Why We Love Serial Killers

For decades now, serial killers have taken center stage in the news and entertainment media. The coverage of real-life murderers such as Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer has transformed them into ghoulish celebrities. Similarly, the popularity of fictional characters such as Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lecter or Dexter demonstrates just how eager the public is to be frightened by these human predators. But why is this so? Could it be that some of us have a gruesome fascination with serial killers for the same reasons we might morbidly stare at a catastrophic automobile accident? Or it is something more? In Why We Love Serial Killers, criminology professor Dr. Scott Bonn explores our powerful appetite for the macabre, while also providing new and unique insights into the world of the serial killer, including those he has gained from his correspondence with two of the world’s most notorious examples, David Berkowitz (“Son of Sam”) and Dennis Rader (“Bind, Torture, Kill”). In addition, Bonn examines the criminal profiling techniques used by law enforcement professionals to identify and apprehend serial predators, he discusses the various behaviors—such as the charisma of the sociopath— that manifest themselves in serial killers, and he explains how and why these killers often become popular cultural figures. Groundbreaking in its approach, Why We Love Serial Killers is a compelling look at how the media, law enforcement agencies, and public perception itself shapes and feeds the “monsters” in our midst.

One of Cosmopolitan's Best Romance Novels Ever Turns out that reading nothing but true crime isn't exactly conducive to modern dating—and one woman is going to have to learn how to give love a chance when she's used to suspecting the worst. PhD candidate Phoebe Walsh has always been obsessed with true crime. She's even analyzing the genre in her dissertation—if she can manage to finish writing it. It's hard to find the time while she spends the summer in Florida, cleaning out her childhood home, dealing with her obnoxiously good-natured younger brother, and grappling with the complicated feelings of mourning a father she hadn't had a relationship with for years. It doesn't help that she's low-key convinced that her new neighbor, Sam Dennings, is a serial killer (he may dress business casual by day, but at night he's clearly up to something). It's not long before Phoebe realizes that Sam might be something much scarier—a genuinely nice guy who can pierce her armor to reach her vulnerable heart.

Serial Killers - Philosophy for Everyone investigates our profound intrigue with mass-murderers. Exploring existential, ethical and political questions through an examination of real and fictional serial killers, philosophy comes alive via an exploration of grisly death. Presents new philosophical theories about serial killing, and relates new research in cognitive science to the minds of serial killers Includes a philosophical look at real serial killers such as Ian Brady, Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, Jeffrey Dahmer and the Zodiac killer, as well as fictional serial killers such as Dexter and Hannibal Lecter Offers a new phenomenological examination of the writings of the Zodiac Killer Contains an account of the disappearance of one of Ted Bundy's victims submitted by the organization Families and Friends of Missing Persons and Violent Crime Victims Integrates the insights of philosophers, academics, crime writers and police officers

Albert Fish held the genuine belief that the murders he committed were upon instruction from God. The original Dracula's relative Countess Elisabeth was rumoured to use blood of her victims to preserve her youth and beauty. Jeffrey Dahmer began a macabre project of building an occult altar with his victims' body parts, believing this granted him supernatural powers to subdue and control his prey. Peter Stumpp, who started practising the "wicked arts from twelve years of age", was convinced he was a werewolf. The crimes committed by these people usually involved sexual deviance, cannibalism and violence toward children. In the sixteenth-century Europe, the problem became so significant that 'Werewolf Witch Trials' were conducted - many have no idea that it was possible to be tried and convicted for the crime of being a Werewolf, but Lycanthropy was a serious and major social concern in the 1500s. Supernatural Serial Killers discuss the individual cases of supernatural serial killers, including their background, crimes, trials and defences.

The Killer Book of Serial Killers is the ultimate resource (and gift) for any true crime fan and student of the bizarre world of serial killers. Filled with stories, trivia, quizzes, quotes, photos, and odd facts about the world's most notorious murderers, this is the perfect bathroom reader for anyone fascinated with serial killers. The stories and trivia cover such killers as: John Wayne Gacy Ted Bundy The BTK Killer Jack the Ripper The Green River Killer Serial killers around the world And many more Bathroom readers have enjoyed considerable success as a format, selling millions of copies. The Killer Book series brings this format to the rabid true crime audience. Including more than 40 black & white photos, this is a must for true crime fans.

