What do you think?
Rate this book
Edmund Kemper: The Life of the Co-Ed Killer
Edmund Kemper * * *Download for FREE on Kindle Unlimited + Free BONUS Inside!* * * Read On Your Computer, MAC, Smartphone, Kindle Reader, iPad, or Tablet. To the average American, there was nothing out of the ordinary about Edmund Kemper before 1973. Standing at six-foot-nine, the young man was a giant, but he was gentle, soft spoken, and shy. He lived with his mother into his mid-twenties and frequented local bars, cozying up to police officers—a job he had once hoped to hold himself but couldn’t since he was too tall. This was one reality of Kemper's life—the reality he wanted those around him to see. There was another side to the man though, a much darker side. Kemper's actions in his life shocked America, who dubbed him the Co-Ed Killer for his urge to murder and violate co-ed girls in Northern California. Inside you will read about... ✓ Hatred is Born ✓ Kemper’s First Murders ✓ Institutionalized with an IQ of 145 ✓ The Co-Ed Killer ✓ Kemper’s Grand The Death of His Mother ✓ Arrest, Imprisonment, and Parole And much more! Series True Crime Biographies Book 3
114 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 19, 2017
209 people are currently reading
516 people want to read
About the author
Hourly History
722 books876 followersAt Hourly History, we focus on publishing history books that are concise, straightforward and take no longer than one hour to read.
Receive our new eBooks for free every Friday.
Sign up at: www.hourlyhistory.com/free
Receive our new eBooks for free every Friday.
Sign up at: www.hourlyhistory.com/free
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 6, 2022
Story 5/5
Narration 5/5
Narration 5/5
July 31, 2022
Eerily fascinating
I first heard about Edmund Kemper from my favorite podcast, Morbid. As a true crime fan, I wanted to dig a bit deeper into his story. This was a quick read and was a bit like a long essay, with one statement after another. Most of it I already knew from the podcast, but it was still interesting to hear again. How do people get to the point where their mind is so sick and twisted that they take the life of another human being? Kemper was highly intelligent, with an IQ of over 136, yet he felt emasculated by his mother and murdered women to help him feel powerful and in-control. Very disturbing.
I first heard about Edmund Kemper from my favorite podcast, Morbid. As a true crime fan, I wanted to dig a bit deeper into his story. This was a quick read and was a bit like a long essay, with one statement after another. Most of it I already knew from the podcast, but it was still interesting to hear again. How do people get to the point where their mind is so sick and twisted that they take the life of another human being? Kemper was highly intelligent, with an IQ of over 136, yet he felt emasculated by his mother and murdered women to help him feel powerful and in-control. Very disturbing.
October 17, 2019
I didn't like the moralization in some parts, but it's worth reading if you're interested in when and how Kemper acted.
September 6, 2019
Netflix got it right!
I got this book after watching the Netflix series "Mindhunter," to see how close their take on the Kemper character was when compared to the actual facts. Well, after spending the hour it took to read this short book, I can not only give the series writers full props in the script, but I am extremely impressed with the actor (whose name escapes me) in his spot on portrayal. Read the book, and watch "Mindhunter" on Netflix. Both are creepy to the core!
I got this book after watching the Netflix series "Mindhunter," to see how close their take on the Kemper character was when compared to the actual facts. Well, after spending the hour it took to read this short book, I can not only give the series writers full props in the script, but I am extremely impressed with the actor (whose name escapes me) in his spot on portrayal. Read the book, and watch "Mindhunter" on Netflix. Both are creepy to the core!
September 7, 2018
Grossly inaccurate and poorly researched, bases facts on media rumors.
January 6, 2018
As a true crime fanatic, the story of Ed Kemper wasn't new to me, but it was still an interesting, quick read.
July 1, 2020
Not a Story for the Squeamish😱
I've read several accounts of Kemper's crimes in a variety of publications. Some were more disturbing than others - very graphic in their descriptions of the vile and demeaning acts he'd done to his victims. What I liked about this book is that it was told in a concise manner, but still keeping the information / story an interesting and compelling read.
