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Edmund Kemper: The True Story of The Brutal Co-ed Butcher
Real Crime by Real Killers
A series where we explore how normal individuals turned their darkest fantasies into a reality.
Edmund Emil Kemper III achieved notoriety as a serial killer when he took the lives of 10 people between August 27, 1964, and April 21, 1973. His victims included his adoptive grandparents, six co-eds from the University of Santa Cruz, his mother, and his mother's friend. This book explored the life of Kemper from his abusive childhood to his sentencing in November 1973.
The horror of Kemper's actions go beyond the killing of his victims; it was what he did with his victims' bodies after killing them. Necrophilia, cannibalism, and dismemberment were all part his routine in his attempts to satiate his morbid desires. Just as terrifying as his dark fantasies were his ability to appear and function as an average person, allowing him to avoid raising suspicion in those he interacted with, including law enforcement.
Contrary to the myth that serial killers kill indiscriminately, Kemper’s killing spree may have been rooted in the hatred that he felt for his mother. In an interview after his capture, he admitted that he was intentionally developing his killing skills with each co-ed that he killed. He was training for the ultimate murder, which was the killing of his mother.
From beginning to end, the book provides insights to why Kemper became a serial killer as well his mindset behind the killings.
A series where we explore how normal individuals turned their darkest fantasies into a reality.
Edmund Emil Kemper III achieved notoriety as a serial killer when he took the lives of 10 people between August 27, 1964, and April 21, 1973. His victims included his adoptive grandparents, six co-eds from the University of Santa Cruz, his mother, and his mother's friend. This book explored the life of Kemper from his abusive childhood to his sentencing in November 1973.
The horror of Kemper's actions go beyond the killing of his victims; it was what he did with his victims' bodies after killing them. Necrophilia, cannibalism, and dismemberment were all part his routine in his attempts to satiate his morbid desires. Just as terrifying as his dark fantasies were his ability to appear and function as an average person, allowing him to avoid raising suspicion in those he interacted with, including law enforcement.
Contrary to the myth that serial killers kill indiscriminately, Kemper’s killing spree may have been rooted in the hatred that he felt for his mother. In an interview after his capture, he admitted that he was intentionally developing his killing skills with each co-ed that he killed. He was training for the ultimate murder, which was the killing of his mother.
From beginning to end, the book provides insights to why Kemper became a serial killer as well his mindset behind the killings.
85 pages, Paperback
First published July 24, 2017
252 people are currently reading
464 people want to read
About the author
Ryan Becker
39 books81 followersRyan Becker is a True Crime author who started his writing journey in late 2016. Like many of you, he loves to explore the process of how individuals turn their darkest fantasies into a reality.
Ryan has always had a passion for storytelling. So, writing is the best output for him to combine his fascination with psychology and true crime. It is Ryan’s goal for his readers to experience the full immersion with the dark reality of the world just like how he used to do it in his younger days.
Now with his small team, Ryan wishes to push the storytelling even further with other passionate writers and together they can leave a mark on the reader with their various storytelling styles.
To reach out or just to say hi you can email him at Ryanbecker@ryanbeckerwrites.com.
Ryan has always had a passion for storytelling. So, writing is the best output for him to combine his fascination with psychology and true crime. It is Ryan’s goal for his readers to experience the full immersion with the dark reality of the world just like how he used to do it in his younger days.
Now with his small team, Ryan wishes to push the storytelling even further with other passionate writers and together they can leave a mark on the reader with their various storytelling styles.
To reach out or just to say hi you can email him at Ryanbecker@ryanbeckerwrites.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
January 24, 2018
Twisted True Crime!
This was a real good true crime book! I hadn't read anything by this author before but I will from now on. Very detailed information and fast paced story about serial killer Edmund Kemper.
This was a very sick and twisted individual as he would pick up hitchhikers, kidnapping them, then would kill them by decapitation and dismemberment.
He started his killing spree when he was very young and as he grew older he became a walking nightmare.
This book would be considered a short story, but the author did a fantastic job of fitting every detail of the crimes and trial into this book. Four stars for this one.
This was a real good true crime book! I hadn't read anything by this author before but I will from now on. Very detailed information and fast paced story about serial killer Edmund Kemper.
This was a very sick and twisted individual as he would pick up hitchhikers, kidnapping them, then would kill them by decapitation and dismemberment.
He started his killing spree when he was very young and as he grew older he became a walking nightmare.
This book would be considered a short story, but the author did a fantastic job of fitting every detail of the crimes and trial into this book. Four stars for this one.
October 31, 2018
Anyone with an interest in true crime or the psychological study of people committed of killing, will find Edmund Kemper a particularly fascinating person to study.
