This edition published in 1986 is a clear indication of how far (or some say not), we have come in viewing the murders of sex-workers, children, homosexuals, and the elderly. Perceived as not that valuable according to 'class', the wording in parts of this book by the police of the day is abhorrent to say the least. Titled Deadly Deviates, meaning the murderers, such phrases are labelled for the departed also, and with Mr Dunning's brilliantly delivered clarity this is another no brainer for lovers of true crime. Many of the savage tales are European, especially Germanic, that we forget horrors of home and come to a bleak reality that there are equally monstrous individuals across every continent. Ouch! And ouch again! For the 'fiction crime writers' who sadistically detail killings with eclectic, mind-boggling plots, the reality that murders are in fact simple and chillingly effective, and committed in anger or feelings of inferiority leaves us knowing that no matter which law nor preventive measures are introduced they will never stop this heinous act.
I loved this book. I could not put it down from the moment that I picked it up. Each chapter gives details of a deviate crime. Each one gives a run down of the crime and is followed by how they caught the culprit and the punishment that was given.