I wasn’t too sure about this one going in, not that I thought it would be bad, but just because I didn’t know how different another book about serial killers could be. At a certain point of reading true crime it feels like there isn’t much else new to learn. But luckily this book was a fascinating and well done take on the genre and I’m so glad that I was able to pick it up.

I loved how this book was split up, it was grouped based on the type of crimes these people committed (or perhaps you could also classify it is the motivation behind the crimes?) and that was a really interesting choice that made it easier to compare certain killers and to start to see some of the similarities between them. Another thing that I really enjoyed was how it wasn’t an entirely US centered book – I know that there’s plenty of choices there – but the addition of people from other countries (mostly the UK and Australia) was really appreciated.

The narrator did a really good job too, with true crime sometimes I can feel my mind wandering but I was hooked from the second I started this one and couldn’t stop listening. Honestly this was just a really well done book and I’m glad that I got to read it.

This book was very hard to listen to from time to time. As much as I loved the easy and warm tone of the narrator, the incidents mentioned here really sent shivers down my spine in a way no horror book has been able to. I did know what I was getting to and it was definitely a one of a kind experience. I shall surely check out more of this authors works and listen to more from this narrator. All in all, I think most lovers of true crime will like this one.

I am a true crime fan and have been fascinated by serial killers since I was a teenager ... strange I know but there you go 😊

This audiobook gives a captivating look at some of history's most notorious serial killers. The author weaves together the stories of these individuals, delving into their backgrounds, motives, and crimes.

It's fast paced and engrossing and although it doesn't provide a detailed examination of each murder and trial, it does provide an overview of various cases which makes it an easy (although not in terms of the content) listen as it delves into the darker aspects of human nature and therefore due to the graphic nature of the subject matter, it may not be suitable for everyone.

Even for those familiar with many of the serial killers included, this book did introduce me to some I had never heard of and also provided details I had not been aware of.

The narrator was excellent and, I think, perfect for this book. It's a hard listen at times so it must have been a difficult one to narrate so kudos to Tom Alexander ... you did a great job.

Overall, I would recommend this to those of you who are interested in serial killers and true crime enthusiasts and many thanks to the author, Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of this thought-provoking book.

"Faces of Evil" explores some of the darkest serial killer stories. Utton discusses these killers, their utter lack of remorse, and how we tragically may never know the extent of their crimes. It was interesting but not fresh and groundbreaking. Utton's writing was very good, and I'd read more nonfiction from him.

Doesn't it feel odd to say that you really liked a book about something as horrific as serial killers? I won't get into all of the psychological reasons that humans find serial killers fascinating, except to acknowledge the reality. I don't always read about serial killers or similar true crime murders, in part due to my personal discomfort over keeping my interest to "healthy" levels. Because of all this, Faces of Evil: Unmasking the World’s Most Horrific Serial Killers was a wonderful fit for me. Dominic Utton was matter-of-fact in his handling of each of his 20 subjects. Each subject has warranted their own full-length works; I would categorize Faces of Evil: Unmasking the World’s Most Horrific Serial Killers as almost a kind of encyclopedia in its brevity and style.

The aspect of Faces of Evil: Unmasking the World’s Most Horrific Serial Killers that really made it stand out to me was Dominic Utton's naming of the victims. If there was an unidentified victim, he made sure to acknowledge them, too. Especially where the victims were people overlooked by society: prostitutes and street hustlers, the unhomed, those experiencing the symptoms of use disorders. Well, at one point a police officer even acknowledged that it just wasn't protocol to get all excited over a dead hooker. Dominic Utton helps to give these people some dignity. And, who knows? Maybe this book will be read by someone who remembers a story about a missing cousin, reach out to a police department with a DNA sample, and provide even more closure.

Even as a U.S. citizen, I was only vaguely familiar with a small number of the 20 subjects. The Australian ones were completely new to me. So, I feel like the majority of potential readers will be able to take new knowledge away from Faces of Evil: Unmasking the World’s Most Horrific Serial Killers.

Specifically, I listened to the audiobook. Tom Alexander's narration was really excellent. There were sections when he would need to quote a particular person and he would change his voice to match. It was a nice touch, and actually helped everything feel even more real than just if he had continued along in his normal voice and cadence. He could even switch up the accent, like with Paul John Knowles's Southern drawl. I would like to thank Bolinda Audio for allowing me to experience this NetGalley audiobook.

This book was a really good compilation of some of the worlds most prolific serial killers. I'm a true crime junkie and there were cases and murderers covered in the this that I've never even heard of. Must read for fans of true crime.

This felt like listening to a podcast, it was so engageing and honestly, I could not stop listening. It was also nice to hear about female serial killers, and killers from the UK (we love inclusivity).
The stories of each killer were succint and it was great to just get the facts, and not have the story drawn out for dramamtic purposes.
If you're a fan of true crime, you'll love this.

The download date was unfortunately missed, I would be happy to re-review it if it became available again. I have awarded stars for the book cover and description as they both appeal to me. I would be more than happy to listen and review it if a download becomes available. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

I don't often read nonfiction, but this was wonderful. Each story was comprehensible and wonderfully told.

