A True Account of Murder: An Interview with Catherine Pelonero

The bestselling true crime author discusses the disturbing crimes of .22 Caliber Killer Joseph Christopher.

catherine pelonero absolute madness

Catherine Pelonero is no stranger to true crime. In addition to writing the New York Times bestseller, Kitty Genovese: A True Account of a Public Murder and its Private Consequences, she has appeared on national TV news broadcasts and documentary crime shows, including episodes of It Takes a Killer, Fox Files, Murderous Affairs, and the Emmy-winning series A Crime to Remember. 

Now, Pelonero is turning her attention to an old New York killing spree, one that has inexplicably slipped through the cracks of public awareness. In her new book, Absolute Madness: A True Story of a Serial Killer, Race, and a City Divided  (Skyhorse, 2017), the author tackles the case of Joseph Christopher, a New York State serial killer who targeted African American males in the 1980s. 

I had the opportunity to speak with Pelonero about her work, the crimes of Joseph Christopher, and the sociological impact of mental illness.

catherine pelonero
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  • Joseph ChristopherPhoto Credit: Alchetron
catherine pelonero
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  • Joseph Christopher after his arraignmentPhoto Credit: Buffalo News via Alchetron
Catherine Pelonero
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  • Kitty Genovese and Kitty GenovesePhoto Credit: Wikipedia

Body photos of Joseph Christopher: Alchetron

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