Faces of Evil: Unmasking the World’s Most Horrific Serial Killers

by Dominic Utton

Uncover the chilling true stories behind some of history's most monstrous murderers.Ian Brady and Myra Hindley Ted Bundy, Harold Shipman – these notorious names represent the worst of humanity, men and women who are driven by an urge to kill, and kill again. They are monsters lurking among us, often living outwardly respectable lives while indulging their horrific desires under cover of darkness, or anonymity.Serial killers continue to hold a gruesome fascination, their crimes and compulsions seemingly incomprehensible to civilized society. Some have become household names, the subject of hit Netflix documentaries and BBC dramas ... others remain a hidden horror in the shadows.Organised thematically according to each killer's twisted passion, Faces of Evil chronicles the crimes of twenty of the most infamous – and less well-known – serial killers of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, unpicking their means, motives and methods ... and attempting to understand what drove their horrific lust for murder.

Genres: Audiobook, True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Horror

304 pages, Paperback

Published January 7, 2025

About the author

Dominic Utton is a novelist, non-fiction writer and journalist.

His latest novel, Dead End Close, is published by The Odyssey Press on the Kindle Store.

His debut novel, Martin Harbottle’s Appreciation of Time, was published by Oneworld in 2014 and described as “compellingly hilarious” by the Daily Express, “unexpected and amusing… very entertaining” by The Lady, with the Irish Times declaring: “the world’s commuters have finally got their own latter-day Updike”.

He has also written several non-fiction books, including The Real Football Factories, with Danny Dyer (John Blake, 2010) and the children's book How to Go Wild (Scholastic, 2012).

His journalism has appeared in the Guardian, the Sunday Times, the News of the World, the Sun, the Telegraph, Cosmopolitan, Q, and many other newspapers and magazines.

He lives in Oxford with his wife and two children and is represented by Gordon Wise at Curtis Brown Literary Agency.

Reviews

[Rainbow Goth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this audiobook, especially as a true crime fan. The book offers a well-written and engaging look into different serial killers, delving into their backgrounds, crimes, and eventual capture. While the title may be slightly misleading (as there's no actual "unmasking" happening), each chapter provides an exploration of a different serial killer.

I appreciated the fast-paced nature of the book, making it an easy and compelling read. However, if you're looking for a deep dive into each murder and the subsequent trials, this may not be the book for you. Despite that, I found the content to be engaging and thought-provoking, although I understand it may not be suitable for everyone due to its heavy subject matter.

Although I was familiar with most of the individuals mentioned in the book, there were a few who were less known to me, which added to the book's appeal. However, one recurring issue I noticed was the author's repetitive use of a specific phrase, which became somewhat predictable and distracting.

If .... Then.....

If the author realised he was repeating this phase then he continued to do it just to spite me!

On a positive note, the narrator did an excellent job and added to my overall enjoyment of the book. Overall, I would certainly recommend this audiobook to fellow true crime enthusiasts.

Thank you to the author, publishers and Netgalley for the ALC of this audiobook. This review is completely my own.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for this book in return for an honest review.

This book is less of an unmasking and exploration of the motivations of these individuals, than stating their actions and the sense of unease in the areas of the acts. I think true crime fans will enjoy this, but if you are reading from a perspective of understanding the psyche and profile of extreme offenders, you won't get that. I wish we got a bit more of a focus on the victims regardless of the focus being the perpetrators. However that being said, this is still a good read for the casually interested. There is a well written chapter on each of these individuals with and the whole narrative is easy reading.

[Marnie (Enchanted Bibliophile) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting compilation of some lesser known serial killers.

Short, sweet and to the point.

[mena ౨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a brutally straightforward description of a variety of serial killers, many I have already heard about (due to my true crime obsession). I think the full title and description of this book is a little deceptive, because "unmasking the world's most horrific serial killers" implies a greater examination into the killers' psyches, which this book did not do. From a true crime standpoint, it was fascinating, but as someone who studies psychology and loves to learn about how the brain works, this area fell short, and for that I cannot give this book a higher rating.

