Features The Big Thrill Recommends: KILL SHOW by Daniel Sweren-Becker

The Big Thrill Recommends: KILL SHOW by Daniel Sweren-Becker

Recommended by Dimitris Passas

In this ambitious, genre-bending little miracle of a novel, Daniel Sweren-Becker muses on the complex machinations lurking behind the rise in popularity of the true-crime genre and its exploitation from television producers—an issue raising timely moral questions and dilemmas. The author draws from his own personal experiences as a television writer; thus, his account feels more than plausible.

It’s been 10 years since Sara Parcell disappeared without a trace in Frederick, Maryland. Her case was in the national spotlight for a long time, and wild speculation never ceased to generate various theories regarding the woman’s fate. However, after a decade, it is time for the people who were closest to her and the investigation to speak freely, whether they are family members, neighbors, law enforcement officials, or even TV executives. The new documentary is in production, and the truth about the case becomes entwined with the rules and needs of the ravenous entertainment industry, which remains oblivious to the moral aspect of their involvement in such tragic cases.

KILL SHOW is a highly topical text because an increasing number of people obsess over televised unsolved cases of the past, as featured on the majority of popular streaming platforms. Daniel Sweren-Becker’s take on the subject provides an explanation for the phenomenon while at the same time crafting a riveting story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. It is a rare book, combining cultural criticism and genuine entertainment.

The Big Thrill Recommends: KILL SHOW by Daniel Sweren-Becker