What do you think?
Rate this book
Evil Next Door: The Untold Stories of a Killer Undone by DNA
A brutal murder.
An abundance of DNA evidence.
A three-and-a-half year search for a killer who was always so close-yet untouchable.
After the rape and murder of Raleigh, North Carolina, resident Stephanie Bennett, police had ample DNA evidence. They also had a the man next door. But for more than three years, he eluded them by refusing to hand over a DNA sample, wiping down anything he touched and even planting decoy samples.
This is the gripping story of how a team of detectives finally tripped him up-and brought closure to an innocent young woman's family.
An abundance of DNA evidence.
A three-and-a-half year search for a killer who was always so close-yet untouchable.
After the rape and murder of Raleigh, North Carolina, resident Stephanie Bennett, police had ample DNA evidence. They also had a the man next door. But for more than three years, he eluded them by refusing to hand over a DNA sample, wiping down anything he touched and even planting decoy samples.
This is the gripping story of how a team of detectives finally tripped him up-and brought closure to an innocent young woman's family.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
45 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Lamb
21 books145 followersIn addition to being an author, Amanda Lamb is an accomplished public speaker, podcaster and veteran television crime reporter. She worked for an award-winning NBC affiliate in the southeast for nearly three decades. She also hosted, co-wrote, and co-produced three true crime podcasts including "Follow the Truth," "What Remains," and "The Killing Month August 1978." "Follow the Truth" won the regional Edward R. Murrow award for excellence in journalism. Currently, she hosts and produces "AGELESS: Opening Doors with Amanda Lamb" which is about women transforming themselves personally and professionally after fifty. This is the focus of her keynote speech about not allowing age to define your value and your potential. She shares her wisdom and inspiration with audiences across the country.
Amanda's newest thriller, Whispers on the Mountain, is due out in September 2025. It features a dogged newspaper reporter who arrives at a mountain resort only to learn there is a missing hiker. She can't ignore the tug of the compelling mystery swirling around her in the beautiful but dangerous North Carolina mountains. Amanda hopes this will be the first installment in a new murder mystery series.
Amanda has published twelve books in dramatically different genres from murder mysteries, to true crime books, to touching and humorous memoirs, to children's books. From murder cases to motherhood, Amanda examines life through the lens of a curious journalist who is constantly observing and documenting everything in her path with deep interest, insight, and compassion.
She has written a murder mystery series about a tenacious television journalist seeking truth and justice all while juggling her own intriguing backstory. These novels from Torchflame Books include "Dead Last," "Lies that Bind," and "No Wake Zone."
As a journalist, Amanda can only report about ten percent of what she knows, but her novels peel back the veil of the news industry and give readers an intimate peek into the world of journalism through the eyes of a crime beat reporter. While the people and stories in her books are fictional, they are all loosely based on real-life scenarios Amanda has encountered in her more than three decades in the trenches.
Amanda has also penned three true crime books which include "Love Lies," the saga of a young mother who disappeared after her husband said she went jogging and never returned home. In a desperate search for the truth her friends and family circle the wagons demanding answers-answers that ultimately expose a grim tragedy in the small, idyllic southern town. "Evil Next Door" features the story of a brutal rape and murder case Amanda covered as a news reporter. The victim, a young woman who was just beginning to live into her potential, was stalked and killed by a suspected serial killer who left copious amounts of DNA in his path, but little else for investigators to go on. They play a dangerous of game of cat and mouse with the police trying to lure the killer into their trap. "Deadly Dose" is a true crime story about a young up-and-coming scientist who was poisoned by someone in his inner circle. A dogged, old-school investigator refuses to give up in his relentless pursuit of the truth, a truth far more gruesome than anyone could have imagined.
Amanda's memoirs include "The Living Room" which chronicles her 80-day journey caring for her mother who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. In the midst of tragedy, Amanda learns how to live from her dying mother. The darkness is tinged with light as her mother's departure becomes a celebration of a life and an inspiration to those around her.
Amanda's parenting memoirs include "I Love You to God and Back" which chronicles her young daughter's prayers giving the reader a glimpse into the way adults see the world through a child's eyes. There is also a companion child's book of the same title. "Girls Gone Child" chronicles Amanda's daughters' sometimes outrag
Amanda's newest thriller, Whispers on the Mountain, is due out in September 2025. It features a dogged newspaper reporter who arrives at a mountain resort only to learn there is a missing hiker. She can't ignore the tug of the compelling mystery swirling around her in the beautiful but dangerous North Carolina mountains. Amanda hopes this will be the first installment in a new murder mystery series.
