Through the Lens of a Monster

A Serial Killer on Death Row, an Unsolved Murder List, and an Inmate’s Deadly Play for Redemption

Non-Fiction - True Crime
230 Pages
Reviewed on 10/10/2025
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite

Through the Lens of a Monster by William A. Noguera is a gripping exploration of the mind of serial killer Joseph Naso, told from the unique perspective of the author, who spent over forty years on San Quentin’s death row. This true-crime account provides a compelling look at Noguera’s dangerous and thorough investigation into Naso’s crimes, revealing the chilling confessions of a man who evaded justice for decades. Noguera’s skill in extracting confessions from Naso offers a rare and disturbing glimpse into the mind of a remorseless predator. The final section of the book shifts to the aftermath, describing Noguera’s efforts to bring closure to the victims’ families and his own path toward redemption.

William A. Noguera’s writing is raw and unflinching, capturing the horror of Naso’s crimes while demonstrating a clear sense of purpose and determination to uncover the truth. The story is both personal and investigative, as Noguera reflects on his own past while navigating the dangerous realities of prison life and the psychological manipulation required to extract information from Naso. The book also highlights the systemic failures that allowed Naso to evade capture for so long, emphasizing the indifference often shown toward marginalized victims. Through the Lens of a Monster is a gripping account of crime, justice, and redemption. Noguera’s unique position as both a former death row inmate and a skilled investigator offers readers an unparalleled perspective on the complexities of the criminal mind and the pursuit of justice. Filled with photographs and images, this is an eerily good book.

Frank Mutuma

William Noguera had been in prison for twenty-five years on death row for killing his girlfriend’s mother, who had forced her to abort their child. In prison, he gets a job to take care of the elderly inmates, where he interacts with various serial killers like Joseph Naso. William makes Naso trust him, and one day, opening up about Roxy, the rest of the information starts to flow from Naso, who considers himself an artist like William. Naso opens up about his upbringing, his first rape, and his life in the army. He confesses to 113 rapes. He also tells William about his first and subsequent kills that the authorities did not know about, and why he thought the women deserved to die. As things unfold, William is also informed about the change in his conviction in Through the Lens of a Monster by William A. Noguera.

Through the Lens of a Monster by William A. Noguera is a unique read that offers a glimpse into various issues surrounding the criminal justice system and what life in prison is like. The violence portrayed got me wondering if the system meets its goals of rehabilitation. The mention of a serial killers' club that communicates with admirers outside was also concerning about safety in our communities. This thought-provoking work also got me thinking about how upbringing and mental health issues contribute to crime. William did an excellent job of capturing the events with vivid descriptions that made Naso's horrific crimes clear. The easy-to-understand language also makes this work accessible to a wide audience. I look forward to reading more by William A. Noguera.