Love in the Time of Serial Killers

The novel’s narrator and protagonist, Phoebe, is a 30-year-old doctoral student who’s writing a dissertation on the American cultural fixation on the true crime genre. Initially, the novel characterizes her through what she describes as “jaded cynicism” and an intractable personality. Snarky and aloof, she prefers to keep her distance from others. She would rather analyze than interact, and she has few friends and personal connections. Even in her graduate program she hasn’t formed meaningful bonds. Hookups, one-night-stands, and short-term flings have characterized her love life.

Phoebe’s inability to form close emotional bonds stems from childhood trauma. Her parents’ volatile, emotionally abusive relationship adversely impacted her and her brother, Conner, and even after the divorce Phoebe was unable to recover. Neither of her parents had truly supportive relationships with their children, and Phoebe emerged into adulthood without proper role models or healthy coping mechanisms. In addition to her difficulty maintaining platonic and romantic relationships, Phoebe struggles in her relationship with Conner. The two aren’t close until their father dies and they must spend time together.

Phoebe is intelligent, and her dissertation work reflects her insightful ability to analyze both written and popular culture. Her observations about true crime and societal interest in high-profile killings resonates with contemporary critical