Amanda has published twelve books in dramatically different genres from murder mysteries, to true crime books, to touching and humorous memoirs, to children's books. From murder cases to motherhood, Amanda examines life through the lens of a curious journalist who is constantly observing and documenting everything in her path with deep interest, insight, and compassion.
She has written a murder mystery series about a tenacious television journalist seeking truth and justice all while juggling her own intriguing backstory. These novels from Torchflame Books include "Dead Last," "Lies that Bind," and "No Wake Zone."
As a journalist, Amanda can only report about ten percent of what she knows, but her novels peel back the veil of the news industry and give readers an intimate peek into the world of journalism through the eyes of a crime beat reporter. While the people and stories in her books are fictional, they are all loosely based on real-life scenarios Amanda has encountered in her more than three decades in the trenches.
Amanda has also penned three true crime books which include "Love Lies," the saga of a young mother who disappeared after her husband said she went jogging and never returned home. In a desperate search for the truth her friends and family circle the wagons demanding answers-answers that ultimately expose a grim tragedy in the small, idyllic southern town. "Evil Next Door" features the story of a brutal rape and murder case Amanda covered as a news reporter. The victim, a young woman who was just beginning to live into her potential, was stalked and killed by a suspected serial killer who left copious amounts of DNA in his path, but little else for investigators to go on. They play a dangerous of game of cat and mouse with the police trying to lure the killer into their trap. "Deadly Dose" is a true crime story about a young up-and-coming scientist who was poisoned by someone in his inner circle. A dogged, old-school investigator refuses to give up in his relentless pursuit of the truth, a truth far more gruesome than anyone could have imagined.
Amanda's memoirs include "The Living Room" which chronicles her 80-day journey caring for her mother who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. In the midst of tragedy, Amanda learns how to live from her dying mother. The darkness is tinged with light as her mother's departure becomes a celebration of a life and an inspiration to those around her.
Amanda's parenting memoirs include "I Love You to God and Back" which chronicles her young daughter's prayers giving the reader a glimpse into the way adults see the world through a child's eyes. There is also a companion child's book of the same title. "Girls Gone Child" chronicles Amanda's daughters' sometimes outrag
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 17, 2017
I thought this was going to be a run-of-the-mill true crime story, cops & prosecutors hot on the trail of a prolific serial rapist/murderer. Instead, I was introduced to one of the STRANGEST criminals I've ever encountered in all my true crime travels. I shelled out 4 stars alone for the author's examination of the killer's bizarre personal & social behaviors.
January 14, 2011
This book was well written. I usually read Ann Rule. When I've tried other true crime writers I am not always satisfied with the flow of the book or the tone. But Amanda Lamb did an excellent job.
This particular true crime book really focused on the police work and on the emotional strain everyone connected with the crime felt. It didn't go deeply into the lives of the people involved, as in how the main participants grew up, family history, etc. as Ann Rule often does. So the over all book was not as big, but I did like it.
My only issue was that I got the Kindle edition and there were no pictures. I had to search the internet to find pictures of the people discussed in the book.
This particular true crime book really focused on the police work and on the emotional strain everyone connected with the crime felt. It didn't go deeply into the lives of the people involved, as in how the main participants grew up, family history, etc. as Ann Rule often does. So the over all book was not as big, but I did like it.
My only issue was that I got the Kindle edition and there were no pictures. I had to search the internet to find pictures of the people discussed in the book.
January 25, 2012
This book was a decent read. Not a 5 star book though as many people on amazon gave it but overall it was interesting.
It was well written but at the end you still are left with many questions. You do know though cause you will be told many a times that the victim was an angel and I am cool when a writer says that but not constantly please. This was a senseless crime and after I finished reading I am still left with many questions as were the detectives and family. I give it 3.5 stars
It was well written but at the end you still are left with many questions. You do know though cause you will be told many a times that the victim was an angel and I am cool when a writer says that but not constantly please. This was a senseless crime and after I finished reading I am still left with many questions as were the detectives and family. I give it 3.5 stars
March 7, 2016
Stephanie Bennett was raped and murdered and police had ample DNA evidence at the crime scene.
