The Serial Killer Books: 15 Famous Serial Killers True Crime Stories That Shocked the World

I didn't even bother to read more than 30% of the mess. On the plus side, it does provide a short list of names to use for further research, if that's your goal. Though the Amazon picture gives the impression of a 15 volume anthology, in reality, it might contain information from 15 short magazine articles. The editing appears to be near nonexistent, likely no one even proofread. Just... sad.

I am a true crime junkie - I've been reading true crime books since I was 10 and read "Helter Skelter" and I thought I'd heard/read about every serial killer there was. Nope - I read about quite a few cases I'd never heard of before in this collection. While Jack Rosewood doesn't go into depth, he tells you all the important points about the case. I've read other "snippet" books, where the author has done nothing but regurgitate information you can find out yourself by doing an internet search - not these! I truly enjoyed this collection and I think you will, too :)

Florida author Jack Rosewood inherited his fascination for heinous crimes from his father, a journalist covering major grim crimes such as Ted Bundy. He is fascinated with serial killers – their development psychologically, their preparation for their life of crime, and the details of how they made their bloody black marks on the world. Jack moves away from his intensive studies of serial killers to explore current crimes most of which are discoveries for the reader – even the Jack Rosewood reader! He is joined by co-author Rebecca Lo with whom he has published three other collections - TRUE CRIME STORIES: TRUE CRIME ANTHOLOGY - and together they survey SERIAL KILLERS – electing to share the incredulous horror of fifteen serial killers.Jack Rosewood opens a new door to reveal more of his expertise on his ongoing research and writing about true crime. He has created a new series – THE SERIAL KILLER BOOKS – in which he surveys 15 famous serial killers whose stories continue to terrify the public. As one who has read all of Jack’s books it is with eagerness that this new series is approached. For those new to his prowess, Florida author Jack Rosewood comes by his obsession for heinous crimes from his father, a journalist covering major grim crimes. He is fascinated with serial killers – their development psychologically, their preparation for their life of crime, and the details of how they made their bloody black marks on the world. The movie star handsome Rosewood lives in Jupiter, Florida with his wife and two children. And now on to this exciting (if heinously terrifying) book he has named THE SERIAL KILLER BOOKS!Preparing for his new examination of the diabolical history and psychopathology of these ‘new’ SERIAL KILLERS Jack offers a fine Introduction. ‘When we explore the world’s underbelly, we find people who can willfully commit the most heinous of acts, seemingly without batting an eyelash or thinking about the repercussions. These are the killers whose stories are so unforgettable, so terribly heinous that it’s hard to imagine that we share the same earth, breathe the same air, walk the same soil. Some are unable to control themselves, some are acting out based on either real-life abuse or perceived slights that have set them on a course for revenge and some are just savages, made even more violent when they found a partner who shared their same sick sense of fun and games. This diverse anthology of serial killer stories gives added insight into some of the most horrific people to ever make headlines– killers whose stories are the ones that have already stepped into your nightmares. A collection that brings numerous killers between two covers– Ted Bundy, Aileen Wuornos, John Wayne Gacy, Charles Starkweather and his sidekick girlfriend Caril Fugate– this is the book for true crime lovers who want to know more about the killers whose names they already know, with some surprises thrown in to keep things interesting. This book explores 15 different types of crimes and killers, looking at men who murdered their families– some thinking they were in all reality doing them a favor– murders that happened on Christmas, forever destroying the revered holiday for the survivors, and crimes that were so strange it’s difficult to believe they could have happened at all. Whether psychotic killers, female serial killers or prolific killers, we’ve delved into some of the most familiar cases and some lesser-known cases to give you a glimpse of the levels of evil that may lurk just outside your door– or in the room across the hall.’The serial killers of the collection are John List, Charles Lawson, Katherine Knight, Albert DeSalvo, Jesse Poweroy, John Wayne Gacy, Aileen Wuornos, Gary Ridgway, Ted Bundy, Andrei Chikatilo, Dennis Rader, Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate, Gary Gilmore, H.H. Holmes, Richard Speck, and a bonus chapter that discusses famous hate crimes.Jack has done his research so that all the facts are straight, but the real success of this collection is his intense writing style that is wholly mesmerizing. Another indispensible volume of the mad side of the brain of serial killers. Grady Harp, April 17

A decent brief overview of a number of serial killers. I received a free download of the book in exchange for an honest review. I do not wish to discourage an aspiring writer especially since I hope to have some things I have written published and I'm sure my writing isn't perfect either. Unfortunately, The Serial Killer Books suffered from awkward attempts at nonlinear storytelling and a number of factual errors, including dates contradicted one paragraph to the next. A good editing and fact checking would greatly improve the book as many of the errors are just a need for a good reread of the work before publication to fix obvious typos, incorrect autocorrections and very awkwardly phrased passages. The author is obviously knowledgeable and interested in the subject but would be well served by a professional editor.

Disappointed that "The Serial Killer Books" was only one actual book. Other than that, some interesting info in there...

No real background on the serial killers. Books very short. It felt like this could have been just one book, with a chapter devoted to each person.

If you like true crime stories then you will enjoy this book. The stories are short but give you the information that you need. I had no idea there were so many serial killers in the world. I must admit I have found some typos in the the book but not enough to make me stop reading. Can't wait to start reading my next Rosewood book. Enjoy.

I enjoy reading true crime & try to read everything I get my hands on. This set of books was well written & researched. It talks about how the killers started out in life all the way to being caught & the punishment they received for the crimes committed.

So torn with this book, an interesting overview of various killers, but in some ways the writing is worse than a high school essay. It would seem the book has never been proof read with many incorrect words littered through all the pages making it a bit of a difficult read.In some ways such glaring issues take away from what is ultimately a good brief on the many different crimes recounted.I just hope the research was performed better than the book edit or there is going to be a lot of people wondering around with incorrect information.

This is a great collection, fascinating and full of surprises. I’ve read quite a few of Jack Rosewood’s true crime compendiums now and he keeps managing to select even more varied cases, situations and scenarios.This compilation is set out in fifteen chapters containing lots of information on some of the most famous true crime cases and some I hadn’t heard about before too. Each chapter focuses on one particular case and then at the end of the chapter more serial killers with similar traits are also mentioned briefly. I really liked this format.So many times I exclaimed Arrgh, ooh, eeek, and my goodness while I read this book! Reading some of the content will really have you cringing. How would one ever recover from seeing some of these terrible things if you were one of the first Police officers at the scene? This is the stuff nightmares are made of but for some people, this was real life. And then death.Explores killers where sometimes there is just no reason, and sometimes their lives have had a catalogue of disasters which lead them down a desperate road. So many horrible events absolutely beyond belief.Here is more of the worst you've ever heard of. This is a bigger compilation than some of Rosewood's but not overly detailed and an engrossing quick read. The gruesome acts described will keep you awake reading about them-and then keep you awake thinking how truly terrifying what you've just read was!

A veritable cornucopia of serial killers, this box set includes information on killers well-known such as Aileen Wurnos and Ted Bundy and other lesser known people. A well researched book, these are not books for the squeamish as some details of the crimes are quite gory and shocking!There are a few typos in these books, but I do believe that the author is doing his best to correct them. An interesting boxset that makes you think, are killers a product of nature or nurture?

Patricia J.A captivating compilation of true crime stories, some that are famously known, others which are not so well known.A book that keeps the reader engrossed in wanting to gain a better insight into what causes an individual to perform such evil acts. This results in not wanting to put the book down but to read it through to the end.Certainly a must for any true crime fan.

Well done of these stories are really horrid and such lives wasted is unthinkable. I think that a lot of it down to the person who took lives of others