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 enlarge | Author: Peter Vronsky
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Category: Book
List Price: $16.00
Buy New: $9.19
You Save: $6.81 (43%)
New (37) Used (23) from $6.96
Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 22342
Media: Paperback
Edition: Trade edition
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 432
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6 x 1
ISBN: 0425196402
Dewey Decimal Number: 364.1523019
EAN: 9780425196403
ASIN: 0425196402
Publication Date: October 5, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 serial killers;the method and the madness of monsters August 16, 2006
9 out of 13 found this review helpful
This is the best book i have read on the subject of serial killers and i have read hundreds in my studies.
Highly Recommend! July 12, 2006
13 out of 16 found this review helpful
This was a great book, Peter Vronsky obviously did a ton of research. The only minor complaint I have is there are times where he states the same things over again as if they hadn't been written in the book already. Other than that, in my opinion, it was indeed a well written book. He goes into great detail about what "triggers" serial killers, MO's, the methods of profiling, stories of actual crimes, etc. I was so intrigued by this book I finished it in 3 days.
This book also made me really stop and think just how comfortable we humans become in our daily routines, with many of us believing nothing will ever happen to us. Even something as simple as going to the grocery store, which may be something you do every Sunday, could end up being your last day alive. Not only is this book truly informative, I think there is also a lesson to be learned; never trust ANYONE. Always be aware of your surroundings and no matter how innocent a stranger may be or seem, you CANNOT trust them. And above all, NEVER, EVER get into a strangers car. I'm not suggesting living out the rest of your life in fear by any means but this book, for me at least, reinforced the belief we always need to be aware of our surroundings and again, never trust anyone. Do not be afraid to refuse to help someone get something into their car, do not be afraid to stand your ground fearing you may come off as a jerk or impolite and mostly, if you say no, do not allow someone to pressure you into doing something you don't want to, it really could save your life.
Required Reading Impossible To Put Down! May 10, 2006
16 out of 16 found this review helpful
This book was on the list of required readings for a criminal justice course I took but it was actually fun to read compared to some of the dull and clinical readings we have to do. I began reading this book on the way home from the campus bookstore, and could hardly put it down until I finished it. This writer deals with some very technical and heavy-going forensic material on serial killers, their psychology, history and investigative techniques. But he explains things in a very understandable way without talking down to you and gives real case examples for his stuff with identifiable details (which forensic texts often do not.) The references in this book are worth its cover price alone. I am so tired of reading "true crime" accounts with no idea where the authors get their information. This writer tells you the source of almost every major fact or controversial claim in his book. You can go and look it up yourself if you don't believe him or want to know more. And there is material here that no other books on Serial Killers deal with. Great book. Smart and hip. A Fast Food Nation or Black Hawk Down of serial killer books. Well researched and brilliantly written. Going beyond books on serial killers, this is one of the better books outright that I have read this year. Just a pleasure to read.
Best book on serial killers and I have read them all. April 25, 2006
14 out of 15 found this review helpful
I am a huge fan of true crime and history and I have read every single book on serial homicide and this is by far the best book on the subject. Period. The author is truly an expert on experts-a historian who ruthlessly separates fact from fiction and truth from myth. This book takes a serious look at some of the weaknesses and failures of so-called profiling experts, something few books do, but also with fairness looks at their successes, giving credit where credit is due. Well-balanced book with no tolerance for bs. This is, without question, the definitive history of serial homicide and its investigation. It literally packs into one volume a very carefully researched analysis of some of the most important issues and questions in serial murder. Very well written, hard to put down look into the minds of serial killers and those who hunt them.
 Horrid April 16, 2006
17 out of 27 found this review helpful
I have read literally every book written on serial and sexually motivated murder and this is by far the worst.
This book starts with an admission by the writer that he knows nothing about the subject and has learned everything he knows just like the reader. Bad omen. He then proceeds with the rambling tale of how he thinks he has bumped into two different serial murderers in his life and that seems to be the motivation to write this book.
So then, the book begins. He seems antagonistic at best when referencing the work of experts in the field such as the Behavioral Sciences Unit at Quantico, disputing statistics compiled by people who have, by his own admission, more experience than he does.
The crime accounts are no better than what you could read in the news reports of these cases. As an example it includes an account of the London Moster who was a man that stabbed women but never killed anyone, which is piquerism not serial homicide. never focused or on track this book is all over the place and a very amatuerish work.
I highly recommend that you buy another book such as Hunting Humans, or The Criminal Mind
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