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Butcher, Biter, Spy: A True Story of Madness, Mutilation and Unspeakable Acts of Brutality
On the bloodstained floor lay an array of butcher’s tools and a body without a throat, torn out by Fritz's “love bite”...
Deemed psychologically unfit to stand trial for child abuse, Fritz Haarmann was locked up in a mental asylum until a new diagnosis as “morally inferior” allowed him to walk free. His insights into the criminal underworld convinced the police to overlook his “activities” and trust him as an informant.
What harm could it do?
When the dismembered and ravaged remains of young men began to wash up on the banks of the river, a war-torn nation cowered under the threat of the man known as the Butcher, Vampire and Wolf Man.
The hunt for the killer was on, and he was hiding in plain sight.
Butcher, Biter, Spy is a chilling retelling of one of the most brutal killing sprees in German history. Ryan Green’s riveting narrative draws the reader into the real-live horror experienced by the victims and has all the elements of a classic thriller.
This book contains descriptive accounts of torture, abuse and violence. If you are especially sensitive to this material, it might be advisable not to read any further.
Deemed psychologically unfit to stand trial for child abuse, Fritz Haarmann was locked up in a mental asylum until a new diagnosis as “morally inferior” allowed him to walk free. His insights into the criminal underworld convinced the police to overlook his “activities” and trust him as an informant.
What harm could it do?
When the dismembered and ravaged remains of young men began to wash up on the banks of the river, a war-torn nation cowered under the threat of the man known as the Butcher, Vampire and Wolf Man.
The hunt for the killer was on, and he was hiding in plain sight.
Butcher, Biter, Spy is a chilling retelling of one of the most brutal killing sprees in German history. Ryan Green’s riveting narrative draws the reader into the real-live horror experienced by the victims and has all the elements of a classic thriller.
This book contains descriptive accounts of torture, abuse and violence. If you are especially sensitive to this material, it might be advisable not to read any further.
- GenresTrue Crime
131 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 4, 2022
51 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 28, 2024
Die Übersetzung ist an vielen Stellen leider sehr holprig, deswegen nur 3 ⭐
December 5, 2022
Fear And Horror Surround This Serial Killer
The book was professionally written, and the author Ryan Green has captured the fear and horror that surrounded this serial killer and his young victims who ranged in age from teenagers to their early 20’s. The book is set just after the war and Fritz is born in Germany. It was obvious that Fritz has emotional problems from an incredibly early age in his life. Fritz mother dotes on him, his sisters dress him in girls clothes, and his father beats him because he is such a mummy’s boy.
Little did his father who was a hard man know that Fritz would turn out to be such an Evil Man. Fritz is a butcher by trade, but he was also a thief, swindler, and con artist. Fritz prefers to hang around train stations as he does not stand out and it is a good place for him to pick up these young men who are unsuspecting and arriving looking for work.
Without giving to much away Fritz is a monster, the kind that gives one nightmare. Many details in this book will shock you. There are scenes that are extremely graphic and not for the faint-hearted. Ryan Green has captured the fear and horror that surrounded this serial killer and his young victims. Fritz is a psychopath who is a very Dangerous Evil Man who loves to rape, torture, murder, and butcher his victims just for his sexual desire.
I am part of the ARC group for Ryan Green, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The book was professionally written, and the author Ryan Green has captured the fear and horror that surrounded this serial killer and his young victims who ranged in age from teenagers to their early 20’s. The book is set just after the war and Fritz is born in Germany. It was obvious that Fritz has emotional problems from an incredibly early age in his life. Fritz mother dotes on him, his sisters dress him in girls clothes, and his father beats him because he is such a mummy’s boy.
Little did his father who was a hard man know that Fritz would turn out to be such an Evil Man. Fritz is a butcher by trade, but he was also a thief, swindler, and con artist. Fritz prefers to hang around train stations as he does not stand out and it is a good place for him to pick up these young men who are unsuspecting and arriving looking for work.
Without giving to much away Fritz is a monster, the kind that gives one nightmare. Many details in this book will shock you. There are scenes that are extremely graphic and not for the faint-hearted. Ryan Green has captured the fear and horror that surrounded this serial killer and his young victims. Fritz is a psychopath who is a very Dangerous Evil Man who loves to rape, torture, murder, and butcher his victims just for his sexual desire.
