EP 184: Ate His Heart: Interviews With A Cannibal by Nathalie von Zelowitz (Translated by Jon von Zelowitz)

 

BUY I Ate His Heart: Interviews With A Cannibal  on Amazon,
Feral House Books, Barnes and Noble,
and Thrift Books.com

French Psychotherapist and author Nathalie Von Zelowitz

(Used with permission)

VIEW THE TRAILER - I ATE HIS HEART! 

Article Gisele Pelicot, referenced by Nathalie von Zelowitz in our discussion! Drugged by her husband, he permitted men to rape his unconscious wife for years! 

The PSYCHOSEXUAL STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT - PSYCHOTHERAPY

During our conversation, Nathalie Von Zelowitz frequently refers to 'Bernard's' experiences as a baby in the oral stage, among others. 

From I Ate His Heart by Nathalie von Zelowitz

From I Ate His Heart by Nathalie von Zelowitz

From I Ate His Heart by Nathalie von Zelowitz

Prison: Château-Thierry (Wikipedia)

Prison: Château-Thierry (Wikipedia)

Prison: Château-Thierry (Wikipedia)

SOURCES

France: Walling Up Madness, Prison Insider.com, April 14, 2022.

France: Psychiatry at the Service of Security, Prison Insider.com, Feb. 24, 2022.

Katharine Ramsland, The Psycho-criminology of Eating People, Substack.com, May 24, 2026

Nick Fagge, Gisele Pelicot's '50' rapist face 600 years in prison, The Daily Mail, Dec 16, 2024.

Prison Psychologist says her cannibal patient is 'shy', Inside Edition, July 2026.

Trailer for... I Ate His Heart: Interviews with a Cannibal by Nathalie von Zelowitz, Feral House, May 2026.

Book Review: I Ate His Heart: Interviews with a Cannibal by Nathalie von Zelowitz

 

Ep 184 - Listen Now!

I Ate His Heart, by French prison psychologist Nathalie von Zelowitz, is a remarkable work of clinical and philosophical nonfiction: disturbing in subject matter, yet unusually thoughtful, humane, and intellectually disciplined in execution. Built around von Zelowitz’s decade-long series of interviews with an incarcerated killer known by the pseudonym Bernard, the book examines one of the darkest imaginable crimes without ever reducing it to spectacle. Instead, von Zelowitz offers a rare, rigorous study of how a mind can arrive at an act that seems almost impossible to comprehend.

The book’s power lies in its refusal to sensationalize. Bernard was found at a gruesome crime scene repeating the phrase “I ate his heart,” yet unlike many perpetrators of extreme violence, he was judged mentally sound, legally sane, and responsible for his actions. That fact gives the book its unsettling force. Von Zelowitz is not writing about madness in any ordinary sense; she is investigating the coherent, if profoundly distorted, internal logic that allowed Bernard to cross the most extreme social and moral boundary.

Von Zelowitz’s greatest achievement is the balance she maintains throughout. She approaches Bernard through psychoanalytic theory, but she does so with clarity rather than jargon. Her interest is not in excusing him, romanticizing him, or turning him into a monster for entertainment. She wants to understand the psychological truth at the core of “passing to the act”: the point at which fantasy, trauma, isolation, desire, and identity collapse into irreversible violence. The result is a study that is both clinically precise and philosophically searching.

What makes the book especially compelling is von Zelowitz’s ethical restraint. She gives Bernard’s words space, but she does not surrender the narrative to him. She listens closely enough to reveal the structure of his thinking, while still preserving the moral gravity of what he did. Just as importantly, she remains respectful of the murdered man, never allowing the victim to disappear behind the psychological fascination of the perpetrator. That sensitivity gives the book a seriousness that many works in the true-crime genre lack.

The prose is controlled, elegant, and deeply unsettling in the best sense: it forces the reader to think rather than merely react. Von Zelowitz shows that Bernard’s crime did not emerge from chaos alone, but from a deeply calculated and coherent inner world shaped by childhood trauma, extreme isolation, and a distorted understanding of human connection. Her analysis makes the book valuable not only for readers interested in criminal psychology, but also for anyone drawn to questions of responsibility, identity, violence, and the limits of empathy.

Overall, I Ate His Heart is an extraordinary and courageous book. It is chilling, cerebral, and morally serious, but also deeply humane in its insistence that understanding is not the same as forgiveness. Von Zelowitz succeeds brilliantly in connecting psychological theory to Bernard’s disorder while maintaining compassion, professionalism, and respect for the victim. For readers with any interest in the psychology of deviance, forensic psychology, psychoanalysis, or the darker edges of human behavior, this book is not merely recommended; it is essential reading.

Ep 182: RAVEN: Protecting Children from online Predators in their 'digital white vans'

 

EP. 182: Executive Director Jenny Dutton on Protecting Children from Exploitation

Federal funding for the ICAC, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program, provided over $33.9 million through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) in fiscal year 2025 to 61 ICAC task forces across the United States.

This is not enough, nor does it reach the amount the law authorized in 2008, which was $60,000,000.  In 2026 dollars, adjusted for inflation, this amount is $93,005,275

SUPPORT RAVEN'S WORK- DONATE!

