A History of British Serial Killing

by Martin Fido

This is the history of serial killers in England, including the breakthroughs in forensic and psychological techniques that are used to track them down.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 2002

Reviews

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book highlights major cases over the years: jack The RIpper, The Moors Murders, The Wests, John George Haigh, John Reginald Halliday Christie, Dennis Nilsen.

It gives a solid accounting of the killings and the police work involved in the cases and provides good historical information of advances in forensic science and changes that have been made as a result of the discoveries of these crimes and criminals.

It also provides a useful appendix with information about the victims of these and other crimes.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow as the title suggests this was jam packed with crazies.
From classic killers like Jack the Ripper, Christie and Haigh to more famous modern names in the serial killer business like the Wests, Nilsen, Hindley and Brady.
This was a fascinating glimpse into their crimes from as far back as the Victorian era to pretty much modern day nut jobs.
Every aspect of the detection process was discussed and how new technological advances aided crime detection, psychological profiling and computer analysis.
A true crime must read that dealt in depth with not just the actual crimes but HOW these people got caught out.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provided some titbits of information on at least three of the killers I was aware of. It talks of the progress made during some of the police investigations into the serial killings with regard to computers, fingerprinting, DNA analysis and psychological profiling. The most macabre part for me was the list of killers with their individual proven/unproven kills

[Michayla Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book in 1 day. I couldn't put it down. It was very interesting. I especially liked how it starts of with Jack the Ripper and finishes with Fred and rose west. In between each chapter I liked how it would explain how the police would catch the serial killers. It was very interesting to read how the forensics and the way the police work has moved on leaps and bounds to catch these people. Very enjoyable.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was quite interesting.