Title: Drop Dead Dangerous: The Lethal Attraction of Road Trip Killer
Author: Ryan Green
Publication: September 25th 2022
Genre: True Crime
Find it on: Amazon
Rating: 4/5★
In 1974, the US East Coast was whipped up into a frenzy of fear. Locking their windows and doors, everyone was terrified of becoming the next victim of the strikingly handsome but deadly “Casanova Killer”. And he was on the move.
After being released from jail and promptly abandoned by his fiancée, Paul John Knowles embarked on a spate of gruesome murders on a road trip up the Pacific Coast.
No room for fear, no room for guilt, just the road.
As the man-hunt gathered pace, the cold-blooded killing spree continued to defy detectives. With no visible pattern in the age, race nor gender of the victims, Knowle’s joyride of kidnap, rape and murder tore across multiple state borders. It became a race of tragically high stakes. How many more lives would be lost before the police finally caught up?
“If they wanted him to be bad, then he’d be so good at it that the world would remember his name forever.”
Drop Dead Dangerous is about Paul John Knowles a.k.a. The Casanova Killer. He was a serial killer active in the 1970’s and linked to 18 deaths, although he claimed to have murdered more people than that. I personally hadn’t heard about him before but I certainly won’t be able to forget him and his despicable acts now.
Once again I’m left impressed after reading a true crime book by Ryan Green. This is only my second book by him. The first one was Crimson Petticoats, which I would also really recommend. What I enjoy about Ryan Green’s writing is that although it’s a nonfiction true crime book, he doesn’t just state fact after fact about Paul John Knowles and his crimes but takes us on a ride inside his head and what he may have been feeling and thinking.
It goes without saying that Knowles’ tale gets quite disturbing and is definitely not for the faint of heart. Especially when the author attempts to dive inside the killer psyche. I was left unsettled over how he spiraled from robbing houses to raping and killing. Nontheless this was a really fascinating read in what I think is a less-known American serial killer.
About the author:
Ryan Green is a true crime author in his late thirties. He lives in Herefordshire, England with his wife, three children, and two dogs. Outside of writing and spending time with his family, Ryan enjoys walking, reading and windsurfing.
Ryan is fascinated with History, Psychology and True Crime. In 2015, he finally started researching and writing his own work and at the end of the year, he released his first book on Britain’s most notorious serial killer, Harold Shipman.
He has since written several books on lesser-known subjects, and taken the unique approach of writing from the killer’s perspective. He narrates some of the most chilling scenes you’ll encounter in the True Crime genre.
“Ryan Green is an incredible storyteller…he doesn’t just tell the story, he allows you to be part of it.” ~Blackbird
I feel like I have listened to a podcast about this case? I would think I would have to be mentally ready before I would dive into a book like this .
If you can remember the podcast I would love to listen too. If not, no worries!
I haven’t heard of him either, but he sounds terrifying😬 I am strangely fascinated by true crime so I need to remember this author! Thanks for sharing😁
I need to read more of his books ASAP!
It’s always scary to think about things like this actually happening!
I can barely remember this case, and it was terrifying. I’m glad you enjoyed this, Stephanie. I
Sounds like a great read