Customer Reviews

The A to Z Encyclopedia of Serial Killers

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

I was somewhat disappointed in the information or lack of information on the individual. I expected a more detailed description of the crime and punishment.

This book is a good read, it's well written and presented with lots of information about a heap of different serial killers. Unfortunately it does become VERY repeatative after a while and you do feel like your reading the same thing over and over again, but it was written to be like that. I was dissapointed to find that there was very little information about a notorious serial killer from the 1400's named Gilles de Rais. I'm guessing that's because the authors might not have found enough information about him. Harold Schechter and David Everitt are great authors who have researched and written quite a lot about murderers, serials killers etc. so you know what they have written is as close to accurate then most. Within the first 2 days of owning this book I had finished it, I couldn't put it down. It was a fascinating read and I recommend to anyone with a keen eye for true crime books to pick this one up, I promise it wont disapoint you.

I had owned this book several years ago and had been trying to find it fo a while now. it has great information on any serial killer you can think of and some you cant.

This is one of my all time favorite books about serial killlers. Easy to read, covers every topic and all serial killers... I love this book

I consider Harold Schechter to the male equivalent of Ann Rule, a famous and popular true crime writer. Unlike Rule, he is more objective regarding the criminal backgrounds but he doesn't make excuses for his crimes. He supplies a brief synopsis for each killer and aspects of the crimes themselves. He has done his homework and he doesn't hide necessary facts in understanding the criminals themselves. I still prefer Schechter in many regards since he has already wrote books on H.Holmes of Chicago, Ed Gein of Psycho fame, and others as well. He brings his wealth of knowledge and experience of research and studies to this encyclopedia. His sections on serial killers such as Gacy, Bundy, Dahmer, and others are brief because it's more designed in an encyclopedia style like the other books out there. Although Schechter's more superior because he explains a little further and little more regarding the serial killer's behavior, childhood, and possible explanations as to the evolvement of a serial killer.

This book has so many awesome features. Even if you have every single profile covered in this book......that's only just a fraction......it has cool statistics and facts....that just are neat. It even breaks down stuff like triggers(what drives a killer to kill). Also different topics of interest are broken down. Just amazing...if you love this I reccomend:HUMMAN MONSTERS BY (co-author of this book)DAVID EVERITT;CRIMINAL MINDS:SOCIOPATHS,SERIAL KILLERS,AND OTHER DEVIANTS BY JEFF MARIOTTE ; THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF KILLERS AT LARGE BY NIGEL CAWTHORNE,CANNIBAL KILLERS BY CHLOE CASTLEDEN, AND THE KILLER BOOK OF SERIAL KILLERS BY TOM PHILBIN AND MICHAEL PHILBIN. PEOPLE SOMETIMES SAY THE FACTS ARE WRONG...TRUST ME EVERY WRITER IS QUALIFIED.