[Jo Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author has done a really good job of profiling and compiling 20 of the most prolific (and some lesser known) serial killers. He provides insight into the killers a little depth to their backgrounds and most importantly for me speaks the names of the victims. I have to say I appreciated that there was no personal bias or opinion added, which is important and difficult to do. The book provides a catalogue of sorts, and I find it to be a valuable piece of work.

I have a psychology background and have always had a quite in depth interest in the patterns of behaviour that serial killers display, I think most and of us are intrigued at some level. My main interest of course, as the author has sought here, is to get to the why?! Had it not been for my own background I’d probably have learned very much from this title. I’d certainly recommend it for anyone seeking facts. It’s difficult for me to rate it any higher having not learned anything new. Each of these individuals have been profiled and investigated elsewhere.

The audible narration was well performed.

My thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for this ELC

[The Book Review Café · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faces of Evil chronicles the crimes of twenty of the most infamous and less well-known serial killers. The author claims he will unpick their means, motives and methods, in an attempt to understand what drove their horrific lust for murder. I’ve always been a huge true crime fan so most of the cases in this book I’ve already read about in some shape or form. Cases include Fred and Rose West, Dennis Nilsen, Ted Bundy as well as a few lesser known ones. For anyone who isn’t a regular true crime fiction reader I’m sure they will find this book fascinating. Dominic Utton sticks to the facts, the chapters are concise and the author doesn’t offer his own opinion which I liked. Personally for me there wasn’t anything new in Faces Of Evil that I haven’t read before, but never the less I found it a fascinating read.

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[Jo ♡︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

brutal and straight-forward, it’s a good chilling read for true crime fans. I just had high expectations because the cover said “unmasking the world’s most horrific serial killers” and it kind of lacked in that department. it was more of listing down the victims and what happened to them, and how the killers were arrested. I read the book wanting to know what was inside the minds of these notorious killers, why they did what they did. I wanted a psychological or behavior sequence analysis. the book didn’t give much of that. but, it was true to the title. because there really are different faces of evil.

[Tara Cignarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faces of Evil (Unmasking the World’s Most Horrific Serial Killers) by Dominic Utton
Overall Grade: B+
Narration: B+
Information: B
Writing/Organization: B
Best Aspect: Interesting to hear summaries of so many different serial killers in one audiobook.
Worst Aspect: Each section is short and doesn’t do into enough detail for my liking.
Recommend: Yes.

[Vanessa Peschiutta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting! And so disturbing at the same time!

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this as an audio book. Quick and to the point, this is a collection of many serial killers from around the world.

[Girish · Rating 2 out of 5]

Where I was expecting criminal minds meets Michelle McNamara, this book is more of police case files on the absolute worst of the human race. Every chapter starts with the real name of the monster and, like a stat, voices out how many have been murdered.

As I read this book, I got queasy and with more and more chapters, I started feeling numb at the horror which was unfolding. Rape, torture, murder were the common thread across most chapters. I felt the writing also contributed to the dread since it was almost a newsreader approach without victim profiles or the police investigation.

Since most crimes are from a previous generation, you are not so sure if technology could have prevented these. Aside, you realise the plight of sex workers who become nameless victims and not missed.

It's a tough book to read even for true crime readers.

[RJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. A peek into the depths of human depravity. There were a few chapters in the latter half of the audiobook where I listened more passively, but I'm not sure if this is due to disinterest or distraction. In the future, I will try to avoid listening to books while rollerskating.

[Margot · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quite interesting read.

[Gemma Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent true crime book about various serial killers

[Carolina Tenorio-Espinosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This felt like listening to a podcast, it was so engageing and honestly, I could not stop listening. It was also nice to hear about female serial killers, and killers from the UK (we love inclusivity).
The stories of each killer were succint and it was great to just get the facts, and not have the story drawn out for dramamtic purposes.
If you're a fan of true crime, you'll love this.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author looks at various serial killers from Australia, UK and USA. Most I'm familiar with but some of the stories were new to me. Short chapters written in an engaging manner.

[Megan Rang · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****I received this audiobook free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fantastic compilation of serial killers! I loved how it was written. Gave all the juicy details and was captivating the entire time! I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys true crime. I was fortunate enough to listen to the audiobook. I enjoyed the narration and it added to the experience.

[Dylan Stafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the author, publishers and Netgalley for the ALC of this audiobook for an honest review.

