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Hello all, can anyone recommend a good serial killer book?

Hello all, can anyone recommend a good serial killer book?

Vicki #recommend

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112 Answers

Meredith

Do you want the Ann Rule more gentle read or do you want serial killers in their own words?

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Meredith

Some are hard to find and costly – intra library loan is a suggestion- but if you want graphic details from the criminals themselves., I’d suggest these. The Phantom Prince was written by Bundy’s one time lover… interesting info if you’re a Bundy connoisseur!

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Debi

The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule. Definitely not gentle!

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Denise

Try The Lady Killer by Martina Cole … one of her earlier books and definitely one of her best.

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Sydnee

Ill be gone in the dark was really good.

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Meredith

The book is based on real characters and events. It tells the story of the 1893 World’s Colombian Exposition in Chicago from the viewpoint of the designers, including Daniel Burnham, and also tells the story of H. H. Holmes, a serial killer active during that same time.

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Kerrey

Loved this book

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Hannah

One Step Ahead by Denver Murphy. It’s an excellent serial killer book. Modern and gritty!

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Robin

Mind Hunter by John Douglas, who started the FBI profiling program. The book discusses real cases.

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Brenda

And a show on Netflix about the development of the program.

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Robin

@Brenda yep. Filmed in my city (Pittsburgh). I haven’t seen it, though, because I don’t have Netflix.

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Nadine

AMAZING show!

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Emma

Eeny Meeny by M. J. Arlidge

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Toula

This. https://jonesbo.com/book/the-thirst/

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Helen

The Dexter books, they were made into a tv series However the books are wonderful

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Vickie

I didn’t like the show but love the books.

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Meredith

I loved the early books in the series… I lost interest in the latter books…

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Rachel

I wanted to try the books but I read the back of one and it called him a blood “splatter” analyst instead of spatter and I just couldn’t.

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Helen

I thought it was blood splatter analyst?

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Rachel

@Helen it’s spatter 🙂 . The mistake is only made on the first books publisher discription. Later books use the correct term.
It’s an understandable mistake because the words sound alike and mean pretty much the same thing.

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Helen

@Rachel thanks Rachel.I am going to find my books and have a look ?

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Evelyn

Encyclopedia of serial killers

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Kelly

You by Caroline Kepnes

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Candice

Loved this book! Can’t wait to read the second one!!

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Kira

The stranger beside me

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Donita

This is a definite read if you want true life. If you want fiction, pick up some Lisa Jackson Hot Blooded is the 1st of one series and Left to Die is the 1st of another series. She is excellent!

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Candice

Who is the author @Kira?

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Jackie

Ann Rule

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Candice

Thanks!

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Kira

Hell’s Princess

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Natascha

Following… Just started eeny meeny

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Helene

Fiction or reality?

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VickiQuestion author

Reality ideally

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Helene

@Vicki Fred & Rose ?

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VickiQuestion author

@Helene I’ve read a few on them ?

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Helene

@Vicki Ian Brady: The untold story of the Moors Murders

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Elizabeth

The snowman
Jo Nesbo
In fact of his books
In fact all of his books

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Allison

Ann Rule, helter Skelter, I’ll be gone in the dark

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Kathy

I second all of these. I just finished I’ll Be Gone in the Dark!

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Beth

The Devil in the White City

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Sarah

The Alienist

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Lorne

Most of mine have serial killers. Red Island has half the chapters from the killers point of view so you can see how he becomes what he becomes

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Lorne

Joanne Hammond I am the author actually. Shameless I know. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085MGA40

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Danni

My mum reads Chris carter books

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Kristie

Fiction or true crime? Or are you not fussed. I’ve just bought ‘I’ll be gone in the dark’. I’ll let you know how that is

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Arielle

Dot Hutchinson books are good.

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Angie

Lisa Jackson had alot of good ones

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Chrissy

Yes Lisa Jackson is my fav!!!

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Maggie

Steve Cavanagh – Thirteen.

The serial killer isn’t on trial. He’s on the jury.

Such a bloody good read ❤

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Karen

I’ll be gone in the dark.

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Eileen

I recently read a weird one “Random” by Craig Robertson. It was weird because it was written in the first person by the serial killer himself – so different to most serial killer books.

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Liz

Dexter

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Jamie

F

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Judy

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. Not serial killer but multiple. Based on true story and is a classic.

