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An Insatiable Thirst for Murder - Serial Killer Henry Holmes
STORY OF AMERICA’S FIRST DOCUMENTED SERIAL KILLER. (Fiction)
If you hear him lock the door, you are already dead!
America's first documented serial killer, Henry Howard Holmes, holds a dubious and ghastly record that few serial killers in history have surpassed. The 19th century killer is thought to have committed over 200 murders, but, for unexplained reasons, appears to have been overlooked by many true crime enthusiasts. Set partly in the era when "Jack the Ripper" was terrorizing the foggy streets of London with his gruesome slayings in the 19th century, Holmes was committing his nefarious crimes in America, undetected.
Holmes, a handsome, well dressed gentleman with high intelligence, was a murderer and accomplished con-man. Charm and trust were his most effective weapons and he welded them as expertly as any surgeon would a scalpel.
To achieve an easy way to entrap and dispose of his intended victims, Holmes constructed a huge building that when his crimes were revealed, the newspapers of the time named the "Murder Hotel." And this is a fair description as there can be no doubt the building was constructed for the sole purpose of killing his victims and the disposal of their corpses. Though the majority of his victims were women he charmed and ensnared in his murderous grasp, he also murdered men and children.
As the trial judge said when charging the jury responsible for convicting Holmes: "Truth is stranger than fiction, and if Mrs. Pitezel's story is true—(and it was proven to be true)—it is the most wonderful exhibition of the power of mind over mind I have ever seen, and stranger than any novel I have ever read."
After 2 years of research and consultation with modern day serial killer profilers, I believe this to be the most accurate dramatized account of America's first documented serial killer, H. H. Holmes.
"Insightful thoughts of some characters during their impending death make it too easy to identify with the horror of what they experienced. By the time I got to the end of some parts, I was out of breath, literally!"
"Grabs your concentration by the throat with every horrific and appalling act carried out by Holmes and never lets go. The scenes are so well written that you find yourself witnessing everything as if you were there."
"An atmospheric dramatization of a true crime mystery using source documents and the investigations carried out by detective Frank Geyer to portray a believable and disturbing account of the heinous murders and crimes of the serial killer, Henry H. Holmes."
"This well researched dramatization of the Chicago serial killer, Henry Holmes, because is based on actual events, isn't something that's always easily digestible; it sits in your gut and gnaws at your insides. It becomes part of your subconscious. You think of it long after you have laid the book aside. No punches are pulled to describe the horrendous crimes carried out by this cold hearted killer."
"Hammott's writing is easy to read. He has a real knack for creating great descriptions of scenes, characters, and murderous action."
"Absorbingly horrific. As if it were a plane crash that you just can't look away from, because you're intrigued as to how and what will happen next."
"An absorbing read that will remain with you long after you've turned the last page."
"The prose is very descriptive and emotive. It actually gave me quite an emotional kick in the gut when Holmes's murderous appetite focused on the children. No one was safe from this man."
"As fascinating as it is shocking."
If you hear him lock the door, you are already dead!
America's first documented serial killer, Henry Howard Holmes, holds a dubious and ghastly record that few serial killers in history have surpassed. The 19th century killer is thought to have committed over 200 murders, but, for unexplained reasons, appears to have been overlooked by many true crime enthusiasts. Set partly in the era when "Jack the Ripper" was terrorizing the foggy streets of London with his gruesome slayings in the 19th century, Holmes was committing his nefarious crimes in America, undetected.
Holmes, a handsome, well dressed gentleman with high intelligence, was a murderer and accomplished con-man. Charm and trust were his most effective weapons and he welded them as expertly as any surgeon would a scalpel.
To achieve an easy way to entrap and dispose of his intended victims, Holmes constructed a huge building that when his crimes were revealed, the newspapers of the time named the "Murder Hotel." And this is a fair description as there can be no doubt the building was constructed for the sole purpose of killing his victims and the disposal of their corpses. Though the majority of his victims were women he charmed and ensnared in his murderous grasp, he also murdered men and children.
