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Twelve From Hell 3: The Ultimate True Crime Case Collection
TWELVE CHILLING TRUE CRIME STORIES FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR RYAN GREEN
This Ultimate True Crime Case Collection contains disturbing accounts of some of the most brutal and bizarre true crime stories in history. Told from the killer’s perspective, Green’s riveting narratives draw the reader into the real-life horror experienced by the victims, with all the elements of a classic thriller. Within this collection, you’ll
Drop Dead The Lethal Attraction of Road Trip Killer, Paul John Knowles
Butcher, Biter, A True Story of Madness, Mutilation and Unspeakable Acts of Brutality
Outback The Dark Legacy of Australia’s Backpacker Killer, Ivan Milat
Seeking Love, Lust and the Secrets in the Ashes
The Monster A True Story of Bloodthirst, Brutality and Barbaric Evil
Behind the Lens of the ‘Dating Game Killer’
The Baby Farm The Terrifying Case of the Angel-Maker, Amelia Dyer
The The True Story of Alaska's Most Notorious Serial Killer, Robert Hansen
I Hear A Descent into the Dark Half of Psychotic Killer, Herbert Mullin
Angel of Uncover The Darkness of Nightmare Nurse, Jane Toppan
The The True Crime Story of Six Women, One Monster, and the Nightmare Below
Caged The Psychopath Who Killed Behind Bars
This Ultimate True Crime Case Collection contains disturbing accounts of some of the most brutal and bizarre true crime stories in history. Told from the killer’s perspective, Green’s riveting narratives draw the reader into the real-life horror experienced by the victims, with all the elements of a classic thriller. Within this collection, you’ll
Drop Dead The Lethal Attraction of Road Trip Killer, Paul John Knowles
Butcher, Biter, A True Story of Madness, Mutilation and Unspeakable Acts of Brutality
Outback The Dark Legacy of Australia’s Backpacker Killer, Ivan Milat
Seeking Love, Lust and the Secrets in the Ashes
The Monster A True Story of Bloodthirst, Brutality and Barbaric Evil
Behind the Lens of the ‘Dating Game Killer’
The Baby Farm The Terrifying Case of the Angel-Maker, Amelia Dyer
The The True Story of Alaska's Most Notorious Serial Killer, Robert Hansen
I Hear A Descent into the Dark Half of Psychotic Killer, Herbert Mullin
Angel of Uncover The Darkness of Nightmare Nurse, Jane Toppan
The The True Crime Story of Six Women, One Monster, and the Nightmare Below
Caged The Psychopath Who Killed Behind Bars
1483 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 9, 2025
Another True Crime Masterpiece
Ryan Green is one of my favorite true crime authors, and Twelve from Hell 3 just reminded me why. His books are always so well researched, gripping, and respectful, and this one kept me hooked from start to finish.
The cases covered here are dark and unsettling, yet Ryan has a way of writing that makes them both readable and deeply human. He never sensationalises but instead gives you the facts in a way that makes you think and feel. That balance is what makes his work stand out from so many other true crime writers.
Every time I pick up one of his books, I know I’m going to get a chilling but thoughtful account that lingers with me long after I’ve finished. Twelve from Hell 3 is no exception I couldn’t put it down. A must-read for any true crime fans. Thanks to Ryan Green for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Ryan Green is one of my favorite true crime authors, and Twelve from Hell 3 just reminded me why. His books are always so well researched, gripping, and respectful, and this one kept me hooked from start to finish.
The cases covered here are dark and unsettling, yet Ryan has a way of writing that makes them both readable and deeply human. He never sensationalises but instead gives you the facts in a way that makes you think and feel. That balance is what makes his work stand out from so many other true crime writers.
