I try to read a couple of graphic novels each year, since this is an evolving genre, and cartoonists and authors bring a different, novel approach to storytelling and memoir. This choice was everything I hoped for and more. Campbell, a cartoonist for The New Yorker and other publications, released her first graphic memoir in November 2021, Murder Book. It is an exploration of her lifelong obsession with true crime, as well as her observations about many women in society, and her own family, who have a similar preoccupation. Fun fact: Campbell is the great granddaughter of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s sister, Annabel Fitzgerald.

Campbell explores her maternal family member’s absorption with true crime, as it does seem to occupy the females and not male family. She describes the crimes that frightened and fascinated each generation of her family’s women. Campbell also recalls her personal history of true crime enthusiasm. As a result, the book describes a true crime classic reading, viewing, and listening list, including authors such as Truman Capote, Ann Rule, Michelle McNamara, and many others; movies based on real stories, such as Good Fellas, Zodiac, A Time to Kill, Rope, Dog Day Afternoon, and many others; television shows, such as Law and Order, Dateline, Forensic Files, Nancy Grace, and others; documentaries, such as Capturing the Friedmans, The Thin Blue Line, Making of a Murderer, The Central Park Five, and many others, especially featured on Netflix; and podcasts, such as My Favorite Murder, Criminal, Murder Book, and the one that started it all, Serial. She describes the serial murderers or noteworthy murder cases that most absorbed her attention as she came of age, such as the Zodiac killer, Ted Bundy, and Scott Peterson.

Campbell finally delves into the psychology of why many women feel the compulsion to read, watch, and listen to these stories. Women are usually the victims of these usually male perpetrators. Women may empathize, and in fact feel a deep personal connection to the vulnerability of these victims, since the victims normally don’t know what is about to happen, and seem susceptible to these attacks. Women talk energetically, with an interest that almost seems protective, as if in sharing these stories we can somehow protect ourselves or heighten our awareness should someone attempt to attack us. Perhaps women want to learn enough to improve our antennae, sensitize our radar, so we won’t walk into situations that make us vulnerable targets, when we think we can trust someone or think we’re helping someone. That trust, and that impulse to assist is what perpetrators rely on to victimize the vulnerable.

Campbell does a great job of examining her subject thoroughly, and with some humor. She also has a background in standup comedy and film, so she injects a touch of humor throughout to lighten up the seriousness. Her film background gives this whole piece a solid, but subtle structure. She finds interesting set pieces for delivering content, such as her conversation on a lengthy plane trip with her 9-year old fellow passenger, which feels like she is talking to a younger version of herself. In all, this is a great exploration of a subject that I find fascinating— I count myself as a faithful murderino and avid reader, viewer, and listener to many of her listed books, movies, and podcasts. Murder Book now stands as the first notable graphic memoir in this growing must-consume list. Highly recommend.