20 Best Books About Serial Killers Non Fiction (2023 Update)

A new york times bestseller an equal parts haunting and hilarious deep-dive review of history's most notorious and cold-blooded serial killers, from the creators of the award-winning last podcast on the left since its first show in 2010, the last podcast on the left has barreled headlong into all things horror, as hosts henry zebrowski, ben kissel, and marcus parks cover subjects spanning jeffrey dahmer, werewolves, jonestown, and supernatural phenomena. deeply researched but with a morbidly humorous bent, the podcast has earned a dedicated and aptly cultlike following for its unique take on all things macabre. in their first book, the guys take a deep dive into history's most infamous serial killers, from ted bundy to john wayne gacy, exploring their origin stories, haunting habits, and perverse predilections. featuring newly developed content alongside updated fan favorites, each profile is an exhaustive examination of the darker side of human existence. with appropriately creepy four-color illustrations throughout and a gift-worthy paper over board format, the last book on the left will satisfy the bloodlust of readers everywhere.

There is little more terrifying than those who hunt, stalk and snatch their prey under the cloak of darkness. these hunters search not for animals, but for the touch, taste, and empowerment of human flesh. they are cannibals, vampires and monsters, and they walk among us. these serial killers are not mythical beasts with horns and shaggy hair. they are people living among society, going about their day to day activities until nightfall. they are the dennis rader's, the fathers, husbands, church going members of the community. this a-z encyclopedia of 150 serial killers is the ideal reference book. included are the most famous true crime serial killers, like jeffrey dahmer, john wayne gacy, and richard ramirez, and not to mention the women who kill, such as aileen wuornos and martha rendell. there are also lesser known serial killers, covering many countries around the world, so the range is broad. each of the serial killer files includes information on when and how they killed the victims, the background of each killer, or the suspects in some cases such as the zodiac killer, their trials and punishments. for some there are chilling quotes by the killers themselves. the big book of serial killers is an easy to follow collection of information on the world's most heinous murderers.

New york times bestseller – the true tale of the 1893 world's fair in chicago and the cunning serial killer who used the magic and majesty of the fair to lure his victims to their death.two men, each handsome and unusually adept at his chosen work, embodied an element of the great dynamic that characterized america’s rush toward the twentieth century. the architect was daniel hudson burnham, the fair’s brilliant director of works and the builder of many of the country’s most important structures, including the flatiron building in new york and union station in washington, d.c. the murderer was henry h. holmes, a young doctor who, in a malign parody of the white city, built his “world’s fair hotel” just west of the fairgrounds—a torture palace complete with dissection table, gas chamber, and 3,000-degree crematorium. burnham overcame tremendous obstacles and tragedies as he organized the talents of frederick law olmsted, charles mckim, louis sullivan, and others to transform swampy jackson park into the white city, while holmes used the attraction of the great fair and his own satanic charms to lure scores of young women to their deaths. what makes the story all the more chilling is that holmes really lived, walking the grounds of that dream city by the lake. the devil in the white city draws the reader into a time of magic and majesty, made all the more appealing by a supporting cast of real-life characters, including buffalo bill, theodore dreiser, susan b. anthony, thomas edison, archduke francis ferdinand, and others. erik larson’s gifts as a storyteller are magnificently displayed in this rich narrative of the master builder, the killer, and the great fair that obsessed them both.

From rampage killers to hunters that seek out human prey in the shadows of the night, this serial killer anthology is a collection of horror stories. collectively these men were responsible for hundreds of deaths, and they all belong in the realm of the worst serial killers to date. delve into eight different cases and explore the heinous deeds committed, the background of each killer, and the apparent motives for their crimes. there are those who went on deadly rampages, such as cho seung-hui and george hennard; men who decided to inflict as much terror in one day as they possibly could. famous serial killers are included, such as the hillside stranglers, kenneth bianchi and angelo buono, and the beast of the ukraine, anatoly onoprienko. there are also lesser known murderers such as fritz haarmann and ronald dominique, who preyed on young men for their own deviant pleasures. each of these true murder stories will leave you with a sense of horror and perhaps a little fear. david parker ray's surviving victims still live in fear today, and this notorious true crime story is one of the most sadistic and disturbing. with tales of torture, mind control and violence, very few survived their time in ray's toy box. the true crime stories in this book have been selected because of the horrendous nature of their actions and the sheer volume of victims they slaughtered. innocent people, going about their daily business or asleep in their beds, all make up these serial killers true crime stories.