The main focus of the is the investigation. It took three years to get the DNA evidence from the suspect to link the him to the crime.
Held my interest all the way to the shocking ending.
The main focus of the is the investigation. It took three years to get the DNA evidence from the suspect to link the him to the crime.
Held my interest all the way to the shocking ending.
June 28, 2010
Good true crime story that takes place in the South. Fair warning - you may not want to be home alone after you read this.
June 30, 2019
Heartbreaker
This is the second book I have read by this author and I truly admire her writing style. She managed to totally cover the brutality of this sadistic, unforgettable rape and murder but she also humanizes the victim and her family. I truly appreciate any true crime author that has this ability to talk about such a horrendous event and at the same time give you such insight into the true hero or heroine of the story, the victim. Often true crime books will only detail the crime, the murderer and just mention the victim in passing as just a number. This author has done an amazing job of covering all aspects of this truly outrageous, disgusting crime. I highly recommend this book to all true crime readers.
This is the second book I have read by this author and I truly admire her writing style. She managed to totally cover the brutality of this sadistic, unforgettable rape and murder but she also humanizes the victim and her family. I truly appreciate any true crime author that has this ability to talk about such a horrendous event and at the same time give you such insight into the true hero or heroine of the story, the victim. Often true crime books will only detail the crime, the murderer and just mention the victim in passing as just a number. This author has done an amazing job of covering all aspects of this truly outrageous, disgusting crime. I highly recommend this book to all true crime readers.
April 3, 2023
The first half of Evil Next Door reads like the book version of a Hallmark movie. Stephanie Bennett seems to have been headed for sainthood when she was murdered by Drew Planten, a skinny, long-haired chemist and loner who lived with his Rottweiler and was described as strange by anyone who knew him.
The family is profiled with endless praise for the victim and it becomes tiresome after the repeated cliches by the father and stepmother regarding their perfect daughter.
The killer was a hoarding lunatic with nine handguns, dozens of pairs of never worn shoes, bras, panties(including Stephanie's thong), and used tampons. This was one sick mother******.
In the end, it was DNA collected in a surreptitious manner by the police which nailed Mr. Planten. I was mostly bored by this book.
The family is profiled with endless praise for the victim and it becomes tiresome after the repeated cliches by the father and stepmother regarding their perfect daughter.
The killer was a hoarding lunatic with nine handguns, dozens of pairs of never worn shoes, bras, panties(including Stephanie's thong), and used tampons. This was one sick mother******.
In the end, it was DNA collected in a surreptitious manner by the police which nailed Mr. Planten. I was mostly bored by this book.
February 8, 2017
He was the killer next door.
He was hidden in plain sight, and he escaped justice by taking his own life but that was because he was a complete coward. d
Drew Planton has a special place in hell for losers like him. I remember when this case happened and it was and still is a sad affair. Amanda Lamb does a fair job making sense of it all, but she isn't Ann Rule. An okay read about a shocking case.
He was hidden in plain sight, and he escaped justice by taking his own life but that was because he was a complete coward. d
Drew Planton has a special place in hell for losers like him. I remember when this case happened and it was and still is a sad affair. Amanda Lamb does a fair job making sense of it all, but she isn't Ann Rule. An okay read about a shocking case.
March 28, 2020
What a sick individual....Reading about killers like this is proof Evil walks the Earth. Hands down one of the best true crime books I've read. If you are a fan of true crime then you need to buy,borrow,check out or steal this book and read it and then read it again.
August 18, 2020
One sided
I started to read your book but had to stop. I understand the grief and pain her family went through st losing her in such a horrid manner but I don't feel it's fair to put one victim on a pedestal. She was a good girl,she didn't deserve it..what makes anyone deserve it
I started to read your book but had to stop. I understand the grief and pain her family went through st losing her in such a horrid manner but I don't feel it's fair to put one victim on a pedestal. She was a good girl,she didn't deserve it..what makes anyone deserve it
October 11, 2019
Good book but sometimes all the investigation leading up to it was a bit much.
January 29, 2022
Really enjoyed this true crime story. Love the author's voice, and it was clearly well-researched.
July 8, 2019
The star of this story wasn’t the use of DNA to solve the crime, but dogged persistence by the detectives in this case. After the case went cold, and the lead detective retired, the new leads started over from scratch. They discovered that the original composite sketch was not very reliable and had caused them to eliminate some possible suspects. One of the suspects acted very peculiar. He refused to submit a DNA sample, he didn’t leave out his garbage for collection, he fastidiously cleaned up his work area before he left every day, and even threw away his restaurant utensils in the bathroom because he was extremely paranoid.
June 11, 2015
This book became boring rather quickly with long tedious descriptions of what everybody was wearing or how they had sad eyes or wore a sloppy ponytail, information that did nothing to move along the story. I venture to think this is because the writer is primarily a newscaster and used to writing in this way.
So, I started just skipping over all the long descriptions and reading all the important bits about the crime and how they tested over 280 different men for DNA samples before finally nailing the killer. Its good to know somewhere that justice doesn't give up.
So, I started just skipping over all the long descriptions and reading all the important bits about the crime and how they tested over 280 different men for DNA samples before finally nailing the killer. Its good to know somewhere that justice doesn't give up.
April 7, 2010
This story would make me want to go out and buy a dog for my young adult daughter if I had one; especially if she lived alone!
The science of DNA was the main focus of this book in tracking down a truly evil human being. Also, the act of violence and how random being a victim can become is frightening in this story. One small detail or an act of chance can determine so much whether you will become a victim.
"The function of wisdom is to discriminate between good and evil." Cicero
The science of DNA was the main focus of this book in tracking down a truly evil human being. Also, the act of violence and how random being a victim can become is frightening in this story. One small detail or an act of chance can determine so much whether you will become a victim.
"The function of wisdom is to discriminate between good and evil." Cicero
January 6, 2011
Amanda Lamb is the local crime reporter on WRAL and she is quite a good writer.
This was an infamous case that took three years to solve. DNA solved the crime and a gun used to commit a murder in Michigan was found in the perpetrator's apartment. The defendant committed suicide in his cell before he could be brought to trial.
This was an infamous case that took three years to solve. DNA solved the crime and a gun used to commit a murder in Michigan was found in the perpetrator's apartment. The defendant committed suicide in his cell before he could be brought to trial.
September 3, 2013
The writing was decent, some repetition, but overall an interesting read. The main reason this book interested me (freaked me out) is that I've lived in Raleigh since 2004 and worked 1/2 a mile from this lunatic from that time until his arrest in late 2006. So chilling that someone like that can exist in your own sphere.
January 12, 2011
This book, while I was interested in the story, I just could not get into it. I'm not sure if it was the writing style, or exactly what it was, but it just seemed to take me FOREVER to read this book.
August 17, 2012
What a terrible and tragic story. It's hard to imagine that it happened in my own backyard. This book was well written and difficult to put down. I only had to stop to Google the details or photos of those involved.
January 18, 2013
I remember this one. They followed him for what seemed like forever. Tried to get DNA from his work but he was so careful to not even leave a hair. He'd wipe down his keyboard, desk, etc every night. At a restaurant he tried his best to not use utensils..
Read
January 17, 2016Great book in the style and with the accomplishment of Ann Rule. Now that I live in North Carolina, I had heard of Amanda Lamb's books, and being a fan of Ann Rule, I decided to read this. Aside from the gruesome reality of the rape/murder, it was a well-written, very readable book.
February 14, 2025
Shockingly well-put-together chronicle of one of my city’s most brutal murderers. This novel gave so much more introspection and detail on this case, which I had considered my well fairly well-read on. Highly recommended.
December 23, 2010
Fascinating to follow the investigative process. I remember seeing this case as one of the stories on CSI, but on the show I certainly didn't get the sense of how LONG some crimes go unsolved.
April 22, 2012
I read this for my forensic science class. True crime isn't really a genre I'm interested in. I ended up with an upset stomach the only other time I tried reading true crime.
Read
June 4, 2012Interesting book behind the murder of Stephanie Bennett. A quick read and interesting for those who remember the case from Raleigh about 10 years ago.
July 6, 2018
Knew this guy in high school, strange guy
April 9, 2016
Hi
Wonderful story and thanks to all the people that helped out in everything. Hope to read another story like this one very soon.
Wonderful story and thanks to all the people that helped out in everything. Hope to read another story like this one very soon.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews