Talking with Psychopaths and Savages: Letters from Serial Killers

by Christopher Berry-Dee

Christopher Berry-Dee is the man who talks to serial killers. A world-renowned investigative criminologist, he has gained the trust of murderers across the world, entered their high security prisons, and discussed in detail their shocking crimes.

The killers' pursuit of horror and violence is described through the unique audiotape and videotape interviews which Berry-Dee conducted, deep inside the bowels of some of the world's toughest prisons.

Christopher Berry-Dee has collated these interviews into this astounding, disturbing book, which, since its first publication, has gone on to become a true crime classic. Not only does he describe his meetings with some of the world's most evil men and women, he also reproduces, verbatim, their very words as they describe their crimes, allowing the reader a glimpse into the inner workings of the people who have committed the worst crime possible - to mercilessly take the life of another human being.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Psychology

312 pages, Paperback

Published May 25, 2023

About the author

Chris was a former Royal Marine intelligence officer. He is now a criminologist who has interviewed over 30 serial killers.

Reviews

[Wadha · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh. i didn’t like the random trivia the author would write to (according to him) “lighten up the mood” - i found myself skipping pages to get to the juicy details. there are some photos of the letters the author has received but he already wrote about them and it would have been nice to see new letters. i expected to see more letters and the authors dissection of the letters but it was just a little nibble here and there. i’m a murder/crime/serial killer buff so this to me was interesting but not that fulfilling. his humor is great, i was chuckling at times but the book didn’t grab me at all. very mediocre but i would read his other books to get more meat.

[Tan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great premise, very cool resources, but man is he arrogant. I know this book is supposed to accommodate the wider audience who don't have background in criminology/forensics/psychology, but he could at least show some validity by stating his research methodology - otherwise it feels very pseudo-sciencey.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

After trying to increase my non-fiction reading I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Really insightful look into the mind’s of the most dangerous people. Even as a forensic psychology grad, I learnt a lot!

[Mellisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant true crime book, Christopher is brilliant at getting all the information and getting these people to talk.

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christopher Berry-Dee’s Talking with Psychopaths: Letters from Serial Killers is a profoundly disturbing, immersive exploration into the minds of some of the most chilling criminals in history. Through firsthand interviews and unsettling correspondence with psychopaths and serial killers, Berry-Dee offers readers a glimpse into the dark, twisted psyches of individuals who display a haunting lack of remorse or empathy. It’s not a book for the faint-hearted, as the true story nature of these accounts makes each page all the more chilling.

Berry-Dee's skill as a storyteller is unmatched; he draws readers into these grim tales with a style that’s both accessible and deeply gripping, giving voice to the unfiltered horror of these encounters without glorifying or sensationalizing the violence. His ability to capture the unnerving detachment and cold rationalization of these killers makes the book incredibly compelling, if also unsettling to read. This is the kind of book that makes your blood run cold, leaving you with lingering thoughts about the fragility of humanity.

For those interested in true crime, Talking with Psychopaths is a haunting, masterfully crafted work that dives into the unthinkable—leaving readers both captivated and profoundly disturbed. Berry-Dee has a unique ability to convey the horror of these individuals’ lack of conscience, making this a read that is unforgettable in every sense.

[Lilianne Bolte · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of the book is, I think, pretty self-explanatory for what the book is about, so crude language, horrific descriptions and attitudes (from the point of view of the perpetrators) are to be expected. Berry-Bee himself does not shy away from it either - not that he is callous with it like the people he interviewed - but it is definitely not the lightest reading material. That being said, this is the first book of his that I have read and I enjoyed it quite a lot. As someone with an interest in psychology and criminology, I feel it can give you some good insights into some of the sickest minds that have lived, and picking up on certain behavioural patterns these serial killers use to manipulate others.

Of course, Berry-Dee's book is not unique in that aspect necessarily but I did enjoy his dark humour and sarcasm. Though I will agree with other reviewers that he has a tendency to side-track for several paragraphs, makes anecdotes that really have no bearing on the topic, and some comments can come off as snobbish. Overall, I think it's a good read for any crime junkies out there though his writing style will not be for everyone.

[Sergio Gómez Senovilla · Rating 1 out of 5]

Both the introduction and the work are very bad, with an inconsistent and low-quality narrative. It uses a sarcastic tone and constant political references that have nothing to do with the subject. Only a few lines end up being dedicated to the letters.

The author does not mention any bibliography or reference at any time and only makes mentions and interpretations that he calls "scientific" and that are solely his own opinions.

A book to get lost in endless, irrelevant and unnecessary paragraphs of cheap literature and mental nonsense that have nothing to do with the intended work.

Although Christopher Berry-Dee promotes himself as an internationally renowned criminologist, he is clearly just another consumer product created by British trash television. The author boasts of convincing criminals (by the way in the most infamous and unprofessional ways) to share their criminal experiences with him, and not because he is looking to compile information for a great study, but because he writes this trash to make money by publishing lousy books.

On the cover it is described as a "disturbing studio" but it is nothing like a studio, and the only thing that is "disturbing" here is that it was ever published.

