Depravity: A Narrative of 16 Serial Killers

by Harvey Rosenfeld

Their crimes span the globe but one thing unites they are sixteen of the twentieth century's most notorious serial killers. In this well-researched volume, find out their motives and what made them tick. Walk the path of investigators who broke cases and listen to the words spoken from the killers mouth. All of them made their communities tremble in fear. They Johann Otto Hoch, who moved to America from Germany in the 1890s and married a string of women. Instead of being the man of their dreams, he became their worst nightmare. Fritz Haarmann, "The Vampire of Hanover," killed dozens of young male vagrants and prostitutes from 1919 to 1924 in Germany. Béla Kiss, a Hungarian serial killer, killed young women and tried pickling them in giant metal drums. Robert Hansen, who began killing prostitutes in Alaska around 1980. He'd let them flee in the wilderness before hunting them down with a knife and rifle. Learn about these and other serial killers. Find out what motivated them to lead such horrible lives and how they were finally brought to justice in A Narrative of 16 Serial Killers .

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Audiobook

364 pages, Hardcover

First published April 23, 2009

Reviews

[Donna Brown]

I really wanted to enjoy this but sadly it promised much and failed to deliver. I was expecting an insightful psychological look at crime, psychopaths and serial killers. Instead, it read more like a true crime anthology. Although a few studies were referenced, I didn't feel the book reflected the depth of research I'm sure was involved in its creation (or at least that I'd hope would be involved).

Perhaps the main problem is how many serial killers were profiled. Had half the amount been more thoroughly profiled in the book, I think it would have more than met its aims. As a true crime read, it's a three. As a volume that allows you to "Find out what motivated them to lead such horrible lives", it needs considerably more depth to elevate it.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

On audiobook. Didn't quite buy their explanations into the psychology of serial killers, but it was a great collection of true crime stories.

[Zemmiphobe · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This book gives a nice overview of different types of series killers from all around the world. They are organized somewhat by the motive of the killing, though I feel this is somewhat speculative in some of the cases.

Biggest complaint about the book is that there doesn't seem to be the same level of detail and depth in all of the tellings. Also, some of them are told in narrative with conversations that have obviously been imagined by the writer, while others only report on court documents. It just lacks continuity across the book as a whole. Sometimes it was a true crime fictionalization. Sometimes it was a non-fiction description of serial killer cases.

[Dominika · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5
I was expecting more insight about the murders, the people behind it etc. Rather than that the book is more like a walkthrough, like a journalist work, gathering information from how the first bodies were discovered to the trials as a finish of the story. Linear and not satisfying read.

[Ann W · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book abt the psychy of serial killers, that jst happen to be depraved.

I've learned about a few killers that I'd never heard of before.

Very interesting & for me, was a solid 3 stars.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd probably give this a 3.5 star if I could. I learned some things from this book but it was a little dry.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book goes into the background of many serial killers, which, for many, satisfies their curiosity on the subject. Well written. Details are thorough without being overwhelming.