As the trial judge said when charging the jury responsible for convicting Holmes: "Truth is stranger than fiction, and if Mrs. Pitezel's story is true—(and it was proven to be true)—it is the most wonderful exhibition of the power of mind over mind I have ever seen, and stranger than any novel I have ever read."
After 2 years of research and consultation with modern day serial killer profilers, I believe this to be the most accurate dramatized account of America's first documented serial killer, H. H. Holmes.
"Insightful thoughts of some characters during their impending death make it too easy to identify with the horror of what they experienced. By the time I got to the end of some parts, I was out of breath, literally!"
"Grabs your concentration by the throat with every horrific and appalling act carried out by Holmes and never lets go. The scenes are so well written that you find yourself witnessing everything as if you were there."
"An atmospheric dramatization of a true crime mystery using source documents and the investigations carried out by detective Frank Geyer to portray a believable and disturbing account of the heinous murders and crimes of the serial killer, Henry H. Holmes."
"This well researched dramatization of the Chicago serial killer, Henry Holmes, because is based on actual events, isn't something that's always easily digestible; it sits in your gut and gnaws at your insides. It becomes part of your subconscious. You think of it long after you have laid the book aside. No punches are pulled to describe the horrendous crimes carried out by this cold hearted killer."
"Hammott's writing is easy to read. He has a real knack for creating great descriptions of scenes, characters, and murderous action."
"Absorbingly horrific. As if it were a plane crash that you just can't look away from, because you're intrigued as to how and what will happen next."
"An absorbing read that will remain with you long after you've turned the last page."
"The prose is very descriptive and emotive. It actually gave me quite an emotional kick in the gut when Holmes's murderous appetite focused on the children. No one was safe from this man."
"As fascinating as it is shocking."
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First published June 15, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 13, 2020
Edited and Updated Review: (Reread)
As an avid serial killer enthusiast (I promise it’s just an interest) and an equally fascinated H.H. Holmes enthusiast; I will beg you to indulge me as I explain how EXCITED I was to read this book. I have picked up on Holme’s references in so many books; series and movies as well as having completed a lot of research for fun in my spare time so when I saw this book I knew I had to read it. With that also came a sense of doubt because there is no greater disappointment than being a fan of something and reading a book about it that isn’t good. So you could say that I went into this book with two minds already.
My mind was set at ease from the beginning of the first chapter. Not only is the writing amazing; but there was obviously a lot of careful research done before it was written. As I weaved my way through the life of America’s first documented serial killer I could feel; see and taste everything he was experiencing. It was an excellent read that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I was rewarded with even more information on Holmes and his spree of marriages; cons and killings than I already had and the way in which it was laid out in this book was just perfect.
Carefully not to jump too far ahead or to muddle facts; Hammott and Wilkinson take us on a carefully guided tour through the life of one of the most manipulative; cunning and bloodthirsty killers in history (I say this knowing that the true count of how many people Holme’s murdered has never been accounted for as he had so carefully disposed of the bodies.)
This is a well written; well-researched book and the only problem that I had with it was when Holme’s was finally apprehended and the trial began. Although it is noted at the end of the book that a lot was cut from the section about the trial because it wasn’t relevant to the case; I felt a lot that was relevant was repeated and although I understand the authors were staying true to the fact it did get a bit tedious and boring in this section – especially when several witnesses are called to confirm the same fact. I felt that that particular section could have been handled different and written in such a way that it would not have been as hard to get through.
That being said; all in all this was a very on-the-edge-of-your-seat enjoyable book that I would wholly recommend to anyone with an interest in serial killers; mysteries; thrillers and H.H. Holmes.
As an avid serial killer enthusiast (I promise it’s just an interest) and an equally fascinated H.H. Holmes enthusiast; I will beg you to indulge me as I explain how EXCITED I was to read this book. I have picked up on Holme’s references in so many books; series and movies as well as having completed a lot of research for fun in my spare time so when I saw this book I knew I had to read it. With that also came a sense of doubt because there is no greater disappointment than being a fan of something and reading a book about it that isn’t good. So you could say that I went into this book with two minds already.