I am part of the ARC group for Ryan Green, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 20, 2023
I enjoyed, narrated by Steve White, the Audible unabridged audiobook. This is a study of the fiend "Fritz" Haarmann, a German serial killer known as the Butcher of Hanover, the Vampire of Hanover and the Wolf Man. Before being executed by guillotine in April 1925, the Butcher of Hanover dismemberment his victims' bodies and sold off the meat to unsuspecting customers as provisions. He had the bodies, because his frenzied throat biting had killed his young male unwilling sex partners. Thus, butcher and biter. For me, "spy" is a bit of a stretch to cover the criminal informant and ex-soldier. His role of using the police to eliminate competition seems a common tale and an indictment against the use of active criminals as confidential informants. From a dysfunctional childhood and some sort of brain damage (including epileptic-like fits), the ogre roped in an accomplice (who lived until 1980!), merited the trust of the local constabulary, and racked up dozens of victims.
Green brings into view the cultural context of these crimes in the hyperinflation and social upheaval of the Weimar Republic. This includes the Golden Twenties with a permissive climate and constant parade of marks into the city of Hanover.
Green brings into view the cultural context of these crimes in the hyperinflation and social upheaval of the Weimar Republic. This includes the Golden Twenties with a permissive climate and constant parade of marks into the city of Hanover.
February 2, 2023
Ryan's style of writing always grabs you from the beginning. The way he writes makes you feel like your right there..
December 13, 2022
A monster hides in plain sight.
At first I felt sorry for the killer, as he had suffered through a pretty brutal childhood, with a mum who adored him, but died when he was young, and a father who absolutely despised him and treated him very roughly and cruelly. I don't believe that this excuses him for the horrendous crimes he committed. Along the way, he manages to develop some pretty clever survival techniques, and is able to often hide in plain sight. Once he's had his first taste of blood, it's as if something carnal and purely evil and animal has been ignited in him, and his appetite for rape, brutality, human flesh becomes unquenchable. He must have more and more and more. The descriptions of his murders and how he disposes of the bodies are graphic, disgusting and unflinching, and very realistic. I had never heard of Fritz Haarmon before, and, although he's probably not the worst serial killer of all time, he would be somewhere in the upper levels nonetheless. This true crime story was very well written, and very gripping and engaging.
At first I felt sorry for the killer, as he had suffered through a pretty brutal childhood, with a mum who adored him, but died when he was young, and a father who absolutely despised him and treated him very roughly and cruelly. I don't believe that this excuses him for the horrendous crimes he committed. Along the way, he manages to develop some pretty clever survival techniques, and is able to often hide in plain sight. Once he's had his first taste of blood, it's as if something carnal and purely evil and animal has been ignited in him, and his appetite for rape, brutality, human flesh becomes unquenchable. He must have more and more and more. The descriptions of his murders and how he disposes of the bodies are graphic, disgusting and unflinching, and very realistic. I had never heard of Fritz Haarmon before, and, although he's probably not the worst serial killer of all time, he would be somewhere in the upper levels nonetheless. This true crime story was very well written, and very gripping and engaging.
December 27, 2022
Author Ryan Green has put the life and lies of Fritz Haarmann, the Butcher of Hanover, under a microscope. If you thought you knew all about Haarmann, you will discover even more in this book.
When the beast finally escaped from the cage, he had a lot of suppressed hunger to sate. And he set about catching up with a vengeance. It is unknown how many lives he claimed, and he paid the ultimate price, but no punishment has been devised that would be appropriate for this insatiable monster.
18
When the beast finally escaped from the cage, he had a lot of suppressed hunger to sate. And he set about catching up with a vengeance. It is unknown how many lives he claimed, and he paid the ultimate price, but no punishment has been devised that would be appropriate for this insatiable monster.
18
December 11, 2022
His Place in the World
I actually learned about many notorious killers while I was in high school, and my interest led to my becoming a criminal justice major as both an undergraduate and a graduate student. Despite my educational background I never have been given a clearer understanding of the psyche, barbarity, and motivations of such a very disturbed psychopathic individual as Fritz Haarmann (Fredrich Heinrich Karl Haarmann) as presented in this book. While in high school I was always in the public library looking for the latest dog, cat, mystery, and true crime books.