First of all, it's excellently narrated by Tom Alexander. Loved listening to this on my commutes and runs over the last few days.

I'm still rather new and currently hooked to true crime and recently found a love for podcasts such as RedHanded and Morbid. Anyone who's a fan of these - this is for you! Especially if, like me, you're still fairly new to true crime. Here's why -

It covers a lot of Serial Killer's in a succinct and engaging way.
Some of the killers I'd heard about, as they're so well known but I didn't necessarily know their full story and crime. It brought me up to scratch speedily and my attention was held throughout. This was all thanks to Dominic's research and writing along with Tom's narration.

Then there was those killers who I'd never even heard of and now keen to go read and listen more about.

It was a real 101 of Serial Killers to get your knowledge up to scratch and *entertain* (though due to heinous subject matter, this is an odd choice of word) you though out.

[Olivia Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

the only thing this book did was put me to sleep

[KarnagesMistress · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doesn't it feel odd to say that you really liked a book about something as horrific as serial killers? I won't get into all of the psychological reasons that humans find serial killers fascinating, except to acknowledge the reality. I don't always read about serial killers or similar true crime murders, in part due to my personal discomfort over keeping my interest to "healthy" levels. Because of all this, Faces of Evil: Unmasking the World’s Most Horrific Serial Killers was a wonderful fit for me. Dominic Utton was matter-of-fact in his handling of each of his 20 subjects. Each subject has warranted their own full-length works; I would categorize Faces of Evil: Unmasking the World’s Most Horrific Serial Killers as almost a kind of encyclopedia in its brevity and style.

The aspect of Faces of Evil: Unmasking the World’s Most Horrific Serial Killers that really made it stand out to me was Dominic Utton's naming of the victims. If there was an unidentified victim, he made sure to acknowledge them, too. Especially where the victims were people overlooked by society: prostitutes and street hustlers, the unhomed, those experiencing the symptoms of use disorders. Well, at one point a police officer even acknowledged that it just wasn't protocol to get all excited over a dead hooker. Dominic Utton helps to give these people some dignity. And, who knows? Maybe this book will be read by someone who remembers a story about a missing cousin, reach out to a police department with a DNA sample, and provide even more closure.

Even as a U.S. citizen, I was only vaguely familiar with a small number of the 20 subjects. The Australian ones were completely new to me. So, I feel like the majority of potential readers will be able to take new knowledge away from Faces of Evil: Unmasking the World’s Most Horrific Serial Killers.

Specifically, I listened to the audiobook. Tom Alexander's narration was really excellent. There were sections when he would need to quote a particular person and he would change his voice to match. It was a nice touch, and actually helped everything feel even more real than just if he had continued along in his normal voice and cadence. He could even switch up the accent, like with Paul John Knowles's Southern drawl. I would like to thank Bolinda Audio for allowing me to experience this NetGalley audiobook.

[NaTaya Hastings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book at all!

I had heard most of the stories in this collection, so it didn't really give me any NEW information. However, it did do a good job of sticking to the widely known facts of most of the cases it explored. (Some true crime compilations DO NOT do that. They include random details that literally NO OTHER VERSION of the story includes -- leading one to believe they added them simply for shock value.)

This one presented accurate facts in 98% of the cases. And the 2% that were kind of shady weren't necessarily falsehoods. They were just ... common exaggerations. For example, the author would credit a certain killer with "between x and XX kills" (i.e., between 7 and 62 kills). In a few of the cases, the largest number in that spectrum has widely been disproven by investigators and other true crime writers. However, the killer might have CLAIMED to have killed that many, so the author included it here.

Again, not a falsehood, but also pretty widely believed to be false. Still, it was a good collection of serial killer stories -- not just from the US but from around the globe. (Primarily US, UK, and Australia. If there was another one from somewhere else, I don't remember it.)

It didn't dive into any great detail, but if you're just getting into true crime or you just want a broad overview of some of the most notorious and twisted killers out there, this was a good book for that.

It's also a good one if you're into audiobooks, as the narrator was quite good. I actually listened to this one on 1x speed (which is something I rarely do) and didn't feel the need to speed it up. So yeah. Definitely one worth reading if any of the above applies to you.