In this provocative cultural study, the serial killer emerges as a central figure in what Mark Seltzer calls 'America's wound culture'. From the traumas displayed by talk show guests and political candidates, to the violent entertainment of Crash or The Alienist, to the latest terrible report of mass murder, we are surrounded by the accident from which we cannot avert our eyes. Bringing depth and shadow to our collective portrait of what a serial killer must be, Mark Seltzer draws upon popular sources, scholarly analyses, and the language of psychoanalysis to explore the genesis of this uniquely modern phenomenon. Revealed is a fascination with machines and technological reproduction, with the singular and the mass, with definitions of self, other, and intimacy. What emerges is a disturbing picture of how contemporary culture is haunted by technology and the instability of identity.

One hundred years of the most depraved criminal minds—from H. H. Holmes and Ted Bundy to John Wayne Gacy, Ian Brady, and Myra Hindley. Their monikers have become part of the true crime lexicon: among them, the Moors Murders; the Hillside Strangler; Killer Clown; Son of Sam; the Love Slave Killers; the Scorecard Killer; and the BTK Strangler. On a scale of evil, they are the world’s worst serial murderers with a propensity for sadism and torture that is beyond the pale. What turned seemingly ordinary members of society into sick slayers? How did they justify their heinous deeds? And how did they get away with murder? For answers, true crime journalist Nigel Blundell looks behind the headlines to delve into the minds of monsters: David Parker Ray an “average working guy” with a torture chamber in his backyard; Fred and Rose West, married serial killers who counted their own children among their victims; Ivan Milat, a ritual killer who hunted backpackers in Australia; Gerald and Charlene Gallego, a sadistic couple who cruised Sacramento with kidnapping and murder in mind; and former Marines Leonard Lake and Charles Ng, who videotaped the darkest depths of their depravity in their secluded cabin in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Discover the truth behind the unspeakable crimes in this “anthology of evil . . . you can’t put down” (Dr. Michael Stone, forensic psychiatrist).

“One of the best true crime books of all time” examines the abusive childhood, shocking crimes and execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos (Examiner.com). As a child, Aileen Wuornos was abandoned, abused and raped. By her teens, she was deep into a lifestyle of hitchhiking, petty crime, and the sex trade. In her twisted mind, uncontrollable bouts of violence were pure survival skills. In 1986 Aileen began a lesbian relationship with Tyria Moore. Three years later, tired of turning tricks, she fired four bullets into one of her clients—then robbed him. She claimed she killed six more victims before authorities finally locked her behind bars. Lethal Intent is the definitive true crime biography of this infamous serial killer. In this edition, award-winning journalist Sue Russell updates her harrowing real-life thriller with new details of the most famous female serial killer's decade on death row, her execution in 2002—and the lasting impact of her dark deeds. The case that inspired the Academy Awarding–winning movie Monster “The book to read about Aileen Wuornos--a case that has fascinated true crime fans from around the world.” —True Crime Book Reviews With Sixteen Pages Of Photos

This book delves into the twisted psychology of women attracted to some of the most notorious monsters on the planet, giving true crime readers real insight into this phenomena One of the most common reasons given by women who date serial killers is the fact that they ‘see’ the little boy that the horrible man once used to be, and they believe that they can nurture that kid, hence removing the cruel and harmful nature of the killers and making them amicable again. Known as ‘serial killer groupies’ or even ‘prison groupies’ by some, a great number of these women have shown a surprising desire to get connected to the serial killer of their choice. A large number of these women have become directly aligned with these killers, and some have even married these hardened criminals. Groupies will do almost anything to get close to the prisoner that they are attracted to. They give up jobs, family, spend money on him, and even move across country to be in the same town as him. Some SKG's are attracted to the celebrity status they acquire. They go on talk shows to announce their undying love for the serial killer and proclaim that he was not capable of these killings. This book depicts several such cases and you'll meet some of these SKG's. "If you seek to understand or study the unexplainable, this book may be your key to some grasp of what is beyond imagining....why some women love serial killers!" -- (Bernard Lee DeLeo), bestselling author of over twenty-five novels "The obsessed groupies of predators such as Richard Ramirez (The Night Stalker) are just as fascinating as the serial killers they love. Best-selling author RJ Parker offers powerful insights into the needs, motivations and dark desires of women who pursue and sometimes marry the most infamous killers in history. This powerful psychological examination of these women is not to be missed. Well researched, Parker sheds new light on the curious sub-culture of groupies in his new true crime book, SERIAL KILLER GROUPIES" -- (Scott Bonn, PhD) Professor, criminologist and author of Why We Love Serial Killers: The Curious Appeal of the World's Most Savage Murderers

Through extensive research and interviews with five notorious serial killers, author Joel Norris demonstrates that serial killers have specific biological and genetic makeups that can be identified as early as five years of age. A compelling read for both the curious layman and the concerned professional.