Book Review #5 "The Man in the Monster" by Martha Elliott

Hey Everyone,
    I will be discussing the book "The Man in the Monster" by Martha Elliott. First and foremost I want to thank Netgalley, Penguin Press (the publisher), and Martha Elliott (the author) for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review. I chose this book to read because hey, who is not interested in reading about serial killers? The story took place in Connecticut, the state I grew up in, as well as the author Martha Elliott. I am glad that before reading this book I did not or do not recall hearing about this case. I was able to read it with a complete open mind not previously exposed to media reports of this case. However, before choosing this book to read I was a little skeptical starting the book. I was worried since the author has had a long relationship stemming from an interview with the serial killer to forming a friendship with him, I was concerned that this book was going to glorify Michael Ross (the serial killer). However this was not the case and I was pleasantly surprised.
     Overall I would rate this book 4 stars out of 5. This book is the closest thing you are going to get to going inside a serial killer's mind. The serial killer this book discussed was Michael Ross who raped, and killed 8 women. He was given the death penalty and in this case Michael Ross accepted and fought for his own death sentence. This book brings up a lot of issues, how does one become a serial killer? Did mental illness cause the killer's actions and behavior? And the death penalty, is it right or wrong? This book was an in depth portrayal inside a serial killer. One of the major reasons in which made this book really good was because of the author's friendship and trust that formed with Michael Ross. After 10 years of communicating with a person, you are going to form some sort of relationship and build trust no matter whether the person is a devil or a saint. It was because of this relationship that the reader was able to get so close to inside Michael Ross's mind. I was amazed how the author was able to see the human being in Michael Ross while still at the same time hold him responsible and accountable for his monstrous behavior. The author kept true to herself throughout the entire book.
     One of the things that could have made this book better was its, organization. It was a strong beginning where the author wrote her reasons, her goals, her beliefs and opinions in writing this book. I felt that it would have been more effective starting at chapter 2 if it began then with Michael Ross's childhood, his history, leading up to his crimes and the present. And also if it intertwined back and forth from Michael's childhood to one of his main victim's childhood up to where their lives collided.
     This book wasn't just a story of a serial killer, it brought up a lot more controversial issues than the life of a serial killer. I mentioned earlier that this book discussed mental illness (in terms of it being a mitigating factor involved with crime) and the death penalty (whether it is right or wrong). Amazingly, even though the author made it clear of where she stands on these issues, she was able to present the two opposing sides for each of these issues. She did it in a way that it allowed you to form your own opinion separate from hers. As for me, usually I do know where I stand and hold firm to my beliefs on controversial issues. However when talking about whether the death penalty is right or wrong I am not sure where I stand. It isn't all black or white. There is a lot of gray matter in between. I would like to say that I am against the death penalty but I can't say it with confidence because of how every situation is different and cannot be measured or compared. With mental illness, I do believe that having a mental illness can affect and cause immoral behaviors, but then it brings up the question of how to prove that? Unfortunately this question comes up because there have been cases in the past where mental illness was used falsely, so those circumstances lead us to question all the cases.
     This book was a chilling, but thought provoking read. It was a compelling read. I would recommend this to everyone. Most serial killer stories are told from an outsider's point of view. This one is different from the rest as it goes inside the serial killer's mind. I think we all have a little bit of a morbid curiosity, and this book will fulfill that need, in more ways than one. For those who are interested in reading this book, click HERE to purchase this book.

Until the next page,
Jill