[Ashley W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Faces of Evil is a true crime book that describes the chilling stories of twenty of the world's most prolific serial killers. While some of the serial killers, such as John Wayne Gacy and Ted Bundy, are well know, this book includes horrifying stories of lesser-known serial killers. Each serial killer chronicle provides a concise, yet comprehensive outline of the killer’s background, the horrifying story of their crimes, their criminal sentencing, and where they are present day. The victims of each killer are acknowledged by name, along with a brief description of their personal story. There are no personal biases expressed by the author but rather straight facts.
The audiobook, produced by Bolinda Audio, was narrated by Tom Alexander. The narration was clear, and the pace was appropriate. There was clear delineation between chapters, so it was easily recognized when one serial killer’s story was ending, and another was started.
This book is great for true crime fanatics who want to learn about multiple serial killers in one resource. Despite each story is a brief description of the serial killer(s), each story is comprehensive with the important facts that the reader needs to know.
Thank you, Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for allowing me the review this audiobook and provide my honest feedback.

[Mellissa Bushby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goodness gracious me, but what a wicked world we live in. I find serial killer tales fascinating, from the why they do it, to the forensic process and sheer hard work (despite the horrors they see) that put these soulless people where they belong.

I didn't learn anything new about the serial killers that were part of Faces of Evil barring one, the Butcher Baker (Robert Hanson) who quite literally hunted young women. Grim indeed. There are twenty of them in all and the usual suspects are all there, as well as a few less documented. The Rock Spider Killer, Samuel Little, Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy, Fred and Rosemary West (ugh, I do shudder at these two), Myra Hindley and Ian Brady (even more so), amongst others, make up this motley crew of misfits and degenerates.

The narrator was excellent, utterly deadpan, with no emotion whatsoever, and let me tell you, he had some truly heinous things to say. This is a good start for a beginner or someone who wants to know more about this interesting topic, but fair warning - it is brutal and extremely graphic.

Notes:

I would have rated it higher except the author kept talking about people being hunted like animals.

Defence lawyers need to check their moral compass now and then, some of them seem to be broken (please note that I said some).

[Dr. Marzette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dominic Utton's "Faces of Evil" is a chilling revelation into a world of serial killers I never knew existed. Utton's narrative grips you from the first page, blending eerie fascination with spine-chilling horror in a way that leaves an indelible mark. The book delves into dark territories with such vividness that it's hard not to feel like a silent witness to the events unfolding.

Utton's storytelling prowess is unmatched; the narrator's voice is so compelling that I found myself envisioning the scenes vividly, often to the point of giving me goosebumps. This isn't just a book—it's an experience that lingers long after you've put it down.

Would I recommend "Faces of Evil"? Absolutely. It's a must-read for anyone intrigued by true crime and the psychology behind it. I could easily envision this story adapted into a gripping documentary. As for owning a copy, it's a definite yes; it would make a conversation-starting addition to any coffee table. Would I read it again? Certainly, though perhaps not all at once—its intensity deserves savored moments.

In summary, Dominic Utton has crafted a masterpiece that blends terror and fascination into a compelling narrative. "Faces of Evil" is not just a book; it's a journey into the darkest recesses of the human psyche that leaves a lasting impression.

[CAROLYN Wyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faces of Evil by Dominic Utton

Faces of Evil is a well written nonfiction novel about a variety of serial killers. Many of these serial killers were unknown to me until this book.
The first serial killer was Anthony Sowell. Until this book, I had never heard about him. I found the information extremely informative. The next is John Wayne Gacey, who is probably one of the most notorious and well known serial killers. While the book gives you some information, it doesn’t give a complete picture of him, probably because he can take up several books with his depravity. I had never heard of Dennis Nielsen until this book, and with his crimes, I’m surprised he’s not more well known.

The author did a lot of research for this very informative book. While it does have a decent amount of information for each killer, the book only does a small picture of these horrific crimes. The book is very graphic and disturbing, but you expect that with the subject matter.

The narrator, Tom Alexander, is extremely easy to listen to. This is a good book to learn a little about the different killers, however you would need to read other books to get a deeper picture of the killers and victims. The narrator does a great job bringing the story to life. I would definitely listen to other books read by him.

[Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a true crime fan and have been fascinated by serial killers since I was a teenager ... strange I know but there you go 😊

This audiobook gives a captivating look at some of history's most notorious serial killers. The author weaves together the stories of these individuals, delving into their backgrounds, motives, and crimes.

It's fast paced and engrossing and although it doesn't provide a detailed examination of each murder and trial, it does provide an overview of various cases which makes it an easy (although not in terms of the content) listen as it delves into the darker aspects of human nature and therefore due to the graphic nature of the subject matter, it may not be suitable for everyone.

Even for those familiar with many of the serial killers included, this book did introduce me to some I had never heard of and also provided details I had not been aware of.

The narrator was excellent and, I think, perfect for this book. It's a hard listen at times so it must have been a difficult one to narrate so kudos to Tom Alexander ... you did a great job.

Overall, I would recommend this to those of you who are interested in serial killers and true crime enthusiasts and many thanks to the author, Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of this thought-provoking book.

[Elle Factes · Rating 4 out of 5]

What drives a human being to become a predator of their own kind?

Faces of Evil takes you back to the scene and shows raw details of the crime. Told in almost like a novel format, this book instantly hooked me in! I expected this to be more of a deep dive on the human psyche and psychological theories behind the killers’ motives but instead its more of a straightforward description of notable serial killers and their modus operandi.

Some of these names were familiar (thanks, buzzfeed) and others, completely new. Its a good mix of remorseless predators driven by blood lust and those who became monsters after being failed by the systems meant to protect them.

I think its a good exercise on one’s morals. Would you consider someone who killed the elderly through painkiller overdose an angel of mercy easing suffering or are they arrogant monsters playing god? Isn’t it for the greater good if the targeted victims are those who probably would end up abusing other people later on anyway?

What pushes a person to kill? For some, it’s likely self defense but for a select few, maybe its a voice inside their head or a hunger so insatiable. Perhaps there is no answer, perhaps in some, evil simply exists.

[Vincent · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
🌕🌕🌕🌗

🎯 Target Audience
- True crime fans
- Serial killers enthusiasts that aren’t looking for deep analysis, just to get to know more of them and their crimes

🧠 My thoughts
The book itself wasn’t bad, it was packed with chronological information about serial killers from the late 20th century until the early 21st century. However, I felt cheated on. In the introduction of the book and also the Storygraph description, the book was supposed to reveal the motives and why these serial killers committed their crimes but I only saw descriptions and background information instead. It felt to me that this book was just an anthology or dictionary of serial killers without analysis. I still enjoyed the book because the narrator reminded me of the narrator of my favorite serial killer podcast and it was pretty informative.

👍 What I like
- Informative and comprehensive

👎 What I don't like
- A bit dry
- There’s no analysis

Thanks NetGalley, Bolinda Audio publisher, and the authors for a great advance copy of the book in exchange for my honest review!

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this ALC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley for this ALC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I found this audiobook really enjoyable, especially as someone who is a True Crime fan. This was an engaging, informative and well written book that discusses a variety of serial killers, looking into their crimes, backgrounds and capture. Each chapter delved into a different serial killer. Having a background in Forensic Science and Criminology, I have studied most of the cases discussed in this however there were a few that I was less familiar with so I appreciated learning about them.

I liked how fast paced this was, it kept my attention and made it easy to read. I found this to be thought provoking and engaging but can appreciate the topics of discussion may not be for everyone. I will say that if you're looking for a deep dive into the serial killers this might not be the book for you as it's more of a summary.

[Becca Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for providing me with an ARC of Faces of Evil. This book was so interesting and very well done, providing a great balance between information and telling of the stories. I would say to be aware that some of the descriptions are quite vivid and graphic in places of the horrific acts of these people however the book is respectful to the victims while exploring the profile of the serial killers who committed these acts. I would say that the book doesn’t ‘unmask’ in a lot of detail but rather provides a retelling of the facts to provide the story of what happened and who the victims were, however there is some discussion about what may have motivated the murders and a profile of the killers. I personally liked this style of writing as it provided more of an overview of a range of serial killers, getting the main points across but without going into too much depth of one serial killer.

Overall a really great introductory read into a range of serial killers, some well known and some not. I would recommend this to true crime fans.