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Monster

Written by: Steve Jackson
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
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Publisher's Summary

On a snowy winter evening in 1982, 21-year-old Mary Brown accepted a ride from a handsome stranger in the resort town of Breckenridge, Colorado. The trip ended with her brutally beaten and raped. Mary survived, but her predator's violence had only just begun. 

After 10 years in prison, Tom Luther was released a far more vicious criminal. Soon, from the Rockies to West Virginia, like Ted Bundy, Luther enticed a chain of women into his murderous trap. In this gripping new edition of a true crime masterpiece, acclaimed author Steve Jackson recounts the intriguing pursuit and long awaited conviction of a charismatic, monstrous psychopath - one who remains a suspect in three other crimes, and has never given up hope of escape.

©2013 Steve Jackson (P)2020 WildBlue Press

What the critics say

"One of the best books short of the famous Ann Rule works." (True Crime Book Reviews)

"Steve Jackson is a born storyteller. He makes you sweat...and turn the page." (Ron Franscell, author of The Darkest Night)

What listeners say about Monster

Average Customer Ratings
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

UNPARALLELED STORYTELLING: a “True Crime” junkie’s fix.

Nearly 20 hours of insight and emotions revealed in exploring these true crimes... Absolutely UNPARALLELED storytelling... If I could give more stars, I would.

The narrator and author seem as tight of team as the NecroSearch group they referenced throughout this story and other productions- I was completely enthralled throughout this story (and their other works)... while keeping the respect for the victims, investigators and science, this Author presents, what appears to be, an unbiased representation of each perspective.

Other reviewers (still gave 5 stars) commented on how SAD the story is, and they’re correct- it is very sad, and frustrating (especially when it comes to Debrah Snider’s unconditional love for Tom!), BUT, the author DOES balance the emotional rollercoaster with an ending of contentment and satisfaction.

To be honest- I think anyone who seeks this kind of read, would not be too disturbed or saddened by its accuracy, as they (we) sought it out, and obviously have a curious nature about these details- but this story bypasses the gore, while still giving the impact- and rather BRILLIANTLY focuses on the dialogues and thought processes of each person involved.

I don’t know if he collected this information from transcripts, interviews or confessions, BUT he portrays each personality and inner struggle so well, it’s as if he’s actually created a fictional character that he knows intimately- BUT THEY’RE REAL PEOPLE... and you’ll feel empathy for each- even if it feels yucky.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible book, I couldn't stop listening!

I thought this story would get a little long winded or jump from person to person when I saw it was 19hrs long. Instead, this story is accurate, to the facts, smart and and easy listen. I was sucked in and couldn't stop listening, it's a wild story about the serial killer Thomas Luther and his many victims. Absolutely brilliant writing! can't say enough good about this, I'd recommend it to anyone.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Strikingly Vivid

This True Crime story reads like a Screenplay. The conversations and events are liberally dramatized - to the point where it's difficult to ascertain/evaluate the sources Steve Jackson uses to inform his narrative.. but the author has a genuine talent for description and dialogue. The conversations are strikingly realistic and the crimes are horrifyingly easy to picture (..and the picture is ugly). 'Monster' is a viscerally affecting book.
In addition, Jackson provides an exemplar for the life of a psychopath in and out of Prison.. and offers thoughtful commentary on the nature of crime investigation (as he leads the reader through a Cat & Mouse game between dedicated investigators and Thomas Edward Luther). The combination of 'Movie Of The Week' conceptualization and forensic clinical exploration is effective.

This is the best performance I've heard from reader Kevin Pierce. His tone is excellent, his voice-acting is creditable, and his pacing is much improved over previous efforts (NB: I still needed to increase the playback rate to 1.10X to make up for Pierce's typical plodding approach). Furthermore, the sound editors at Wildblue Press did a remarkable job softening Pierce's often startling sibilance.

This book takes a little too much artistic license for my tastes, but it’s quality production standards compliment an undeniably captivating story about the pursuit, capture, and trial of a genuinely nasty criminal. It is a gut-punch at times, but it's also both entertaining and thought-provoking. I give this recording of 'Monster' a solid 9/10.

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Crappy

I gave up at sky as blue as a robins egg… poor poor writing. Far too much conjecture. Frankly an interesting story made boring by a writer grasping for metaphors

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely Great

This was my first experience involving a True Crime Audiobook. It was fantastic. A top 10 for me. The Narrator was great. I appreciated this very much as I gambled on it during the summer sale. Needless to say, it were a gamble that paid. Excellent all around. I recommend 👌

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True crime horrible but so addictive

Unfortunately a wonderfully written true crime story . Narrater is is so easy to listen to! Excellent book

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Disturbing story of a serial killer

The author carefully describes the events and the characters involved in these true crime events. The complexity of emotions that make up the human condition, that can cause one woman to love a man such as Tomas Luther, who himself loved a woman enough to not kill her, even though she chose truth over love. The family's and the victims who were forever changed by what Luther did and how they found a way forward to some kind of healing. And the detective who was driven to leave no stone unturned for a young women who he never got to meet alive. This is a story that will stay with me for a while

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Hard to imagine

This book shocked me made me angry also made me cry for the families of this mad man’s victims. If you are into true crime books you will want to read this book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

intense

at first I put on just to have something on in the car, as casual listen. this book is not that. it is a deep dive into all aspects of the evil of one man and hopes of others. hopes of a future, hopes of finding love ones, hopes of conviction and so much more. EVIL EXSISTS .