My description of Mr. Green's book may seem a bit ingenious but in the late 1970s and throughout the 80s there was not the plethora of true crime TV programs, no internet, no smart phones, and I actually used floppy disks in grad school. True crime reference books were often just facts without going into a lot of detail of what all was done to the unfortunate victims. The language was "censored", as were photographs. I remember being horrified when I first saw uncensored photos of Jack the Ripper and Ed Gein's victims.
There wasn't much left of Haarmann's victims besides bones yet Ryan Green was able to paint such a gruesome Image with his words of the indignities that Fritz's young innocent victims endured, the last thing I needed to see were photos / illustrations. But the horrors they were subjected to, the extent of their injuries, and the dawning fear when a helping hand suddenly becomes a homicidal hand.
The appalling picture portrayed of Haarmann by the author, and then his twisted younger accomplice revealed the revolting creatures they were under the thinly cultivated veneer of an affable dandy and his handsome assistant. While in fact they were sick & savage, dangerous & depraved, repugnant, remorseless monsters residing in a literal abattoir.
Green's storytelling abilities surprisingly continue to expand with each barbaric beast he brings to the public in his tension filled true crime books that are not for the squeamish. Though he shows what helped to make monsters out of these killers - the end products are revolting human beings embodying evil. Our pity needs to be reserved for the victims and their families.
I actually learned about many notorious killers while I was in high school, and my interest led to my becoming a criminal justice major as both an undergraduate and a graduate student. Despite my educational background I never have been given a clearer understanding of the psyche, barbarity, and motivations of such a very disturbed psychopathic individual as Fritz Haarmann (Fredrich Heinrich Karl Haarmann) as presented in this book. While in high school I was always in the public library looking for the latest dog, cat, mystery, and true crime books.
My description of Mr. Green's book may seem a bit ingenious but in the late 1970s and throughout the 80s there was not the plethora of true crime TV programs, no internet, no smart phones, and I actually used floppy disks in grad school. True crime reference books were often just facts without going into a lot of detail of what all was done to the unfortunate victims. The language was "censored", as were photographs. I remember being horrified when I first saw uncensored photos of Jack the Ripper and Ed Gein's victims.
There wasn't much left of Haarmann's victims besides bones yet Ryan Green was able to paint such a gruesome Image with his words of the indignities that Fritz's young innocent victims endured, the last thing I needed to see were photos / illustrations. But the horrors they were subjected to, the extent of their injuries, and the dawning fear when a helping hand suddenly becomes a homicidal hand.
The appalling picture portrayed of Haarmann by the author, and then his twisted younger accomplice revealed the revolting creatures they were under the thinly cultivated veneer of an affable dandy and his handsome assistant. While in fact they were sick & savage, dangerous & depraved, repugnant, remorseless monsters residing in a literal abattoir.
Green's storytelling abilities surprisingly continue to expand with each barbaric beast he brings to the public in his tension filled true crime books that are not for the squeamish. Though he shows what helped to make monsters out of these killers - the end products are revolting human beings embodying evil. Our pity needs to be reserved for the victims and their families.
December 5, 2022
Bone-chilling!
Once again, Ryan Green has managed to utilize his astonishing skill as a writer to bring to life in vivid, bone-chilling detail, the life and horrendously violent crimes of a man who defies explanation. This book will transport you to Germany in the wake of WWI to follow the evolution of a young boy into a monster that killed without remorse or regret. As is the case with so many serial killers, mass murderers, and spree killers throughout history, Fritz Haarman did not enjoy an idyllic childhood, or even a reasonably normal one, for that matter. Regardless, how an individual could possibly veer so very far from societal norms and yet seem so comfortable with himself is hard to fathom. He was responsible for at least two dozen (if not more) grizzly deaths of boys and young men. Fritz’s “love bite” is the stuff of nightmarish legend which inspired the moniker “Vampire of Hanover” and his extreme brutality and callous disregard for human life earned him another ghoulish nickname, “The Butcher of Hanover”. Ironically, he did work as a legitimate butcher at one point but that fact coupled with his involvement in the post war black market meat trade gave rise to some incredibly grim rumors. I thought the fact that Fritz’s father rarely expressed anything short of pure hatred for his son doubtlessly contributed to Fritz’s emotional instability but still…. Be warned, this story, this man, these events, will haunt your thoughts long after finishing this book. That said, this riveting and unforgettable examination of a deeply flawed and diabolically disturbed man should not be overlooked by any aficionado of the true crime genre.
