When I first heard about the Golden State Killer I was intrigued that someone so vile could get away with so many wicked things. I remember listening to a podcast called Casefile and lingering to every word the host spoke about the cases. I couldn't believe someone could do the things that this killer did. To go from simply robbing, to raping, and ultimately murdering. Listening and learning all about the climb in the severity of his crimes was interesting to me. At the time I learned about this serial killer I also learned that the person had never been caught. It had been over 35+ years and police had never caught the guy. In 2018 that all changed.

The book Killers Keep Secrets by James Huddle is a tale of the Golden State Killer, Joseph DeAngelo, from the eyes of his ex brother-in-law/roommate/friend. I was intrigued by the idea of this as it's so rare that you get a real look into the life of a serial killer from someone that truly knew them well and even lived with them during the times that some crimes were commited. My hopes going into this were that I'd learn something about DeAngelo that the press hadn't already revealed or that I'd have a better understanding of some things I'd read. Sadly, this wasn't the case.

Usually I'm one who is able to read just about anything and get some kind of enjoyment from it. With this book, I sadly felt that I was having to force myself to continue. While there were some good stories from Huddle about his days and trips he'd taken with DeAngelo, a good portion was filler information about serial killers not even related to this case. I'd honestly say about 1/3-1/2 of the book is information put in simply to make the book seem longer and not actually information that pertains to the Golden State Killer at all.

It was interesting to hear Huddle talk about some of his memories with DeAngelo and how looking back on certain events now was like night and day, but it honestly just felt like an attempt at profiting off of the situation. The writing was all over the place and stories intertwined with no commonalities. I honestly don't feel like anything that was said really added to my knowledge of DeAngelo at all. It was a lot of "hear say" and even uncertainty about what he was saying from the author himself. I've read books by family members and friends of serial killers before and I wouldn't put this book into the same category of them at all. I believe the information in this book could have easily been put into a magazine article instead, and probably would have made the front page of whatever publication it was in. But for a book, it just doesn't make sense.

We are all interested in serial killers, right? There's some kind of a paradoxical attraction to them while hoping to never meet one! I love true crime, in any form, be it books, articles, movies or docs. But I had never heard of the infamous Golden State Killer before, it's strange. But the title of the book, the cover and also the subtitle made me want to read this one.
It is an easy and quick read, you could binge it in one sitting really.
I liked the book, even tho it was a merely loose recollection of memories it still had some detailed memories of the killer and also the not so subtle red flags which did not add up to anything while the author was friends with the killer but as he recalls them now, he can connect the dots together and see how wicked and cruel Joe had really been in the past at some points. The book has a unique POV. I'd always wonder what happens to the family and friends of the person who is suddenly no longer the person they knew, who becomes a monster overnight; and considering this I believe the author did a really good job to go through all the memories of his life with a man who he considered a brother and a friend only to find out that he had been ignorant of all the red flags along the way; which honestly it could happen to anyone, the killer hiding in plain sight is scary inside but innocent looking and a generally good guy outside!
I liked the record of other killers active at the same time as Joe, and also all the forensic information he provided.
I was kinda jumpy throughout the book so you better read it in daylight ; )

We are fascinated by serial killers. There are shows, books, movies and more - all about them. We think we'd spot them, hope we never meet one, can't understand how those around them didn't know. This is a compelling story, told from a relative's POV about the Golden State Killer. The narrator met Joe, the suspected Golden state killer, when his sister brought home her new boyfriend. He was friends as well as family with him for years, going on multiple hunting, fishing, driving and flying trips. It's a compelling and easy read. I was interested to see where the author, James Huddle, would take the story and appreciated the addition of the statistics, information about other serial killers and even the details about DNA collection. I also liked the author giving is his her personal POV. It was an all around great read and I'm so glad I gave it a try!

This is a really interesting account of life with the Golden state killer, before his conviction.
Told in the first person by his brother in law, this book gives a new insight into the life of Joseph De’Angelo before, during
and after the long and terrifying spate of rapes and murders he committed.
Well written and interesting.

