Sadistic Killers: Profiles of Pathological Predators

by Carol Anne Davis

Acclaimed crime writer Carol Anne Davis explores the minds of sadistic their childhoods, their growing pathology, and their horrific crimes. Davis delineates the different subgroups of sadists, including chapters on female sadists, consensual sadomasochism, and the rehabilitation of some of the world's most violent men. SADISTIC KILLERS is a compelling look at the formative influences acting upon sadists and at their crimes, unflinching in detail but never gratuitous.

Genres: Nonfiction, Crime, True Crime

Paperback

First published February 12, 2006

Reviews

[Sean Barrs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the way this book is organised; it separated the lady killers from the child killers and those that kill men and so on. It is really quite an interesting read. It presents the facts in a matter of fact kind of way and really demonstrates the extreme depths of man’s capability for evil.
Personally, as a novice writer, I find this book inspirational in creating characters that are truly barbaric.

[Chris Orme · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was average as true crime books go. The kind of one you read in little chunks. There are some interesting things here but there are only very small case studies & paragraphs are dedicated to concepts which could easily take up books on their own. The bibliography in the back is small too & there are times where would be interested in sources. There are also a few instances of a personal bugbear in where the internal thoughts of the killer are mentioned. How do you know this? Is it from sources such as interview with the subject or are you just adding your own perceived psychological thought process.
However despite the harrowing subject matter as true crime books go it is an easy read, meaning it does not go too deep. Which is what I prefer if possible. My psychology degree I guess, that is the fascinating part. A chance to learn from horrible events & if possible understanding can help with rehabilitation or ideally the prevention of further tragedies.
Though the title does say it all, there are some particularly horrible crimes derailed here & it’s impossible personally not to feel empathy with the victims who suffered so much. They’ll stay with you, so it’s up to you if you can cope with that.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bit disturbed that I read it, but was interesting and horrible in equal measure. I now look for sadistic behaviour all over the shop. It's always the quiet ones.

[Harkeen Bains · Rating 5 out of 5]

it separated the lady killers from the child killers and those that kill men and so on. It is really quite an interesting read. It presents the facts in a matter of fact kind of way and really demonstrates the extreme depths of man’s capability for evil.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second time reading a book of Carol Anne Davis', and I was equally happy with her writing as I was when I read her book about youth killers. Anyone whose read my reviews of true crime books knows I often gripe about authors sensationalizing and sexualizing crime, and to my deep relief, Ms. Davis doesn't do that--she offers straight reporting, written in an entertaining way that gives good (while not exhaustive) detail into many offenders backgrounds without being overly sympathetic. It also pleased me very much to see her level of respect towards the victims of these horrible crimes--many true crime writers overlook the victims or treat them like supporting stars to the evil villain's center stage, which is thoroughly in bad taste to me. Ms. Davis avoids that pitfall.

This book is neatly categorized, offering biographies of sadistic offenders from the UK, to America, to Australia. She also has chapters dedicated to female sadists, as well as offenders by victim type, and consensual BDSM participants. She closes the book with a well-placed chapter on a therapeutic model that could help incarcerated offenders, as well as steps that could be taken to remove budding psychopaths from their exacerbating factors and create an overall safer society.

For nonfiction, its an easy read, given that there's plenty of places to pause and the subject matter switches fairly frequently (going from one offender to the next), so it doesn't get boring. However, the nature of this book involves a level of innate despair that can be difficult to push through at times. Otherwise, I think Ms. Davis' books are a fine introduction to people who have an interest in true crime. Her work continues to be well-researched and informative, while maintaining a neutral, interesting tone. I appreciate her efforts to dispel myths and misunderstandings about the creation of violent offenders, as well as explain the difference between unlawful and consensual BDSM to those that are unaware.

Sadistic Killers can be challenging to read at times, given the grim content it exposes the reader to, but its not vulgar or gory. Its the emotional, moral questions the content implicitly poses that make the book feel heavy. Having said that, I encourage those who are curious about the book to give it a read. It's an informative, well done book that educates the reader.

[Stephanie Chu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally finished reading this book. It took me a long time because i was busy visiting my relatives and didn't have time reading.The book is good.Highly recommended to anyone who are interested in reading about the mind of sadist.