The Need to Kill: Inside the World of the Serial Killer [Paperback]

Steven A. Egger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 8, 2003

The Need to Killrips away the myths and mystery associated with serial killers, shedding new light on the world's most terrifying individuals. Dr. Steven Egger, creator of the first statewide computer system for tracking serial killers, has been researching this phenomenon for 20 years. In this book, he brings a clear eye and real objectivity to questions that are rarely answered accurately in the press. Is there really a "profile"? Who do serial killers murder? How do they choose their victims? What motivates them? Are they "mutants from hell," or frighteningly like the rest of us. And why, exactly, are we so fascinated with them? Drawing on his unmatched expertise, Eggers profiles seven of history's most notorious serial killers, including John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy, Henry Lee Lucas, and Jeffrey Dahmer. Egger also profiles unsolved cases of serial murder from across the United States: the work of killers who may still be out there, planning to strike again. Finally, Egger takes readers behind the scenes with the investigators, exploring the tools at their disposal--and the obstacles standing in their way.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

You've heard the myths about serial murder. All serial killers had horrific childhoods. They have an uncanny ability to elude the police. They prey on anyone who crosses their path. They're mutants from hell. Above all, they're not like us.

Those are the myths. In The Need to Kill, one of the field's leading researchers tells you who the serial killers really are. The reality may be even more frightening than the myths.

Drawing on 20+ years' research—including experience as a homicide investigator—Dr. Steven A. Egger brings new clarity to questions that are rarely answered accurately in the media.

Egger profiles seven of history's most notorious serial killers, including John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy, Henry Lee Lucas, and Jeffrey Dahmer. You'll go behind the scenes with the investigators, discovering exactly how they work. You'll also learn about unsolved cases of serial murder from across the U.S. … the work of killers who may still be out there, planning to strike again.

Both terrifying and thought provoking, The Need to Kill is the one book that truly illuminates the phenomenon of serial murder.

This isn't Silence of the Lambs. This is reality.

About the Author

Dr. Steven A. Egger is a Professor of Criminology at the University of Houston Clear Lake and Professor Emeritus of Criminal Justice at the University of Illinois at Springfield. He was project director of the Homicide Assessment and Lead Tracking System (HALT) for the State of New York, the first statewide, computerized system to track and identify serial murderers. He has been researching serial murder since 1983.

He authored The Killers Among Us: Examination of Serial Murder and Its Investigations, Second Edition and Serial Murder: An Elusive Phenomenon. Dr. Egger has lectured on serial murder in England, Canada, the Netherlands, and Spain.

Dr. Egger has worked as a police officer, homicide investigator, police consultant, and law enforcement academy director. He holds a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University, where he completed the world's first dissertation on serial murder.

With his wife, Kim Egger, he is currently working on an encyclopedia of serial murder that will include entries on over 1,300 serial killers.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Financial Times Prentice Hall; 1st edition (October 8, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 013143344X
• ISBN-13: 978-0131433441
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #914,826 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What A Book - Full of Insight on Serial Killers, October 24, 2004

By 

Erica Phillipson (Hawaii) "Erica Phillipson" (HI, USA North Shore) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Need to Kill: Inside the World of the Serial Killer (Paperback)

I had heard many myths about serial killers. I have seen the movies. I've read the books.

Serial killers have had horrific upbringing. They have been abused mentally, physically, and mentally. They have tortured little animals. These bad people and mutants from hell but the problem is that they fit in and could be your next door neighbor Bob. He could have a woman in his basement hooked up to wires to shock her every ten minutes while he is outside on a sunny day drinking a beer while he washes his car and talks baseball with you (go Boston go!). You never know. It could be Bob, Dave, Ted, Harold, Greg, Cary, Pat, Jeff, Pedro or any male name. (usually not a Debbi, Ann, Sue, Kathy, Mary)

They have an uncanny ability to elude the police while committing their vile acts. They prey on people they find attractive and weak who cross their path. They're not like us, well, maybe some of you. (if you are a serial killer please email me).

In The Need to Kill, the author is one of the field's leading researchers tells you who the serial killers and really are by name, location, and if they are currently active or inactive. This will allow you to stay away from any serial killers in your neighborhood. This book frightening me and made me scared and shake. I couldn't sleep. I won't even go outside to wash my car anymore.

The doctor draws pictures and 20+ years' of research-including experience as a homicide investigator (not an instigator). He provides clarity and hope to keep us away from these crazy serial killers.

Profiles are included of John Wayne Gacy (poor clown), Ted Bundy (bad teeth - his downfall), Henry Lee Lucas (not the Star Wars guy), me and Jeffrey Dahmer (eater of flesh...human flesh, now dead, someone ate him in prison). You'll go into the serial killers mind and body and you won't like it but you must.

You will be terrifying and really really scarededed. The Need to Kill is the one book that truly illuminates the mind of these bad bad people. Bad people. REDRUM over and over again. Kill, kill, kill, they should get a hobby. Anyway, after you read this book email me at rc97h @ aol.com and let me know if you agree with my review. But above all, do not become a serial killer and come see me.