An authorized tie-in to the popular tv show criminal mindsmost episodes of criminal minds feature a briefing where the show's team of fbi profilers defines the type of criminal they're looking for and provides some real-life examples. this book tells the story of those examples.published to coincide with the release of season five of criminal minds on dvd organized by type of criminal, including solo serial killers, sexual predators, and killers with famous victims; and tells the stories of many famous murderers, including david berkowitz, jeffrey dahmer, mark david chapman, and the zodiac killer features photographs from the show criminal minds: sociopaths, serial killers, and other deviants is a fascinating, terrifying book about the criminal minds who live among us.

A monster was on a killing spree. in just nine months, seven people went missing; all of their bodies eventually discovered in a wooded lot behind a suburban strip mall. but the investigation that led law enforcement to their suspect, william devin howell, is only part of the story behind his garden: conversations with a serial killer. howard first contacted howell while he was serving a fifteen-year sentence for the murder of one of his seven victims. he was about to be charged for the remaining six murders. a unique and disturbing friendship between the two began, comprised of written correspondence, face-to-face prison visits and recorded phone calls. howell, who had been unwilling to speak to any members of the media, came to trust howard. in the years that follow, the suspect shared his troubled history with howard but refused to discuss the charges against him, promising only to tell her everything when the case was over. that time has come. his garden probes the complicated and conflicted mind of william devin howell–connecticut's most prolific serial killer. both sacred and profane in its narrative style, the story on these pages explores the eternal question of human evil and its impact on others, including the woman he chose to hear his horrific confession.

Learn the true story of one of the fbi profilers who coined the phrase "serial killer"face-to-face with some of america's most terrifying killers, fbi veteran robert k. ressler learned how to identify the unknown monsters who walk among us — and put them behind bars. in whoever fights monsters, ressler—the inspiration for the character agent bill tench in david fincher's hit tv show mindhunter—shows how he was able to track down some of the country's most brutal murderers.ressler, the fbi agent and ex-army cid colonel who advised thomas harris on the silence of the lambs, used the evidence at a crime scene to put together a psychological profile of the killers. from the victims they choose to the way they kill to the often grotesque souvenirs they take with them—ressler unlocks the identities of these vicious killers. and with his discovery that serial killers share certain violent behaviors, ressler goes behind prison walls to hear bizarre first-hand stories from countless convicted murderers, including ted bundy, john wayne gacy; edmund kemper; and son of sam. getting inside the mind of a killer to understand how and why he kills is one of the fbi's most effective ways of helping police bring in killers who are still at large.join ressler as he takes you on the hunt for the world's most dangerous psychopaths in this terrifying journey you will not forget.

Erik larson, author of #1 bestseller in the garden of beasts, intertwines the true tale of the 1893 world's fair and the cunning serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their deaths. combining meticulous research with nail-biting storytelling, erik larson has crafted a narrative with all the wonder of newly discovered history and the thrills of the best fiction.

Have you ever wanted to know everything there is to know about serial killers? ever pondered the differences between psychopaths and sociopaths? want to know exactly why cannibals eat human flesh? want to read about the most downright bizarre serial killer motivations of all time? what jobs attract the most serial killers? how many uncaptured murderers are walking our streets right this second? how do female killers differ from males? what deluded maniac killed people because he thought it would stop earthquakes? what movie franchise has inspired the most copycat murders? the ultimate serial killer trivia book answers all these questions and much, much more! – featuring obscure serial killer trivia you'll struggle to find anywhere else. – up-to-date information on active serial killers and ongoing murder cases.- 11 distinct categories, from the psychopathic mind to serial killing cannibals to killers inspired by media- eerily fascinating trivia pieces regarding famous serial killers and obscure murderers you've never heard of.- succinct information on psychopaths, killer kids, occult serial killers, murderous doctors, cannibals, necrophiles and the world's strangest ever murders. the public's obsession with serial killers and weird murders is growing by the day, with more tv shows, movies and books now detailing the crimes of these human monsters. even the most hardened true crime buff will find some new information here! are you ready?