Every time I pick up one of his books, I know I’m going to get a chilling but thoughtful account that lingers with me long after I’ve finished. Twelve from Hell 3 is no exception I couldn’t put it down. A must-read for any true crime fans. Thanks to Ryan Green for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 3, 2025
A killer collection…
This volume includes 12 full length books, each centered on a different individual who has committed acts so monstrous as to defy the imagination of any sane person. Ryan Green is an extremely popular author in the true crime genre having long ago solidified his reputation by curating his own signature blend of meticulous research, unwavering attention to detail, and profoundly insightful psychological analyses of some of the very worst individuals staining the ledger of humanity. Each story presented is then set to the page with the smooth prose of a seasoned novelist providing the reader with truly mesmerizing biographies of these diabolical miscreants of mankind. The stories are not told from the perspective of investigators, reporters, or lawyers, but instead, are mostly relayed from the point of view of the killers themselves, which is yet another trademark distinguishing this author from his peers. Having read the work of several stars of the true crime genre, I can say with confidence that this massive compilation of sobering stories will satisfy your desire for the eloquent writing style and tireless advocacy for the victims and their families that you may admire in the works of Gregg Olsen. It will provide the keen psychological insights many of us appreciate when reading John E. Douglas or Ann Rule and if, like me, you enjoy the writing style of David Grann, you will be quite impressed with Mr. Green’s ability to take headlining historical events and turn them into incredibly immersive and supremely compelling narratives that leave you feeling like you were watching everything unfold right in front of your eyes. I give you fair warning though, a wide range of emotions will be evoked no matter how hard you try to stifle them. This is a killer collection (pun intended) that I recommend to all. Five stars is simply not enough!
Included within this compendium are:
DROP DEAD DANGEROUS – This first title in the collection offers a completely captivating look at the life of Paul John Knowles who came to be known as “the Casanova Killer” due to his charm and good looks. One British journalist referred to him as a “dreamboat” not realizing that beneath his rugged good looks lurked a serial killer responsible for eighteen horrifying deaths (though he claimed credit for many more).
BUTCHER BITER SPY – In a perfect example of Ryan Green’s astonishing skill in bringing to life in vivid, bone-chilling detail the horrendously violent crimes of a diabolically deranged man, the book focuses on Fritz Haarman of Germany circa WWI. This man’s callous disregard for human life earned him the ghoulish moniker “The Butcher of Hanover.” The story of his grisly slaughter of at least two dozen young men (if not more) will haunt you for some time to come.
OUTBACK OUTLAW – The horrifying hazards of hitchhiking are clearly brought to life in this examination of Australia’s infamous “Backpacker Killer,” Ivan Milat. He offered young hitchhikers rides that took them not to their requested destinations but to their grisly ends. No one knows if all his victims were ever found.
SEEKING HEARTS – This is the tale of a truly unique monster, Henri Désiré Landru, a French serial killer of notable intellect and considerable magnetism. His ability to charm women out of their financial assets and then dispatch them without a second thought earned him the nickname “Bluebeard of Gambais.”
THE MONSTER WITHIN – This detailed examination of the horrific life and crimes of Peter Kürten, historically known as "The Vampire of Düsseldorf" and the "Düsseldorf Monster," gives new meaning to the term cringeworthy. Given the ghastly treatment he received at the hands of his brutish father, it is little wonder that Peter developed into a being of boundless sadistic rage devoid of any moral compass to reign in his gruesome appetites. Be advised that this book is difficult to read in places due to the grisly nature of Peter’s depravity.
SMILE – The subject of this story is the incredibly twisted but largely forgotten Rodney Alcala. Most people, if they remember him at all, remember him as someone who charmed a bachelorette into choosing him for her date on ‘The Dating Game’ TV show back in the ‘70s and was later discovered to be a cold-blooded serial killer. His story will chill you to the very marrow of your bones.
THE BABY FARM MURDERS – Prepare for an unforgettable and terrifying tale as you read about Amelia Elizabeth Hobley’s transformation from a pitiable child into the “Ogress of Reading,” one of Victorian England’s most infamous baby farmers. The profound impact that can be made on so many lives by one evil woman plying the most vile of trades is unfathomable. This detailed account of her crimes against the most vulnerable and innocent of our society has haunted me since I first read her story.
THE HUNT – This is an utterly compelling examination of the life and crimes of a modern serial killer, Robert “Bob” Christian Hansen, a seemingly gentle, slightly awkward family man who ran a bakery in Anchorage, Alaska, and was known in his community for his exceptional hunting skills. Skills he perfected in such a way as to shock the world when his hobby came to light. Active from the early ‘70s to the early ‘80s, it is interesting that one of his victims was only identified four years ago (in 2021).
I HEAR VOICES - Utilizing his unique skill for transporting the reader into the mind of a serial killer, Ryan Green ushers the reader through the convoluted thought processes of Herbert Mullin, a supremely disturbed individual who believed that the human blood he spilled would mollify an enraged Mother Earth and prevent her extermination of all humanity. He saw himself as a leader, a savior, and the solitary hope of mankind. Others saw him quite differently. Lock your doors and turn on the lights when you read this one.
