Hollywood, CA—Without Redemption, a ground breaking serial killer biography centered on Freeway Killer Bill Bonin, continues to generate interest throughout the U.S. and around the world. Throughout 2025 sales on Amazon have been climbing with the burning question—When will this detailed biography, one utilizing jailhouse diaries and handwritten murder confession stories about the 22 murders Bonin committed, be made into a TV mini-series. The material is personal as well as shedding new light on, at the time, the late 1970s serial killer case that was the biggest in Southern California history.

While Bonin was awaiting trial at LA Men's Central Jail, from January to September 1981, he was keeping a jailhouse diary about all of the various deals and strategies going on between the prosecutors, detectives, suspects, witnesses, inmates, defense lawyers, reporters, politicians and friends. Simultaneously, he was writing the murder confession stories and then handing everything over to an attorney for safekeeping. Hidden for 40 years and discovered in 40 boxes of documents gifted to co-author Vonda Pelto, a Clinical Psychologist had sessions with Bonin and two accomplices, were keys to solving two murder cases and peering into Bonin's soul.

Inside those diaries and murder stories was a Bonin know one really knew—the sharp keen mind with a memory for detail, the ability to cogently analyze situations from multiple angles, a doomed man able to see light in the darkness, a dreadfully conflicted soul that, deep down, knew full well he was an irredeemable monster. The sessions with Pelto reveal yet another Bonin, the master manipulator, the shape changer who could be many things to many people.

Without Redemption: Creation & Deeds of Freeway Killer Bill Bonin, His Five Accomplices & How One Who Escaped Justice, by Clinical Psychologist Vonda Pelto and Michael Butler, offers a multi-layered look into the mind of a notorious serial killer.

Without Redemption Official Book Trailer

A terrific credible review came from Paul Cheston, a respected UK crime reporter and author of The Babes in the Woods Murders: The Shocking True Story of How Child Murderer Russell Bishop was Finally Brought to Justice. A 'specialist' court reporter for the Evening Standard, beginning in 1993, Cheston signed on with the Standard in 1988 after sharpening his skills at the Diss Express and Press Association. A reporter for 23 years at one of the most famous courts in the world, London's Old Bailey, Paul hung up his notepad in 2016 and was given an open court sendoff attended by a host of senior judges, barristers and fellow journalists.

The first review below is from Paul Cheston, followed by some of the best reviews of Without Redemption which are on Amazon.

Unique & Amazing Serial Killer Biography

I would unreservedly recommend Without Redemption as the most profound analysis of a serial killer I have read.

It is based on unprecedented access to probation, medical, psychiatric reports, police statements and court documents, and, as an author and journalist, I know how difficult, nay impossible, it is to gain access to such a treasure trove of detail and insight.

But most importantly it has the unique perspective of Vonda Pelto's own interviews with Bonin and his accomplices and the mass killer's own handwritten diaries.

The authors spare no one in exposing how Bonin was allowed to game the system and names of those professionals and institutions which put their own vested interests ahead of their duty to have him locked up long before he even started his killing spree.

Michael Butler has a light writing style which keeps the pace moving briskly and never loses the balance between explaining why Bonin killed and the devastating impact of this need to kill on the victims and their families.

5 Stars—Wonderful book about a very disturbing serial killer case

This book was written by Dr. Vonda Pelto, who is a psychologist hired to give help and support to the high profile inmates of the Los Angeles County Jail after one of William Bonin's aka The Freeway Killer's codefendants committed suicide while awaiting trial for participating in six murders with William Bonin. After that happened they immediately hired Dr. Pelto to help give the high profile inmates by listening to them and she prevented any more high profile inmates from taking their own lives.

Cate in Columbia

5 Stars—Inside the mind of a serial killer!

Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2023, Verified Purchase

Wow this is an amazing book written by a someone who got into the soul of a killer. I loved this book, though I may have difficulty sleeping tonight!

5 Stars—All the Makings of Compelling Serial Killer Movie or Mini-Series

Without Redemption' sets itself apart from other serial killer bios with the sheer volume of factual detail, one which reads like historical biographies of famous leaders. Freeway Killer Bill Bonin's whole life is laid out and this allows the authors to carefully track his 30-year journey/descent into murderous depravity. I have worked on a number of productions about serial killers and murderers most recently "The Patient" staring Steve Carell and Domhnall Gleason for FX Productions, and this book has all the elements for a compelling movie, mini-series or docudrama.

First, you have Bonin's detailed diaries/written confessions which give an inside view of everything; Second, the co-author, Vonda Pelto, Ph.D., having ersatz counseling/confession sessions with three of the six Freeway Killers in jail; Third, reams of documentary evidence about Bonin's childhood, war service, years in mental hospitals and prisons followed by the months leading up to the murder spree. Next are Bonin's carefully written stories of the 22 killings all over Southern California, the journalists reporting on his activities and the detectives chasing him.

Then, after his arrest everyone jumps in the pool together to hash out the penultimate act. Cases are gett built, deals negotiated and more suspects pursued. Political backstabbing, deception, lying and coverups, which is followed by Bonin's huge trial and the final curtain in this tragic drama.

Generous use of newspaper stories fill in the gaps and the whole book moves rapidly forward without too much lollygagging. 'Without Redemption' is as close to a complete serial killer historical biography that one might find.

5 Stars—How a Serial Killer Gets to That Uncaring Place

Bill Bonin's 32-year journey to becoming a serial killer is laid out step by step in a way that highlights where and when his ultimate fate may have been derailed, but it was not to be. Terrific biography of the infamous Freeway Killer, one told from many perspectives as outside events impacted his life again and again.

Everything is placed in proper historical context as rapidly changing societal values swirled around the existence of this broken man, one who ripped a hole in so many families and communities. Authors deserve praise for getting so many small details correct, some that matter intensely.

You won't be disappointed in 'Without Redemption' at all. Can't wait for the movie!

Without Redemption is currently available on Amazon and Google Play and has found interested readers in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and throughout Europe. 

Without Redemption: Creation & Deeds of Freeway Killer Bill Bonin, His Five Accomplices & How One Escaped Justice, Paperback ISBN: 979-8841931249, Hard Cover ISBN: 979-8844477775. For more info go to www.WithoutRedemption.com and purchase copies at Amazon, Google Play or Kobo.

Media Contact: For interviews or to request review copies contact Flotsam PR at 562-384-6697 or flotsampr@pm.me.