calling this a twisted murder is really an understatement, not a book for anyone who can't handle extremely detailed murder descriptions.
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