If you are true crime and podcast fan you will know all of these names. And the audio book version sounded just like that, one of my regular podcasters but with better microphones
What was different and enjoyable given the redundancy of information was the comparisons of mental issues that led to their crimes and other comparisons.

Faces of Evil: Unmasking the World’s Most Horrific Serial Killers by Dominic Utton. Audiobook narrated by Tom Alexander. Published on September 1st, 2024 by Bolinda Audio.

This book looks at 20 serial killers form the 20th and 21st centuries. I have read books about serial killers, so I was familiar with a lot of these names. It was interesting to hear a few unknown names from the UK. Overall, a solid serial killer listen. 3/5

#serialkillers #books #booksaredeadly #bookscavengerhunt #audiobook #facesofevil

Overall Grade: B+
Narration: B+
Information: B
Writing/Organization: B
Best Aspect: Interesting to hear summaries of so many different serial killers in one audiobook.
Worst Aspect: Each section is short and doesn’t do into enough detail for my liking.
Recommend: Yes.

3.75 stars

Do you like true crime but hate the way a lot of documentaries draw things out for more airtime?

Dominic Utton’s Faces of Evil not only has a fantastic cover but provides a succinct overview of 20 horrific humans looking at the events, motives, and methods.

Each chapter focus on a different killer and honestly this is a lot to take in all at once, so instead of reading through it all once just pick a chapter or two in-between other books.

There are going to be names you know in this book, and at least for me a few I didn’t. The pacing in the book is pretty fast providing basically the cliff notes version for chapter.

That being said I still found them well put together and thought provoking as to what could drive people to this level of evil.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book early. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review

Faces of Evil by Dominic Utton

Faces of Evil is a well written nonfiction novel about a variety of serial killers. Many of these serial killers were unknown to me until this book.
The first serial killer was Anthony Sowell. Until this book, I had never heard about him. I found the information extremely informative. The next is John Wayne Gacey, who is probably one of the most notorious and well known serial killers. While the book gives you some information, it doesn’t give a complete picture of him, probably because he can take up several books with his depravity. I had never heard of Dennis Nielsen until this book, and with his crimes, I’m surprised he’s not more well known.

The author did a lot of research for this very informative book. While it does have a decent amount of information for each killer, the book only does a small picture of these horrific crimes. The book is very graphic and disturbing, but you expect that with the subject matter.

The narrator, Tom Alexander, is extremely easy to listen to. This is a good book to learn a little about the different killers, however you would need to read other books to get a deeper picture of the killers and victims. The narrator does a great job bringing the story to life. I would definitely listen to other books read by him.

This was a brutally straightforward description of a variety of serial killers, many I have already heard about (due to my true crime obsession). I think the full title and description of this book is a little deceptive, because "unmasking the world's most horrific serial killers" implies a greater examination into the killers' psyches, which this book did not do. From a true crime standpoint, it was fascinating, but as someone who studies psychology and loves to learn about how the brain works, this area fell short, and for that I cannot give this book a higher rating.

This was super heavy and full of information, definitely a hard read and I found the narrator a bit dull but I enjoyed that it was a nice mix of known and unknown characters

Dominic Utton's "Faces of Evil" is a chilling revelation into a world of serial killers I never knew existed. Utton's narrative grips you from the first page, blending eerie fascination with spine-chilling horror in a way that leaves an indelible mark. The book delves into dark territories with such vividness that it's hard not to feel like a silent witness to the events unfolding.

Utton's storytelling prowess is unmatched; the narrator's voice is so compelling that I found myself envisioning the scenes vividly, often to the point of giving me goosebumps. This isn't just a book—it's an experience that lingers long after you've put it down.

Would I recommend "Faces of Evil"? Absolutely. It's a must-read for anyone intrigued by true crime and the psychology behind it. I could easily envision this story adapted into a gripping documentary. As for owning a copy, it's a definite yes; it would make a conversation-starting addition to any coffee table. Would I read it again? Certainly, though perhaps not all at once—its intensity deserves savored moments.

To sum this review up, Dominic Utton has crafted a masterpiece that blends terror and fascination into a compelling narrative. "Faces of Evil" is not just a book; it's a journey into the darkest recesses of the human psyche that leaves a lasting impression.

This book was incredibly informative I enjoy learning about different serial killers and this is information about many I really enjoyed listening to it as well as it was like a podcast

4 ⭐️

I really enjoyed this deep dive in to stories of one of the most sick and evil people.

I really enjoyed the way it was delivered.
Good quick read for this coming spooky season.

Thank you for providing me with an ARC of Faces of Evil. This book was so interesting and very well done, providing a great balance between information and telling of the stories. I would say to be aware that some of the descriptions are quite vivid and graphic in places of the horrific acts of these people however the book is respectful to the victims while exploring the profile of the serial killers who committed these acts. I would say that the book doesn’t ‘unmask’ in a lot of detail but rather provides a retelling of the facts to provide the story of what happened and who the victims were, however there is some discussion about what may have motivated the murders and a profile of the killers. I personally liked this style of writing as it provided more of an overview of a range of serial killers, getting the main points across but without going into too much depth of one serial killer.

Overall a really great introductory read into a range of serial killers, some well known and some not. I would recommend this to true crime fans.