I was provided with an advance copy of this book, for which I thank the author, but I am sharing my honest and unbiased review on a completely voluntary basis.
Once again, Ryan Green has managed to utilize his astonishing skill as a writer to bring to life in vivid, bone-chilling detail, the life and horrendously violent crimes of a man who defies explanation. This book will transport you to Germany in the wake of WWI to follow the evolution of a young boy into a monster that killed without remorse or regret. As is the case with so many serial killers, mass murderers, and spree killers throughout history, Fritz Haarman did not enjoy an idyllic childhood, or even a reasonably normal one, for that matter. Regardless, how an individual could possibly veer so very far from societal norms and yet seem so comfortable with himself is hard to fathom. He was responsible for at least two dozen (if not more) grizzly deaths of boys and young men. Fritz’s “love bite” is the stuff of nightmarish legend which inspired the moniker “Vampire of Hanover” and his extreme brutality and callous disregard for human life earned him another ghoulish nickname, “The Butcher of Hanover”. Ironically, he did work as a legitimate butcher at one point but that fact coupled with his involvement in the post war black market meat trade gave rise to some incredibly grim rumors. I thought the fact that Fritz’s father rarely expressed anything short of pure hatred for his son doubtlessly contributed to Fritz’s emotional instability but still…. Be warned, this story, this man, these events, will haunt your thoughts long after finishing this book. That said, this riveting and unforgettable examination of a deeply flawed and diabolically disturbed man should not be overlooked by any aficionado of the true crime genre.
I was provided with an advance copy of this book, for which I thank the author, but I am sharing my honest and unbiased review on a completely voluntary basis.
December 8, 2022
The Butcher informant
Ryan brings us yet another ‘hidden’ true crime tale. Fritz like many of Ryan’s subjects has issues from birth of a father who never accepts him and a mother who dotes on him. While he does experience some abuse as a child from his father, it’s not the theme of his childhood but it’s the loathing from his father and, as time passed, his older siblings that started him in the direction but Iid say is not the cause. He enjoyed raping and murdering his victims but it seems to be more of s personality trait rather than result of a traumatic brain injury. He was a sick man and I’m glad this happened so long ago in another country but unfortunately we have not made exaggerated leaps to shake this behavior from humanity.
Ryan brings us yet another ‘hidden’ true crime tale. Fritz like many of Ryan’s subjects has issues from birth of a father who never accepts him and a mother who dotes on him. While he does experience some abuse as a child from his father, it’s not the theme of his childhood but it’s the loathing from his father and, as time passed, his older siblings that started him in the direction but Iid say is not the cause. He enjoyed raping and murdering his victims but it seems to be more of s personality trait rather than result of a traumatic brain injury. He was a sick man and I’m glad this happened so long ago in another country but unfortunately we have not made exaggerated leaps to shake this behavior from humanity.
December 16, 2022
Werewolf of Hanover
This is the description National and International newspapers coined for this extraordinary/unusual killer. One sentence reads "22 distinct bodies were reassembled", and that doesn't even describe it all.
Ryan Green finds the most disturbing and chilling cases, then breaths new life into these old, sometimes forgotten stories. I'm not sure whether to applaud his research abilities more or his writing skills; so I'll simply advise readers to discover this gem on their own. Fair warning however, after you read one, you'll be compelled to read every one of his true crime novels. Better yet, you won't be disappointed! Enjoy them all, beginning with Butcher Biter Spy.
This is the description National and International newspapers coined for this extraordinary/unusual killer. One sentence reads "22 distinct bodies were reassembled", and that doesn't even describe it all.
Ryan Green finds the most disturbing and chilling cases, then breaths new life into these old, sometimes forgotten stories. I'm not sure whether to applaud his research abilities more or his writing skills; so I'll simply advise readers to discover this gem on their own. Fair warning however, after you read one, you'll be compelled to read every one of his true crime novels. Better yet, you won't be disappointed! Enjoy them all, beginning with Butcher Biter Spy.