ANGEL OF DEATH – Healthcare professionals have contributed more serial killers to the darker pages of history than any other profession and it is into these chilling waters Ryan Green delves with the biography of Jane Toppan, a highly respected nurse who, in one of the most scandalous confessions of the 1900s, explicitly detailed how she killed no fewer than thirty-one people. She also admitted to wanting to be known for killing more helpless people than anyone else and to having experienced a degree of sexual arousal from her actions. There are wonderful caregivers out there, just not in this story.
THE PIT – A positively riveting account of the life of Gary Heidnik, a man in possession of superior intelligence and a highly inflated ego but completely bereft of morals or conscience. He established his own church to amass funds and gain the full trust of his female followers, some of whom found out just how monstrous he was beneath that veneer of charm and respectability. The steadfast belief in his absolute superiority compelled him to commit himself to the pursuit of his own immortality by way of procreation via imprisonment, torture, and rape. Heidnik’s mode of confinement was so shocking in nature that it later became Thomas Harris’ inspiration for the basement pit of Jame "Buffalo Bill" Gumb in The Silence of the Lambs.
CAGED KILLER – This chilling story examines the life of Marvin Gayle Gray, a man strong enough to have been a world renowned powerlifting champion but, instead, he chose to be a vicious predator. His is an unusual story in that most, though not all, of his victims were fellow inmates. This freight train of a man was once considered the most dangerous prisoner in the state of Colorado where he was serving a life sentence. His traumatic childhood, his insecurities, his remarkable discipline, and his transformation into a figure of obscene violence are fully and vividly described with such clarity that you will close the book feeling as if you just watched a feature length movie about this man’s life and horrific deeds.
In truth, I did not purchase this compilation but that is only because I had purchased each of these books as they were published. If you have not collected all of them already, this is an excellent opportunity to expand your true crime collection with some of the best this genre has to offer.
This volume includes 12 full length books, each centered on a different individual who has committed acts so monstrous as to defy the imagination of any sane person. Ryan Green is an extremely popular author in the true crime genre having long ago solidified his reputation by curating his own signature blend of meticulous research, unwavering attention to detail, and profoundly insightful psychological analyses of some of the very worst individuals staining the ledger of humanity. Each story presented is then set to the page with the smooth prose of a seasoned novelist providing the reader with truly mesmerizing biographies of these diabolical miscreants of mankind. The stories are not told from the perspective of investigators, reporters, or lawyers, but instead, are mostly relayed from the point of view of the killers themselves, which is yet another trademark distinguishing this author from his peers. Having read the work of several stars of the true crime genre, I can say with confidence that this massive compilation of sobering stories will satisfy your desire for the eloquent writing style and tireless advocacy for the victims and their families that you may admire in the works of Gregg Olsen. It will provide the keen psychological insights many of us appreciate when reading John E. Douglas or Ann Rule and if, like me, you enjoy the writing style of David Grann, you will be quite impressed with Mr. Green’s ability to take headlining historical events and turn them into incredibly immersive and supremely compelling narratives that leave you feeling like you were watching everything unfold right in front of your eyes. I give you fair warning though, a wide range of emotions will be evoked no matter how hard you try to stifle them. This is a killer collection (pun intended) that I recommend to all. Five stars is simply not enough!
Included within this compendium are:
DROP DEAD DANGEROUS – This first title in the collection offers a completely captivating look at the life of Paul John Knowles who came to be known as “the Casanova Killer” due to his charm and good looks. One British journalist referred to him as a “dreamboat” not realizing that beneath his rugged good looks lurked a serial killer responsible for eighteen horrifying deaths (though he claimed credit for many more).
BUTCHER BITER SPY – In a perfect example of Ryan Green’s astonishing skill in bringing to life in vivid, bone-chilling detail the horrendously violent crimes of a diabolically deranged man, the book focuses on Fritz Haarman of Germany circa WWI. This man’s callous disregard for human life earned him the ghoulish moniker “The Butcher of Hanover.” The story of his grisly slaughter of at least two dozen young men (if not more) will haunt you for some time to come.
OUTBACK OUTLAW – The horrifying hazards of hitchhiking are clearly brought to life in this examination of Australia’s infamous “Backpacker Killer,” Ivan Milat. He offered young hitchhikers rides that took them not to their requested destinations but to their grisly ends. No one knows if all his victims were ever found.