Everything about him from his childhood upbringing to his impossibly high IQ and likeable personality make him quite fascinating, before you’ve even contemplated the horrific crimes he committed.
Why then, I wonder, was this book such a waste of time.
There was an opportunity here to really inform us of Ed Kemper and his life, but instead we were presented with an inadequate, rambling, and non conclusive account - I feel this is a huge wasted opportunity.
Very disappointing.
Everything about him from his childhood upbringing to his impossibly high IQ and likeable personality make him quite fascinating, before you’ve even contemplated the horrific crimes he committed.
Why then, I wonder, was this book such a waste of time.
There was an opportunity here to really inform us of Ed Kemper and his life, but instead we were presented with an inadequate, rambling, and non conclusive account - I feel this is a huge wasted opportunity.
Very disappointing.
January 24, 2019
Just read the wikipedia entry and skip this, if you're interested.
August 12, 2018
Big Ed has such disdain for his mother, he was unable to form a normal relationship with any woman. Grandmother was not much better. His murderous spree was quite gruesome for the killing was just the beginning of his crimes. It was surprising he turned himself in. Storyline held my attention throughout
September 30, 2019
I liked it.
A short true crime story of the serial killer Edmund Kemper. It starts from the very beginning as a child, to being incarcerated. It also tells a little bit of his life inside prison.
A short true crime story of the serial killer Edmund Kemper. It starts from the very beginning as a child, to being incarcerated. It also tells a little bit of his life inside prison.
December 27, 2024
It was ok. I knew all of it, nothing was added. Doesn't mean it's a bad book for someone who didn't know about him and his doings.
Book #69 of 2024..
Book #69 of 2024..
August 7, 2017
An interesting look at Edmund Kemper III
Big Ed, at 6' 9", is one of the more interesting serial killers. Raised by an abusive mother who constantly berated and demeaned him, Ed had no self-esteem or feelings of self-worth.
With ten murders under his belt, he is currently serving eight life sentences in California.
His mother's name is Clarnell rather than Carnell.
25
Big Ed, at 6' 9", is one of the more interesting serial killers. Raised by an abusive mother who constantly berated and demeaned him, Ed had no self-esteem or feelings of self-worth.
With ten murders under his belt, he is currently serving eight life sentences in California.
His mother's name is Clarnell rather than Carnell.
25
January 8, 2022
Edmund Kemper by, Ryan Becker.
The story of Edmund Kemper is an illustration of how individuals can slip through the cracks of society, resulting in deadly consequences. The evil that drove Edmund to claim ten lives was the product of a tragic history.
I've became fascinated with serial killers at a young age. Especially in the olden times, like H.H. Holmes and Elizabeth Bathory, etc. Though I don't condone what they've done, it was the motivation they had in committing these horrendous crimes. We could never get the full knowledge as to why. No one can solve it. We also get the chance to at least understand the background of each serial killer.
As for Edmund Kemper, it was bound to happen due to his parents, but more likely due to his mother. His mother actually drove him into madness. It hit a certain point in his life and he snapped. I understand what he means. For example, my mom is the same way, which I won't get into. Though, have I committed an act as Edmund Kemper? The answer is no. Sometimes we need the number one remedy, "Self-control". I do feel bad for Edmund. He is a sweet man and no one given him a chance in life, not even his mother who constantly mentally abused him. Then to have his grandmother the same way. Child abuse 100% is what I'm seeing throughout his life and nothing was done to save him. He mentally went into a downward spiral. Again, I can relate. I wish he was given more love growing up by his family instead of being neglected. No one, even if it bothers you of their crimes, cannot blame them one bit sometimes. You have to put yourself in their shoes to understand fully of their actions.
The story of Edmund Kemper is an illustration of how individuals can slip through the cracks of society, resulting in deadly consequences. The evil that drove Edmund to claim ten lives was the product of a tragic history.
I've became fascinated with serial killers at a young age. Especially in the olden times, like H.H. Holmes and Elizabeth Bathory, etc. Though I don't condone what they've done, it was the motivation they had in committing these horrendous crimes. We could never get the full knowledge as to why. No one can solve it. We also get the chance to at least understand the background of each serial killer.
