Welcome to Quill Quotes Book Club, American Predator Discussion #1! We hope you are enjoying the book so far. Please keep in mind this discussion is only for the first half (Parts 1 and 2). If you read ahead or finished the book, please keep any spoilers or thoughts on later parts for the next discussion. See the American Predator Summary Page for the reading schedule and other discussions.
Brooke’s Thoughts
This is my first true crime book and I am loving it so far! I almost read the first half in one sitting. While the book is unnerving it’s not as terrifying as I thought it would be. I’m used to reading horror where the author is actively trying to scare you. This seems more like she stating facts and letting the creepiness of the story speak for itself. I am a little jumpier and on edge in public after reading but that’s probably a good thing!
Favorite Quote
She had just laid the groundwork for a new dynamic, one that recalled the relationship between Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs.
-Maureen Callahan, American Predator
I’m a huge Clarice Starling fan and love The Silence of the Lambs!
Kevin’s Thoughts
Kevin is not reading this book with us. True Crime is not a genre he likes so he will not be joining us this time. He will join us again next month!
American Predator Discussion #1 Prompt/Questions
Feel free to comment whatever thoughts and questions you have! But if you aren’t sure where to start, consider some of the prompts/questions below:
- Were you shocked at how long it took the police and FBI to find/catch the killer?
- How does Israel Keyes compare to other infamous serial killers?
- How does True Crime compare to other fictional stories and movies? Do you believe in the Mark Twain quote, “Truth is stranger than fiction”?
- What do you think will happen in Parts 3 and 4?
- Share a favorite quote!
Commenting
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We hope you enjoy this discussion and join us again in 2 weeks for the final discussion over the whole book! Check out the American Predator Book Club Summary Page for more details.
I just finished the book and I just couldn’t put it down. There naration was so compelling as well as the way the facts were laid out made me feel as though I were learning the information right along with the investigators. Making it all the more compelling was the fact that I have lived in or near many of the places discussed in the book. I could really envision what was being described. I was shocked that I had never heard of Israel Keyes before! I wouldn’t let myself look anything up as I was reading because I wanted to continue feeling as though I were following along in the investigation. Once I finished and started Gooling, I was blown away by how often my moving and travels had me in close proximitry with a serial killer. Now, I am confident I never clossed paths with him but it is still unsettling as to how easliy I could.
That’s so scary that you lived near those places!
I was also surprised that I had never heard of him, especially since it wasn’t that long ago.
I didn’t look up anything about him either while I was reading because I wanted to be surprised.
I’m glad you never crossed paths with him!
I liked this book so much I decided to listen to I’ll be Gone in the Dark, another true crime book about the Golden State Killer. It’s also really good and once I finish I’m going to watch the HBO mini-series documentary. Can’t wait!
Thanks for reading and chatting with us!
I am definitely excited to finish the book. It is hard to imagine what Samantha went through! I think it’s amazing that with all the potential witnesses that it took finding him in another state before he was caught! It’s also hard to imagine that this guy seems to lead a somewhat normal life, on top of being a killer. It is very unnerving and makes you wonder how many more people out there are the same way! I almost think of Keyes similar to Ted Bundy with seeming living a double life (having a significant other and child). I can’t even imagine how many other victims he has out there. At first, I didn’t think they had the right guy because it seemed he was caught so ‘easily’ but now after hearing his confession-it is just amazing that he wasn’t caught sooner!
I am thinking the rest of the book breaks down his 14 years and his victims before Samantha. From his level of skill I am guessing he has many more.
A quote I found interesting was about describing Keyes mother – “Gannaway’s first impression was of a serious woman who, unlike Kimberly, was sad but not in shock”. I feel this is so strange. It’s like his mother knew about his dark side and did not seem to care.
I can’t believe how hard it was to catch him, even after he got the atm card and was using it!
It’s always super creepy when they seem normal. I don’t know too much about other serial killers but I thought of Ted Bundy as well.
I wasn’t sure they had the right guy either or I thought they were going to let him get away. He seems super smart about some things but dumb about others. It’s very strange!
His mother was very weird too! I wondered if he is the way he is in part because of his mother and family situation.
It will be interesting to see what happens next!
I have always believed truth is stranger than fiction. The saddest part of reading this is how many times Israel could have been caught before he killed Samatha. I always wonder when you hear or read about a crime that is not taken seriously enough at first with evidence or just thinking a person ran away. I know it takes man power to investigate and isn’t always enough qualified people. That’s why one of my favorite parts of the book is what Payne said about Iber, “It was a reminder, in a case that got darker by the hour, that there were still good people out there.” Iber worked late into the night on a case so far away.
Israel seems like many other serial killers, which I can’t understand how they can kill without remorse.
I’m wondering if parts 3 and 4 will be about other women Israel has killed.
I was mind-blown by how many people saw him. I guess people really do just like to mind their own business.
I agree, not knowing what happened to somebody and just saying they ran away is the worst. It does take a lot of smart people to solve a case. It’s not as easy as CSI makes it look.
I also think parts 3 and 4 will be about the other cases and maybe him in prison.