A terrible book that gives nothing of what it offers, making it a scam. Don't waste your money like I did.

[Farra Gould · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was nearly a Dnf for me. There was very little factual information and alot of biased opinions and unnecessary info and facts about irrelevant topics. The author jumped back and fourth between letters like the window making the structure feel sloppy and not very well thought out. The real kicker for me making this book shite is (and I'll express this again) the sheer amount of useless and irrelevant information like do I really need to know about some random guy from the 1700s, I think not. This was my first true crime book I ever read (I'm usually thriller or fantasy) and I'm contemplating letting it be my last. Just don't waste your time, you won't get it back.

[Andres "Ande" Jakovlev · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sain selle raamatu elukaaslaselt kingiks... Ei tea, kas peaks võtma seda kui vihjet? Tahaks muidugi loota, et tegu oli lennujaama "osta-üks-saad-teise-tasuta" pakkumisega. Aga mine sa tea...

Raamat iseenesest oli üsna jube. Muidugi olid teemad jubedad ja see, mida raamatu "kangelased" korda olid saatnud lausa õõvastav. Aga jube oli ka kirjaniku kirjutamistiil. Selline üleolev ja ülbe.

Kui ma loen raamatut sarimõrvaritest, siis mind tõesti ei huvita, et Trump on üks valelik jätis. Jah, ka mina ei ole just Trumpi fänn, aga no seda põlgust oli ikka põhjendamatult (ja kontekstiväliselt) palju.

Lisaks muidugi ohtralt reklaami teistele raamatutele ja telesaadetele.

No ja siis olid seal muidugi kirjad sarimõrvaritelt ja psühhopaatidelt. Aga sedagi üsna kaootiliselt. Mõne kaabaka puhul oli detailselt lahti kirjutatud, keda ja millal ja kuidas ta tappis. Mõne puhul aega seda sisuliselt ei mainitudki...

Eks ta üks selline kiire raha tegemise raamat oli, ei soovita.

[Jade Crewe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personally my favourite true crime author. Christopher Berry-Dee always writes with trivia thrown in to make the reader take a rest from the harrowing stories of the serial killers crimes, but within this book he gives you an informative insight to the serial killers writings. I wouldn’t class this as my favourite book that he has written, it takes a while to get into the serial killers letters but it’s a good read if it’s the type of genre you enjoy.

[Charlotte · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not make it past 3 chapters. So disappointed. Rambling, hard to follow anecdotes that serve no purpose but for the author to boast (?) about his life and all the serial killers he’s met. Random political points that often contradict each other thrown in disconcertingly. A letter is finally presented but then swiftly we are off topic again to other unrelated points about other unrelated serial killers? A baffling experience all round.

[Teagan Hubbard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not his best work: I expected more personal details, delving into letters that showcased a new angle or revelation of criminals I had already read about. But it was just more of the same? Here is what they did, and by the way, here is a letter they wrote. A lost opportunity on what could have been a fascinating read.

[Anna Slater · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so intrigued by this book! Although I wondered throughout the whole thing as to why Chris started on his journey with murders and criminals…. It was such an easy but enjoyable read. Definitely wanting to get the collection

[Amelia Downham · Rating 1 out of 5]

About 2% of the book is actually correspondence with killers, the rest is the author stroking his own ego and talking about boring unrelated nothingness. Only finished it because I’m at work and have nothing else to read. Shite.

[Elaine Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the way the author writes. Whilst he clearly states this is not ‘snug as a bug’ bedtime reading he writes with humour, honesty and direct straight talking. This book was most interesting and enlightening.

[Jessica Larsen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Self-aggrandizing author who promotes his other books multiple times in this work, as well as republishes material he’s already used. Frankly, I believe he likes to hear himself talk. Too wordy, annoying tone, not memorable at all beyond his tone and self-promotion.

[Corinna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same as with the other readers: I thought I get more of the juicy, nasty thoughts of the killers. More letters from them to him. It was interesting after all but a bit more spicy would be good

[Charliiey Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I expected but got better as I read on, 2nd half better than 1st half.

[Sue · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF... I found this underwhelming and boring.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again a very informative book :)

[Raquel Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

There aren't any words to describe it. I think it's a brilliant piece of true crime literature. It's not for the light-hearted, that's for sure.

[Ginny T · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a really hard read and nearly a DNF. This is not as "savage" and "chilling" as expected. Not a massive fan if I'm honest.

[Shaina Farrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay... we get it....
You hate Donald Trump. The first joke was funny; the next thousand weren't.

[Natasha Claxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5

[Grainne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is by far the most graphic and harrowing account of people’s crimes I’ve ever encountered. No details were spared and I actually had to skip parts - it was too much

[Kirsteen Church · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but jumps very quickly from one thing to another, found myself just skipping all the chat and getting to the good bits

[Billie Smithen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good book, but found the author tried to be extra light hearted and took time to get to the letters and interesting part

[Jamie Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a slow read and not what I expected it to be!

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

i read this book in a day in a half and i really find books like this interesting definitely a recommend