Despite his huge size Kemper was to lure college aged women into his vehicle. If he were as twisted as Bundy he could have easily killed many more. He was extremely smart, but driven by a rage toward his mother that he could no longer control. There were many mistakes along the way from his teenage homicidal acts sealed records to psychiatrists having him score other patients' tests & learning what they were looking for to seem someone sane and nonlethal, to him getting chummy with the police so he could keep track of the investigation of one of the current serial killers (himself).
What Kemper did was disgusting, dehumanizing, objectifying, and morally reprehensible. It doesn't seem possible that such a big giant former teenaged killer could be released to reap havoc on the public again. Hourly History did a good job of telling the story of a vicious, sadistic, homicidal necrophiliac. Be warned this is not a story for the squeamish.
I've read several accounts of Kemper's crimes in a variety of publications. Some were more disturbing than others - very graphic in their descriptions of the vile and demeaning acts he'd done to his victims. What I liked about this book is that it was told in a concise manner, but still keeping the information / story an interesting and compelling read.
Despite his huge size Kemper was to lure college aged women into his vehicle. If he were as twisted as Bundy he could have easily killed many more. He was extremely smart, but driven by a rage toward his mother that he could no longer control. There were many mistakes along the way from his teenage homicidal acts sealed records to psychiatrists having him score other patients' tests & learning what they were looking for to seem someone sane and nonlethal, to him getting chummy with the police so he could keep track of the investigation of one of the current serial killers (himself).
What Kemper did was disgusting, dehumanizing, objectifying, and morally reprehensible. It doesn't seem possible that such a big giant former teenaged killer could be released to reap havoc on the public again. Hourly History did a good job of telling the story of a vicious, sadistic, homicidal necrophiliac. Be warned this is not a story for the squeamish.
January 4, 2018
The name of Edmund Kemper doesn’t strike the horror, loathing, and fear of John Wayne Gacy, Richard Speck, Charles Manson, and Ted Bundy. In fact, many people today may not even recognize it as belonging to a killer. Yet, he was a killer to be feared and reviled, and the world is a better place without him, but alas, he is one that managed to slip through the cracks. At the age of fifteen, he killed his paternal grandparents, was diagnosed as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and was incarcerated and placed under observation and treatment. Originally thought to be of average or low intelligence, Kemper was tested twice and scored 136, and later 145, placing him in the top one percent of IQ’s. His diagnosis was eventually changed to passive-aggressive; he was treated and later released in 1969 after five years of incarceration.
His life was still filled with dichotomies and he would soon be on a destructive spree that would eventually cost the lives of at least nine people. As in many other serial killer cases, the ineptitude of the various police departments and flaws in the state and US justice systems add to, if not aid the killers to roam free and seek out even more victims.
People read for two main reasons. People read to be entertained. Swept away in a different time and an imaginary world, but the story of Edmund Kemper is REAL and in no way entertaining. The second reason for reading is information. This isn’t a how-to-do book but it does give some insight into the mind of a very sick sociopath. It also inspires critical questions about our law enforcement and legal systems.
I can easily overlook the occasional typographical error as the final message is still painfully clear. We live in a society that is constantly changing. Acts of terrorism and mass murderers are very much a part of life and we must remain vigilant, watchful, and endeavor to change the system to match the times.
His life was still filled with dichotomies and he would soon be on a destructive spree that would eventually cost the lives of at least nine people. As in many other serial killer cases, the ineptitude of the various police departments and flaws in the state and US justice systems add to, if not aid the killers to roam free and seek out even more victims.
People read for two main reasons. People read to be entertained. Swept away in a different time and an imaginary world, but the story of Edmund Kemper is REAL and in no way entertaining. The second reason for reading is information. This isn’t a how-to-do book but it does give some insight into the mind of a very sick sociopath. It also inspires critical questions about our law enforcement and legal systems.
I can easily overlook the occasional typographical error as the final message is still painfully clear. We live in a society that is constantly changing. Acts of terrorism and mass murderers are very much a part of life and we must remain vigilant, watchful, and endeavor to change the system to match the times.
February 22, 2021
Prior to reading this, I wasn't aware that a person could be too tall to be a police officer. Kemper was 6 foot, nine inches, which the book says eliminated him from being a policeman, which was his dream. Kemper had fantasies about death, sex, and violent acts against women.
