Love Letters to a Serial Killer by Tasha Coryell Summary

Love Letters to a Serial Killer follows Hannah Wilson, a lonely 30-something woman who begins corresponding with William Thompson, an accused serial killer awaiting trial in Georgia. After becoming obsessed with his case through true crime forums, Hannah travels across the country to attend his trial, eventually moving in with him after his acquittal. The psychological thriller explores toxic obsession, self-worth, and society's disturbing fascination with violent criminals through dark humor and sharp social commentary.

Love Letters to a Serial Killer is perfect for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators and dark comedy. Fans of "You," "My Sister the Serial Killer," and "How to Kill Your Family" will appreciate Tasha Coryell's satirical examination of true crime culture. This debut novel suits those comfortable with morally complex, intentionally unlikeable protagonists and stories that blur the line between suspense and social critique. Readers seeking traditional romance or straightforward thrillers may find Hannah's choices exasperating.

Love Letters to a Serial Killer receives mixed but intriguing reviews, with readers rating it 3.5-4 stars for its originality and boldness. The novel's strength lies in Tasha Coryell's sharp dialogue, darkly comic tone, and willingness to create a deeply flawed protagonist. While some readers found the ending predictable or anticlimactic, many appreciated the book's fresh take on true crime obsession and its thought-provoking examination of why people romanticize dangerous individuals. It's a polarizing but memorable reading experience.

Tasha Coryell is a debut novelist living in St. Paul, Minnesota, who holds an MFA and PhD from the University of Alabama. Before Love Letters to a Serial Killer, she published "Hungry People" (2018), a short story collection examining complicated desires for love, fame, money, and children. Her writing consistently explores deeply flawed female characters and the fleeting nature of satisfaction. Coryell's work has appeared in numerous literary journals, and she's known for blending psychological insight with sharp social commentary.

Hannah Wilson is intentionally crafted as an unhinged, self-absorbed narrator whose poor decisions drive the story. She's described as the "most insecure protagonist" readers have encountered—needy, obsessive, and willing to abandon her job and life to pursue a relationship with an accused murderer. Tasha Coryell portrays Hannah as simultaneously relatable and exasperating, a woman so desperate for connection that she fantasizes about being killed during intimate moments with William. Her toxic neediness and self-destructive choices create a polarizing character who fascinates and frustrates equally.

Love Letters to a Serial Killer satirizes society's disturbing romanticization of violent criminals through Hannah's descent into true crime obsession. Tasha Coryell examines the psychology behind why people—particularly women—write to incarcerated killers, though reviewers note the book focuses more on Hannah's personal dysfunction than deep psychological analysis. The novel portrays true crime forums, courtroom groupies, and the performative nature of online sleuthing, questioning what drives people to seek connection with dangerous individuals. It's a critical commentary wrapped in thriller packaging.

Love Letters to a Serial Killer opens with a gripping first line: "I didn't plan to fall in love with an accused serial killer. Nevertheless, my wrists and ankles are bound to a chair, and I can only blame myself". The narrative alternates between present-day danger and past events, showing how Hannah's terrible decisions led to her current predicament. This structure creates suspense by revealing glimpses of Hannah in imminent danger while simultaneously tracing her obsessive journey from online forums to William's trial to living in his home.

The most common criticism of Love Letters to a Serial Killer centers on its ending, which many reviewers found rushed, predictable, or anticlimactic. Some readers felt the conclusion "deflated the whole build" and made the cutting topic feel "flat and soft". Others noted the book's synopsis reveals too much upfront, reducing narrative surprise. While Hannah's unlikeability is intentional, some found her choices so irrational they strained believability rather than creating compelling tension. Despite these criticisms, many still found the journey engaging and darkly entertaining.

Love Letters to a Serial Killer shares DNA with "You" (obsessive, unreliable narrators), "My Sister the Serial Killer" (dark humor about violence), and "How to Kill Your Family" (sharp social satire). However, Tasha Coryell's debut stands apart by focusing specifically on true crime culture and the women who romanticize imprisoned killers rather than the killers themselves. Unlike traditional thrillers that glorify protagonists, this novel deliberately creates an unsympathetic lead whose dysfunction drives the satire. The darkly comic tone distinguishes it from straightforward psychological suspense.

True crime culture serves as both setting and critique in Love Letters to a Serial Killer, with Hannah discovering online forums dedicated to William Thompson's case after four women are murdered in Atlanta. Tasha Coryell portrays the "energetic community of online sleuths" and courtroom observers who treat real tragedy as entertainment. Hannah transforms from casual consumer to obsessive participant, representing how true crime fandom can spiral into parasocial relationships with violent criminals. The novel questions whether this cultural obsession with death and danger reflects deeper societal dysfunction.

Love Letters to a Serial Killer masterfully blends psychological thriller elements with darkly comic satire throughout. Tasha Coryell's sharp dialogue and Hannah's absurd rationalizations create moments that "make you laugh and groan equally". The humor emerges from the gap between Hannah's self-awareness and her inability to stop making catastrophic choices, plus her simultaneously hating and judging herself. This dark comedy doesn't undermine the suspense but rather enhances the novel's critique of true crime obsession, making it "refreshingly original" rather than purely frightening.

Without revealing complete spoilers, the ending of Love Letters to a Serial Killer finds Hannah bound to a chair, facing consequences of her obsessive choices. Reviewers describe the final twist as "spectacular, shocking, and satisfying" with "the last few sentences alone" being particularly impactful. The conclusion clarifies questions about Hannah's mental state and her attraction to violence, though some readers found it wrapped up too quickly. The ending stays true to Hannah's unhinged character while delivering the dark payoff the book's opening promises.