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The Killing Kind Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

M. William Phelps (Author), J. Charles (Narrator), Brilliance Audio (Publisher)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,142 ratings
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She was seventeen years old, a beautiful girl with a Hollywood smile and luminous brown eyes. Sprawled in a culvert just off the gravel road like an abandoned doll, she wore only toe socks, a sweatshirt, and a necklace. She was not the killer's first victim. Nor would she be the last.

The lush, green hills that mark the border of North and South Carolina are home to a close-knit community. When the savaged remains of high-spirited Heather Catterton and sweet-natured Randi Saldana were found and a local man was linked to their murders, residents were forced to face an evil in their midst. The killer was one of their own….

Danny Hembree was far from being an upright, law-abiding citizen. But he was part of the fabric of the local scene, devoted to his mother and sister. No one saw him as a remorseless killer who preyed on those who trusted him. When questioned by police, Hembree didn’t just play cat-and-mouse and then confess. He bragged. Taunted. Laughed about his merciless deeds.

In The Killing Kind acclaimed, award-winning investigative crime journalist M. William Phelps delves into the background of Hembree's victims, bringing listeners into their lives in intimate detail. With exclusive information from detectives and prosecutors, Phelps reconstructs the chilling clues that led to Hembree's arrest, and the media sensation surrounding his trial, mistrial, and ultimate conviction.

As the victims' loved ones attempt to heal, Hembree continues to widen the scope of his crimes from behind bars. M. William Phelps draws on interviews and correspondence with the serial killer himself, bringing listeners into the minds of murderer - and into the heart of a real-life story of bloodshed, tears, and the long road to justice.

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  1. Listening Length
    12 hours and 25 minutes
  2. Author
    M. William Phelps
  3. Narrator
    J. Charles
  4. Audible release date
    June 24, 2014
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Brilliance Audio
  7. ASIN
    B00KQ1YLR6
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
Next slide of product details

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Product details

Listening Length 12 hours and 25 minutes
Author M. William Phelps
Narrator J. Charles
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date June 24, 2014
Publisher Brilliance Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B00KQ1YLR6
Best Sellers Rank #71,031 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#127 in Serial Killers True Crime
#596 in Serial Killers True Accounts
#706 in Biographies of Women

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
1,142 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story engaging and well-written. They appreciate the author's writing style and attention to detail. Readers praise the book for its thorough research and informative content. Many consider it a worthwhile purchase and say it's worth the money. However, opinions differ on the characterization of the villain, with some finding him a real life villain and antihero, while others describe him as an evil personified murderer. There are mixed views on the length, with some finding it cleverly divided into short chapters and others finding it too long.

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Story qualityWriting qualityResearch qualityValue for moneyCharacterizationLength
59 customers mention "Story quality"49 positive10 negative

Customers enjoy the engaging story with a straightforward narrative and easy-to-understand language. They find the book interesting from start to finish, with plenty of twists and turns. The author is described as an excellent storyteller.

"...It's very well written with events in order. A true story about one of the most manipulative murderers I have ever read about set in the mountainous..." Read more

"...They are true and raw and tragic, but with a lot of research and consideration to the victims and survivors...." Read more

"...As with all of his writing and presentation, it is Mr. Phelps blunt narrative and earthy language that is easy to relate to...." Read more

"I chose a five star rating for one reason. I never lost interest in the story, from beginning to end...." Read more

37 customers mention "Writing quality"33 positive4 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book. They find it well-written, with attention to detail and effort. The author's style is described as gifted and he brings the case to life in each book. The information is presented in a straightforward manner without oversimplifying.

"This is an excellent read by M. William Phelps. It's very well written with events in order...." Read more

"...This book is true to the authors style with attention to detail and the effort made in finding the facts is obvious...." Read more

"...my prayers go out to all of you. I feel Mr. Phelps. did a great job writing this book and keeping everyone identity unknown. Thanks for a great read...." Read more

"The author never disappoints. One of my favorite true crime writers" Read more

14 customers mention "Research quality"14 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the well-researched and informative book. They find it compelling and hard to put down. The attention to detail and effort put into finding the facts is evident. Readers describe the book as intelligent and inspiring.