Animal-killing is a dead giveaway for psychological problems. However, no one recognized it for what it was in Edmund's case. His mother wasn't insightful and just punished Edmund more. Reading about her behavior towards her only son, it is obvious that she was disturbed as well. After murdering his grandparents at age 15, he was sent to a psychiatric hospital. With his 145 IQ and passive personality, he was able to convince the doctors that he was improving. Instead, he was learning how to get away with murder.
Incredibly, there were two serial killers active in the Santa Cruz area in 1973. When Edmund met the other serial killer, he was unimpressed. According to this book, as of 2017, Kemper has refused parole many times. He knows he needs the structure and the help he receives in the mental facility where he resides.
Animal-killing is a dead giveaway for psychological problems. However, no one recognized it for what it was in Edmund's case. His mother wasn't insightful and just punished Edmund more. Reading about her behavior towards her only son, it is obvious that she was disturbed as well. After murdering his grandparents at age 15, he was sent to a psychiatric hospital. With his 145 IQ and passive personality, he was able to convince the doctors that he was improving. Instead, he was learning how to get away with murder.
Incredibly, there were two serial killers active in the Santa Cruz area in 1973. When Edmund met the other serial killer, he was unimpressed. According to this book, as of 2017, Kemper has refused parole many times. He knows he needs the structure and the help he receives in the mental facility where he resides.
November 14, 2019
Fascination with evil gets a lot of air time. Edmund Kemper was prominently featured on the Netflix original series "Mindhunter" which chronicles the early days of the FBI's Behavioral Science division. In this series, Kemper is portrayed as articulate and quite matter of fact. I was curious about how close art mimics reality.
It is pretty eerie to think that an actor could so well portray the actual serial killer he is playing.
After reading this offering from Hourly History, there is no doubt in my mind that Ed Kemper is a seriously disturbed individual, and that he is completely self-aware of this.
It is difficult to say to whom I might recommend this book. It does recount in somewhat graphic (but not salacious) detail the killings and mutilations perpetrated. There is no doubt that there is fodder here for writers of horror and thrillers.
It is pretty eerie to think that an actor could so well portray the actual serial killer he is playing.
After reading this offering from Hourly History, there is no doubt in my mind that Ed Kemper is a seriously disturbed individual, and that he is completely self-aware of this.
It is difficult to say to whom I might recommend this book. It does recount in somewhat graphic (but not salacious) detail the killings and mutilations perpetrated. There is no doubt that there is fodder here for writers of horror and thrillers.
December 11, 2020
The Co-ed Killer
I have read much material about Edmund Kemper and always learn some little kernel that I didn't know before. Edmund Kemper, the six-foot-nine killer of women, is a product of his dysfunctional family.
Plagued by his unloving mother and loneliness, Ed created a separate world in his head. He killed his grandparents when he was 15, which should have raised enough red flags to keep him isolated forever. However, because of his age and his cleverness in concealing his thoughts and fantasies, he was treated as an errant child.
He could act non-threatening enough to entice young female hitchhikers into his car. What happened then would boggle the imagination. Six young women met Death in the guise of Edmund Kemper.
But he wasn't finished. His most important mission had yet to be fulfilled.
9
I have read much material about Edmund Kemper and always learn some little kernel that I didn't know before. Edmund Kemper, the six-foot-nine killer of women, is a product of his dysfunctional family.
Plagued by his unloving mother and loneliness, Ed created a separate world in his head. He killed his grandparents when he was 15, which should have raised enough red flags to keep him isolated forever. However, because of his age and his cleverness in concealing his thoughts and fantasies, he was treated as an errant child.
He could act non-threatening enough to entice young female hitchhikers into his car. What happened then would boggle the imagination. Six young women met Death in the guise of Edmund Kemper.
But he wasn't finished. His most important mission had yet to be fulfilled.
9
September 14, 2020
Intense.
His story is well-written. It moves quickly through each phase of his life. I liked that the author should how the horrid relationship with his mother, and abandonment of his father, in addition to society formed him. I also like that another serial killer was briefly mentioned appropriately. It was not his story. Recommend to anyone needing a perfect example of a manipulator and signs to watch out for. Kemper's parents and others like them should be imprisoned.
His story is well-written. It moves quickly through each phase of his life. I liked that the author should how the horrid relationship with his mother, and abandonment of his father, in addition to society formed him. I also like that another serial killer was briefly mentioned appropriately. It was not his story. Recommend to anyone needing a perfect example of a manipulator and signs to watch out for. Kemper's parents and others like them should be imprisoned.
December 26, 2020
As seen on TV
I have always enjoyed watching “Crime Documentaries” on TV. Recently, I watched a series staring Danny Wahlburg entitled “Very Scary People.” The Co-Ed Killer was airing. A great deal was presented regard “Edmund Kemper” and his killings. But not much about his childhood and his motives were presented. When I four this “Hourly History” was available to me, I was pleased to get it and fill in the blanks regarding Kemper’s life and arrest. Most decidedly educational.
I have always enjoyed watching “Crime Documentaries” on TV. Recently, I watched a series staring Danny Wahlburg entitled “Very Scary People.” The Co-Ed Killer was airing. A great deal was presented regard “Edmund Kemper” and his killings. But not much about his childhood and his motives were presented. When I four this “Hourly History” was available to me, I was pleased to get it and fill in the blanks regarding Kemper’s life and arrest. Most decidedly educational.
Read
October 25, 2023I find it weird to give this book a review. What am I supposed to say? “Chilling story with good character progression”?
No, this book recounts the horrible and brutal murders of 10 human lives. Edmund Kemper manipulated a flawed system into letting him back out into society to commit these acts. I’ll say that he does have a fascinating mind that’s worth studying. I’m glad he recognizes that he shouldn’t be released. Other than that, towards the end of this book the author almost seems to paint him in a positive light and I don’t agree with that.
No, this book recounts the horrible and brutal murders of 10 human lives. Edmund Kemper manipulated a flawed system into letting him back out into society to commit these acts. I’ll say that he does have a fascinating mind that’s worth studying. I’m glad he recognizes that he shouldn’t be released. Other than that, towards the end of this book the author almost seems to paint him in a positive light and I don’t agree with that.
December 24, 2019
The Troubles With Edmund
Hoping to gain an insight into the thinking of a serial killer i picked up this True Crime Biography with great anticipation. Anticipation quickly turned to disappointment when I realized this book is made up of little more than a synopsis of newspaper accounts. I am now aware of Edmund Kemper and what he did, but I certainly have no insights into the thinking of a serial killer. A waste of time, perhaps, but certainly not insightful.
Hoping to gain an insight into the thinking of a serial killer i picked up this True Crime Biography with great anticipation. Anticipation quickly turned to disappointment when I realized this book is made up of little more than a synopsis of newspaper accounts. I am now aware of Edmund Kemper and what he did, but I certainly have no insights into the thinking of a serial killer. A waste of time, perhaps, but certainly not insightful.
June 16, 2018
Short, concise and graphic, it give a glimpse inside the mind of a serial killer. What is it about serial killers that fascinates us? Possibly we just want to know why or what were they thinking. This account gives us a good glimpse. Edmund is like a huge, abused, very mentally sick child. How the human mind gets so twisted is frightening! Be good to your children.
Read
September 6, 2021If this guy is sane I'm Roy rogers.
Hourly history freebie, they pass them out on fridays for free. Suitable for adults only, the murder and sex scenes are ugly. The more personal freedom Californians enjoy, the more killers show up? I did not enjoy this story though it was well done.
Hourly history freebie, they pass them out on fridays for free. Suitable for adults only, the murder and sex scenes are ugly. The more personal freedom Californians enjoy, the more killers show up? I did not enjoy this story though it was well done.
September 30, 2021
The hourly history series is mind boggling
I was a pre-teen when this story hit the newspapers about Edmund Kemper and it was always the reason never to hitchhike. Mental illness is no joke and over almost 50 years later the USA still does not have a way to monitor, treat assist all who have issues before it leads to murder and mayhem. So sad.
I was a pre-teen when this story hit the newspapers about Edmund Kemper and it was always the reason never to hitchhike. Mental illness is no joke and over almost 50 years later the USA still does not have a way to monitor, treat assist all who have issues before it leads to murder and mayhem. So sad.
February 18, 2019
A well-written and well-researched book that is written in a cohesive and coherent manner!!!!!
This book is a very good read that will be enjoyed by all readers!! The writing style of the author is coherent and well-written!!!!!
This book is a very good read that will be enjoyed by all readers!! The writing style of the author is coherent and well-written!!!!!
January 8, 2020
What a dude
Little repetitive in parts for such a short book.
Graphic but reads a bit like a court case since you will read the same line "proceeded to engage in oral with with the decapitated head" like 15 times
Little repetitive in parts for such a short book.
Graphic but reads a bit like a court case since you will read the same line "proceeded to engage in oral with with the decapitated head" like 15 times
June 4, 2020
Ofc I can't say I enjoyed this book.
Pg21
"he paid attention to where their strengths and weaknesses lied."
Really?
Pg 44
"Kemper stayed at the phone booth until Pueblo police picked him up and brought him to Colorado, where he was picked up by Santa Cruz police the next day."
Pg21
"he paid attention to where their strengths and weaknesses lied."
Really?
Pg 44
"Kemper stayed at the phone booth until Pueblo police picked him up and brought him to Colorado, where he was picked up by Santa Cruz police the next day."
June 5, 2020
History readet
An abbreviated biography. I expected more details about Kemper"s family history as well as how the legal system mishandled his case. How can society be protected from people who are so hurting?
An abbreviated biography. I expected more details about Kemper"s family history as well as how the legal system mishandled his case. How can society be protected from people who are so hurting?
Read
May 25, 2021I really wanted to read a book about Ed Kemper. This book has all the basics and its short. Hopefully there will be another one that goes into a little more depth, but that probably won't happen until after he's died.
May 29, 2021
Mental Illness
I remember my parents telling us "Do not hitch a ride, the Co-Ed killer is out there"
Interesting to read, yet our system is still so very broken in helping the mentally ill.
I remember my parents telling us "Do not hitch a ride, the Co-Ed killer is out there"
Interesting to read, yet our system is still so very broken in helping the mentally ill.
May 31, 2022
Excellent book
This short book gives an understanding of the life of kemper and his mindset when commiting his crime spree. It also allows you to get a brief history of his crimes should you wish to look into getting a book that chronicals his life and crimes in greater details.
This short book gives an understanding of the life of kemper and his mindset when commiting his crime spree. It also allows you to get a brief history of his crimes should you wish to look into getting a book that chronicals his life and crimes in greater details.
August 9, 2022
This short book gives an understanding of the life of kemper and his mindset when commiting his crime spree. It also allows you to get a brief history of his crimes should you wish to look into getting a book that chronicals his life and crimes in greater details.
September 1, 2022
Good. Tiny though. Probably the smallest book I have read which is disappointing considering how much information is available on Ed Kemper.
Well written though but it probably should be a chapter in a serisl killer compilation book.
Well written though but it probably should be a chapter in a serisl killer compilation book.
January 20, 2023
interesting read on a serial killer
After watching a Netflix series that had Kemper in it, this just went into a little more detail of his killing days and his start before his killing days. It is very interesting to learn the mind of a serial killer.
After watching a Netflix series that had Kemper in it, this just went into a little more detail of his killing days and his start before his killing days. It is very interesting to learn the mind of a serial killer.
January 27, 2023
Concise and straightforward
As stated by Hourly History, these, books, are concise and straightforward. Edmund was quite a character and I have Sen movies and read other books about him. He was brutally honest but polite in his interviews.
As stated by Hourly History, these, books, are concise and straightforward. Edmund was quite a character and I have Sen movies and read other books about him. He was brutally honest but polite in his interviews.
April 13, 2023
A great read
I have read before about the Co-ed killer but this book had a couple of new details that I'd not heard of before like he'd been up for parole fourteen times and he himself turned around and said he wasn't ready to be in society and probably never will be.
I have read before about the Co-ed killer but this book had a couple of new details that I'd not heard of before like he'd been up for parole fourteen times and he himself turned around and said he wasn't ready to be in society and probably never will be.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews