Avery: The Case Against Steven Avery and What "Making a Murderer" Gets Wrong

It’s time to set the record straight about Steven Avery. The full record―including evidence never before revealed―makes his guilt clear.

The Netflix series Making a Murderer quickly became a huge hit, with over 19 million viewers in the U.S. in the first 35 days. The series left many viewers with the opinion that Steven Avery―a man falsely imprisoned for almost 20 years on a rape charge―was railroaded into prison a second time by a corrupt police force and district attorney’s office. Viewers were outraged and hundreds of thousands demanded a pardon for Avery. The chief villain of the series: Ken Kratz, the special prosecutor who headed the investigation and prosecution. Kratz’s later misdeeds―prescription drug abuse and sexual harassment―cemented his guilt in the minds of the viewers.

This book tells what you don’t know.

Making a Murderer raised convincing doubts about Avery’s guilt. But now, Ken Kratz puts those doubts to rest with Avery: The Case Against Steven Avery and What Making a Murderer Gets Wrong. In it, Kratz demonstrates how the Netflix series leaves out critical evidence, including bombshell facts known only to him. Avery systematically erases the uncertainties introduced by the series, confirming, once and for all, that Steven Avery is guilty of the murder of Teresa Halbach. What’s more, Kratz even provides online access to detailed evidence so readers can explore every aspect of the case―the largest criminal investigation in Wisconsin history.

Avery tells the full story of the investigation, filled with details and insights unknown to the public. Then Kratz candidly addresses the aftermath. He openly discusses his struggle with addiction and the disturbing behaviors he engaged in, which led him to lose everything: his job, his wife, his house, his car and his reputation.

While our indignation at the injustice of Steven Avery’s first imprisonment makes it easy to believe he was also falsely accused of Halbach’s murder, Avery and the evidence inside―examined thoroughly and dispassionately―prove that, in this case, the system worked as it should.

In his 25-year prosecution career, Ken Kratz has handled many complex and high-profile cases including homicides, sexual assaults, child abuse cases, and property crimes. Widely considered one of the state’s best criminal trial attorneys, Ken dedicated his career to advancing the rights of crime victims, serving on the Attorney General’s Crime Victim’s Council, and as Chairman of Wisconsin’s Crime Victim’s Rights Board from 1997 to 2009. Ken also proudly served as President of the Wisconsin District Attorney’s Association in 1996.

For his work on the Teresa Halbach homicide case, Ken was named “Prosecutor of the Year” by the Wisconsin Association of Homicide Investigators in 2008. Ken has also received recognition from the Wisconsin District Attorney’s Association, Wisconsin Department of Justice, and Wisconsin Judicial Council.