The Killers Among Us: An Examination of Serial Murder and Its Investigation

by Steven A. Egger

This book brings together all of what we know, what we think we know, and what we don't know about the horrific violence of serial murder.Part I introduces the subject of serial murder and presents the "six myths" of serial murder that interfere with understanding and successful investigation. Part II presents detailed case studies of four infamous serial killers, John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy, Kenneth Bianchi and Henry Lee Lucas. Part III focuses on the investigation of serial murder, showing the problems law enforcement faces -- notably "linkage blindness," the inability of unwillingness of police agencies to share information on unsolved murders. This seciton includes an extensive discussion of fourteen different police responses to serial murder. Finally, the author -- a noted criminologist and former homicide investigator -- discusses the future of serial murder and its investigation.Students of criminology, psychology and sociology; true crime buffs; mystery writers and readers; journalists; skeptics; and criminal justice professionals.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Psychology

296 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Donovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting read if you have ever pondered who/what a serial killer is. It looks at what is known about serial killers, the myths and how those myths inhibit investigations, theories about the perpetrators and a case review of a couple.

What is most disturbing about this book is how hard it would be to recognise a serial killer and how nasty is could be if you were ever to be the focus of attention of a serial killer.

Not recommended for anyone who gets anxiety over such things.

[Karla Renee Goforth Abreu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heavy duty--look into the world and mind of the serial killer. A text like book.