The Co-Ed Killer: A Study of the Murders, Mutilations, and Matricide of Edmund Kemper III

by Margaret Cheney

The story of Edmund Kemper III first surfaced when at fourteen he killed his grandparents in a cool rage. After five years in a California hospital for sex offenders, this intelligent giant (IQ 136; height 6'9") emerged to carry out the meticulously rehearsed murders of six hitchhiking girls, culminating in the murder, mutilation - and more - of his mother and her friend. Tried and found guilty, Kemper was labeled sane so that he could be given a life sentence in a prison. Margaret Cheney tells a totally compelling story based on Kemper's enormously detailed confession and extensive interviews with scores of those involved with Kemper's gruesome career. At the same time she perceptively explores Kemper's twisted motivations and the implications of his crimes and trial in a culture that seems to actively promote the acceptance of savagery.

Genres: True Crime, Crime, Nonfiction

193 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Paul Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this one too. I think everyone goes through a true crime phase at some point, don't you? Oh, you don't? You never did? Are you sure? Oh. Hmmmm.

[Nicole Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book felt like one long drawn out transcript from interviews that he’s done. The writing was very mediocre, in my opinion, and often lost me when she tried to create these deep and meaningful metaphors which really lacked substance. The book was mostly objective except for when she would make random arguments for how better policies could have been in place to catch him sooner, but even those were lacking any real data. Overall- was underwhelming. 2/5.

[Ash Ross · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terribile. Wish i could give 0 stars. From the title i was expecting something adacdemic which looked into the psychology as to why edmund kemper may have committed his crimes. All the author has done is try and make it into a story and has also put many inaccurate facts in. Waste of time and money.

[Shell Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read with too many errors

This book was quite wordy. The author discussed some of the murders two, and sometimes, three times from what the news reported to what the killer said, twice.

The grammatical errors and story errors were off the charts. I had to read many sentences twice just to make sure I read it right because there was an "a", "the", etc missing.

On page 27, in the Kindle edition, the author is talking about how Kemper's grandparents went to do their monthly grocery shopping. In the next paragraph, while they are supposed to be shopping, Kemper is in the kitchen with his grandmother correcting proofs of her latest children's book. The author then goes on to discuss how Kemper shot his grandmother, again, while she was supposed to be grocery shopping. In the next paragraph, the author talks about how Kemper's grandfather drove up the driveway, stopped in front of the garage, and then started to unload the groceries. During this time, Kemper shoots him. Now, I'm not a professional author, but I do know that a person can not be at two places at once. This was a HUGE error. I actually read it three times just to make sure I was reading it correctly.

I lost interest in the book at page 27. I finished reading it, but it was a battle with all of the errors. Paying top dollar for an amazing editor would have prevented this.

Now Kemper was a pretty intelligent person, but he wasn't very smart. As you read the book, it's easy to see that.

Our criminal justice system failed all of these young women. Kemper should never have been released from the juvenile psych ward after killing his grandparents. How can anyone, whether he was 15 or 50, get released from a psych ward after a "mercy" killing? And, have his records sealed. He was intelligent enough to fool the psychiatrists at the psych ward but not smart enough to manage his life outside of it. He managed to buy a firearm after killing two innocent people while he was 15. I don't get it, but I guess I'm not supposed to.

[Ruth Harwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew the crimes. I knew the close shaves (the police actually stopped Kemper with a dead body under a coat in the passenger seat, believe it or not (not a spoiler, that's not mentioned here!). So much to know about this Californian murderer, starting with childhood and then into adulthood, this book covers the life and times of, so to speak, and highlights so many issues within 1970s America, the process of feminism and the inclusion of women into the 'valueable' population, if you will, was not easy, and the whole 1970s do show this, considering the number of men who decided to murder and/or rape these emancipated women/girls. Such a shame we had to put up with that, and still do, in the name of freedom. All people should have the right to feel free, regardless of gender, colour, religion, IQ, age, disability... we're still not there, but this book does highlight how far society has come in 40-50 years, and also, in a way, how little things have changed...
A fascinating final few chapters in this book are worth reading, even if you feel you know all about Kemper and his capture and crimes. I'm not sure it would be fascinating if you have no interest in psychology or criminology, but to me, it was amazing to read the analysis and viewpoint, so in tune with my own views. I may want to feel as boho and free as women in the 70s, tho in my 40s I'm a bit old to do 'flower power' anymore, but when I see the dysfunction displayed in much of society, I'd rather be a teen in the 90s and an adult in the new millenium. It may not be safer, there are still murderers masquerading as doctors, neighbours, helpful motorists, work colleagues... at least now, tho, we're aware they exist!
A great book, and worth reading if you have any interest in the psychological make-up of murderers and the views of the 1970s regarding mental health as well. xx

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book that explores a society driven to violence and the example of Edmund Kemper III. The direct interviews from Kemper himself illuminate what comes across as a crime that would be unthinkable to some. The line between sane and insane in the court system is a relevant topic that is still murky to this day. I found the research done on Kemper and his crimes to be thorough and at times nausea-inducing.

