Monster

By: Steve Jackson

Narrated by: Kevin Pierce

Length: 19 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

On a snowy winter evening in 1982, 21-year-old Mary Brown accepted a ride from a handsome stranger in the resort town of Breckenridge, Colorado. The trip ended with her brutally beaten and raped. Mary survived, but her predator's violence had only just begun. 

After 10 years in prison, Tom Luther was released a far more vicious criminal. Soon, from the Rockies to West Virginia, like Ted Bundy, Luther enticed a chain of women into his murderous trap. In this gripping new edition of a true crime masterpiece, acclaimed author Steve Jackson recounts the intriguing pursuit and long awaited conviction of a charismatic, monstrous psychopath - one who remains a suspect in three other crimes, and has never given up hope of escape.

©2013 Steve Jackson (P)2020 WildBlue Press

Critic reviews

"One of the best books short of the famous Ann Rule works." (True Crime Book Reviews)

"Steve Jackson is a born storyteller. He makes you sweat...and turn the page." (Ron Franscell, author of The Darkest Night)

Riveting....harrowingly so.

Giving Steve Jackson another chance in my love for the narrator Kevin Pierce and in my pain and boredom of 23 straight days in the hospital...I am more than midway through this and doing what I’ve never done. Stopping to review for what I am grateful and deeply upset over. The focus on the victims is harrowing. I am a victim who relates to the survival instinct and that’s as much as I can say about it. But after turning away from this author after “Bogeyman” where my bleeding heart sensed deep bias against the accused (yeah go figure),this story has me cheering for Steve Jackson as the reporting on a monster is as real and good as I can handle .... I think I’ll rethink my bleeding heart although I do believe in the presumption of innocence. I also believe in survival and thank Steve Jackson for his sensitive and heart-felt characterization of the surviving victim Mary ..... Amen. This is personal and this author has done well by me. Not only that, I’m unable to sleep and grateful for the reason to care less about that than justice for a true monster. You will not go wrong on this credit or purchase. This is Jack Olsen-Tom Henderson level nonfiction. As I finished the book and now lay in harrowing ‘rehab’ I will add that this maintainsed its icannot put it down kind of listen. Bravo. I want to meet this police investigator detective of pure honor - Scott

Whoa!

This book needs a warning ⚠️ It is extremely descriptive and at times, hard to listen to.
I have never been moved to tears by a book like this one. The victim’s and their family’s heartbreak is gut wrenching. The performance is phenomenal!!!

Steve Jackson does it again!

This was an amazingly detailed and so well organized that the 19hrs went by in a flash. The story of Thomas Luther is dark, twisted, and reminiscent of several similar stories in which a burgeoning serial killer is given the chance to improve his "craft" in the prison system just in time for early release to pick up right where he left off. I also learned he has a connection to the local disappearance of Karen Denise Wells in '94. Karen's is a case I've been following for years only to find out Tom Luther was in the area at the time, and may also be responsible for the body of another woman that was discovered near the area not long before Karen disappeared.

Monster reminded me a lot of my favorite true crime book by Greg Olsen about serial killer Arthur Shawcross. Both men were brutal monsters who preyed on the vulnerable, and both received justice...eventually. if you enjoy true crime, you'll love this book.

10 hours too long

Moves so slowly that it’s extremely hard to keep paying attention. Needs lots of editing, its a seven hour story told in 17 hours. Performance has little vocal or pace variety.

Steve Jackson 5 stars

For all you true crime fanatics this updated version of "Monster" is well written and well researched, I highly recommend and definitely worth the credit. 5 stars to the narrator Kevin Pierce, when I'm searching for a true crime novel. I find myself looking for any true crime book narrated by Kevin Pierce, and I know forsure the author and book is going to be good.

AWESOME writing and narration!

Loved it! Gregg Olsen did a fantastic job with this work, and Kevin Pierce narrated the story superbly!!!

Great Book

Could not stop listening! Didn’t even seem like it was almost 20 hours. Could listen to Kevin Pierce narrate anything! Can’t wait to listen to whatever else Steve has written!

Excellent story with my favorite narrator.

I listen to mystery novels and true crime alike. Many disturbing stories can get my stomach queasy and horrify my mind. Thus book touched my heart. Many times throughout my listening, I found myself wiping away tears. I enjoyed the updates at the end about where everyone ended up, it is a must listen for anyone who enjoys the genre.

my heart broke for Cher Elder and her family but

I will remember the monster hunters, not the monster.
the story stays with you.

Boring

I didn't like this book at all. It told the same story over and over!
Not long into the book the narrator's voice made the characters blend together. He sounded like a gangster from the 30's. "Ya see?" Just like that.
Finally I said I'd had enough.
I'm sorry I had to put such a negative review.

Brilliant

Definitely one of the best true crime books I have ever read.
Highly recommended if you like this kind of book

A Compelling Account

There are very few fiction writers who don't use clichés. In films and books they usually get into ruts and give you silly, predictable plots. I wanted something more realistic for a change.

I've never gone for a true-crime book about a murderer before. Usually if I read a few pages about some serial killer it makes me feel too disgusted and low to go any further. I can only take a limited amount of the gory details. However, one of the other reviewers said that this book is boring - and I took that as a recommendation because I want to know about how crimes are solved. I'm a bit of an anorak. Plenty of technical detail is fine with me, so I gave this a try.

I'm glad I did. It turned out to be a very good story and an excellent audiobook. It's taken me only about three days to finish it. I would rank it alongside the brilliant Cormac McCarthy. And Kevin Pierce is an excellent reader.

Excellent

What is it with women falling for evil killers i just dont get it no wonder millions get killed and dupped by evil men listened to all this in less than 2 days amazing book amazing KP

Superb and excellent

Thoroughly engrossing and informative. As usual Kevin Pierce's narration is superb.

I have a new favourite in Steve Jackson.

I now have a new object to despise and hate in Tom Luther.

Extremely boring

I am sorry to leave a negative review, but this book is very very dull. I made it to chapter 8 before caving in.
One saving grace though, the Narrator has a wonderful voice, hence some stars.

Felt like part of the family

This is a long long book…
Very intricate and drags on in places but fascinating.
I struggled with my frustration with some of the protagonists.
I loved the narration.
It went on in so much detail for so long, I felt as if I knew them all and was sad when it finished.

Engrossing!

Literally could not put this story down! Fascinating account through the eyes of everyone involved. So well told I could picture everything in my mind.

loved it.

was tottaly immersed in this book from start to finish. no stone left unturned for this author. a must read for any true murder crime enthusiast. Also love the guy who does the talking Kevin, he manages to somehow make every person in the book have a different voice if that makes sense. I'm now making my way through all Steve Jackson's catalogue. definitely recommend

Excellent

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, well written, exceptional narrated. I listen to a lot of this type of books. This one is one of the best

Monster

great book. 19hrs long but got through it in no time, totally engrossed. great dedication by the police to solve this case. highlights certain aspects of the American system I dislike. you can blatantly lie to the suspect about the info you have available which I think is wrong. great account of the Tom Luther case.