"...the authors style with attention to detail and the effort made in finding the facts is obvious...." Read more

"...Very satisfying to watch another bad guy hit the dust. Very enlightening to behold the unbelievable determination, smarts and grit it takes the good..." Read more

"...Can't wait to read more. This book was well researched and very well written. The author did extensive interviews with the people he wrote about...." Read more

"...intensity throughout the 450+ pages with the most intriguing details painstakingly researched...." Read more

5 customers mention "Value for money"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a good value for money. They say it's worth the purchase and time to read, with 400 pages and a decent price. The book is interesting and sometimes shocking.

"I bought this one for $5.99 as it was over 400 pages, seemed like a decent price...." Read more

"...Well worth the purchase and the time to read it. And as usual, a sobering reminder of the predators who walk among us." Read more

"A very good book. It was Very interesting and sometimes very shocking. Extremely well written and right to the point." Read more

"Very good book" Read more

9 customers mention "Characterization"4 positive5 negative

Customers have different views on the characterization. Some find the villain to be a true psychopath and antihero, while others describe him as a murderous monster. The book provides detailed background information and psychological profiles of the killer.

"...His inflections were way off base. The killer is definately creepy and twisted, but the audio narration made him (Danny Embree), seem..." Read more

"...Detail, background, psychological profiles, victimology, hunt and chase, capture and in the end....you have to read it yourself to find out ;-)" Read more

"...The murderer was just evil personified. Another character I would gladly have throttled...." Read more

"Well written and researched. A real antihero who one loves to hate. Really a page turner!" Read more

5 customers mention "Length"2 positive3 negative

Customers have different views on the book's length. Some appreciate the use of multiple short chapters and find it easier to take a break, while others feel it's too long and disappointingly long-winded.

"...Too long! If that is what we want, we can get the trial transcript like he did and read it ourselves...." Read more

"...Clever usage of multiple short chapters which I really liked as well...." Read more

"This book was way too long and drawn out. It took me a very long time to wade through the book!" Read more

"...I like that there are so many chapters - so easier to take a break. Really like this author." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Bonnie S. Akridge
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is an excellent read by M
    Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This is an excellent read by M. William Phelps. It's very well written with events in order. A true story about one of the most manipulative murderers I have ever read about set in the mountainous backwoods of North Carolina. It's also an extremely sad story of utter hopelessness for the inhabitants of the region itself. Danny Hambree is a most vile individual with absolutely no regard for humanity as a whole who takes despicable advantage of desperate women and children and leaving in his wake, a horrified and shocked small southern community where people think these things only happen in the big cities. And as a reader, that's what you will be thinking as you shake your head saying this can't be happening in those beautiful Appalachian mountains. I have been traveling through this region for 30 years and I will never look at Kings Mountain the same again, ever! Wait until you read what he does to the ADA on his case that throws not only the legal community into a tailspin, but also the good citizens of Gastonia NC. The ending sent chill bumps literally from the souls of my feet all the way up to the top of my ears. Just read it!!!
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Tina Foster
    4.0 out of 5 stars Kept me reading
    Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed the book and what they had to go through to get the killer into prison. The only thing that became confusing was at the end, when they had a couple of chapters of his next book. Then after that, they had a series of pictures of the people involved, the two victims, Ronnie Hembree, and the DA, and detectives. I felt these should have been put in at the end of the book, before they have the 2 chapters of the next book, because people tend to skip these, and if I hadn't skimmed through those chapters, I would have missed seeing the photos. They should be inserted before the Epilogue. That's the only reason for the 4 stars.
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  • JS Will
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book from Mr. Phelps
    Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    M. William Phelps has a way of finding those stories that make you want to punch someone in the face. They are true and raw and tragic, but with a lot of research and consideration to the victims and survivors. This book is true to the authors style with attention to detail and the effort made in finding the facts is obvious. He also offers the convicted a chance to tell their story without letting him/ her take over the story. I felt so sad for the victims in this book even before they met the jerk who took away their chance at a better life. This "person" not only assisted in keeping them addicted to their vices, but had the audacity to use those vices as an excuse for what he did to them. If you are interested in true crime then I highly recommend this book. I am rarely shocked by the actions of others, especially in a true crime book, but I am often appalled by narcissistic behavior--- and the killer in this book is one of biggest narcissists of them all.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • C. BRAZIL
    3.0 out of 5 stars I love Mr Phelps' true crime books very much
    Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I love Mr Phelps' true crime books very much. I am big fan of true crime. I have always preferred audio books to the written word. Although, most of my true crime stories, including Mr Phelps', I've been reading them for Kindle lately.