December 5, 2022
This book details the life and crimes of German serial killer, Fritz Haarmann. Haarmann killed several young men in Hanover. He was a particularly brutal killer, biting his victims' throats and then stabbing and dismembering them. He also stole their possessions, either selling them or keeping them for himself. If you have a weak stomach, you might not want to read it as it is quite graphic. Haarmann was also a police informant, telling of the criminal activities of other felons. I highly recommend this book to other true crime readers. I received an ARC of this book, and the opinion expressed is strictly my own.
December 6, 2022
TRUE EVIL. I’ve read a few books that offered a few pages to the career of Fritz Haarmann, but I’ve never before seen a such a deep dive into his murderous career. Berlin in the twenties and thirties played host to several serial killers and it is impossible to grade their depravity. But Haarmann may very well sit on the top of the list. This won’t spoil the book for you, but he liked to rip the throat out of his victims with his teeth. This was generally done during sex. Afterwards he would cull the body’s meat from its bones. What to do with the meat? Read and find out. The writing is crisp and involving. The story is written like a biography and it is straight out of hell.
August 13, 2023
Butcher, Biter, Spy: A True Story of Madness, Mutilation and Unspeakable Acts of Brutality was another good true crime story by Ryan Green. Fritz Haarmann endured child abuse that deemed him psychologically unfit to stand trial. A body was found without a throat from his “love bite” on a bloodstained floor with butcher’s tools. He was locked up in a mental asylum until he was diagnosed as “morally inferior” which allowed him to walk free. The police overlooked the things he did and trusted him as an informant. At the same time dismembered and ravaged remains of young men began to wash up on the banks of the river. I enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait to read more by the author.
December 18, 2022
I have read true crime books since I was young. Mr. Green has a knack for showing the human side of the psychopaths that he writes about. He goes into detail about how the killer started out and how he eventually ended up becoming such a monster. There are graphic details in this book that is not for the faint of heart. I was fascinated throughout, and I learn something new with each book the author writes. He is fast becoming one of my favorites. I would highly recommend this book to true crime aficionados. I received an advance copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
August 5, 2023
Green's writing really brings this story to life. Lots of detail that makes it all seem more immediate and understandable, although I don't know how much of it I can believe. Was this really how Hans Grans saw the situation, or did he just say it to avoid the guillotine? And how does Green know about a 2nd victim with the same name as another when there is only 1 of that name on the memorial? And just how many sets of bones did they find? I have so many more questions now.
December 6, 2022
This man was an absolute monster. I can't even put into words the feelings I had through this book. He did so many awful things and just kept getting away with it. So sad that his young victims went through so much and most never saw justice or were even found completely. Definitely worth the read as Green puts out some of the best true crime.
January 18, 2023
I have definitely heard of this murderer but I think I got him mixed up with another murderer from the same period in Germany. This audiobook was a great reminder of the details. The author gives us all the details of the crimes and the final investigation.
February 1, 2023
I was very intrigued when I saw this new release from Ryan Green... although I couldn't listen to this audible book while cooking or eating. Green shares just some of the bone chilling gory details of the life of Fritz Haarmann. As always -- a great True Crime story from Ryan Green!
January 12, 2023
Gruesome in the extreme
Possibly the most horrific true story ever to be told. Another from a masterful story teller. Not for the faint hearted
Possibly the most horrific true story ever to be told. Another from a masterful story teller. Not for the faint hearted
March 12, 2023
Interesting story.
This book was interesting but the story dragged just a bit. The book is definitely worth reading. I am going to check into the authors others.
This book was interesting but the story dragged just a bit. The book is definitely worth reading. I am going to check into the authors others.
Read
October 15, 2025hard to put down. gruesome, grotesque yet very intriguing its hard to imagine Fritz was a real life vampire in love with the most disgusting mindset.