As for Edmund Kemper, it was bound to happen due to his parents, but more likely due to his mother. His mother actually drove him into madness. It hit a certain point in his life and he snapped. I understand what he means. For example, my mom is the same way, which I won't get into. Though, have I committed an act as Edmund Kemper? The answer is no. Sometimes we need the number one remedy, "Self-control". I do feel bad for Edmund. He is a sweet man and no one given him a chance in life, not even his mother who constantly mentally abused him. Then to have his grandmother the same way. Child abuse 100% is what I'm seeing throughout his life and nothing was done to save him. He mentally went into a downward spiral. Again, I can relate. I wish he was given more love growing up by his family instead of being neglected. No one, even if it bothers you of their crimes, cannot blame them one bit sometimes. You have to put yourself in their shoes to understand fully of their actions.
June 16, 2018
The book is full of inaccuracies.
September 6, 2020
Apart from the well-crafted, smooth introduction, the book was erroneously drafted in an awfully short read.
All the information about the Co-ed Killer a.k.a Edmund Ellis Kemper iii in Ryan Becker's book can be found on either Wikipedia or Netflix's Mindhunter. There was clearly nothing outstanding.
Before I started reading this, I knew Ed Kemper & his life history via., the Netflix's show. Having watched it during 2017, I was curious about these mass murderers. Since then, I have watched every interview by Ed on YouTube, the documentary movie "Kemper on Kemper" directed by Matthew Watts, John Douglas' videos on Ed. Been self-taught about The co-ed killer, I gathered more interesting facts about Ed than Ryan Becker.
Ed Kemper surrendered himself on 24th April 1973. He is the only serial killer to have surrendered in the history. Decapitating 6 Co-ed, his mother & her friend, including his paternal grandparents, he has viciously murdered 10 people and engaged in voyeurism. Surprisingly enough, he is polite, witty, a huge talker, & an interesting person. None of these facets are found in Becker's book. It's plain life history of Ed Kemper.
If you're someone who hasn't watched Mindhunter, this book is a decent read for shedding light on the traumatic childhood of Ed Kemper. But if you're anything like me, this won't satiate your hunger for true crime reads.
Since I started reading Becker's, 24 true crimes, I've come to dislike him. He's monotonous. Hence, I'm quitting reading my CR. ADIOS.
Rating: 2.5/5
All the information about the Co-ed Killer a.k.a Edmund Ellis Kemper iii in Ryan Becker's book can be found on either Wikipedia or Netflix's Mindhunter. There was clearly nothing outstanding.
Before I started reading this, I knew Ed Kemper & his life history via., the Netflix's show. Having watched it during 2017, I was curious about these mass murderers. Since then, I have watched every interview by Ed on YouTube, the documentary movie "Kemper on Kemper" directed by Matthew Watts, John Douglas' videos on Ed. Been self-taught about The co-ed killer, I gathered more interesting facts about Ed than Ryan Becker.
Ed Kemper surrendered himself on 24th April 1973. He is the only serial killer to have surrendered in the history. Decapitating 6 Co-ed, his mother & her friend, including his paternal grandparents, he has viciously murdered 10 people and engaged in voyeurism. Surprisingly enough, he is polite, witty, a huge talker, & an interesting person. None of these facets are found in Becker's book. It's plain life history of Ed Kemper.
If you're someone who hasn't watched Mindhunter, this book is a decent read for shedding light on the traumatic childhood of Ed Kemper. But if you're anything like me, this won't satiate your hunger for true crime reads.
Since I started reading Becker's, 24 true crimes, I've come to dislike him. He's monotonous. Hence, I'm quitting reading my CR. ADIOS.
Rating: 2.5/5
November 2, 2018
I like a well written introduction. I appreciate the time the author takes to lay out the story and give us some expectation of what's to come. This intro was very nicely done. Polished. Professional. Well organized and executed.
The story is a bit short. However, it doesn't lack details: facts, dates, names, etc. They're all there and presented in a very linear fashion. I hate when authors jump back and forth when writing true crime stories. Mr. Becker refrains from that here and I love it. I don't think of this story so much as short as concise and involving.
The murders are presented cleanly with no bias on the part of the author. He doesn't weave in religion or opinion. It's just the facts, ma'am. They are somehow more horrifying because of it.
The ending was a surprise. I didn't know he was still alive. Learning that he is still in prison and is the inspiration for so many contemporary works that include music and movies was surprising. Learning that he psuedo-threatened a profiler while in prison ... that seemed very serial killer 101.
I think I join his family in hoping that he never makes parole.
The story is a bit short. However, it doesn't lack details: facts, dates, names, etc. They're all there and presented in a very linear fashion. I hate when authors jump back and forth when writing true crime stories. Mr. Becker refrains from that here and I love it. I don't think of this story so much as short as concise and involving.
The murders are presented cleanly with no bias on the part of the author. He doesn't weave in religion or opinion. It's just the facts, ma'am. They are somehow more horrifying because of it.
The ending was a surprise. I didn't know he was still alive. Learning that he is still in prison and is the inspiration for so many contemporary works that include music and movies was surprising. Learning that he psuedo-threatened a profiler while in prison ... that seemed very serial killer 101.
I think I join his family in hoping that he never makes parole.
March 14, 2019
Whew, good gash
I chose this book, along with a few others in the series out of curiosity. I also have an M.Ed in Mental Health, so naturally human behaviour, thought processes, etc., fascinate me.
I guess you can say I got a little more insight than I cared to get by reading these books. I want to know and understand what makes human beings ticks, why they behave they way they do, their thoughts, emotions, empathy (or lack of) for fellow human beings. I guess sometimes there are are no answers or questions are simple and answers are difficult if not nearly impossible to explain.
I knew that there are evil people in the world, but the levels that some can take that evil is mind blowing and scary.
I chose this book, along with a few others in the series out of curiosity. I also have an M.Ed in Mental Health, so naturally human behaviour, thought processes, etc., fascinate me.
I guess you can say I got a little more insight than I cared to get by reading these books. I want to know and understand what makes human beings ticks, why they behave they way they do, their thoughts, emotions, empathy (or lack of) for fellow human beings. I guess sometimes there are are no answers or questions are simple and answers are difficult if not nearly impossible to explain.
I knew that there are evil people in the world, but the levels that some can take that evil is mind blowing and scary.
Read
May 31, 2019Feelings of Rage...
I found the story of Edmund Kemper to be very interesting. Edmund felt a lot of rage towards his mother because she was cold and indifferent towards him and always put him down every chance she got.
It is too bad that so many people had to die because of the rage he felt against his mother. I found his M.O. to be extremely grisly. After he killed the victim, he would decapitate them and then dismember their bodies. In the end, he turned himself in to the authorities. He was found guilty on 8 counts of 1st degree murder. His sentence was life in prison. He became a model prisoner. He also spoke out in interviews to try to help other people that were like him. Well written story. Dianna, Prescott, AZ.
I found the story of Edmund Kemper to be very interesting. Edmund felt a lot of rage towards his mother because she was cold and indifferent towards him and always put him down every chance she got.
It is too bad that so many people had to die because of the rage he felt against his mother. I found his M.O. to be extremely grisly. After he killed the victim, he would decapitate them and then dismember their bodies. In the end, he turned himself in to the authorities. He was found guilty on 8 counts of 1st degree murder. His sentence was life in prison. He became a model prisoner. He also spoke out in interviews to try to help other people that were like him. Well written story. Dianna, Prescott, AZ.
October 29, 2017
Great read.
I liked that the book was short and I was able to finish it within a couple of hours. Even though it was short, the author seems to cover the whole picture. The story really gets to the heart of the killer, and what made him tick.
This is the first book I've read in the series, and can't wait to start the next one.
I would recommend this book to those who like crime/true crime.
I liked that the book was short and I was able to finish it within a couple of hours. Even though it was short, the author seems to cover the whole picture. The story really gets to the heart of the killer, and what made him tick.
This is the first book I've read in the series, and can't wait to start the next one.
I would recommend this book to those who like crime/true crime.
April 21, 2018
Short But Thorough Read
Most true crime books get bogged down in the police procedures for finding the killer. This book avoids that and gets right to the evil story of Ed Kemper. I appreciated the author focusing on the events of Kemper's murders and moving quickly through the events that led to his capture.
Overall a good read and can be read in about an hour or less but you'll know the facts.
Most true crime books get bogged down in the police procedures for finding the killer. This book avoids that and gets right to the evil story of Ed Kemper. I appreciated the author focusing on the events of Kemper's murders and moving quickly through the events that led to his capture.
Overall a good read and can be read in about an hour or less but you'll know the facts.
August 13, 2019
This was truly awful. There clearly was not an editor for this "book" as punctuation was wrong, sentences repeated, etc. It felt like the author barely made it out of middle school. Any true crime fan will know that this book was also filled with missing information and inaccuracies that are unforgivable. The Wikipedia page is more accurate and has better information. I'm so glad this was a free download.
October 7, 2024
the story of ed kemper who had a mother that always put him down and wanted nothing to do with him he was sent to live with his grandparents at a young age and killed them when he was older his crime was confidenial because of his age as he went on to kill and than he finally killed the one person he hated the most his mother....he has never showed up for any of his parole hearing he doesnt want to be released...
August 31, 2025
There was sooooo much more that could have been added to this book.
Whilst it started from the very beginning of his life, and went through everything from being incarcerated and then onto the awful crimes he committed. I just feel like there was so much more that could have been unpicked and wrote about. How intelligent he was for one.