Killers of the flower moon: the osage murders and the birth of the fbi by david grann new york times bestseller – national book award finalist "disturbing and riveting… it will sear your soul." —dave eggers, new york times book reviewshelf awareness's best book of 2017named a best book of the year by wall street journal, the boston globe, san francisco chronicle, gq, time, newsday, entertainment weekly, time magazine, npr's maureen corrigan, npr's "on point," vogue, smithsonian, cosmopolitan, seattle times, bloomberg, lit hub's "ultimate best books," library journal, paste, kirkus, slate.com and book browsefrom new yorker staff writer david grann, #1 new york times best-selling author of the lost city of z, a twisting, haunting true-life murder mystery about one of the most monstrous crimes in american history in the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the osage indian nation in oklahoma. after oil was discovered beneath their land, they rode in chauffeured automobiles, built mansions, and sent their children to study in europe. then, one by one, the osage began to be killed off. the family of an osage woman, mollie burkhart, became a prime target. her relatives were shot and poisoned. and it was just the beginning, as more and more members of the tribe began to die under mysterious circumstances. in this last remnant of the wild west—where oilmen like j. p. getty made their fortunes and where desperadoes like al spencer, the “phantom terror,” roamed—many of those who dared to investigate the killings were themselves murdered. as the death toll climbed to more than twenty-four, the fbi took up the case. it was one of the organization’s first major homicide investigations and the bureau badly bungled the case. in desperation, the young director, j. edgar hoover, turned to a former texas ranger named tom white to unravel the mystery. white put together an undercover team, including one of the only american indian agents in the bureau. the agents infiltrated the region, struggling to adopt the latest techniques of detection. together with the osage they began to expose one of the most chilling conspiracies in american history. in killers of the flower moon, david grann revisits a shocking series of crimes in which dozens of people were murdered in cold blood. based on years of research and startling new evidence, the book is a masterpiece of narrative nonfiction, as each step in the investigation reveals a series of sinister secrets and reversals. but more than that, it is a searing indictment of the callousness and prejudice toward american indians that allowed the murderers to operate with impunity for so long. killers of the flower moon is utterly compelling, but also emotionally devastating. paperback edition

John wayne cleaver is dangerous, and he knows it. – he's spent his life doing his best not to live up to his potential. – he's obsessed with serial killers, but really doesn't want to become one. so for his own sake, and the safety of those around him, he lives by rigid rules he's written for himself, practicing normal life as if it were a private religion that could save him from damnation. – dead bodies are normal to john. he likes them, actually. they don't demand or expect the empathy he's unable to offer. perhaps that's what gives him the objectivity to recognize that there's something different about the body the police have just found behind the wash-n-dry laundromat—and to appreciate what that difference means. – now, for the first time, john has to confront a danger outside himself, a threat he can't control, a menace to everything and everyone he would love, if only he could. – dan wells's debut novel, i am not a serial killer, is the first volume of a trilogy that will keep you awake and then haunt your dreams.

In this revised, updated and expanded edition, the author explores the life of theodore bundy, one of the more infamous–and flamboyant–american serial killers on record. bundy's story is a complex mix of psychopathology, criminal investigation, and the u.s. legal system. this in-depth examination of bundy's life and his killing spree that totaled dozens of victims is drawn from legal transcripts, correspondence and interviews with detectives and prosecutors. using these sources, new information about several murders is unveiled. the biography follows bundy from his broken family background to his execution in the electric chair.

Bestselling true-crime writer harold schechter, a leading authority on serial killers, and coauthor david everitt offer a guided tour through the bizarre and blood-chilling world of serial murder. through hundreds of detailed entries that span the entire spectrum — the shocking crimes, the infamous perpetrators, and much more — they examine all angles of a gruesome cultural phenomenon that grips our imagination. from art (both by and about serial killers) to zeitgeist (how killers past and present embody their times)…from groupies (even the most sadistic killer can claim devoted fans) to marriage (the perfect domestic disguise for demented killers)…from homebodies (psychos who slay in the comfort of their homes) to plumbing (how clogged drains have undone the most discreet killer), the a to z encyclopedia of serial killers is the ultimate reference for anyone compelled by the personalities and pathologies behind the most disturbing of crimes.

Bestselling true-crime writer harold schechter, a leading authority on serial killers, and coauthor david everitt offer a guided tour through the bizarre and blood-chilling world of serial murder. through hundreds of detailed entries that span the entire spectrum — the shocking crimes, the infamous perpetrators, and much more — they examine all angles of a gruesome cultural phenomenon that grips our imagination. from art (both by and about serial killers) to zeitgeist (how killers past and present embody their times)…from groupies (even the most sadistic killer can claim devoted fans) to marriage (the perfect domestic disguise for demented killers)…from homebodies (psychos who slay in the comfort of their homes) to plumbing (how clogged drains have undone the most discreet killer), the a to z encyclopedia of serial killers is the ultimate reference for anyone compelled by the personalities and pathologies behind the most disturbing of crimes.

Now a new york times bestseller what is it like to learn that your ordinary, loving father is a serial killer? in 2005, kerri rawson heard a knock on the door of her apartment. when she opened it, an fbi agent informed her that her father had been arrested for murdering ten people, including two children. it was then that she learned her father was the notorious serial killer known as btk, a name he'd given himself that described the horrific way he committed his crimes: bind, torture, kill. as news of his capture spread, wichitacelebrated the end of a thirty-one-year nightmare. for kerri rawson, another was just beginning. she was plunged into a black hole of horror and disbelief. the same man who had been a loving father, a devoted husband, church president, boy scout leader, and a public servant had been using their family as a cover for his heinous crimes since before she was born. everything she had believed about her life had been a lie.written with candor and extraordinary courage, a serial killer's daughter is an unflinching exploration of life with one of america's most infamous killers and an astonishing tale of personal and spiritual transformation. for all who suffer from unhealed wounds or the crippling effects of violence, betrayal, and anger, kerri rawson's story offers the hope of reclaiming sanity in the midst of madness, rebuilding a life in the shadow of death, and learning to forgive the unforgivable." no easy answers here. no platitudes. only raw honesty, written with the gracious authority of one who has glimpsed hell. kerri rawson shares her earned wisdom and a hope that has been bought with tears and nightmares. this book is a gritty must-read in the library of hope."–paul j. pastor, author of the face of the deep and the listening day

What goes on in the mind of a serial killer? drawn from more than 150 hours of exclusive tape-recorded interviews with the handsome, charismatic bundy, whose grisly killing spree left at least 30 young women dead, this chilling exposé provides a shocking self-portrait. speaking eerily in the third person, bundy reveals appalling details about his crimes and methods and recounts his two daring jailbreaks. bundy also offers his thoughts on other infamous serial killers. here's the book features: told via a third-person "confession," bundy details how, and often why, he killed many of his 30-odd victims, including how he lured them and how they were killed.bundy reveals his motivations, his tactics, and how he evaded law enforcement on a victim-by-victim basis.much of the book is told is q&a form, making it detailed a window into the thinking of a serial murder, as explained by one.

The inspiration for the five-part amazon original docuseries ted bundy: falling for a killer. ted bundy is one of the most notorious serial killers in american history and one of the most publicized to this day. this updated, expanded edition of the phantom prince, elizabeth kendall's 1981 memoir detailing her six-year relationship with serial killer ted bundy, includes a new introduction and a new afterword by the author, never-before-seen photos, and a startling new chapter from the author's daughter, molly, who has not previously shared her story. the phantom prince chronicles elizabeth kendall's intimate relationship with ted bundy and its eventual unraveling. as much as has been written about bundy, it's remarkable to hear the perspective of people who shared their daily lives with him for years. kendall writes in her introduction: "in writing this book, i have gone through a wide range of feelings towards ted. at times, the intensity of my love for him scared me. but by the time i finished by my writing, those feelings had turned to outrage that he had coldly, capriciously murdered all those women." this gripping account presents a remarkable examination of a charismatic personality that masked unimaginable darkness. it is essential reading for anyone interested in ted bundy, his crimes, or the psychology of serial killers.

An investigative criminologist, christopher berry-dee is a man who talks to serial killers. in this book, their pursuit of horror and violence is described in their own words, transcribed from audio and videotape interviews conducted deep inside some of the toughest prisons in the world. berry-dee describes the circumstances of his meetings with some of the world's most evil men, and reproduces their very words as they describe their crimes and discuss their remorse–or lack of it. this work offers a penetrating insight into the workings of the criminal mind.

Maureen callahan's deft reporting and stylish writing have created one of the all-time-great serial-killer books: sensitive, chilling, and completely impossible to put down." –ada calhoun, author of st. marks is dead ted bundy. john wayne gacy. jeffrey dahmer. the names of notorious serial killers are usually well-known; they echo in the news and in public consciousness. but most people have never heard of israel keyes, one of the most ambitious and terrifying serial killers in modern history. the fbi considered his behavior unprecedented. described by a prosecutor as "a force of pure evil," keyes was a predator who struck all over the united states. he buried "kill kits"–cash, weapons, and body-disposal tools–in remote locations across the country. over the course of fourteen years, keyes would fly to a city, rent a car, and drive thousands of miles in order to use his kits. he would break into a stranger's house, abduct his victims in broad daylight, and kill and dispose of them in mere hours. and then he would return home to alaska, resuming life as a quiet, reliable construction worker devoted to his only daughter. when journalist maureen callahan first heard about israel keyes in 2012, she was captivated by how a killer of this magnitude could go undetected by law enforcement for over a decade. and so began a project that consumed her for the next several years–uncovering the true story behind how the fbi ultimately caught israel keyes, and trying to understand what it means for a killer like keyes to exist. a killer who left a path of monstrous, randomly committed crimes in his wake–many of which remain unsolved to this day. american predator is the ambitious culmination of years of interviews with key figures in law enforcement and in keyes's life, and research uncovered from classified fbi files. callahan takes us on a journey into the chilling, nightmarish mind of a relentless killer, and to the limitations of traditional law enforcement.

On a cold, windy december night in 1926, hell was unleashed on a tenant farm near farwell, the last texas town before the new mexico border. prone to the bottle and fits of rage, the burly man with the smiling blue eyes was in no mood to quarrel with his third wife over his bootleg whisky and sexual abuse of his stepdaughter. he went from room to room in the house, killing his wife and each child with primitive cutting tools and his bare hands. by the time he concluded his bloody work, he had taken the lives of nine family members ranging in age from 2 to 41, committing what one local reporter called "the blackest crime" in the history of the west texas panhandle. husband, father, uncle, embezzler, serial mass murderer, philanderer, child molester, convict, and military deserter, george jefferson hassell was many things to many people, most of them bad. his pattern of familicide crime had begun in 1917, when he slaughtered his common-law wife and her three kids in whittier, california. later, in texas, he married his brother's wife and became stepfather to her eight children. using hassell's confessions and his many interviews with reporters as well as the trial transcripts and reminiscences of those who crossed paths with him in texas, oklahoma, and california, mitchel p. roth presents the first comprehensive account of the life and crimes of one of the least known multiple murderers in texas, let alone american, history. roth situates hassell's saga within the 1920s texas criminal justice system, including the death penalty, which hassell ultimately received from old sparky, the electric chair at huntsville.