Welcome back to Books With Cause! Let’s dive into my latest read — Gone to See the River Man by Kristopher Triana, a chilling tale of obsession, darkness, and devotion that goes far beyond reason.
This one was another esteemed winner selected by the members of Horror Aficionados. This is also another one of those books that I might not have heard of otherwise. I wasn’t familiar with the name Kristopher Triana. He’s a name that had flown under my radar. It’s why I’m always very grateful to the community for making me aware of books and authors that otherwise might’ve escaped my attention.
Gone To See The River Man tells the story of Lori, a woman who is approaching forty and has spent the last couple of years sending love letters to Edmund Cox, a serial killer incarcerated for the murder of more than twenty women. They’ve been sending each other explicit letters for a period of time, with the plan to live together if Cox ever escapes from prison.
This is a book about obsession, and Lori is beyond obsessed with Ed Cox, which is something that Ed is putting to the test. He wants to know just how much Lori is willing to do for him. How far is she willing to go? So he has a test for her. He sends her out in the woods to retrieve a key from an abandoned cabin, which she must then hand-deliver to the mysterious River Man.
Lori jumps at the chance to prove her worth to him because she knows that if she doesn’t, there are other women out there who will. Lori undertakes the mission and, as there’s nobody else to look after her, she has her disabled older sister in tow. What follows is a journey of self-discovery, and the reader learns that Lori has a past that’s arguably as dark as Edmund’s.
Like many people, I have quite an interest in serial killers. It’s obviously a global thing because it is a topic within many forms of entertainment, including books, movies, and television shows. Open up Netflix and you can’t move for serial killers, whether it’s in a true crime documentary or Charlie Hunnam playing Ed Gein. As human beings, we are fascinated with the subject.
But there’s something else that I find just as fascinating. Hybristophilia. The sexual attraction to serial killers. I can’t say it’s something I’ve ever experienced myself, but there are people out there who are fascinated with killers the way Lori is. It’s right here, in this book. Her burning passion for him is dripping off every page. It’s clear to see in the examples of her letters to him that are scattered throughout the book. It’s the sort of thing that fascinates me because I wonder what goes through these people’s minds. I understand that a lot of women love a bad boy, but surely she must realise she matches the countless other victims of Cox. Maybe she thinks she can change him. You’ll have to give this a read yourself if you want to find out if she can.
My Goodreads rating: ★★★☆☆ (3 stars)
Buy the Book:
- Buy on Amazon
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