Protect yourself from turning into the next true-crime headline with this witty, practical guide to personal safety, situational awareness, self-defense, escape tactics, and survival.

“It could never happen to me.”

It’s what many think while watching the latest Netflix documentary about another serial killer, cold case, cult, or missing person. Yet, we binge the documentaries, listen to the podcasts, and become armchair detectives, because deep down we know the truth: victims aren’t reckless. More often, they’re smart, cautious people who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

This is the handbook for people who love true crime and have no intention of starring in it. How Not to End Up the Subject of a True Crime Podcast reveals the patterns criminals use to identify, manipulate, isolate, and control victims, and, more importantly, how you can recognize those strategies before it is too late. This includes life-saving skills like:

• How to read rooms, streets, and situations

• Why being “rude” can save your life

• What to do if you’re being watched, followed, or approached by a stranger

• How to escape confined spaces, including car trunks, and break free from common restraints like zip ties and duct tape

• Self-defense tactics and improvised tools for emergencies

• What personal safety tools and gadgets to carry and what to skip

• How to stay curious and prepared without paranoia

Author J.H. Moncrieff draws lessons from iconic true crime cases including: Rodney Alcala, the “Dating Game Killer,” Robert Hansen, the “Butcher Baker,” Ted Bundy, The Zodiac Killer, and more. Perfect for fans of shows like My Favorite Murder, The Last Podcast on the Left, and Crime Junkie, this book makes sure you never become the next episode.