While the City Slept

While the City Slept cover
Good Books rating 4.5

Technical:
  • ID: 893
  • Added: 2025-09-21
  • Updated: 2025-09-21
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
publishersweekly.com · Unknown · 2025-09-24
harrowing 4.50

While the City Slept is a powerful and absorbing account of a harrowing crime and its aftermath, focusing on the lives of Jennifer Hopper, Teresa Butz, and Isaiah Kalebu. The book delves into systemic failures in the criminal justice and mental healthcare systems, highlighting how these cracks contributed to the tragedy. The narrative is praised for its unflinching look at the events and the strength of Jennifer Hopper's journey towards forgiveness.

While the City Slept is not just a retelling of the crime that took place in a little red house on South Rose Street. It is a meticulously researched and powerfully written account that explores the lives of Jennifer Hopper, Teresa Butz, and Isaiah Kalebu. The book sheds light on the systemic failures that allowed Isaiah Kalebu to slip through the cracks of the criminal justice and mental healthcare systems, ultimately leading to the tragic events. The narrative is both harrowing and absorbing, as it delves into the personal stories of the victims and the perpetrator. One of the most compelling aspects of the book is Jennifer Hopper's journey towards forgiveness, a testament to her incredible strength and resilience. The author, Eli Sanders, does not shy away from the difficult truths, providing a comprehensive look at the events and their broader implications. This book is a must-read for those interested in true crime, systemic issues, and the human capacity for forgiveness.


Quick quotes

    He looks and he looks and he doesn't turn away.

    He tells the story of how Jennifer Hopper found the strength to forgive Kalebu.

    It's the product of years and years of research about the three people whose lives intersected in that little red house on South Rose Street.

kirkusreviews.com · Unknown · 2025-09-24
compelling 4.50

While the City Slept is a gripping and meticulously reported account of a tragic crime that explores the complexities of mental illness and the criminal justice system. The book offers a nuanced look at the events leading up to the murders and the subsequent trial, providing a compelling narrative that is both heartbreaking and thought-provoking.

While the City Slept delves into the harrowing story of a crime that shook a community to its core. The book is a masterclass in investigative journalism, offering a detailed and empathetic exploration of the mental health struggles of the perpetrator and the impact on the victims' families. The narrative is both thorough and compassionate, providing a comprehensive look at the events leading up to the crime and the subsequent legal proceedings. The author's ability to weave together multiple perspectives creates a rich tapestry of human experience, making the book a powerful and unforgettable read. The book also raises important questions about the criminal justice system and the treatment of mental illness, making it a relevant and timely contribution to the ongoing conversation about these critical issues.


Quick quotes

    The book is a masterclass in investigative journalism.

    The narrative is both thorough and compassionate.

    The author's ability to weave together multiple perspectives creates a rich tapestry of human experience.

bookreporter.com · Unknown · 2017-02-07
harrowing 4.50

While the City Slept is a gripping account of a tragic crime and a critique of the mental health care system. The book highlights the missed opportunities that allowed a disturbed individual to fall through the cracks, ultimately leading to violence.

While the City Slept is a deeply reported and compassionate account of a murder in Seattle that brings to light the failures of the mental health care system in America. The book follows the lives of three individuals whose paths intersect tragically: Teresa Butz and Jennifer Hopper, a couple newly in love, and Isaiah Kalebu, a young man experiencing a dangerous psychological descent. The narrative underscores the systemic issues that allowed Kalebu to slip through the cracks despite numerous red flags observed by family, police, and mental health professionals. Sanders' Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting provides a human-level story that is both harrowing and inspiring, offering a wake-up call for much-needed reform in mental health care. The book also highlights themes of love and forgiveness, making it a poignant and thought-provoking read.


Quick quotes

    The book is a deeply reported portrait in microcosm of the state of mental health care in this country.

    It shows what can happen when a disturbed member of society repeatedly falls through the cracks.

    An inspiring story of love and forgiveness.

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