Want to help get child exploitation legislation approved by Congress in Washington DC?

This link goes to a list of House of Representative members by state. Find your Representative. 

Fill out the contact email form OR make a phone call. 

Jenny Dutton, Executive Director of RAVEN.us and Jill's guest! 

NOTE:  Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition (2002) is a landmark Supreme Court case that struck down portions of the Child Pornography Prevention Act (CPPA) of 1996 for violating the First Amendment. The Court held that computer-generated images and depictions utilizing adult actors cannot be banned under standard child-exploitation laws because they do not involve or harm actual children during production. This 6–3 decision established that the government cannot criminalize entirely synthetic media unless it meets the strict legal definition of obscenity

CHILDREN'S SONG: 'These are my Private Parts" 

SOURCES

Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition (2002), U.S. Supreme Court, Justia.com, April 16, 2002.

Alex Hern, Crime involving child abuse imagery are up by a quarter in UK, says NSPCC, The Guardian, March 1, 2024. 

Gabby Killet, Kenner police chief warns parents about apps allegedly used by child predators, FOX8.com, August 20, 2926. 

Georgia sheriff warns child predators they will be 'social media famous', WSBT.com, August 23, 2026. 

Kimberly Querry-Thompson, Officials: 38 people charge in child predator operations in Oklahoma, OKFox5.com, August 24, 2026. 

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 2026.

Sonia Ahmed, Child predators arrest after Liberty sting operation, River Reporter, August 25, 2026.

Tamara Scott, Child exploitation operation ends with 14 arrested, 68 charges filed in multi-agency takedown in North Carolina, ABCNews.com, August 20, 2026.

Thorn: Defend Children from Sexual Abuse, Thorn.org, 2009-Present. 

Book Review: The Ugly Underneath by Carlos Rodriguez

 

Listen to Special Episode 180, my exclusive interview with Carlos Rodriguez 

Reading The Ugly Underneath opened my eyes to a side of criminal investigation rarely explored in true crime: the lasting trauma carried by the investigators and prosecutors who pursue those who prey on children. Rodriguez does not simply recount cases; he reveals the emotional aftermath that follows the people tasked with confronting humanity’s darkest corners.

Law enforcement's mental wellness is rarely discussed, yet Carlos Rodriguez bravely breaks the silence, addressing it with courage, candor, and compassion. Drawing from 25 years with the Washington State Patrol, Rodriguez blends professional experience with deeply personal motivation: he entered the field after a drunk driving accident killed a family member, driven by the desire to save lives. What he never expected was that many of the lives he would fight to protect would belong to toddlers, children, and teenagers pulled into the horrific shadows of child exploitation.

The Ugly Underneath is difficult, emotional, and profoundly authentic, written in a way that makes an unfamiliar and uncomfortable subject immediately relatable. Rodriguez asks readers to look beyond the headlines and consider the exhausting, mentally damaging toll this work takes on law enforcement members who must witness the horrors of trafficking and sexual abuse, then return home expected to function as spouses, parents, and neighbors. Too often, that pain is locked away, surfacing as withdrawal, drinking, isolation, or the slow deterioration of family life.

As the host of the Murder Shelf Book Club podcast, I have read an enormous collection of true crime books, yet none has covered this topic with the same raw honesty, urgency, and compassion. Carlos Rodriguez is starting vital conversations across the country—and, truly, around the world—about the unseen wounds carried by those who investigate crimes against children. I highly recommend The Ugly Underneath for its incredible insight, its humanity, and its willingness to confront a painful subject we all need to understand, especially parents, adults, caregivers, and teachers.

 

Book Review: Killer in the House by Kathryn Canavan

 

Listen to Jill's series on Killer in the House
Ep 173, 175, 177 and 179!

Killer in the House: Ten Days of Terror in Pennsylvania by Kathryn Canavan is a book I consumed in hours, not days. From the first page, I was captivated by this immersive, haunting, meticulously reported true-crime account, swept into the life of a young reporter covering one of the worst killing sprees in Pennsylvania history. Canavan’s writing is vivid and immediate, balancing journalistic precision with the emotional pull of a story that forever altered a quiet suburban community.

Killer in the House: Ten Days of Terror in Pennsylvania is a gripping, atmospheric, and deeply engrossing account of the horrific 1976 murder of the Abt family in suburban Philadelphia. What sets this book apart is Canavan’s rare vantage point: she was not writing from a comfortable distance, but as a young reporter covering the case as it unfolded. That firsthand perspective gives the book urgency, texture, and authenticity. She transports readers to the street where the crimes occurred, making the Abt family, their neighbors, the investigators, and the frightened community feel painfully real. I especially appreciated the cultural details that, while not always directly tied to the crime, create a fascinating portrait of the 1970s world and help explain why fear spread so quickly through a neighborhood that had once felt safe.