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Judy

The girl with a dragon tattoo by Stieg Larsson

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Susan

Stephen King’s Mr. Mercedes trilogy …

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Debbie

The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule

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Dorian

James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club Series has books in it that deal with serial killers. The first one is titled 1st To Die.

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Eileen

‘Also just finished the first of Sharon Bolton’s Lacey Flint series “Now you See me” featuring copycat Jack the Ripper murders. I’m now reading the 2nd in that series “Dead Scared” and it’s a weird one! 😮

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Barb

Deviant it’s true crime. Not sure he was considered a serial killer though. It’s about Ed Gein

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Meredith

Amazing book…

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Jenni

I just read “the one,” which is not a serial killer book — but has an interesting subplot with one. Really unique and engaging.

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Sarah

We need to talk about Kevin its my ‘go to’

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Kristie

That’s still on my bookshelf unread after buying new when it first came out. I’ve tried twice and I just can’t seem to get into it ?

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Sarah

I found it difficult to read the first time – the way its written is awkward/unusual – by the time I got to the end I was ready to start it again and enjoyed it. The movie, nope.

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Patti

The Devil In The White City .

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Theresa

Snowman

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Annette

The Shack

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Meredith

Heartsick series by Chelsea Cain..

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Meredith

I LOVED that series!!!!!!!

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Meredith

@Meredith me too!! I don’t usually read books twice but I would read her books twice

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Meredith

Absolutely!!!

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Kathy

I have not read either of these true stories, but my friend enjoyed “I’ll be Gone in the Dark” by Michelle McNamara. It’s about the Golden State Killer from California, just caught recently. Another one of interest might be “Chasing the Devil” about the Green River killer in Seattle. It is believed he killed 48 women.

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Stephanie

The devil in the White City

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Kimberly

Nameless by Debra Webb.

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Deborah

We enjoy the same kind of books. LOL

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Michelle

The Butterfly Garden

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Alison

The One

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Kathy

I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes?

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Susana

Alex Cross series by James @Patterson

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Denise

Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith

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Angela

Rattle by Fiona cummins

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Taya

Tess Geritson or P.J Tracey both write great serial/ murder novels ?

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Diane

Chris Carter is a good author if you want serial killers

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Sara-Michelle

Thomas Harris and the trilogy of “the silence of the lambs”

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Sara-Michelle

Butterfly garden was also great

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Alison

Dexter series

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Lisa

The Poet by Michael Connelly

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KC

Deviant: The Shocking True Story of Ed Gein. (Buffalo Bill of Silence of the Lambs was based upon him??)

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Nancy

Whoever Fights Monsters is a book written by a FBI agent, who acted as a profiler of serial killers.

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Susan

The true story of the Yorkshire Ripper is excellent. Its called Somebody’s Husband, Somebody’s Son by Gordon Burn

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Laura

Harold Schechter is a true crime author who writes about serial killers. He wrote “Deviant” which has been recommended here.

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Meredith

He’s an exceptional author.

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Ashley

Its a bit of a twist, but Death Mask by Graham Masterton

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Chris

The black panther

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Kelvin

Any book by Stuart Macbride ,GREG ILES and,Neil White

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Eileen

I love Stuart Macbride’s books, but does he do serial killers?

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Kelvin

Yes ,Birthdays for the Dead , A Song for the Dying , A Dark so Deadly

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Eileen

Ah, the first two are Ash Henderson books, aren’t they? I just got blinkered on Logan Macrae and couldn’t think of one totally forgot about Ash ! (y)

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Kelvin

Yes i have read all Logan Macrae and Ash Henderson all very good , but the best read i have had is by GREG ILES , The Penn Cage Series, one story told in six books could not put them down!

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Eileen

There’s also his standalone serial killer book “A Dark so Deadly” which was a bit daft, but still an enjoyable read – I’d forgotten about that one too! 🙂

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Eileen

I’ve put Greg Iles on my BLF list (books to look for 🙂 (y)

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Marjorie

The ‘Roy Grace’ series by Peter James. The one I am reading now (number 11 in the series) is about a serial killer. Very gripping!

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Jennifer

Paper Ghosts

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Judy

I think someone wrote a book about Jeffrey Dahmer. Just kidding

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Meredith

Actually the movie My Friend Dahmer was really well done. The Disney kid from Austin and Ally played a great young Jeff!

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Judy

I haven’t seen that, sounds good.

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Nick

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Nick

Awesome book about Jack the ripper.

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Jalpa

Following

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Sue

Perfume

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Vanessa

“The Butterfly Garden” Dot Hutchison

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