runner Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 The best crime I have ever read has always involved a serial killer...what is it about these sadistic murderers that so attracts us...I suppose the thought that there is someone who can kill..butcher..or maim without the least thought is both somewhat frightening and yet compulsive reading. Two books I have recently read and would heartily recommend are American Devil by Oliver Stark and The Night Stalker by Chris Carter....both involve extreme serial killing!! and will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final chapter...so let's here it for the humble serial killer...long may you keep killing....well maybe not but you get my drift ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runner Posted November 13, 2011 Author Share Posted November 13, 2011 I am at present reading The Cutting by James Hayman and here are the ideal and oft repeated serial killer,s mode of operation. Opening scene beautiful girl out running ( we all know what is going to happen...)...meets young man out running....he's a serial killer and it's goodbye to young girl out running. You may say why read if you know what is going to happen...I still love the anticipation knowing that our heroine is about to be slaughtered in typical serial killing style..cut slash removal of heart.... Now our hero Michael McCabe is soon on the scene..he has a young daughter of 13...will she be kidnapped and rescued from the jaws of death...or will it be McCabe's lovely partner Maggie....will she be kidnapped and rescued from the jaws of death. Serial Killer books do tend to follow a set formula but I still find them great fun and great reading...so long may the humble serial killer keep his day job alive :D :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twingijon Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 You should read Devil in the White City. Crazy thing... it actually happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paun Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I hate all serial killer and serial killer books but the only one I can not hate is dexter because he is serial killer but only kill serial killers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali9321 Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 A bit of a departure from the norm that I really liked was Indian Killer by Sherman Alexie I know you can't necessarily believe what you read on the wiki but I had to chuckle at them having the line from Sherman Alexie "it's a feel good book about interracial murder" !!!!!! I really enjoyed it but it was quite frustrating at the same time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgh8373 Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 I've heard so much about Devil in the White City but have never read it. It's one of those books where everyone who has read it tries to tell everyone else who hasn't read it how good it is, but their constant recommendations have the opposite affect. Again, I guess it should go back on the "to-read" list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momo Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 (edited) I have really enjoyed the Joe Plantagenet Murder Mysteries series by Kate Ellis. The three books so far have been about serial killers in York (although it's not called York in the books). They also have a historical/supernatural element to them. They are quite a light read (as serial killings go) , so not for those that want lots of dark psychological tension. Edited March 28, 2012 by momo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arukiyomi Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 couple to recommend: American Psycho - but not if you aren't into very graphic descriptions of what he gets up to... The Talented Mr Ripley - definitely not your normal serial killer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runner Posted April 7, 2012 Author Share Posted April 7, 2012 American Psycho is one of the most horrific books I have ever read...the dialect and matter of fact way the killer tells his story is both totally absorbing and deeply upsetting. I read this book when it first appeared and had to destroy for fear of my younger daughter finding and wondering what sort of depraved person her dad was ....but I thought about this book for a long time and some day if I am brave enough I will reread..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucylou Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 I often think there is something wrong with me that I enjoy reading novels about serial killers! I too read and absolutely loved American Devil, I really didn't want it to finish and once ended wanted to re read all over again! I am currently reading Oliver Starks 2nd novel 88 Killer, which too is good, but I preferred his debut. I have ordered The Night Stalker, due to your recommendation Runner, can't wait to give that one a go! American Psycho is on the bookshelf waiting to be read still! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nika Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 there was a time I was kind od obssessed with serial killers. Not really into theuir crimes but their minds. What kind of man (monster) do you have to be to commit such crimes. I read not only fiction but also biographies and other works on real killers. One of my favourites is Portrait of a Killer by Patricia Cornwell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 I would recommend Chelsea Cain's Gretchen Lowell -series, it's refreshing to read about a female serial killer. There are also a few twists and turns in the series that I bet are really hard to see coming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amanda20102 Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 couple to recommend: American Psycho - but not if you aren't into very graphic descriptions of what he gets up to... The Talented Mr Ripley - definitely not your normal serial killer... who is the author of The Talented Mr Ripley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 There is a series of Ripley books, Amanda, and they're written by Patricia Highsmith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amanda20102 Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 OH Ok thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amanda20102 Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 And is the author for American Psycho *Bret Easton Ellis* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 Yep, that's the one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amanda20102 Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 sweet Has anyone here read much of Chris Carter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runner Posted July 13, 2012 Author Share Posted July 13, 2012 I often think there is something wrong with me that I enjoy reading novels about serial killers! I too read and absolutely loved American Devil, I really didn't want it to finish and once ended wanted to re read all over again! I am currently reading Oliver Starks 2nd novel 88 Killer, which too is good, but I preferred his debut. I have ordered The Night Stalker, due to your recommendation Runner, can't wait to give that one a go! American Psycho is on the bookshelf waiting to be read still! I loved Ameican Psycho but thought the followup 88 killer was awful.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amanda20102 Posted July 14, 2012 Share Posted July 14, 2012 I loved Ameican Psycho but thought the followup 88 killer was awful.... awful as in it was written bad or as in the killing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runner Posted July 14, 2012 Author Share Posted July 14, 2012 Awful as in very poor story...found it really boring..just about managed to finish...and in contrast like you said American Psycho was unputdownable. I actually won 88 killer in a competition organised by the author and have a signed copy....I wish he had signed American Psycho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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