It’s the summer of 1991 and serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer has been arrested. His monstrous crimes inspire dread around the globe. But not so much for Emory Hughes, a closeted young man in Chicago who sees in the cannibal killer a kindred spirit, someone who fights against the dark side of his own nature, as Emory does. He reaches out to Dahmer in prison via letters. The letters become an escape—from Emory’s mother dying from AIDS, from his uncaring sister, from his dead-end job in downtown Chicago, but most of all, from his own self-hatred.
Unexpected and thrilling. The Man From Milwaukee is the first novel I’ve read by author Rick R. Reed. I’m hooked! I snatched this book up the minute I saw the description. Most of my teenage life was spent writing letters, lots of them probably mentioned serial killers since that was a hot topic in the ’90s. (Clearly still is, as all the kids back then have grown up and remain glued to our devices to watch the terrifying true stories we read about as kids play out onscreen). I loved the entire concept of this book—a lonely, closeted man living in Chicago interacting with serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer through letters. Reed’s fully developed characters feel authentic and carry the story. Although dark, it’s easy to empathize with Emory and Tyler. You’ll find yourself rooting for the main characters, while near shouting at the page, “Don’t go back in there!” Every time you think this book can’t get darker—it does. The story takes many unexpected twists and terror-filled turns that make it hard to put down. Even the title gives me chills.
Reed completely pulled me into the story with his descriptions of Chicago. I felt like I was walking around my old neighborhoods, stepping off the Granville L-stop, walking down streets and alleys, past businesses I recognize. In a time when most of Chicago is still on lockdown, it was a treat to visit home, with plenty of scares to remind you to stay inside!
This is definitely a book I’ll read again. Pick up a copy of The Man From Milwaukee on Amazon.
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