The Demon Next Door

By: Bryan Burrough

Narrated by: Steve White

Length: 2 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Best-selling author Bryan Burrough (Barbarians at the Gate, Public Enemies, Big Rich) recently made a shocking discovery: The small town of Temple, Texas, where he had grown up, had harbored a dark secret. One of his high school classmates, Danny Corwin, was a vicious serial killer who had raped and mutilated six women, murdering three of them. Yet the town had denied all early signs of the radical evil that was growing within Corwin. What had led the local media to ignore his early rapes? Why had the local Presbyterian Church tried to shield him from prison? Why had local law enforcement been unable to solve and prosecute his murders as they continued? 

Burrough is widely admired as a master storyteller, and this chilling tale raises important questions of whether serial killers can be recognized before they kill or rehabilitated after they do. It is also a story of Texas politics and power that led the good citizens of the town of Temple to enable a demon who was their worst nightmare. 

This title contains mature themes, including physical and sexual violence, that some listeners may find unsettling.

©2019 Bryan Burrough (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.

I Live in Temple, And I Didn't Know....

This selection caught my eye because we moved to Temple, Texas nearly eight years ago. As a former police reporter, I'm generally in tune with major historic or recent crime stories -- especially those which have happened near our residence -- but I had never heard of Daniel Corwin. When I read the description, I asked myself, "Is this real or did Bryan Burrough choose Temple as the location for a fictional crime story?" A quick Google search showed me that this was a real, so I listened.

I commute for my job, so I listened during a few trips to and from my workplace. I was intrigued because I was able to "follow" the initial crimes -- knowing well the streets, neighborhoods and the subdivisions referenced. When I drove near one of the buildings mentioned, I realized that one of the attacks happened near there. When I passed a certain subdivision, I realized another attack happened on those tree-lined streets. I know many community minded people, who must've heard about these attacks and the outcomes, and I kept thinking, "I need to ask her about this."

I enjoyed the brevity of the story, feeling that Burrough packed a lot of information into a relatively small space for Audible. It was pure investigative journalism and it was done well, like a long-form piece you'd find in Texas Monthly -- or Burrough's Vanity Fair. In 3-4 hours, I learned an amazing amount of information about this case, and I was treated to a history lesson about the region.

The narrator did very well with the story and, through him, I felt I learned what a listener needs to know about the key figures and their personalities. Many thanks to Bryan Burrough for his reporting.

NOTE: I'd be remiss not to share that my wife and I have found Central Texas, specifically the Temple/Belton area, to be a wonderful place to raise a family.

I enjoyed listening

Well-written account of a madman and his terrible deeds. I especially respect the author's insight into how people can sometimes close their eyes to the truth, hoping the monster next door is not so bad after all.

Recommend to Christians

History repeats itself, if it’s warnings are not heeded. I highly recommend this graphic and horrific accounting be listened to by every “christian,” especially those who are in leadership roles.

Bare bones

A bit short on details and bare bones in terms of research, but entertaining. Good for quick drive to and from work.

excellent and not too long

was able to finish this in one day while driving to work. Thus far this is the best audible book I have listen to

One sitting

listened to it straight through! the narrator was awesome in my opinion and the story was pretty gripping.

Beautiful, Fantastic!

I don't write long reviews, so let's just say... this is the first Audible I literally sat down and ignored everything I was supposed to be doing until it was over.

Serial Killer

Loved it never heard of the story until now...Great story line...look for to the next one

Reading tone doesn’t match topic

This reader was way too upbeat and positive in his reading tone given the subject matter of the story. Complete mismatch. Took away from the story.

Don’t let the negative reviews deter you

It was an interesting story, well told and the narrator was easy to listen to. No, he didn’t have a “scary” voice, but he had a great tone to his voice and the book wasn’t written in a scary way anyway.