Not a Love Story About Murderers After All: A Rom-Com That Warmed My True Crime Heart
Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson
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PhD candidate Phoebe Walsh has always been obsessed with true crime. She's even analyzing the genre in her dissertation—if she can manage to finish writing it. It's hard to find the time while she spends the summer in Florida, cleaning out her childhood home, dealing with her obnoxiously good-natured younger brother, and grappling with the complicated feelings of mourning a father she hadn't had a relationship with for years.
It doesn't help that she's low-key convinced that her new neighbor, Sam Dennings, is a serial killer (he may dress business casual by day, but at night he's clearly up to something). It's not long before Phoebe realizes that Sam might be something much scarier—a genuinely nice guy who can pierce her armor to reach her vulnerable heart.
Let me set the scene. I go into a lot of my reads blind. I read the synopsis at a glance when I am looking to purchase, but a lot of the books I read come as a recommendation from a book bestie. Love in the Time of Serial Killers is no different. This beauty comes to me by way of a travelling book club. I’ll explain more about this later.
I picked up this book genuinely believing it would be about two charming, deeply broken serial killers who fall in love while casually evading the FBI. I buckled in for the bloodied meet-cutes and mutual stalking. Instead… I got sunshine. I got banter. I got a deeply nostalgic, fuzzy rom com that made me smile so much my cheekbones ached.
In this CAWPILE breakdown, I’m diving into the unexpectedly wholesome chaos that is Phoebe and Sam’s story - a book that took what little I know about True Crime and gently replaced it with elementary school music classes and emotional healing.
Characters: 10
Phoebe, our insecure FMC, is a True Crime obsesses academic, working on her dissertation while privately nursing childhood trauma and the recent death of her father. Her social awkwardness is real and relatable. Sam, the MMC and elementary school teacher, feels like the embodiment of soft jazz and cardigan hugs - Phoebe’s complete opposite, yet her perfect match. Their dynamic? Chaotic comfort. Also, shout out to Connor (Phoebe’s brother) and Shani (his longtime girlfriend), who round out the cast with warmth and grounding energy.
Atmosphere :10
This book radiates cozy nostalgia. Every scene felt like it belonged in a sitcom with emotional breakthroughs, flannel shirts, concert tees, and documentaries.
Writing: 10
The banter and humor were effortlessly hilarious. No punchline felt forced, and even the quieter emotional beats laned with just the right amount of ache. The author knows how to wield tone - cutting emotional tension, then stitching it up with laughter.
Plot: 10 (spoiler warning)
The pacing was perfection. Every reveal - especially Phoebe’s shifting understanding of love, family, and self - built toward a conclusion that satisfied me emotionally and thematically. Also: No serial killers. But somehow…better?
Intrigue: 9
I stayed curious through every chapter. Even though the stakes were mostly emotional, the felt earned. I kept turning pages hoping Phoebe would finally understand how deeply loveable she was.
Logic: 9
Some convenient timing here and there, but nothing that pulled me out of the story. The character choices - especially around Phoebe’s emotional walls felt authentic.
Enjoyment: 10
Unexpected story + emotional payoff = re-read status. This book made me laugh, reflect and gave me all the warm fuzzies I didn’t know I needed.
Final Thoughts:
If you’re someone who lives for True Crime documentaries but also needs a break from existential dread, this one’s for you. A rom com in disguise. A love story built on gentle healing. And definitely not about serial killers (I promise).
