Through the Window: The Terrifying True Story of Cross-Country Killer Tommy Lynn Sells

By: Diane Fanning

Narrated by: Thomas M. Hatting

Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Ten-year-old Krystal Surles watched as her best friend was murdered before the intruder slashed her throat with a 12-inch boning knife. Despite the odds, she survived and led authorities to 35-year-old Tommy Lynn Sells, a former truck driver, carnival worker, and drifter.

Through the Window includes his confession to the murder of 10-year-old Joel Kirkpatrick, playing a pivotal role in obtaining justice for wrongfully convicted Julie Rea.

Lock your windows and plunge into the dark mind of a serial killer as you follow his two-decade long, cross country trail of murder.

About the author: Diane Fanning is the author of the Edgar Award finalist Written in Blood: A True Story of Murder and a Deadly 16-Year-Old Secret That Tore a Family Apart. Her other works of true crime include the best seller Mommy's Little Girl, A Poisoned Passion, The Pastor's Wife, and Gone Forever. She is also the author of the Lucinda Pierce Mysteries: The Trophy Exchange, Punish the Deed, Mistaken Identity, Twisted Reason, and False Front. She has been featured on 48 Hours, 20/20, Court TV, the Today show and the Discovery Channel, and has been interviewed on dozens of radio stations coast to coast. Her books are sold throughout the English-speaking world, including the UK and Australia, and there are more than half a million copies in print. Before becoming a writer, Fanning worked in advertising, and she earned more than 70 Addy Awards.

©2003 Diane Fanning (P)2012 Diane Fanning

Gripping,intense and sad

Great writing by one of my favorite authors,Diane Fanning books keeps you on the edge of your seat

Good true crime book + good narrator

I'm not sure what everyone found so irritating about the narrator. I really enjoyed his voice & narration style and thought it was well suited for the book.
Good true crime book about a less well known serial killer.

Very Good Book About a Very Bad Dude

This was one of the better True Crime books I've listened to in a while, and I thought it was Fanning's best work as well. The facts of the case are truly horrifying, and Tommy Lynn Sells' casual, almost nonchalant evil is hard to accept, but the book is all the more compelling for it. Fanning does a good job adding some backstory to each of the victims, and she recreates the monstrous details of the crimes without sensationalizing them. It's a bit difficult to keep track of all of the characters, in part because this guy took so many lives and affected so many more. You can't tell his story without telling all of theirs, and all the names do get a little lost in the crowd of ruined lives. Perhaps the author could have done a little better job adding context or recurring memory markers of some kind so listeners who aren't keeping score on a notepad can keep up with the catalog of horrors. But that's nit-picking ----- this was well-researched, -written and -narrated account that lovers of True Crime should enjoy immensely.

Way too long, too many details.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Not sure. I ended up skipping through most of it because of the unnecessary details.

If you’ve listened to books by Diane Fanning before, how does this one compare?

I haven't. I think she writes well.

Which character – as performed by Thomas M. Hatting – was your favorite?

Don't know.

Was Through the Window: The Terrifying True Story of Cross-Country Killer Tommy Lynn Sells worth the listening time?

Yes if you skip chapters.

Any additional comments?

This is a well written book and well narrated. It just should've been half the time and could have been.

Haunting and Scary

Would you listen to Through the Window: The Terrifying True Story of Cross-Country Killer Tommy Lynn Sells again? Why?

I am not sure I would listen again, as many parts were very hard to hear the first time.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It ws tough to like any of the charactrs in this book. I think the surviving victim would have to be the bright spot.

Have you listened to any of Thomas M. Hatting’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my forst, but I will keep him sa a favorite.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. Your mind definately needs a break from this.

Perhaps Print is Better in this case.

I wouldn't recommend this audiobook. The narrator was quite terrible with close to no inflection. I found myself wondering, "Is this someone speaking now, or part of the text?" Very confusing. I got the impression that the written/print version might be slightly better just because you wouldn't have to listen to this guy drone on. However, there were some parts that seemed to jump around without rhyme or reason, as if the author had to put them in somewhere, why not sandwiched in right here?
The content of this audiobook was decent, but certainly not on the level of my favorite true crime author, Ann Rule. It was significantly subjective and judgmental; the guy killed A LOT of people, most people will find his acts abhorrent without Fanning labeling them as such and inferring his thoughts and emotions during the time of his crimes. Tommy Lynn Sells is/was a creep and some of the crimes, especially against kids were very difficult to listen to.
/end rant

excellent true crime story and trial. loved it

great book great narration one of the most evil killers. follow the multiple murders across the country

horribly sad, tragic and riveting

this book is one of the most unsettling uncomfortable miles I've ever read (listened to 😉). and as a fan and enthusiasts of true crime reading, having watched and read plenty of publications regarding the crimes and depravity of this horrible individual (via books, crime series, YouTube death row interviews etc), I assure you, this audiobook does not disappoint. in particular, it's graphic and poignant attention to detail used to explain the depravity in terror carried out by this monster

Well told story of a monster

I recently read this book about Tommy Lynn Sells. It’s hard to believe he was caught in Del Rio and killed people all across the country. There are many familiar names mentioned in this book, and it was well written. If you are fascinated by these kinds of stories, then I recommend. I’m thankful he isn’t around to terrorize anymore families.

Lock all your doors and windows

How can one man cause so much pain to so many people. I was fasinated by the story and the many opportunities law enforcement had to stop him. Just remember you never truly know someone.