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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
Repetitious, similar to a cable TV show that keeps breaking for commercial and then returning to repeat the last 10 minutes of what the viewer saw just before the commercial. The book could have been cut by a third and been more effective. Also, I sensed a bias by the author (or his research) against women. There are many references to "domineering mothers" as a common characteristic of serial killers but only one that I can remember that made reference to the possible role of fathers in a child's development. Even if Vronsky had said, "There is no data linking a boys relationship with his dad to his likelihood of becoming a serial killer" it would have been an improvement, but to just leave the dads out of it made me skeptical. It also doesn't help that Vronsky has written a forward to the book letting his readers know in the first paragraph that he doesn't have any qualifications as an expert on serial killers. Credibility is important in works of non-fiction.
Great book that details some of the most famous serial killers in a way that doesn't just rehash the violent crimes, but peers into the psyche of these people, which is the most compelling part for me. Also, his run-ins with TWO serial killers is just too coincidental and a little hilarious.
dark
This book was a bit of a slog to get through, but it was very comprehensive and detailed. I found the writing almost textbook like, until the end when the style changed to something more conversational and easy to read. The author also doesn't examine Jack The Ripper, arguably the most famous serial killer. The author has reasons, that there are many in-depth books that cover that content, but it's still a big hole in an otherwise comprehensive book.
This was an excellent study in the psychological mindset and behaviors of serial killers. It is dark and disturbing but, truthfully, a subject matter that we should not stick our head in the sand over. Everyone needs to understand the patterns and methods as a way to protect themselves and not fall prey to the methods used, for lack of knowledge. It is necessary.
While, at times, graphic in detail, it is not for the sake of attention but, rather, to discover the patterns, reasons, and motives one might descend into serial killing. All we know, as a society, comes from, unfortunately, the serial killers that have been caught, thus, the basis for research and study. I found the material contained in this book to be fascinating as to why someone would turn to this horrific act but also sad and, of course, disturbing. I began listening to this book back in January but am only finishing it now (May) because I had to pace myself due to the content.
While, at times, graphic in detail, it is not for the sake of attention but, rather, to discover the patterns, reasons, and motives one might descend into serial killing. All we know, as a society, comes from, unfortunately, the serial killers that have been caught, thus, the basis for research and study. I found the material contained in this book to be fascinating as to why someone would turn to this horrific act but also sad and, of course, disturbing. I began listening to this book back in January but am only finishing it now (May) because I had to pace myself due to the content.
What an ugly book.
I don't know what I was looking for when I started reading this, but I found it. Not for the faint of heart.
The first half is basically a roll call of every serial killer, from history and more recent: name. age. body count. method. caught. or not caught. victims. time frame. etc. Page after page of brutal rapes and mutilation. It goes into a select few in much more detail. The middle bit is more of the psychological aspect and types and classifications, again with examples inserted. Then the last section is about profiling procedures, a few examples and the last 20% is all the references.
I suppose I picked this up to try and understand the WHY, as in WHY do some people need to kill. What made them become monsters? Is it genetic? Nature vs. nurture, can you engineer one? What do the killers say is their reason? And that was something I wished there was more of. If you want grisly details of the murders, this is chock full of that. I was more interested in the psychology behind the killers. I would have loved to just read through the tests and questions and answers of some studies done on the killers. The interviews that were mentioned; I wanted to read the transcripts. They were either paraphrased by the author or very singular quotes inserted.
This is the first true crime book I've picked up and I've found it to be an amazing starting point. It's a sweeping overhaul of serial killers and I found myself noting some over others about who I'd like to read more in depth about later. So overall this book was fascinating in the most horrible way.
I don't know what I was looking for when I started reading this, but I found it. Not for the faint of heart.
The first half is basically a roll call of every serial killer, from history and more recent: name. age. body count. method. caught. or not caught. victims. time frame. etc. Page after page of brutal rapes and mutilation. It goes into a select few in much more detail. The middle bit is more of the psychological aspect and types and classifications, again with examples inserted. Then the last section is about profiling procedures, a few examples and the last 20% is all the references.
I suppose I picked this up to try and understand the WHY, as in WHY do some people need to kill. What made them become monsters? Is it genetic? Nature vs. nurture, can you engineer one? What do the killers say is their reason? And that was something I wished there was more of. If you want grisly details of the murders, this is chock full of that. I was more interested in the psychology behind the killers. I would have loved to just read through the tests and questions and answers of some studies done on the killers. The interviews that were mentioned; I wanted to read the transcripts. They were either paraphrased by the author or very singular quotes inserted.
This is the first true crime book I've picked up and I've found it to be an amazing starting point. It's a sweeping overhaul of serial killers and I found myself noting some over others about who I'd like to read more in depth about later. So overall this book was fascinating in the most horrible way.
Very thorough account of serial killers
This book pulled me in from the start, knowing that the author had 2 different encounters with serial killers made this book very intriguing. This edition was published in 2020, after BTK and the Golden State Killer had both been captured. This book was even better as I got to the end and began reading about the Long Island Serial Killer. Police have just captured a suspect in these killings in the last month. Just goes to show that as technology and DNA can always close a cold case.
This book pulled me in from the start, knowing that the author had 2 different encounters with serial killers made this book very intriguing. This edition was published in 2020, after BTK and the Golden State Killer had both been captured. This book was even better as I got to the end and began reading about the Long Island Serial Killer. Police have just captured a suspect in these killings in the last month. Just goes to show that as technology and DNA can always close a cold case.
Great overview. The academic study of what makes a serial killer, the types, and the reasons they kill with real world examples along the way. I'll be tracking down books by this author.
Interesting book, if this is an area of interest for you it is an interesting book.
This was fascinating. I have a morbid curiosity for what most consider macabre. I really enjoyed the historical aspect of how criminal profiling came about and the shortcomings that came along with it. It was also fascinating to hear a little bit more in depth about murderers in their crimes. I also enjoy the psychological perspective in breaking down psychotics from psychopaths and noting the distinctions between killers and what enthralls them.