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Real-Life Monsters: A Psychological Examination of the Serial Murderer
Real-Life A Psychological Examination of the Serial Murderer takes a different approach than most titles on a similar the author develops and proposes an original psychological explanation, rather than simply repeating some of the long-held theories for these criminals' heinous actions. The work addresses current issues, presents detailed commentary and personal observation, and contains photographs that will fascinate general readers interested in the subjects of true crime, serial killers, and psychopathology. The first part of the book carefully examines the research past and present regarding clinical, psychological, societal, and biological bases for violent behavior, specific to the serial murderer. Part two establishes a novel theory of the pattern of violence and then explores this hypothesis through eight case studies, interviews with serial killers, and elemental analysis. The work also contains a chapter based on conversations between the author and a convicted serial murderer.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 5, 2025
The first half of this book gives an overview with case studies of the theories of the causes of violent behavior with a focus on serial killers. Bed-wetting, fire setting and animal abuse were among the commonly shared traits of most of the killers. Pornography is also covered, with the final interview of Ted Bundy by "Dr." James Dobson. The religious fanatic used it to promote his campaign to rid our society of porn; good luck with that mission.
It is onto the killer profiles and it begins with the Russian, Andrei Chikatilo. HBO had an excellent film on him with the title of "Citizen X." He killed at least 53 people, men, women and children and sometimes boiled their body parts for a tasty dinner.
Next up is Vietnam vet Arthur Shawcross. He claimed that he killed women there, and like Chikatilo , practiced necrophilia. He was sent to Greenhaven, a prison not far from me in Stormville, NY.
Jeffrey Dahmer needs no introduction as his case has been the subject of both books and films. His mother was addicted to prescription drugs during her pregnancy with him, and like our two previous winners, another man who loved the dead, both for sex(Alice Cooper, "I Love the Dead.") and as dinner ingredients.
“I just wondered how it would feel to shoot Grandma” is still one of my favorite lines. It was uttered by Edmund Kemper at the age of fifteen at his confession after shooting her and Grandpa. Released as " cured" after five years in a mental institution, the six- foot-nine-280 pound monster went on a killing spree of college coeds. He cut off his mother's head and raped her torso; some anger management, dude!
Anthony Sowell is the only Black killer profiled and he was caught with several rotting corpses in his Cleveland home. Most of the victims were crack addicts. The former U.S Marine was an alcoholic whose mother had five kids by the age of eighteen.
Aileen Wuornos turned the tables, as hookers are frequently the victims of crime and she killed seven of her Johns. Mom was just fifteen and dad in prison when Aileen was born; not much of a promising start and it did not end well.
Dennis Rader is another one with more than one book, including one by his daughter.
The "BTK Killer" would bind, torture and kill his prey. Cool acronym.
Rodney Alcala became known as the "Dating Game Killer." He had won his segment but the woman refused the date. Like Ted Bundy, the charismatic and intelligent man defended himself at trial with much the same result.
The final killer wished to remain anonymous and is referred to as "Rick." During interviews on death row, the man convicted of ten murders explained that he believed that we all share a primitive nature which can be unleashed at any point. At the age ten, he was allowed to watch graphic horror films. Combined with pornography, his trigger was unleashed. I would like to know if he has been executed.
The King gets one of the final quotes and it is used verbatim during a scene in the excellent film, "No Man of God." G-Man Robert Ressler asks what it feels like to kill someone and the actor Luke Kirby delivers the lines with deadly accuracy. "You feel the last bit of breath leaving their body. You’re looking into their eyes. A person in that situation is God. You possess them and they shall forever be a part of you."
—Ted Bundy
It is onto the killer profiles and it begins with the Russian, Andrei Chikatilo. HBO had an excellent film on him with the title of "Citizen X." He killed at least 53 people, men, women and children and sometimes boiled their body parts for a tasty dinner.
Next up is Vietnam vet Arthur Shawcross. He claimed that he killed women there, and like Chikatilo , practiced necrophilia. He was sent to Greenhaven, a prison not far from me in Stormville, NY.
Jeffrey Dahmer needs no introduction as his case has been the subject of both books and films. His mother was addicted to prescription drugs during her pregnancy with him, and like our two previous winners, another man who loved the dead, both for sex(Alice Cooper, "I Love the Dead.") and as dinner ingredients.
“I just wondered how it would feel to shoot Grandma” is still one of my favorite lines. It was uttered by Edmund Kemper at the age of fifteen at his confession after shooting her and Grandpa. Released as " cured" after five years in a mental institution, the six- foot-nine-280 pound monster went on a killing spree of college coeds. He cut off his mother's head and raped her torso; some anger management, dude!
Anthony Sowell is the only Black killer profiled and he was caught with several rotting corpses in his Cleveland home. Most of the victims were crack addicts. The former U.S Marine was an alcoholic whose mother had five kids by the age of eighteen.
Aileen Wuornos turned the tables, as hookers are frequently the victims of crime and she killed seven of her Johns. Mom was just fifteen and dad in prison when Aileen was born; not much of a promising start and it did not end well.
Dennis Rader is another one with more than one book, including one by his daughter.
The "BTK Killer" would bind, torture and kill his prey. Cool acronym.
Rodney Alcala became known as the "Dating Game Killer." He had won his segment but the woman refused the date. Like Ted Bundy, the charismatic and intelligent man defended himself at trial with much the same result.
The final killer wished to remain anonymous and is referred to as "Rick." During interviews on death row, the man convicted of ten murders explained that he believed that we all share a primitive nature which can be unleashed at any point. At the age ten, he was allowed to watch graphic horror films. Combined with pornography, his trigger was unleashed. I would like to know if he has been executed.
The King gets one of the final quotes and it is used verbatim during a scene in the excellent film, "No Man of God." G-Man Robert Ressler asks what it feels like to kill someone and the actor Luke Kirby delivers the lines with deadly accuracy. "You feel the last bit of breath leaving their body. You’re looking into their eyes. A person in that situation is God. You possess them and they shall forever be a part of you."
—Ted Bundy
October 19, 2015
This is a serious book but highly readable for anyone interested in the 'why' of serial murder. This is one of the best books on this topic that I have read and I have read a great many! It offers a comprehensive review of the different areas of research into serial murder. Most books on this subject will be by people with a myopic view of the issue centred around their area of expertise which almost always suffers from tunnel vision. The author considers nature/nurture aspects, reviews eight case studies, develops a model and proposes serial murder as a diagnosable condition.
There are no wasted words in this book and reads like a much thicker book. There's just no filler and every sentence has some meat to it. Wording is very concise and clear and the book is well organized and referenced.
Refreshing!
One of the things that really stands out is the author's willingness to be flexible in his thinking; to reconsider his theory when new information comes along including what a serial killer has to say! It's a refreshing change to read a book by someone in this field who comes across as genuinely interested in contributing to the solution with no egotistical agenda in sight or defensive posturing unlike some books I could name.
Riveting!
The conversations he has with the un-named serial killer are riveting both for what the killer has to say and for the interaction between the two of them. The serial killer is an unusual one; not your typical grandiose, attention seeking, self-absobed psychopath. I would love to hear more! I hope there's a sequel.
There's a review/summary of the book by Katherine Ramsland, on her blog called Shadow Boxing on Psychology Today. The article is entitled “Homicidal Pattern Disorder”. I found it helpful.
As Ramsland says, it's a serious book but it's a fascinating one too!
There are no wasted words in this book and reads like a much thicker book. There's just no filler and every sentence has some meat to it. Wording is very concise and clear and the book is well organized and referenced.
Refreshing!
One of the things that really stands out is the author's willingness to be flexible in his thinking; to reconsider his theory when new information comes along including what a serial killer has to say! It's a refreshing change to read a book by someone in this field who comes across as genuinely interested in contributing to the solution with no egotistical agenda in sight or defensive posturing unlike some books I could name.
Riveting!
The conversations he has with the un-named serial killer are riveting both for what the killer has to say and for the interaction between the two of them. The serial killer is an unusual one; not your typical grandiose, attention seeking, self-absobed psychopath. I would love to hear more! I hope there's a sequel.
There's a review/summary of the book by Katherine Ramsland, on her blog called Shadow Boxing on Psychology Today. The article is entitled “Homicidal Pattern Disorder”. I found it helpful.
As Ramsland says, it's a serious book but it's a fascinating one too!
August 23, 2019
Good synthesis of cases
The psychology theories like diathesis stress model and nurture vs nature debate has been long established. The author is just writing down their applications in crimes.
The psychology theories like diathesis stress model and nurture vs nature debate has been long established. The author is just writing down their applications in crimes.
February 25, 2025
nature vs nurture debate, psychological & pathological dissection of human nature :P
August 2, 2017
Fascinating read - enjoyed the way this was broken up and dove into different personality disorders and case studies. It all tied together wonderfully. The interview with a serial killer towards the end was also very interesting but I wish the author had given more of his opinion as well.
May 21, 2013
A fascinating read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews