A Killer Story Emerges From Behind the Scenes

Contributor: Isabella Castillo

In her new memoir, Killer Story: The Truth Behind True Crime Television, former People Newspapers journalist Claire St. Amant takes readers behind the yellow caution tape and into the world of fast-paced true crime journalism as she chronicles her journey from local journalist to working in national television.

“There’s [books] about fashion journalism… and morning show television [that] revealed to readers for the first time what it’s like to work in those industries [that are] specific to that type of journalism,” said St. Amant. “And I had this moment where I realized no one had written one about crime television, and it’s a pretty fascinating and twisted world.”

St. Amant has spent eight years working at three major true crime networks — 48 Hours on CBS, Dateline on NBC, and 20/20 on ABC — gaining a wealth of exclusive stories. Through her writing, St. Amant provides readers with a window into the reality of working in true crime television and the daily battles, both ethical and internal, that are faced.

“The things that go on when the cameras aren’t rolling, the behind-the-scenes, are often just as twisted or bizarre as the murder cases themselves,” said St. Amant. “That’s why I wanted to write… my story.”

Killer Story is St. Amant’s debut as an author. She got her start in local media as a newspaper reporter before working as a field producer for CBS News at 48 Hours and later contributing to 60 Minutes. She won multiple Philbin Awards for outstanding legal reporting in Dallas, and a New York Press Club Award for breaking news reporting while at CBS.

Killer Story is set to release on Feb. 18 and will be celebrated with a Dallas launch party at 6 p.m. at Interabang Books on Lovers Lane. St. Amant invites true crime junkies to enjoy an evening of intriguing discussion and book signing.

“I’m going to be in conversation with Michael Mooney, the New York Times bestselling author, and we will be talking about the book and crime journalism,” said St. Amant. “We’re looking forward to a great discussion and a great turnout.”