The news of shocking crimes and the books and movies they inspire have made serial killers a topic of both tabloid attention and serious study. Renowned true-crime expert Harold Schechter and co-author David Everitt uncover the methods behind the madness of this macabre yet compelling subject. Packed with hundreds of entries spanning the entire spectrum of serial murder, this vivid and comprehensive resource examines these horrific crimes - and their notorious killers - from every angle. From well-publicized facts to little-known details, these entries cover every dark chapter of serial murder and offer an unprecedented look at this gruesome phenomenon that continues to exert a firm grip on the nation's imagination.
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"The scholarship is both genuine and fascinating."
-- "The Boston Book Review"
About the Author
Harold Schechter is Professor at Queen's College, The City University of New York. Renowned for his true-crime writing, he is the author of five non-fiction books: BESTIAL, DEVIANT, DERANGED, DEPRAVED and THE A TO Z ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SERIAL KILLERS.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Junius
Format:Paperback
This is a book about serial killers in the USA, and to a lesser extent, Britain, and even lesser degree the rest of the world. It is not a bad account of various murderers and their crimes, but there is not much new here.
It is repetitive in places, and often not up to date. For example, Michael Ostrog, a Ripper suspect, was in gaol in France at the time of the Whitechapel murders; nor was Druitt a 'failed barrister'. The Sawney Bean murders are passed off as fact, whereas their veracity is highly doubtful. Timothy Evans was Welsh, not English, and the authors seem to be unaware of the controversy over whether Christie killed Beryl and Geraldine Evans or not. Or that Bella Gunness may well have died in the fire which consumed her home. Neville Heath is included, though he's not a serial killer (two murders). A serial female poisoner in nineteenth century Deptford in excluded.
Of course, in a book which aims to tell a little about a lot, this sort of error is bound to creep in. No one can be expert on every single serial killer. But it is a pity, all the same. Not the best book on the market.
It is repetitive in places, and often not up to date. For example, Michael Ostrog, a Ripper suspect, was in gaol in France at the time of the Whitechapel murders; nor was Druitt a 'failed barrister'. The Sawney Bean murders are passed off as fact, whereas their veracity is highly doubtful. Timothy Evans was Welsh, not English, and the authors seem to be unaware of the controversy over whether Christie killed Beryl and Geraldine Evans or not. Or that Bella Gunness may well have died in the fire which consumed her home. Neville Heath is included, though he's not a serial killer (two murders). A serial female poisoner in nineteenth century Deptford in excluded.
Of course, in a book which aims to tell a little about a lot, this sort of error is bound to creep in. No one can be expert on every single serial killer. But it is a pity, all the same. Not the best book on the market.
By sherrie
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Interesting and informative book on serial killers, however from about halfway through it repeats itsself and becomes a little boring.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars
11 reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Serial Killer Book
28 Mar 2008
By P. Fidler
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
This is a very interesting book about anything you want to know about Serial Killers. Every killer you know is in there along with many you don't. If you are a crime reader or love crime in general you will love it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Some interesting info
13 July 2007
By James A. Forrest
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
This book is not really an encyclopedia of information on serial killers, but more of an overview of the more notorious. The format was somewhat lacking; not in a manner that one would take very serious (there's not even an index). It is a quick read and does provide entertainment; as long as you have a twisted couriousity (which I do).
James A. Forrest - Eye of the Storm
James A. Forrest - Eye of the Storm
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
A little disappointing.
11 May 2012
By Rebecca Perry
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
As fun as the overall idea of this book is, I find Mr. Schechter's prose a little tired. There's nothing new in this compendium that can't be found elsewhere, and it's full of pretty mundane details, things that people (especially those seeking an encyclopedia of serial killers) pretty much already know. A nice touch is the inclusion of illustrations and pictures of the serial killer trading cards. As much as I tried to give this book a chance, I actually threw it away, or maybe I gave it away.
Schechter mentions Ted Bundy being put to death in February of 1989, when, well, that's incorrect. Surely an author can do a quick fact check before publication. Bundy died on January 24, 1989. It's hard to take seriously an author who can't get little dates correct.
If you're a serial killer aficionado, give this one a pass. There are much better books out there that go into more detail, instead of grazing over lots of information with an almost sarcastic tone. I was really disappointed.
But if you're a 17-year old kid into "dark" things, or someone "trying" to be cool, you may like this one. For those seriously into true crime or the pathology of serial killers, skip this one. Don't waste your money.
Schechter mentions Ted Bundy being put to death in February of 1989, when, well, that's incorrect. Surely an author can do a quick fact check before publication. Bundy died on January 24, 1989. It's hard to take seriously an author who can't get little dates correct.
If you're a serial killer aficionado, give this one a pass. There are much better books out there that go into more detail, instead of grazing over lots of information with an almost sarcastic tone. I was really disappointed.
But if you're a 17-year old kid into "dark" things, or someone "trying" to be cool, you may like this one. For those seriously into true crime or the pathology of serial killers, skip this one. Don't waste your money.
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