July 30, 2023
"Erst hatte er Sex mit ihnen, dann biss er ihnen die Kehle durch: Fritz Haarmann tötete in den Zwanzigerjahren mindestens 24 junge Männer." (Spiegel.de)
Fritz Haarmann, ein Serienmörder, der als Vampir, Schlächter, Kannibale oder Werwolf von Hannover bezeichnet wurde. Von 1918 bis 1924 ermordet der gleichnamige mindestens 24 junge Männer im Alter von zehn bis zweiundzwanzig Jahre. Die Dunkelziffer seiner wirklichen Opfer könnte sogar noch deutlich höher liegen. Ebenfalls spekuliert wurde, ob Haarmann seine Opfer zu Fleisch verarbeitet und auf dem Schwarzmarkt verkauft hat. Dies allerdings hat er immer bestritten und es konnte ihm nie nachgewiesen werden. Da Fritz zu jener Zeit als Spitzel für die Polizei arbeitet, bleibt er lang als Täter unentdeckt oder wird nur kurz oder gar nicht verhaftet. Viele junge Männer, die von zu Hause abgehauen sind oder in Hannover ein neues Leben beginnen wollen, passte er am Bahnhof ab und bietet ihnen Unterkunft und Essen an. Als Gegenleistung fordert er Sex mit ihnen, der irgendwann aus den Rudern läuft, indem er an ihnen seine brutalen Obsessionen auslebte. Ob er damals wirklich seinen Opfern die Kehle durchgebissen hat, ist nach wie vor fragwürdig und kann nicht wirklich nachgewiesen werden. Nach seiner Verhaftung belastete er sogar seinen Lebensgefährten Hans Grans schwer. Zieht dies jedoch kurz vor seiner Hinrichtung wieder zurück, sodass man Grans nicht zum Tode verurteilt. Am 15. April 1925 wird Haarmann am frühen Morgen im Hof des Gefängnisses mit dem Fallbeil hingerichtet. Dieser True Crime Fall und gleichzeitig Fritz Haarmanns Biografie, welche Ryan Green hier ausgearbeitet hat, ist trotz der Kürze ungemein ausführlich dargelegt. Es führt mich gleich zu Beginn in seine nicht gerade einfache Kindheit. Dort wird er zwar von seiner Mutter in höchstem Maße verwöhnt, doch dafür ist der Vater ein extrem harter und strenger Mensch. Als Jugendlicher wird er in der Psychiatrie behandelt, wo eine hebephrene Schizophrenie festgestellt wird. Allerdings trotz allem kein Grund zum Mörder zu werden.
Fazit:
Sein ehrlicher, interessanter Schreibstil lässt mich mal wieder durch die Seiten fliegen und ich kann das Buch bis zum Ende nicht mehr weglegen. Zwar kannte ich die Geschichte um den Serientäter von Hannover schon, doch ich war überrascht über die intensive, ausgiebige Beschreibung von Haarmanns Kindheit. Vielleicht ist es mitunter sogar fast ein bisschen zu viel, den erst Mitte des Buchs geht der Autor auf die eigentlichen brutalen Taten des Serientäters an seinen jungen Opfern ein. Allerdings ist es von da an nichts mehr für schwache Nerven. Den, wie man es schon von dem Autor gewohnt ist, werden seine Tötungen recht plastisch und ausführlich beschrieben. Weil die Polizei ihrem Spitzel erst so spät auf die Schliche kommt, wird es für viele Männer zum Verhängnis und ihrem Todesurteil. Von mir gibt es 4 1/2 von 5 Sterne für diesen empfehlenswerten True Crime Fall.
Fritz Haarmann, ein Serienmörder, der als Vampir, Schlächter, Kannibale oder Werwolf von Hannover bezeichnet wurde. Von 1918 bis 1924 ermordet der gleichnamige mindestens 24 junge Männer im Alter von zehn bis zweiundzwanzig Jahre. Die Dunkelziffer seiner wirklichen Opfer könnte sogar noch deutlich höher liegen. Ebenfalls spekuliert wurde, ob Haarmann seine Opfer zu Fleisch verarbeitet und auf dem Schwarzmarkt verkauft hat. Dies allerdings hat er immer bestritten und es konnte ihm nie nachgewiesen werden. Da Fritz zu jener Zeit als Spitzel für die Polizei arbeitet, bleibt er lang als Täter unentdeckt oder wird nur kurz oder gar nicht verhaftet. Viele junge Männer, die von zu Hause abgehauen sind oder in Hannover ein neues Leben beginnen wollen, passte er am Bahnhof ab und bietet ihnen Unterkunft und Essen an. Als Gegenleistung fordert er Sex mit ihnen, der irgendwann aus den Rudern läuft, indem er an ihnen seine brutalen Obsessionen auslebte. Ob er damals wirklich seinen Opfern die Kehle durchgebissen hat, ist nach wie vor fragwürdig und kann nicht wirklich nachgewiesen werden. Nach seiner Verhaftung belastete er sogar seinen Lebensgefährten Hans Grans schwer. Zieht dies jedoch kurz vor seiner Hinrichtung wieder zurück, sodass man Grans nicht zum Tode verurteilt. Am 15. April 1925 wird Haarmann am frühen Morgen im Hof des Gefängnisses mit dem Fallbeil hingerichtet. Dieser True Crime Fall und gleichzeitig Fritz Haarmanns Biografie, welche Ryan Green hier ausgearbeitet hat, ist trotz der Kürze ungemein ausführlich dargelegt. Es führt mich gleich zu Beginn in seine nicht gerade einfache Kindheit. Dort wird er zwar von seiner Mutter in höchstem Maße verwöhnt, doch dafür ist der Vater ein extrem harter und strenger Mensch. Als Jugendlicher wird er in der Psychiatrie behandelt, wo eine hebephrene Schizophrenie festgestellt wird. Allerdings trotz allem kein Grund zum Mörder zu werden.