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

Very good listen. Story was unbelievable. Glad that Luther ended up where he belongs in prison.

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  • Klh23
  • 2020-07-24

Riveting....harrowingly so.

Giving Steve Jackson another chance in my love for the narrator Kevin Pierce and in my pain and boredom of 23 straight days in the hospital...I am more than midway through this and doing what I’ve never done. Stopping to review for what I am grateful and deeply upset over. The focus on the victims is harrowing. I am a victim who relates to the survival instinct and that’s as much as I can say about it. But after turning away from this author after “Bogeyman” where my bleeding heart sensed deep bias against the accused (yeah go figure),this story has me cheering for Steve Jackson as the reporting on a monster is as real and good as I can handle .... I think I’ll rethink my bleeding heart although I do believe in the presumption of innocence. I also believe in survival and thank Steve Jackson for his sensitive and heart-felt characterization of the surviving victim Mary ..... Amen. This is personal and this author has done well by me. Not only that, I’m unable to sleep and grateful for the reason to care less about that than justice for a true monster. You will not go wrong on this credit or purchase. This is Jack Olsen-Tom Henderson level nonfiction. As I finished the book and now lay in harrowing ‘rehab’ I will add that this maintainsed its icannot put it down kind of listen. Bravo. I want to meet this police investigator detective of pure honor - Scott

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131 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Angie
  • 2020-08-31

Whoa!

This book needs a warning ⚠️ It is extremely descriptive and at times, hard to listen to.
I have never been moved to tears by a book like this one. The victim’s and their family’s heartbreak is gut wrenching. The performance is phenomenal!!!

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  • justin
  • 2020-07-21

Steve Jackson does it again!

This was an amazingly detailed and so well organized that the 19hrs went by in a flash. The story of Thomas Luther is dark, twisted, and reminiscent of several similar stories in which a burgeoning serial killer is given the chance to improve his "craft" in the prison system just in time for early release to pick up right where he left off. I also learned he has a connection to the local disappearance of Karen Denise Wells in '94. Karen's is a case I've been following for years only to find out Tom Luther was in the area at the time, and may also be responsible for the body of another woman that was discovered near the area not long before Karen disappeared.

Monster reminded me a lot of my favorite true crime book by Greg Olsen about serial killer Arthur Shawcross. Both men were brutal monsters who preyed on the vulnerable, and both received justice...eventually. if you enjoy true crime, you'll love this book.

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57 people found this helpful

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  • Patlou
  • 2020-07-14

10 hours too long

Moves so slowly that it’s extremely hard to keep paying attention. Needs lots of editing, its a seven hour story told in 17 hours. Performance has little vocal or pace variety.

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42 people found this helpful

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  • Joe
  • 2020-07-26

Steve Jackson 5 stars

For all you true crime fanatics this updated version of "Monster" is well written and well researched, I highly recommend and definitely worth the credit. 5 stars to the narrator Kevin Pierce, when I'm searching for a true crime novel. I find myself looking for any true crime book narrated by Kevin Pierce, and I know forsure the author and book is going to be good.

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  • Ben K Clements
  • 2020-07-18

AWESOME writing and narration!

Loved it! Gregg Olsen did a fantastic job with this work, and Kevin Pierce narrated the story superbly!!!

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32 people found this helpful

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  • Cameron Rettig
  • 2020-08-17

Great Book

Could not stop listening! Didn’t even seem like it was almost 20 hours. Could listen to Kevin Pierce narrate anything! Can’t wait to listen to whatever else Steve has written!

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23 people found this helpful

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  • Lorin
  • 2020-08-06

Excellent story with my favorite narrator.

I listen to mystery novels and true crime alike. Many disturbing stories can get my stomach queasy and horrify my mind. Thus book touched my heart. Many times throughout my listening, I found myself wiping away tears. I enjoyed the updates at the end about where everyone ended up, it is a must listen for anyone who enjoys the genre.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • elizabeth Almquist
  • 2020-08-23

my heart broke for Cher Elder and her family but

I will remember the monster hunters, not the monster.
the story stays with you.

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21 people found this helpful

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  • Southern American Gal
  • 2020-08-22

Boring

I didn't like this book at all. It told the same story over and over!
Not long into the book the narrator's voice made the characters blend together. He sounded like a gangster from the 30's. "Ya see?" Just like that.
Finally I said I'd had enough.
I'm sorry I had to put such a negative review.

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7 people found this helpful