Don't Say a Thing

A Predator, a Pursuit, and the Women Who Persevered

By: Tamara Leitner

Narrated by: Tamara Leitner

In a powerful true-crime memoir, an Emmy Award-winning journalist seeks closure in a decades-long series of crimes and freedom from her own personal demons.

In April 1999, reporter Tamara Leitner woke to an active crime scene outside her Arizona apartment. Her neighbor had been sexually assaulted by a man who would later be identified as Claude Dean Hull II, a serial rapist who escaped justice for decades. New identities. New states. New victims—more than one hundred suspected across the country and thousands more victimized in myriad ways. Tamara’s twenty-year compulsion to follow the investigation began.

She needed to question a failed system. She needed to know the women whose lives were irrevocably altered. And she needed to face the root of her obsession with Hull and his crimes.

In interviewing, befriending, and profoundly connecting with Hull’s survivors, Tamara crafts a unique true-crime narrative. It not only reveals the struggles of the justice system to help victims of sexual violence but explores how these resilient women—and Tamara herself—strove to reclaim their power in the wake of indelible trauma.

©2023 Tamara Leitner (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Reporter and narrator Tamara Leitner provides listeners with a unique true-crime narrative in this audiobook.… This audiobook explores the way survivors of sexual violence in general are treated in the U.S. and how these particular survivors took back their lives. Leitner narrates her own work, giving listeners the experience of hearing her frustration with the justice system and her empathy for the survivors. Her strong performance gives their stories an opportunity to be heard, even if the message is a difficult one.”—AudioFile Magazine

“Emmy- and Peabody-winning journalist Leitner uses an emotionally charged tone when narrating her memoir about the investigation of Claude Dean Hull II, a serial rapist who sexually assaulted hundreds of women across the U.S., including the author’s neighbor.… Although she is clinical when reporting details about each highlighted case, there is an edge to her words that hints at the PTSD she developed because of the investigation.”—Library Journal

“Leitner, an investigative journalist with familiarity behind the mic, narrates the story delivering facts, yet it almost reads like a fictional thriller. Suspense is built with her ability to express frustration and anger at the justice system. Her empathy for the victims resonates through her strong delivery. She speaks to the resiliency of the victims and how they put back together their lives after living a nightmare.”—Booklist

Don't say a thing

Loved the book kept up my interest. would recommend this book to adults only over 18

Great listen!!

Great book. Sad stories. This book was told with such detail. The author is the narrator and does an excellent job.

Informative

I work for a Sexual Assault Agency. I personally don’t work with the survivors, I am usually the first person they see when coming to our agency. This gave me some back ground and feelings of what some go through and the trauma.

Enunciation Errors

Good story, creepy, but my goodness, if you're going to be a narrator, please enunciate correctly. The repeated use of words like counnint, wounnint instead of couldn't, wouldn't drove me crazy. Ds aren't silent, just like the t in district attorney--it gets pronounced.

Riveting from beginning to end!

Such a story of suspense! Written so well. Horrible crimes but told in such a way that you keep wanting to go on. Excellent book I will recommend to all of my friends and family.

Raw and Inspiring!

This book had several layers and story lines, that were seamlessly intertwined. Because this story was so personal to the author, you could really feel the authenticity, the earned pride and true emotions throughout.
Anyone who loves a good true crime story will love this!

True true crime

A captivating true story that held my attention the entire time. The dedication of the author to find the truth and connection between these crimes is impressive.

A great read

Fascinating, great read, felt those women’s pain- well written and kept attention and waiting to find out!

Investigative story telling

I enjoy books by investigative journalists and detectives about real life events. This book had 4 perspectives interlayering over each other: writer, police, offender and victim survivors. This book was well done, with chapters well identified to keep the reader aware of the year and whose voice was sharing. I am always amazed at what I learn when it comes to how police do their jobs, communicate, put their info in the systems and cross share about crimes and how all of that is what leads to finding the perpetrator. With no communication between jurisdictions or even investigative reporters, much will be missed and the bad guy will keep getting away. Good story, Thanks Ms Leitner for a job well done and for sharing your story too.

Love Tammy!

I am 27, but when I was 6, I watched Tammy on my favorite season of Survivor to this day, Survivor Marquesas (season 4). I admire Tammy so much for all she’s done in her life and loved listening to her read the book. I felt the story was cleverly written and intertwines very well with her personal life. If you ever see this, love you Tammy!!