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Inside the Mind of Ted Bundy: The West Coast Killer
A compelling examination of the psychology and motives behind one of the most notorious serial killers of the twentieth century.Ted Bundy, a failed law student and lone drifter, raped and murdered at least thirty girls and young women in five different US states.
Despite his apparent charm and intelligence and seemingly normal relationships with women, he conducted a brutal killing spree between 1974 and 1978. This was the decade during which ‘criminal profiling’ was initially developed and the term ‘serial killer’ was first used by law-enforcement agencies.
True crime writers Tanya Farber and Jeremy Daniel examine how this charming man, who was able to function so well in society, could conduct these horrific crimes.
They also uncover the cult of 'celebrity' that followed Bundy through the first televised trial in American history - and why his personality and profile has spawned so many films and TV dramas, including Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, in 2019, starring Zac Efron.
Despite his apparent charm and intelligence and seemingly normal relationships with women, he conducted a brutal killing spree between 1974 and 1978. This was the decade during which ‘criminal profiling’ was initially developed and the term ‘serial killer’ was first used by law-enforcement agencies.
True crime writers Tanya Farber and Jeremy Daniel examine how this charming man, who was able to function so well in society, could conduct these horrific crimes.
They also uncover the cult of 'celebrity' that followed Bundy through the first televised trial in American history - and why his personality and profile has spawned so many films and TV dramas, including Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, in 2019, starring Zac Efron.
219 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2025
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October 1, 2025
We serial killers are your sons, we are your husbands, we are everywhere. And there will be more of your children dead tomorrow.” – Ted Bundy
On the morning of his execution, he declined his final meal of steak, eggs, hash browns and toast. Guards shaved his head and right calf, before leading him into the death chamber. He was then strapped into the electric chair and a leather skull cap with a black hood was lowered on his head. The machine was turned on, and in that moment, the life of one of the most infamous serial killers of modern times ended.
Ted Bundy is arguably the most recognisable name in true crime history. Intelligent, manipulative, and outwardly charming, he lured victims by feigning injury or needing help, before revealing his true, monstrous nature. Convicted of three murders in the 1970s, he would go on to confess to more than 30.
Inside the Mind of Ted Bundy offers a comprehensive recap of his life and crimes, but what sets it slightly apart is its emphasis on the victims as people, not just statistics. The inclusion of survivors’ recollections provides an even deeper and more human perspective on the horrors they endured.
While the book doesn’t necessarily present groundbreaking new information (mostly compiling what’s already out there) the final chapter does shifts focus to exploring Bundy’s psyche, featuring insights and analysis from psychologists and experts.”
I haven’t read a huge number of books on Ted Bundy, so this one actually felt fresh and offered a few new insights I hadn’t come across before.
A respectful, insightful read that balances biography, psychology, and victim stories.
On the morning of his execution, he declined his final meal of steak, eggs, hash browns and toast. Guards shaved his head and right calf, before leading him into the death chamber. He was then strapped into the electric chair and a leather skull cap with a black hood was lowered on his head. The machine was turned on, and in that moment, the life of one of the most infamous serial killers of modern times ended.
Ted Bundy is arguably the most recognisable name in true crime history. Intelligent, manipulative, and outwardly charming, he lured victims by feigning injury or needing help, before revealing his true, monstrous nature. Convicted of three murders in the 1970s, he would go on to confess to more than 30.
Inside the Mind of Ted Bundy offers a comprehensive recap of his life and crimes, but what sets it slightly apart is its emphasis on the victims as people, not just statistics. The inclusion of survivors’ recollections provides an even deeper and more human perspective on the horrors they endured.
While the book doesn’t necessarily present groundbreaking new information (mostly compiling what’s already out there) the final chapter does shifts focus to exploring Bundy’s psyche, featuring insights and analysis from psychologists and experts.”
I haven’t read a huge number of books on Ted Bundy, so this one actually felt fresh and offered a few new insights I hadn’t come across before.
A respectful, insightful read that balances biography, psychology, and victim stories.
Displaying 1 of 1 review