It felt more of an overview book. But still a good read for true crime fans that maybe haven't read much about Ed Kemper.
Whilst it started from the very beginning of his life, and went through everything from being incarcerated and then onto the awful crimes he committed. I just feel like there was so much more that could have been unpicked and wrote about. How intelligent he was for one.
It felt more of an overview book. But still a good read for true crime fans that maybe haven't read much about Ed Kemper.
November 10, 2017
While the subject was good, there were some grammatical errors which editing should have caught. It didn't take away from my understanding of what the author was trying to say. However, I was hoping it would give me more than the usual information, yet it covered the same things I could find by Googling Edmund Kemper. Still, if you know nothing much about Kemper, this is a good start.
June 2, 2018
Kemper-A Very Smart Killer
Reading about serial killers can be very unsettling. Ryan Becker creates this story based on facts, imagery, & Kemper’s own words from interviews. He makes it possible to read about the details that create these serial killers. Many of them grow up being abused & Kemper’s no exception.
Reading about serial killers can be very unsettling. Ryan Becker creates this story based on facts, imagery, & Kemper’s own words from interviews. He makes it possible to read about the details that create these serial killers. Many of them grow up being abused & Kemper’s no exception.
June 26, 2018
I liked this book a lot! I like to get into the minds of the murders to find out why they would do these horrible things.
This book is well researched and well written.
I’m looking forward to reading all of Ryan Becker’s books!
I recommend it to anyone who wants to know why these people could torture and kill someone.
Thank you Ryan!
This book is well researched and well written.
I’m looking forward to reading all of Ryan Becker’s books!
I recommend it to anyone who wants to know why these people could torture and kill someone.
Thank you Ryan!
January 26, 2019
Edmund Kemper is ridiculously interesting, but it doesn't come across in this book.. it's like the writer watched the same documentary i did on tv and took out all the detail and wrote a weak fact based book.. Wiki is far more in depth.. pass on the book and look for the video recordings.. it's also a short read, i read it cover to cover while my husband watched sports center..
September 3, 2019
I would give this 2.5 stars if that were possible. The information is all here, but it reads like a school paper or Wikipedia entry. Just the facts, directly presented. Kemper is a disturbed and psychologically fascinating man who committed truly heinous crimes. To present his story so flat and factual feels very dispassionate and just didn’t grab me like I felt it should.
November 3, 2019
Lacklustre
This book is incredibly short, and although it covers the very basics of Kemper, it leaves much to be desired. It skims over every important detail and leaves you with more questions than answers. However, it is a decent book for someone looking for only the basic facts of the case.
This book is incredibly short, and although it covers the very basics of Kemper, it leaves much to be desired. It skims over every important detail and leaves you with more questions than answers. However, it is a decent book for someone looking for only the basic facts of the case.
July 6, 2020
If you know some information about Kemper, then this book gives basically little more info than what you probably already know, which is unfortunate. What was more troubling was the spelling and grammar; it truly was distracting. Sometimes I give books like that leniency, but I just couldn’t help it with this one. I’m glad it was short.
January 6, 2021
Edmund Kemper: The True Story of The Brutal Co-ed Butcher (Real Crime by Real Killers #2) was a good read by Ryan Becker. Edmund Kemper took the lives of 10 people from August 27, 1964 until April 21, 1973. He killed his adoptive grandparents, six co-eds, his mother and his mother's friend. This was another good true crime story by Ryan Becker.
December 6, 2017
Just the facts, ma 'm.
Well some of them were facts, I guess. Dull and uninteresting but thankfully short. Could have used a proofreader. Sometimes the killer was 6'9" and at other times 6'8". Not recommended.
Well some of them were facts, I guess. Dull and uninteresting but thankfully short. Could have used a proofreader. Sometimes the killer was 6'9" and at other times 6'8". Not recommended.
May 5, 2018
Quick read about the Co-Ed Killer, Edmund Kemper. With his calm demeanor and polite conversation, he seems more terrifying than most serial killers. I think the word that best describes him is unnerving.
August 31, 2019
Gruesome but insightful
A well researched and written book, graphic but gives a great insight into the mind of a killer. It is sad that circumstances, and maybe personal traits, turned a bright boy into a monster.
A well researched and written book, graphic but gives a great insight into the mind of a killer. It is sad that circumstances, and maybe personal traits, turned a bright boy into a monster.
October 3, 2019
A matter-of-fact accounting of Kemper's life and how he came to kill 10 people. A helpful list is included near the beginning, a list of characteristics that "increase the likelihood of {someone] becoming a serial killer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews