Kids Who Murder: Ten American Cases

by Ellie Hayes

Generally naive about their world, children are thought to be nearly incapable of serious wrongdoing and are rarely suspects in violent crimes. Yet, from the 1960s to the mid-90s, the U.S. saw several waves of juvenile murders that caused widespread public concern. The phenomenon created longstanding debates about the sources or causes of a child killer's mindset. Some blame external triggers like video games, rock music or pornography, while others argue the causes are deeper issues, such as an underdeveloped brain experiencing abuse and neglect. The quest to uncover the causes of these crimes is ongoing, and how the American justice system should handle these young killers remains a controversy. This book assesses ten murder cases in modern American criminal history, examining the minds of the children who perpetrated them. Chapters compile decades of research on the psychology of child murderers in hopes of creating a more coherent understanding of why kids kill.

306 pages, Paperback

Published January 20, 2023

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

You'll like this book if you're a true crime buff who enjoys exploring the psychology of killers. The author does an excellent job of telling interesting - but rather sad - stories while remaining respectful to the victims and not sensationalizing the killers. I respected the author for not pushing an agenda or showing any bias in their writing. They simply laid out the facts, leaving the readers to formulate their own opinions. A few examples of this includes the author discussing how SSRIs and violent pornography have been correlated with aggression - the author managed to show both sides of the argument, both from research and testimonies of experts, while not taking a clear stance themselves. I will definitely check out any future books published by this author!

[Michaela Dupuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book consists of 10 compelling cases taking you through the lives of kids who kill. For a true crime book, it doesn’t read like Wikipedia articles, with facts stacked upon facts. The emotion out into the writing is gripping; it makes you feel like you’re witnessing everything in person. You can tell a lot of research was invested in this book. Would definitely recommend reading it if you’re into true crime!

[Ian Dela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fascinating read!!!