A Well Written Book of Compelling Detail

Through the Lens of a Monster by William A. Noguera grabs you within the first six minutes of reading, and doesn’t let you go until the last page is turned. It is a powerful, unblinking study of serial killer Joseph Naso, gleaned over countless conversations with him by the author who transcribed these interactions shortly following their occurrences when he returned to his cell in the same facility where they were housed. Noguera states, “Over the years, whenever Joseph Naso revisited a story, the core never shifted. That consistency convinced me I wasn’t hearing invention, but memory.” Decades of incarceration had instilled Noguera with deep compassion for the hell families go through when a member is suddenly missing, and potentially dead, in this case all women, many of a tender age. The author’s mission becomes determining if he can ultimately get answers for families of Nosa’s victims, a very dangerous proposition in a prison setting where any hint of snitching can lead to an early, violent death. It is a lean book, all muscle and no fluff, best not read in the dead of night alone. Released 9/16/25, the book has since won the 2026 International Book Award for True Crime. 

Included in the Author’s Note at the book’s start is a content warning: “The following pages contain sensitive material that some readers may find disturbing, including descriptions of violence, sexual assault, and mental illness. Reader discretion is advised.” I strongly recommend listening to the Audible book’s free sample, and get the Kindle edition free sample to read and determine if this material is a good fit for your reading interests. At one point Naso comments to Noguera about his infamous list of 10 women’s names on a sheet of paper, “It was just me, drunk one night, writing down favorites. Never crossed my mind anyone would find it—let alone connect it.” “But you did kill all of them?” “‘Sure did,’ he said flatly. ‘And sixteen more.’” A jolt shot through me.”

During one of their jailhouse conversations It becomes evident Naso’s placement of a body is unusual, “…a man walking his dog discovered Pamela’s naked body. Her arms were crossed over her chest.” Noguera asks why the strange position, Naso smirks, mimics the pose, and replies, “‘She was a vampire. You should’ve seen her suck. Vampires sleep like that.’ He closed his eyes, posed like a corpse, and then opened one eye and burst out laughing.“ It’s the last line in that chapter, but the indelible horrifying image of his incongruous levity sticks with readers. 

“Because of repeated offenses, his probation officer began making unannounced visits.” But nothing is found linking Naso to criminal activity. “After four months with no contact, his probation officer Wes Jackson appeared at the front door again on April 13, 2010, for another inspection. This time Naso looked rattled but let him in…A quick search of the living room turned up a single round of .380 ammunition, a clear violation.” Jackson arrests Naso, and instinct tells him to investigate further. Naso is unaware “…that even as he denied everything, investigators were still tearing apart his Reno house. They soon discovered the real horror.” 

In my opinion this is a well written book of compelling detail that, once started, many readers may find hard to set aside for any length of time, preferring to read at one sitting.