Cheney's discussions at the end of the book about violence, women and mental disorders brought about a lot of interesting points that should be openly discussed. How culpable are victims? Should we try to counter-act this victimitis in women to deter crime? Can diet affect how one expresses violence? These are all excellent questions that I would love to see researched in today's society.

[Kyle Cannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less preaching

The book itself is a good read until you get to the author giving her wacky opinion. For instants she says instead of housing a juvenile delinquent in a facility at a cost of $20,000 per year that it might be better spent to give that money to the family and send a child home so that they can change their social status and improve the environment in which the child was raised. LOL.

[Aggie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Such a poorly written book which is a shame as it’s the only ‘sizeable’ one about Kemper I came across. He is one of the most interesting of the serial killers and I was hoping that the book would focus more on the psychology of his acts and personality rather than just quote dry facts. I found it incredibly irksome when the author kept calling him ‘the Confessor’ and had to skim over the last few chapters as they were more boring than watching paint dry.

[Osku · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ed Kemper is such an interesting character that as long as the book is well enough written it will be a great read. This one was written well enough. Gruesome details were not left out but they were not the focus of the book either. The ending was a bit of letdown as it was not really about Kemper at all but about insanity, sociopaths and society.

[CB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ed kemper is one of the most interesting serial killers there is. Yet it is impossible to find lots of books about him as there is most other serial killers. This a great read on kemper, last few chapters were not as good which stopped me giving it a 5 star. Still a great read

[christina carlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A product of it's time. While well written the psychology used is very antiquated.

A product of it's time. While well written the psychology used is antiquated. Still worth the read as a completist on Ed Kemper but there are better materials.

[soupysaucepot · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was very excited for this read. I really enjoy learning more about psychology and true crime. The writing was so… disorganized? The writing felt all over the place. I felt like despite so much opinion being included there was no emotion in the writing. The tone just didn’t keep my interest.

[Chandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

The end of the book was terrible, I wanted to try and understand what makes Edward tick...don’t feel I got that.

[Lynn]

Boring

I've read a lot of serial killer books and I have to say I couldn't finish this one it was so boring. Will pass on the rest of series after trying to read this one

[Debra Barstad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about Edmund Kemper and his crimes. Speaking with him I found him to be very intelligent and cold. Even thou my interaction with him was via letters it just felt cold.

[Patrick Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't care for her writing style. Way too many pages on insanity/sanity instead of the crimes and trial. I was disappointed. I'm sure there are better books on the subject.

[Cecilia Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review is on Amazon. In short, excellent, terrific book. The best about Kemper I've ever read.

[fux · Rating 1 out of 5]

A typical example of the ego of the writer getting in the way of an interesting story. Do not buy

[sharon roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kemper had a Temper

Very interesting insight into the crimes of Edmund Kemper. And the broken justice System that let him out. The 1970’s were the pinnacle of serial killers.

[Beth Howard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much meandering and conjecture and useless metaphor to be well done. Kemper's confessions did all the heavy lifting on this one.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating

An interesting read on the crimes and psychology of Edmund Emil Kemper . Not for the faint hearted or squeamish.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chosen as part of Linz the Bookworm's 2021 Reading Challenge for prompt #1 "Read a book obtained from Kindle Unlimited, Audible, Amazon First Reads, Paperback Swap, or the Library"

This has been sitting in my TBR pile for about a year now, I originally started it and was about 20% through, I have finally completed it and can say I give it a 3.5 stars out of 5.

The book is very well written but a lot of the facts presented in the book have since been corrected by Ed Kemper himself, the author also didn't have the chance to speak with Kemper directly as he declined any interviews so all the information obtained is secondhand and can easily be found via Google and YouTube.

Regardless the book is still very informative and insightful when it comes to Criminal Psychology and Psychiatry, definitely worth the read for any true crime fan.

[♥ Marlene♥]

I enjoyed reading this book but stupid me did not review it immediately and read 2 other books and now I forgot my thoughts. I am getting too old. ;)