An interesting spin on a true crime book about Joseph DeAngelo, also known as the Golden State Killer or the East Area Rapist, infamous in the 1970’s and 80’s. Huddle knew him well as his sister was once married to DeAngelo, The book explores his memories and recollections of times spent together and questions whether he should have been more attuned to things he now sees as red flags. While I appreciated reading about his connections, to me there wasn’t enough depth for a novel. At first I thought that interviewing other family members, especially his daughter, would have been powerful but the author did state that he was ready to talk about DeAngelo but some of his family wasn’t in the same place on the continuum of dealing with the notoriety as he was. I was dismayed to read the synopses of other serial killers that were operating during the same time frame as I feel it detracted from the book. Many thanks to James Huddle and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read this arc of this just published book.

Short, quick read. Not much new info on JJD if you have followed the case, but some new antidotes from a family member. Had no idea the author was the brother in law - made it interesting!

Absolutely fascinating! I was hooked from page one. It was like I was watching a true crime. The book was quick and flowed well! So incredible.

I was not aware that James Huddle, the author, was Joseph James DeAngelo's brother-in-law until I read this book. That changed everything for me. He gave a new insight into the Golden State Killer that not many could relate to. I found this book very interesting and it easily kept my attention. I liked his writing style, as it was easy to read and well written. I was able to read it fairly quickly, as well. I had trouble putting it down. I do recommend this book.

A quick and easy read. Not a ton of information on JJD but enough that it’s worth reading this book.

The Golden State Killer or the East Area Rapist (EAR) would terrorize California residents from the mid 1970’s – 1986 committing 13 murders and over 50 rapes and 100 burglaries. When Joseph J. DeAngelo (1945-) was identified by DNA evidence and charged with these crimes— debut author James Huddle explains in “Killer’s Keep Secrets” (2020) how his brother-in-law hid in plain sight for decades: undetected, eluding law enforcement, unsuspecting family and friends; also a multitude of criminal investigators until he was charged and taken into custody (2018).

In 1971, Joe DeAngelo was introduced by Sharon Huddle to her family. Joe was a Navy veteran who had served in Vietnam, and would become a police officer. Joe and Sharon eventually married and had three daughters. Joe got along well with his in-laws, had a roommate situation and even went hunting with James. After Joe visited, James thought it was very odd that small items were missing, though he never confronted Joe about it. In addition, he is chilled by thoughts of his own young daughter’s spending time in the past in Joe’s care. Most family members are too traumatized, and understandably, refuse to speak to the media concerning DeAngelo’s crimes.

In the last section of the book, Huddle writes about notorious serial killers: Ted Bundy, The Green River Killer, Gary Ridgeway, John Wayne Gacy, the female serial killer, Aileen Wuornos-- also many others. Huddle discusses the myth’s and similarities surrounding these criminals and what might be compared to DeAngelo’s behavior and criminal history. Huddle seems somewhat as an amateur sleuth, and might have interviewed the experts or law enforcement officials for additional credibility. Still, this informative book provides an important true-life narrative regarding family life and crime. To read further about the crimes of Joseph DeAngelo: “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State killer”(2018) was published posthumously by Michelle McNamara; and is the basis of a recent six part HBO documentary. (3.5*GOOD) ** With thanks to IBPA via NetGalley for the DDC for the purpose of review.

I flew through this book! The parts about other serial killers James was not related to by marriage, however, did not interest me. Aside from that and a few typos, I was hooked on James’ and his family’s personal experiences with the Golden State Killer. What intrigued me the most about this book was James’ perspective, which only he could offer. After I finished the book, I had a discussion with my husband about the author’s life and how 40 years or so had to be revised in his mind. Aside from the other serial killers mentioned, this was definitely a page-turner for me!

In April 2018, at age 72, Joseph James DeAngelo is arrested for the long-unsolved cases of the Golden State Killer and East Side Rapist.
I found this read like a journal therapy for James Huddle. A way for him to process his thoughts on the shocking arrest of his brother-in-law and friend, Joseph James DeAngelo.
The scary thing here is how DeAngelo lived his life among friends and family all the while, allegedly raping over 50 women and murdering 13 people. Yet, dring the same period, charming neighbors and family with his normal guy vibe.
As we walk through Huddle’s memories of DeAngelo we are presented with his strange hobbies and what seemed like minor red flags about him at the time. The core of this account forces you to consider just how well you know the people around and if your instincts about them might be something more serious than you think. The second half of the book shares similarities between DeAngelo and other infamous serial killers. Although it felt like “filler” I can see how the research was also necessary in the grieving process for Huddle. An attempt at trying to understand how he was fooled, like others for decades.
Overall a good quick read.

Killers Keep Secrets is one man's story of being friends with one of the most prolific serial killers in the United States, the Golden State Killer. Huddle was friends with the accused, and gives a story about Deangelo, who he was, his family, and his mannerisms that Huddle questioned many times.

I've read a few books about the GSK, and all of them are beyond creepy, especially I'll Be Gone In The Dark. But Huddle, no matter how much he may try, isn't able to give Deangelo any traits of humanity. He still is disgusting and vapid, and a killer. I don't think Huddle at any time is trying to explain away Deangelo's behavior. I think he was just as surprised as anyone else, that his former best friend, and former brother-in-law was a rapist murderer. I think any of us could be surprised at something like that.

Huddle also focuses a lot on the victims, which I appreciated, because really, they are the ones who should be getting the attention.

Overall, I thought of it as an excellent book. One that I could see myself rereading years from now.

Killers Keep Secrets publishes 6.30.2020.

5/5 Stars

I don't think anyone familiar with this case is coming into this expecting a grand exposé(due to the fact that the case is ongoing) but this is a good, short look at a famous criminal through a new lens, that of an extended family member looking to make sense of confusion and tragedy. While brief, there are certainly interesting new details about the man we now know to be the Golden State Killer/EARONS and I think anyone with an interest in true crime would enjoy this as a quick afternoon read.

An excellent choice to read after one finishes the other highly publicized book surrounding this case, I'll Be Gone In The Dark. While this book could benefit from some additional time with an editor, it's a good effort to be taken at face value. Three stars due to brevity and some minor editing issues.

I’ve followed the East Area Rapist/Golden State Killer case for decades and I have read nearly every book that has been published about the case. I was looking forward to the insight into Joseph Deanglo’s personal life that James Huddle could provide and I was hoping that James Huddle would provide the answers to some questions that have been a mystery like what was Deanglo doing from 1979 when he was fired by the Auburn Police Department until he was hired by Albertson’s as a diesel mechanic in 1991.
James Huddle had a huge opportunity with “Killers Keep Secrets” to share what Joseph Deangelo was like as a man, friend, father and husband but he missed that opportunity with what was included in this book. Huddle should have included many personal memories of his interactions with Joseph Deangelo over the years and wove those stories into the timeline and events for the Cordova Cat Burglar, Visalia Ransaker, East Area Rapist, Original Night Stalker. Instead “Killers Keep Secrets” lists details of the various crime series that are well documented by other researchers and included a few brief stories about his interactions with Deanglo over the years.
James Huddle could have written a compelling book filled with personal observations and experiences and he failed to do that. Huddle could have described what it was like to have Christmas or Thanksgiving with Joseph Deanglo at the dinner table but he did not. He could have described what the court case was like when Deangelo was arrested for shoplifting but he did not. I did learn a few tidbits of new information about Joseph Deangelo from “Killers Keep Secrets”.
I applaud people that author books but I was a bit disappointed by the content of “Killers Keep Secrets” I hope Mr. Huddle will make a second attempt at this book and include more personal memories and work with an editor that can help keep him focused on content that readers crave.

What if you found out your brother-in-law was none other than The Golden State Killer himself? How would you deal with that news?

After Joe DeAngelo’s arrest, his family was left to piece together the last forty years and make sense of how the husband, father, uncle and brother-in-law in their lives could have done the heinous things he was accused of.

This story is told by James Huddle- Joe’s friend, roommate once upon a time and eventually became his brother-in-law when Joe married his sister, Sharon. He shares of the time he spent with Joe- riding motorcycles, hunting, living together before they each married their wives, raising their children together and the holidays they shared over the years. James looks back on those years and looks for obvious red flags that he might have missed with Joe, anything to hint at the killer hiding in plain sight. He was conflicted in writing this book and many family members were against it, but to share his story and give some background on Joe helped him ease some of his own guilt for not recognizing what a monster his brother-in-law was.

James opens up about how his family was harassed by reporters for months after Joe’s arrest and none of them were willing to talk back then. James then spent time researching The Golden State Killer so he would have little doubt that Joe was behind the crimes and was shocked to see the patterns of where these crimes took place as Joe and Sharon lived in different areas of California. He hopes that Joe will pay for what he did and is heartbroken and angry for the families that were hurt.

This was a quick read but if you’ve followed this case you’ll find this background on The Golden State Killer very interesting and informative. Thank you Netgalley for this advance reading copy.

The book is interesting in that it was written by someone with so much history - ex-familial and former friendship - with (the alleged) Golden State Killer. But that's it.

I appreciate the author's forthrightness in expressing his obvious dismay and grief over the victims and their families, but this book fell flat for me. No real depth. A lot of speculation versus fact. Much was written about other serial killers, leaving the portion about DeAngelo short and lacking.

For hard core true crime fans, I'd pick this one up. Otherwise, I'd skip it.

Thanks to James Huddle, IBPA, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

“Little red flags can add up.”

This was a short but still very chilling behind-the-scenes look into the life and actions of the Golden State Killer (/East Area Rapist/Original Night Stalker). In this account, the GSK’s brother-in-law (and close personal friend) compiles many snapshots of time that reveal Joe DeAngelo’s subtle hints of secret aggressive and antisocial tendencies. Many times throughout, the author laments his inability to read between the lines and identify Joe as the source of these heinous crimes, but I think through this retelling it is made quite clear that Joe DeAngelo was skilled at compartmentalizing his personal life and his life of crime. Taken at face value, his interests in hunting, guns and machinery, and adrenaline-pumping dirt bike rides didn’t make him all that different from many other men of his generation. Slowly though the author lets us in on moments of thinly veiled disorder: a history of going totally agro over losing his keys, keeping his bedroom strictly off-limits to the family, aggression towards signs of PDA, and a very cavalier above-the-law attitude (despite being a cop himself). The author also writes about other serial killers who were active during that same era to provide context to the story and unpack/disprove a lot of the myths we as a general public hold about serial killers. James Huddle made it crystal clear that the East Area Rapist/Golden State Killer’s most frightening element was his lack of rhyme or reason to his attacks, and this made it easy to imagine the paranoid, high-alert existence of mid/late 1970s Californians. My only wish with this book were that it were longer and more packed with details and descriptive imagery. I realize though how difficult something like this might be to write after so many years of essentially no suspicion of foul play, seeing as the author had no reason to study Joe’s activities with great scrutiny. Overall, I found this to be a quick and interesting read, and I would recommend it as a follow-up to anyone who read and enjoyed “I’ll Be Gone In The Dark” by Michelle McNamara.

Although I have seen multiple documentaries covering serial killers and read a lot about their motivation, I don’t think I have come across something like this book. It is interesting to read what family members and people close to someone who turns out to be a serial killer think, how they realise they were ignoring red flags all along. How differently they interpret certain events in the light of new truths. An example of how normal lives seem to be, and how not everything is the way we think it is.
This book gave me exactly what I was looking for- how others see serial killers. How hard it is to accept reality once everything comes out.
The only negative is that the last chapters of the book didn't really make much sense as a part of the book.

Despite being a fan of true crime, I did not enjoy this one. It is an interesting concept for a book as the author is the ex-brother-in-law of Joseph DeAngelo and he writes about his experiences with him prior to his arrest. He regularly trusted DeAngelo with his children and never suspected him to be the East Area Rapist/Golden State Killer. However, the execution of the story was not done well. I feel like the author ran out of things to write about after 100 pages and turned to writing about infamous serial killers who committed similar crimes to DeAngelo. Overall, there are probably better books to read if you are interested in learning about the reign of terror of the Golden State Killer. (I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.)