    Since I do like audio version for the most part, I decided to get the MP3 disk. Boy, did I ever make a huge mistake. The narrator ruined the telling of this story. He would Imitate a southern drawal that just wasn't working. His inflections were way off base.

    The killer is definately creepy and twisted, but the audio narration made him (Danny Embree), seem like a cartoon charactor.

    The narrator would read with an unnatural southern drawal using extremely poor grammar. This was done so the listener would know how these people really talked. Saying things like "he done said blah blah......." Or "we was done gone by that time........" These are just examples. They drove me crazy. During these terrible sounding conversations, I'd skip to the next chapter!

    I think telling this story without conversations between the girls and the killer, the girls and detectives, everyone who talked to the killer, would have been better by just telling the listener what the conversations were. For example: Danny told detectives..........., instead of Danny's actual words with the narrator using a terrible accent.

    Bottom line. The narration was so awful, it made the telling terrible. I wish I could have read it, instead.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Opinionated
    5.0 out of 5 stars Blunt but not blunted
    Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This is a little different than many of Mr Phelps books. First, the perp is a "classic" male serial killer. Sure, a few twists in a twisted mind. As with all of his writing and presentation, it is Mr. Phelps blunt narrative and earthy language that is easy to relate to. I've read numerous of his books from beginning to end and can't set them down. Very satisfying to watch another bad guy hit the dust. Very enlightening to behold the unbelievable determination, smarts and grit it takes the good guys to get them. This particular villain, "Danny Boy" might have used his passing resemblance to Harrison Ford (from his photos) to engage beautiful girls half his age. That and the cocaine. Monsters do live amongst us.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Shirley
    4.0 out of 5 stars Gross me out
    Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I used four stars because out of the goodness of my heart.

    I liked two other books he wrote and felt he's taking the place of Ann Rule who was my favorite but read them all over the twenty years she was alive and churned those books. She passed.

    From the two books I read, I felt he took her place, happily.

    I read only halfway. I don't like details of a murder especially of very young ladies.

    I am grossed out by the drug culture that was explained in details.

    I cannot imagine the lifestyles the riff raffs are leading.
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  • Sue Diesing
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating view of a killer and his victims!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I chose a five star rating for one reason. I never lost interest in the story, from beginning to end. M. William Phelps is at the top of my authors list and will remain there! Thank you for a riveting account of a serial killers life, as well as his victims lives.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Gina
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in Canada on October 5, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Very happy good read
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book by m William phelps
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 24, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This was one if those books that you just had to keep reading. Along with Ann rule he is one of the best true crime writers. Making you feel as if you knew and where there when it happen ed with the dysfunctional family's and druggie friends another five star read
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  • Hedlene3
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Australia on October 9, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Good
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  • anne
    4.0 out of 5 stars GRIPPING READ WELL WRITTEN
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 25, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Oh my the lengths folk go to to get what they want thus book explains in gripping details how far human beings will sink my only criticism would be that at times too much description on stuff that didn't add to the story stopped it getting a 5 star
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  • L. Ford
    4.0 out of 5 stars the Killing Kind
    Reviewed in Canada on December 8, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    A decent read. It amazes me though how gullible people can be, I had this guy's number from the start.
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