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Homicide True Crime Cases #2

Deadly Voices: The True Story of Serial Killer Herbert Mullin

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With Photos
Serial Killer Herbert Mullin terrorized the Santa Cruz, California, area at the same time the infamous Co-Ed Killer, Edmund Kemper, was active. Unlike Kemper, Mullin killed anyone. Young, old, men, women, children, and even a priest in a confession booth. He didn’t adhere to a particular MO. The deadly voices told him to kill… and he killed. Serial Killer Herbert Mullin terrorized the San Diego, California, area at the same time the infamous Co-Ed Killer, Edmund Kemper, was active. Unlike Kemper, Mullin killed anyone. Young, old, men, women, children, and even a priest in a confession booth. He didn’t adhere to a particular MO. The deadly voices told him to kill… and he killed.

142 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 7, 2015

66 people are currently reading
214 people want to read

About the author

C.L. Swinney

20 books175 followers
C. L. Swinney is the author of eleven international best-selling true crime books and a best-selling Crime Fiction series.

Chris consulted for a mini-series in Hollywood, has been interviewed several times for television and radio programs, and several of his books have been considered for television and film rights.

He donates proceeds from book sales to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Cancer research, PTSD/Military support groups, StopHungerNow.Org, and victims of violent crimes.


Find him at the following locations:

Email: theclswinney@yahoo.com
TWITTER: @clswinney
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/clswinney

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Community Reviews

5 stars
49 (29%)
4 stars
43 (25%)
3 stars
46 (27%)
2 stars
24 (14%)
1 star
5 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Ronnie Cramer.
1,031 reviews34 followers
December 27, 2015
The story of 1970s serial killer Herbert Mullin, told without great skill.
Profile Image for Bettye McKee.
2,190 reviews158 followers
December 10, 2015
You probably heard about the guy who killed people to prevent an earthquake in California. This is his story.

Herbert Mullin lost his best friend to a car accident in high school. In his grief, he got involved in drugs. It is speculated that the drugs triggered his schizophrenia and Herbert changed, in fact, became unrecognizable to his family and friends.

The voices in his head were constant and controlling. He came to believe that humans had to be sacrificed to prevent a major earthquake which would destroy California. He insisted that the voices chose the victims who were to be sacrificed and told him to kill them.

Chris Swinney has given us the complete story in understandable form. He explains the process that changed a grieving teenager into a serial killer.
56 reviews3 followers
December 15, 2015
Another Great book by CL Swinney!!

I really love the easy to read writing style of CL Swinney and the interesting subjects in his TC books. This book is about serial killer Herbert Mullin. Mullin was a little different than other serial killers that I have read about for a few reasons. One, he didn't have a type of person that he chose for a victim. Anyone was pretty much fair game to him. Another was his reasoning for what he did.. The voices ..
As always with books by this author, this one seems well researched and was very informative! A "MUST READ" in my opinion!!
Profile Image for Theresa.
340 reviews9 followers
January 12, 2016
True murder

This was an okay book about a serial killer I never heard of. The story was well written as far as it goes but I like a little more detail in the books I read. It was still a book I'm not sorry I read.
Profile Image for David.
313 reviews14 followers
May 30, 2020
More research and a properly fleshed out story line would have made this a much more compelling read. This read more like an undergrad research paper, and would have benefited greatly by better editing. It seemed very rushed and oddly repetitive for the shortness of the book.
The story of Mullin is very interesting though and provides some insight into a murderous schizophrenic. Overall glad I read it and learned a little about a serial killer I had heard nothing about.
Author 6 books35 followers
December 28, 2015
I've read all of Swinney's books so far including his true crime accounts and his crime fiction series. All are fantastic reads. This one however is my absolute favourite to date. The amount of research on this case is obvious through the details provided and the writing shines in the expert way the case is laid out for us. All fans of true crime will be very happy with this read and I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Julia Johnson.
8 reviews
April 16, 2016
Written like a book report

This book was something I read in under 30 minutes and seemed As though it was written by a child. Within it there was a reference to the killer having used a CIG to burn his own penis where the author says "it is not a normal thing to do." So grateful for the clarity! Good for a quick, non haunting (so mundane its not even disturbed-as it should be). Def wouldn't purchase, used kindle unlimited, for that its acceptable.
8 reviews
February 13, 2016
Poorly written. Confusing and choppy.

It's hard to believe anyone would give this book more than a single star; and that's being generous! It's poorly written, choppy and confusing. The author doesn't stay focused on the story line. There are so many problems with the writing I doubt it was even edited! This is truly terrible. Don't waste your time or money on this one.
Profile Image for Marsea Marcus.
8 reviews1 follower
September 4, 2018
Pretty quick read

I never heard of this killer before and, since he grew up in my hometown, i thought it would be an interesting book, and it was. The book could use a final round of editing, as there were quite a few errors and a few misplaced paragraphs that were distracting, but overall a good read.
8 reviews1 follower
January 28, 2016
Quick Read

This is my first book by Swinney, honestly, I'm not sure if I want to read more. It was a good book, but lacked the detail I'm used to when reading true crime. Not necessarily a bad thing, just different.
Profile Image for Kelly.
257 reviews7 followers
June 16, 2017
Very Interesting.

A very through account of a serial killer I had never heard of.. I do believe Herbert Mullins knew what he was doing was wrong and that he is never released from prison..
Profile Image for Tisha Griffin.
5 reviews2 followers
September 13, 2017
Kept my interest.

Anyone that follows true crime stories should enjoy this one. It held my interest and allowed me a glimpse inside the mental illness of one serial killer that should have received help long before many of these murders happened.
Profile Image for MoDonasChridhe.
334 reviews4 followers
August 10, 2018
Another good read!

True crime lovers will be glad to pick up this book as it follows the killer from crime to crime and into the judgement of a jury. Satisfying to know this guy is locked up!
37 reviews1 follower
January 17, 2016
An okay story

Delusional thoughts to craze the mind and voices giving direct orders all goes chaos and psycho in this speed read...
2 reviews
January 29, 2016
Just ok. Somewhat trite and rambling.

I would recommend if your interested in some psychology and schizophrenia and it's devastating effect on many in our population.
36 reviews2 followers
April 28, 2016
Thanks

Love to read this kind of stories. The ones that keep me wanting to know more of what happened. Thanks for sharing this story with us and God bless all of you.
18 reviews
April 5, 2017
Good

Good book couldn't put it down I recommend this book to everyone but also a sad story can't wait to read more
11 reviews
June 21, 2018
Crazy man kills 13 people. Sentenced and not likely to ever get out. No insight in this story.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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