SEEKING HEARTS – This is the tale of a truly unique monster, Henri Désiré Landru, a French serial killer of notable intellect and considerable magnetism. His ability to charm women out of their financial assets and then dispatch them without a second thought earned him the nickname “Bluebeard of Gambais.”
THE MONSTER WITHIN – This detailed examination of the horrific life and crimes of Peter Kürten, historically known as "The Vampire of Düsseldorf" and the "Düsseldorf Monster," gives new meaning to the term cringeworthy. Given the ghastly treatment he received at the hands of his brutish father, it is little wonder that Peter developed into a being of boundless sadistic rage devoid of any moral compass to reign in his gruesome appetites. Be advised that this book is difficult to read in places due to the grisly nature of Peter’s depravity.
SMILE – The subject of this story is the incredibly twisted but largely forgotten Rodney Alcala. Most people, if they remember him at all, remember him as someone who charmed a bachelorette into choosing him for her date on ‘The Dating Game’ TV show back in the ‘70s and was later discovered to be a cold-blooded serial killer. His story will chill you to the very marrow of your bones.
THE BABY FARM MURDERS – Prepare for an unforgettable and terrifying tale as you read about Amelia Elizabeth Hobley’s transformation from a pitiable child into the “Ogress of Reading,” one of Victorian England’s most infamous baby farmers. The profound impact that can be made on so many lives by one evil woman plying the most vile of trades is unfathomable. This detailed account of her crimes against the most vulnerable and innocent of our society has haunted me since I first read her story.
THE HUNT – This is an utterly compelling examination of the life and crimes of a modern serial killer, Robert “Bob” Christian Hansen, a seemingly gentle, slightly awkward family man who ran a bakery in Anchorage, Alaska, and was known in his community for his exceptional hunting skills. Skills he perfected in such a way as to shock the world when his hobby came to light. Active from the early ‘70s to the early ‘80s, it is interesting that one of his victims was only identified four years ago (in 2021).
I HEAR VOICES - Utilizing his unique skill for transporting the reader into the mind of a serial killer, Ryan Green ushers the reader through the convoluted thought processes of Herbert Mullin, a supremely disturbed individual who believed that the human blood he spilled would mollify an enraged Mother Earth and prevent her extermination of all humanity. He saw himself as a leader, a savior, and the solitary hope of mankind. Others saw him quite differently. Lock your doors and turn on the lights when you read this one.
ANGEL OF DEATH – Healthcare professionals have contributed more serial killers to the darker pages of history than any other profession and it is into these chilling waters Ryan Green delves with the biography of Jane Toppan, a highly respected nurse who, in one of the most scandalous confessions of the 1900s, explicitly detailed how she killed no fewer than thirty-one people. She also admitted to wanting to be known for killing more helpless people than anyone else and to having experienced a degree of sexual arousal from her actions. There are wonderful caregivers out there, just not in this story.
THE PIT – A positively riveting account of the life of Gary Heidnik, a man in possession of superior intelligence and a highly inflated ego but completely bereft of morals or conscience. He established his own church to amass funds and gain the full trust of his female followers, some of whom found out just how monstrous he was beneath that veneer of charm and respectability. The steadfast belief in his absolute superiority compelled him to commit himself to the pursuit of his own immortality by way of procreation via imprisonment, torture, and rape. Heidnik’s mode of confinement was so shocking in nature that it later became Thomas Harris’ inspiration for the basement pit of Jame "Buffalo Bill" Gumb in The Silence of the Lambs.
CAGED KILLER – This chilling story examines the life of Marvin Gayle Gray, a man strong enough to have been a world renowned powerlifting champion but, instead, he chose to be a vicious predator. His is an unusual story in that most, though not all, of his victims were fellow inmates. This freight train of a man was once considered the most dangerous prisoner in the state of Colorado where he was serving a life sentence. His traumatic childhood, his insecurities, his remarkable discipline, and his transformation into a figure of obscene violence are fully and vividly described with such clarity that you will close the book feeling as if you just watched a feature length movie about this man’s life and horrific deeds.
In truth, I did not purchase this compilation but that is only because I had purchased each of these books as they were published. If you have not collected all of them already, this is an excellent opportunity to expand your true crime collection with some of the best this genre has to offer.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews