Serial Killers: Shocking True Stories of the World's Most Barbaric Murderers

by Jamie King

Explore the chilling world of serial killers in this gripping true crime compendium. Uncover the shocking stories and delve into the twisted minds behind some of history's most infamous murderers.

A gripping compendium of some of the world's most infamous and shocking mass murderers, such as John Wayne Gacy, the Boston Strangler, David Berkowitz and Ed Gein, as well as some lesser-known figures

Who was the Zodiac Killer?
What drove Jeffrey Dahmer to dismember his 17 victims?
How many women really fell prey to Ted Bundy?

Maybe it's because our animal instincts draw us to dangerous situations; maybe it's because reading about predators allows us to learn about their behaviors in a safe setting. Whatever the reason, serial killers and their crimes have fascinated us for centuries.

This true crime compendium not only relates the disturbing events that transpired but also delves into the psychology of the perpetrators. The stories within are shocking and often difficult to comprehend, but with this deep dive into the world of the macabre, readers may gain a greater understanding of the motivations and thought processes of these murderers. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the psychology of crime and the human mind.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime

320 pages, Paperback

Published June 4, 2024

Reviews

[Grace Challinor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a chilling yet fascinating exploration of humanity’s darkest mind. King complies real-life accounts of notorious killers with gripping detail, offering insight into their psychology, motives, and crimes. The writing is fast-paced and accessible, making it easy for true crime enthusiasts to stay engaged. While some stories are deeply disturbing, King maintains a factual tone that avoids sensationalism. The book serves both as a cautionary study of evil and a compelling read for fans of criminal psychology. Disturbing, informative, and unforgettable—a haunting dive into true horror.

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read, albeit quite gruesome, it's hard to actually believe we she the same world with some of these monsters. Quite stomach churning in some parts but an interesting read all the same.

[Katherine]

A chilling rendition of histories most famous serial killers.

[Ritesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Any crime is perfect if you don’t get caught…”

[nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
an interesting read about serial killers, both well known and not

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

How can you be a true crime writer and don't know when Jack the Ripper was active? In the chapter on Amelia Dyer (page 90) he says she was hanged in 1886 and that the UK was still reeling from Jack the Ripper.

Later edit: Apparently the mistake is the year of the hanging. It should be 1896

[Paula Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book,short but interestin.

[Emily Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick overviews of the killers, good if you don't want a heavy read

[Cece · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again it was an easy read, format wise NOT subject wise!
Went into describe the four common categories that they fall into. Also each story were only 2-4 pages long, so ended up being a quick read.

[Maria Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really interesting and I absolutely loved how concise but also detailed it was but I’ve been reading it for way too long and at some point I just wanted it to end (completely my fault tho).

[El Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars I must say.
I was expecting this book to be really good and it was alright, but I was expecting a really deeper dive into specific cases, which wasn’t there. Big details of many cases were brushed off and I also thought of a few cases that weren’t there that would have been really good to have in there. I wouldn’t reccomend it to anyone. I picked it up because I’m a true crime junkie, but this book just didn’t do it for me at all.