Fazit:
Sein ehrlicher, interessanter Schreibstil lässt mich mal wieder durch die Seiten fliegen und ich kann das Buch bis zum Ende nicht mehr weglegen. Zwar kannte ich die Geschichte um den Serientäter von Hannover schon, doch ich war überrascht über die intensive, ausgiebige Beschreibung von Haarmanns Kindheit. Vielleicht ist es mitunter sogar fast ein bisschen zu viel, den erst Mitte des Buchs geht der Autor auf die eigentlichen brutalen Taten des Serientäters an seinen jungen Opfern ein. Allerdings ist es von da an nichts mehr für schwache Nerven. Den, wie man es schon von dem Autor gewohnt ist, werden seine Tötungen recht plastisch und ausführlich beschrieben. Weil die Polizei ihrem Spitzel erst so spät auf die Schliche kommt, wird es für viele Männer zum Verhängnis und ihrem Todesurteil. Von mir gibt es 4 1/2 von 5 Sterne für diesen empfehlenswerten True Crime Fall.
February 21, 2023
Once again, author Ryan Green has taken an unknown serial killer and exposed him to modern day readers in a horrifying story of brutality and mayhem.
Fritz Haarmann was a serial killer in Germany in the 1920's who was also a police informant. This fact alone was probably a big factor in his being able to stay undiscovered for so long. Also, the times in which he lived were chaotic due to war and society itself. Homosexuality was just beginning to be (at least partly) acceptable and his effeminate mannerisms only added to his stealth.
Mr. Green has taken the facts of this case and woven it into an almost unbelievable story of horror. This book will make even the most jaded true crime fan cringe and I know that I will remember it for a long time. You can't go wrong with one of Mr. Green's books and I would recommend this one to anyone with a strong stomach who wants to learn more about one of the most heinous killers I have ever read about.
Fritz Haarmann was a serial killer in Germany in the 1920's who was also a police informant. This fact alone was probably a big factor in his being able to stay undiscovered for so long. Also, the times in which he lived were chaotic due to war and society itself. Homosexuality was just beginning to be (at least partly) acceptable and his effeminate mannerisms only added to his stealth.
Mr. Green has taken the facts of this case and woven it into an almost unbelievable story of horror. This book will make even the most jaded true crime fan cringe and I know that I will remember it for a long time. You can't go wrong with one of Mr. Green's books and I would recommend this one to anyone with a strong stomach who wants to learn more about one of the most heinous killers I have ever read about.
August 1, 2025
Ich finde den Stil von Ryan Green wirklich interessant, es ist eine Mischung aus Roman und Biografie und die macht das Lesen irgendwie noch zusätzlich spannend. Man kann richtig in die Geschichte eintauchen und alles viel besser miterleben, ob das nun gut ist sei mal dahingestellt.
Auf jeden Fall find ich die Geschichte von Fritz Haarmann besonders erschreckend. So viele junge Männer mussten sterben, nur weil das System versagt hat.
Auf jeden Fall find ich die Geschichte von Fritz Haarmann besonders erschreckend. So viele junge Männer mussten sterben, nur weil das System versagt hat.
January 7, 2025
Entsetzlich zu was Menschen fähig sind und unbegreiflich wie lange fie Polizei blind sein kann, wenn es zu ihrem Nutzen ist.
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