The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers, Second Edition (Facts on File Crime Library)

Serial Killers have long aroused society's curiosity. Recent high-profile cases and intense media coverage have drawn increased attention to this terrifying brand of crime, its shocking criminals, and the details of these killers' heinous acts. This Encyclopedia contains comprehensive information on hundreds of serial murderers and murder cases, from early history to the present. Debunking common myths and misconceptions, this encyclopedia avoids glamorizing serial killers and provides accurate accounts of who they are, how they operate, and how law enforcement hunts them.With more than 250 entries, including, more than 60 new and updated, and more than 30 new photographs, this Encyclopedia is an indispensable references for students, researchers, general readers interested in the macabre but fascinating world of Serial Killers. You'll find all the legendary or well-known cases: Bundy, Gacy, Gein, Zodiac, Lucas, Jack the Ripper, Dahmer, Ramirez, Son of Sam, Boston Strangler, BTK, Ridgway, Chikatilo, Wuornos, Hillside Stranglers, Bathory, Manson, Toole, Yates, Fish and many more. You'll also find a lot of cases that the general public might have never heard before: The I-45 Killer, Fritz Haarmann, Billy Gohl, Jarvis Catoe, The Frankford Slasher, The Valley Killer, Michael B. Ross, Gennadiy Mikhasevich, "Bruce Lee", William Hance and many others that a lot of people might not know. Some of the entries are about type of murders or killers: Mass Murder, Cannibalism, Black Widows, Bluebeards, Bombing (this is where you'll find the Unabomber), Vampirism, Sexual Homicides and other types of killers and murders. Some of the entries you'll find in this book are about other things related to serial killers and law enforcement: Modus Operandi, Geography, Profiling, Incarceration, Groupies, Missing persons, Weapons, Motives and others.A great section of this Encyclopedia is the "Appendix", from page 308 to page 489. The Appendix is in three different sections: Solo killers, Team killers and Unresolved cases. You'll find in this appendix all the cases not detailed in the main text. You'll find all the basic information about these cases: name, sex, race of the killer(s) ( if known ); date(s) of the murder(s), the killer's type and motivation, plus a brief description of the case. The third part, the unresolved cases, is chilling to read, it's scary to think that most of these unknown serial killers might still be alive and killing people. The Appendix is a great idea and is really fun to read.I don't have to say more. This is a must-buy book, one of the best Encyclopedia I have ever read. Buy it, You won't regret it. :)

This is a fascinating read for true crime buffs. The author's stated purpose is to "demystify, as far as possible, those predators in human form who have been with us since the dawn of history..." Serial killers at large are so frightening that they end up touching all of our lives--most especially in the United States, where 84% of all known serial killers have committed their crimes since 1980. I first became aware of this type of human predator when I was a student at the University of Michigan, and John Norman Collins was murdering coeds with pierced ears and long brown hair.California native Michael Newton has published 181 books since 1977, including 147 novels but he is best known for his true crime and reference works. I have to say that I assumed this author was British because of his concise, witty style and also for his tendency to critique other true crime authors who failed to get their facts straight, including the names of a serial killer's victims. One of his special peeves is the term 'spree killer,' and he also doesn't seem to think much of profilers.Most of the entries in this encyclopedia are concerned with the serial killers themselves, whether they acted alone, in twosomes, or in packs. One of the biggest surprises for me was the large number of serial killers who are or were women. Something like 12% of all serial killers are female, and Hungarian women seem especially prone to this behavior, starting with Countess Erzsebet B'thory in the sixteenth century whose final body count was somewhere between 300 and 650 victims. In the early 1900s,Vera Renczi murdered 35 husbands, lovers, and a son and was arrested by the police only after they searched her basement and discovered 35 zinc coffins. "Some evenings, Vera liked to sit among the coffins in an armchair and enjoy the company of her adoring beaux." Then there were the "Angel Makers of Nagyrev"...Well, let me just close by remarking that "The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers" is an extremely interesting source of information on the darker side of human nature. In addition to the encyclopedia entries, there are also appendices on "Solo Killers," "Team Killers," and "Unresolved Cases," plus an extensive bibliography.

I just got this book and am super excited to read it. A really interesting read that has information on the case as well as some personal history. As it says, it's an encyclopedia so it is all fact based. The encyclopedia itself is 306 pages. The 307th is the appendixes, where it groups killers into either solo killers or team killers. From there it gives personal information on the killer, such as their age, race, motive, MO, disposition, etc. After these two sections, there is unresolved cases starting on page 455. Again similar to the previous two, it gives the information about the crime and if the person was serial and had a nickname he/she went by, then it would give the nickname of the killer. The bibliography does not in fact start until around 489. So up until 489, the book is chalked full of information that gives you a better understanding of who these people are and what they did.

Very informative and interesting for anyone with an interest in true crime and/or the psychology of the criminal mind. The indices could be laid out in a little more user-friendly format, but I understand the work that went into it and how difficult categorization must have been in the first place. Overall, I am thoroughly pleased with the book and appreciate the dedication it took to compile all this information; while greatly interesting from a psychological standpoint, it could not have been easy for anyone with even an ounce of empathy.

Fascinating and informative, definitely one to read if you’re interested in serial killers from around the world and also other things like VICAP, Modus Operandi’s, etc. But.. I’m gobsmacked that this author didn’t include Myra Hindley and Ian Brady’s ‘story of horror’, but instead, relegated them to the appendix of the book in ‘team killers’. They deserved a spot in the book, and to tell people about what they did to kids, and how one is still subsequently missing.Also, I felt this author was a little egotistical in places, thinking he was right and no-one else is which was a little annoying, and unwarranted. As he happened to get a few details on some killers completely wrong himself.Other then those two points, this book was fantastic and I’m hoping to pull some really good quotes for my criminology course next year.Definitely worth the read!-LUCII, BOOK-LOVER BLOG

Brought for my daughter and she hasn't put it down. It really has all sorts in there!!

It was a great gift for Christmas for a serial killer enthusiast.

Great book full of detail. Husband also enjoyed reading a few too.

Outstanding achieviment getting a plethora of cases into one volume. Enjoyed it.