The Pit Audiobook By Ryan Green cover art

The Pit

The True Crime Story of Six Women, One Monster, and the Nightmare Below

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The Pit

By: Ryan Green
Narrated by: Steve White
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He called it salvation. They called it hell.

By day, Gary Heidnik was a man of God with money, charisma, and a growing congregation. But behind closed doors, he was building a torture chamber by hand and filling it with women.

His victims were some of society’s most vulnerable. He lured them with promises of food, safety, and salvation. Instead, they were shackled in the basement, starved, raped, and beaten into silence. Heidnik controlled everything: their pain, their survival, their very breath.

This is the shocking true story of the six women who were buried in silence and the monster who built a nightmare beneath his home.

It’s a tale of survival, madness, and the horrifying power of control.

You’ve heard of serial killers.

You’ve heard of cult leaders.

But you’ve never heard of The Pit.

Grim. Gripping. Unforgettable.

CAUTION: This book contains descriptive accounts of abuse and violence. Not for the faint of heart.

©2025 Ryan Green (P)2025 Ryan Green Gender Studies Murder Serial Killers Social Sciences True Crime Emotionally Gripping Heartfelt
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Some individuals dedicate themselves to helping others, serving others, protecting others. Other individuals wish only to serve their own twisted needs by any means possible and in so doing illustrate to the world the depths of man’s inhumanity to man. This audiobook, expertly narrated by Steve White, examines the life and heinous transgressions of one such individual, Gary Heidnik. Born into less than ideal circumstances and suffering a grievous injury in his youth, Gary managed not only to survive but to excel academically affording him the opportunity to pursue medical training in the armed services. Harboring aspirations of celebrity and accolades for his medical prowess, he was shaken to his core when his colleagues and his superiors noticed that he was less than stable in terms of his mental health. Despite his grandiose plans being summarily derailed, he remained steadfast in the belief of his absolute superiority and committed himself to the pursuit of his own immortality by way of procreation. With the detailed scrutiny and penetrating psychological insights I have come to expect from this author, Ryan Green presents the sordid tale of Gary Heidnik and the unfortunate women he imprisoned, tortured and violated In his attempt to get what he wanted. Though well-told and quite informative, I found the story beyond repugnant in terms of this man’s cruelty and thoughtless disregard for the women who had placed their trust in him only to discover he was a true monster. It is beyond frightening that there are people in the world capable of such grotesque and incomprehensible evil. If you have the stomach for it and are willing to peek behind the gruesome curtain, I recommend this examination of a life gone horribly wrong. Only through the careful study of such individuals can we learn what to watch for and how to protect ourselves and the vulnerable members of our community.

Man's Inhumanity...

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Listener received this title free

Gary Heidnik was a highly intelligent man who could have done great things. Instead, he chose to become a horrific monster all in a selfish bid to continue his (supposedly) superior bloodline.

In his quest to produce babies to further this cause, he raped and tortured women while keeping them in a pit in his basement. To make matters even worse, many of these women were mentally disabled and didn't even understand what was happening to them. (Not sure this guy really delved into genetics very much!). And, to top off the horrors of his crimes, he also pretended to be a holy man, starting a church to lure in potential victims.

The author has once again taken a true crime story and made it into a highly readable book. I always appreciate that he doesn't just have a list of victim's names; he personalizes them and makes the reader feel like they actually know them. Too often in true crime, victims get lost in the story of the monster committing the crimes. I could truly feel the emotions of these women and the horrors they endured.

The author also does not try to justify the crimes, but instead presents them in a way that truly shows how monstrous and evil the perpetrator really was. It is a sad commentary that monsters walk among us, often victimizing the most innocent and vulnerable.

The narrator has become the voice for Mr. Green's books and he does his usual excellent job with this one. Perfect pacing and inflection, his performance adds a lot to an already great book.

Nightmare in The Pit

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Listener received this title free

If you're a true crime enthusiast, prepare yourself for a gripping experience with Ryan Green's riveting work, *The Pit*. This book plunges you into the shocking world of Gary Heidnik’s heinous acts, where six women were trapped in a nightmarish basement prison. Green masterfully unfolds their harrowing story with a narrative that is both vivid and deeply respectful.

What sets this book apart is its powerful focus on the incredible resilience of the victims. Amid the unimaginable horrors they endured, Green captures their courage and strength, painting a poignant picture of their relentless will to survive. With each small act of defiance and flicker of hope, he humanizes them beyond their suffering, showcasing the unbreakable spirit that lies at the heart of their ordeal.

The writing is fast-paced and unflinching, gripping true crime readers from the first page. While the graphic depictions can be intense, Green's ability to balance the darkness with the women’s enduring spirit transforms their story into a testament of resilience. Get ready to be captivated by this haunting narrative that will stay with you long after you turn the last page!

A must read

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not a well developed story. way too short nothing elaborated or built upon. no actual crime reporting of details or historical facts...people places dates times etc. Just a disappointment and not worth a credit or the sale process of $10.

es dates way too short for such a sensational crime

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