Though the story of what happened that day is unimaginably grim, Canavan balances the darkness with a deeply humanizing voice, honoring the victims while showing how the investigation unfolded under the era's limitations. Her pacing is taut and suspenseful, especially when she recounts her own high-stakes experiences as a reporter on the scene. The book also offers a thoughtful look at old-fashioned police work: without DNA analysis, cell phones, surveillance video, or today’s instant communication, investigators relied on interviews, intuition, persistence, and painstaking legwork. That context makes the resolution even more impressive. As an avid true crime reader, I highly recommend this chilling, compassionate, and expertly constructed account of one of the region’s most notorious crimes.

Book Review: A Monster in Mount Pleasant by CJ Williams

 

It is 1978 in the quaint, idyllic town of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, a lovely place to raise a family and a low-risk community where there hadn’t been a murder since 1944. Then, within six months, three brutal murders shattered that sense of safety, leaving the town reeling. When a local teenager was arrested, it was as shocking as the crimes themselves. Author CJ Williams explores the twisting road to justice with a compelling, clear-eyed true crime narrative and a unique perspective: he was a teenager living in Mount Pleasant during these crimes, and he knew those who lost their lives, their families, and the perpetrator. The author paints a robust, compassionate portrait of the victims and their roles in their families, honoring their memories in a way that is both respectful and deeply moving.


As a federal judge and former prosecutor, Williams brings meticulous research, seasoned insight, and an impressive command of jurisprudence to the story. This is not a whodunnit; instead, Williams aptly explains the intricacies of the judicial process, making the legal twists as gripping as the crimes themselves. His respect for civil protections is clear, as are the legal missteps that entangled the case for decades. While the wheels of justice roll slowly, we understand each painstaking detail, which brings true satisfaction when we turn the last page.


As the host of the Murder Shelf Book Club Podcast, I read many true crime books, and I found A Monster in Mount Pleasant exceptional. Williams recounts these little-known cases with respect, dignity, and remarkable narrative control, creating a true crime story that is thorough, absorbing, and genuinely appreciated by readers who value both humanity and legal precision. I highly recommend it for any true crime enthusiast, thoughtful reader, or book club group looking for a powerful, well-researched discussion.




In Episodes 181, 183, and 185, I featured this book, and I interviewed CJ Williams in Ep 187. Check them out!




https://linktr.ee/murdershelfbookclub

Ep 181: Iowan Scotcheroos Recipe! A Monster in Mt. Pleasant Part 1

 

IOWAN SCOTCHEROOS RECIPE!

Thank you, Darvin Graham, for your recipe! 

Darvin Graham's Scotcheroos from the Des Moines Register 

Ingredients

Base: 

6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
1 cup white granulated pure cane sugar
1⅓ cups light corn syrup
1⅓ cups creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping: 

1¾ cups Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips
1¾ cups butterscotch chips (store brand)
1 cup Ghirardelli Bittersweet 60% Cacao baking chips
1 cup butterscotch chips (from the same store brand as above)
1 tablespoon coconut oil (divided — ½ tbsp for each bowl of chips)
Instructions

Setting time: Overnight preferred, or at least 2 hours refrigerated

Step 1: Toast the Rice Krispies

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread Rice Krispies evenly across a baking sheet and toast for 11 minutes, or until medium golden brown. Watch carefully to avoid burning. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Prepare the syrup base

Measure all base ingredients before turning on the stove. In a large saucepan, combine sugar and corn syrup over low to medium heat. Stir constantly for 5-10 minutes until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Do NOT let it boil. At the first sign of bubbling, remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla. Return briefly to low heat if needed.

Once fully smooth and combined, pour over toasted Rice Krispies and fold until fully coated. It may look dry at first — trust the process.

Step 3: Set the base

Press the mixture gently into a greased 9x13-inch pan. Avoid packing too tightly. Use the back of a spatula to create shallow divots across the top to allow room for the topping to settle in.

Step 4: Melt the toppings

In two separate microwave-safe bowls: 

Bowl 1 (light topping): 1¾ cups milk chocolate chips + 1¾ cups butterscotch chips + ½ tbsp coconut oil

Bowl 2 (dark topping): 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips + 1 cup butterscotch chips + ½ tbsp coconut oil

Microwave each in 15-second bursts, stirring between each burst until smooth. Avoid overheating.

Step 5: Assemble and marble the topping

Spread the light topping evenly over the base. Tap the pan firmly on the counter to release air and help topping settle into the divots. Drop spoonfuls of the dark topping across the surface. Use the back of a spoon to gently swirl into a marbled effect. Do not over-mix.

For a final touch, drag a butter knife in diagonal lines, opposite your swirl direction, every 2 inches.

Step 6: Let the bars set

Let bars sit at room temperature overnight or refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

Once firm, cut into squares and serve.



Recipe for award-winning Scotcheroos 

Yield: 1 (9x13-inch) pan, approx. 18 bars
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: About 20 minutes, plus cooling time

Equipment 

9x13-inch baking pan
Large saucepan
Large heatproof mixing bowl
Spatula
Baking sheet
2 microwave-safe bowls
Measuring cups & spoons, including 2 large metal spoons
Butter knife

CHATEAU ST. MICHLLE GERWURZTRAMINER, Columbia Valley, Washington State

Chateau St Michelle Wine 2024 from WineMadeEasy.com  for $12.99!