Monroe takes four criminal roles —Detective, Victim, Defender, and Killer — through four true stories about women driven by obsession. From a frustrated and brilliant heiress crafting crime-scene dollhouses to a young woman who became part of a Manson victim’s family, from a landscape architect in love with a convicted murderer to a Columbine fangirl who planned her own mass shooting, these women are alternately mesmerizing, horrifying, and sympathetic.

I’ve been exploring non-fiction topics that fascinate me and finding non-fiction books that delve into these topics has been eye opening.

Savage Appetites looked at people who are fascinated with true crime, what happens when obsession takes over, and really got into the gritty details. Reading about The Nutshell Dollhouses and Frances Glessner Lee’s life was both incredible and profoundly sad. Uncovering the story behind Manson’s victims took me down a dark hole. And a further investigation into Columbine and it’s after effects shook me up.

I really liked how this book was broken up and how the author connected their own journey with true crime. Definitely recommend if you’re a fan of true crime, 3.5✨.