Helltown by Casey Sherman

There is nothing like a gritty crime story set in a remote small place that also happens to have some famous residents who also happen to be authors. Two books for one as we witness a serial killer with a personality disorder as well as none other than Norman Mailer and Kurt Vonnegut whose legendary feud is captured as well as their take on the murder case. The late 60's saw young women having more freedom , young people were taking more chances with travel and this new fascination with all types of narcotic drugs. In sleepy Cape Cod Massachusetts life was still fairly quiet until two missing women and the Jekyll and Hyde young man behind it. Tony Costa held many different personalities - to the police he was a drug informer, to people in the community he was a supplier and to some of the locals he was a catch but underneath it all was a side of him that would prove to be the last sight of for several women. The police had ample opportunity to grab Costa but he proved to be slippery and able to outsmart them seemingly at every turn. For any fans of the early days of forensic science, true crime and the mesmerizing nature of killers like The Boston Strangler, Tony Costa and Charles Manson as well as behind the scenes look at two popular authors and the events that shaped their greatest works.  4 stars