The crime this book focuses on promises to be a fascinating one. The Last Call killer worked during a time when AIDS was still rampant and misunderstood, and when being gay was still not widely accepted. The social implications of his crimes could fill volumes, making this story a surefire topic for a true-crime narrative. And I would absolutely read this book to learn about it. But the book is not without its flaws, namely the pacing and tone. So much of the first portion of the book is focused around victim Peter Anderson and his life and upbringing that it's easy to forget the book is not just a biography of him. While the author attempts to use Peter's experience as a means to illustrate the time and society in which all this was happening, it is done at such a clip that much of the impact is lost. Rather than feeling the emotional weight of a man who marries multiple women because he has to hide who he is, those events seem like mere landmarks in the timeline of Peter's life as we move briskly along. This also contributes to a distinct lack of atmosphere in the narrative. The best true-crime books help paint a picture of the time period in which they take place, allowing you to immerse yourself in that era and really understand the crimes in context. Unfortunately, Green instead moves from one decade to the next without really stopping to let the reader catch their breath. The effect is such that you don't spend enough time in one place or year to really connect with what's happening.
From a clinical standpoint, Green tells the story ably and well. But the heart behind it to make you care about the case is sorely lacking.
From a clinical standpoint, Green tells the story ably and well. But the heart behind it to make you care about the case is sorely lacking.