My mind was set at ease from the beginning of the first chapter. Not only is the writing amazing; but there was obviously a lot of careful research done before it was written. As I weaved my way through the life of America’s first documented serial killer I could feel; see and taste everything he was experiencing. It was an excellent read that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I was rewarded with even more information on Holmes and his spree of marriages; cons and killings than I already had and the way in which it was laid out in this book was just perfect.
Carefully not to jump too far ahead or to muddle facts; Hammott and Wilkinson take us on a carefully guided tour through the life of one of the most manipulative; cunning and bloodthirsty killers in history (I say this knowing that the true count of how many people Holme’s murdered has never been accounted for as he had so carefully disposed of the bodies.)
This is a well written; well-researched book and the only problem that I had with it was when Holme’s was finally apprehended and the trial began. Although it is noted at the end of the book that a lot was cut from the section about the trial because it wasn’t relevant to the case; I felt a lot that was relevant was repeated and although I understand the authors were staying true to the fact it did get a bit tedious and boring in this section – especially when several witnesses are called to confirm the same fact. I felt that that particular section could have been handled different and written in such a way that it would not have been as hard to get through.
That being said; all in all this was a very on-the-edge-of-your-seat enjoyable book that I would wholly recommend to anyone with an interest in serial killers; mysteries; thrillers and H.H. Holmes.
December 22, 2015
A story about a pyschopath - this is right up my alley. Can it deliver? Yes, it does. The story of Henry Holmes is a compelling one, well-researched, and will give knots to your stomach if you cannot handle gore and death. The methodical way Holmes went about his killings is fascinating. I was thoroughly entertained, and Mr. Hammott's best skill is to bring out emotion from his readers. Highly recommended.
April 11, 2018
Great reading
Couldn't put down after starting. Read in 2days. Unreal that he got away with so much for long. A interesting read.
Couldn't put down after starting. Read in 2days. Unreal that he got away with so much for long. A interesting read.
December 20, 2015
I'd recommend this book to historical fiction and non-fiction fans.
The book is a dramatisation of the murder spree of H.H.Holmes during the 1880s and 1890s primarily in Chicago.
The story was fascinating and enhanced by photographs of the main characters and the locations some of the murders took place. If I hadn't been aware the story was based on facts I would have said the plot was unbelievable especially as he was actually caught out because of horse rustling and an insurance scam rather than his bigamous marriages and the frequent disappearances of guests staying in his specially designed hotel.
The writing style was at the mid point between fiction and non-fiction. It lacked the usual fiction techniques of building suspense and character empathy but with the dialogue and descriptions it was far more engaging than a straight forward non-fictional account. The gruesome and bizarre story of Mr Holmes held my interest throughout.
I was entertained and learnt about an unusual character I had no previous knowledge of and also a real flavour of Chicago of the time period.
The book is a dramatisation of the murder spree of H.H.Holmes during the 1880s and 1890s primarily in Chicago.
The story was fascinating and enhanced by photographs of the main characters and the locations some of the murders took place. If I hadn't been aware the story was based on facts I would have said the plot was unbelievable especially as he was actually caught out because of horse rustling and an insurance scam rather than his bigamous marriages and the frequent disappearances of guests staying in his specially designed hotel.
The writing style was at the mid point between fiction and non-fiction. It lacked the usual fiction techniques of building suspense and character empathy but with the dialogue and descriptions it was far more engaging than a straight forward non-fictional account. The gruesome and bizarre story of Mr Holmes held my interest throughout.
I was entertained and learnt about an unusual character I had no previous knowledge of and also a real flavour of Chicago of the time period.
January 29, 2016
An Insatiable Thirst for Murder is the perfect title for this book, because an insatiable thirst for murder is exactly what Henry Holmes had. He is known as America’s first recorded serial killer, but he should be known as the worst. We’ve had other monsters in this country in the years since Holmes, but none as bad as he was Many serial killers stick to one kind of victim, but Holmes killed women, men, and even children. And he even constructed a hotel designed specifically to make it easy to kill people and dispose of their bodies.
If someone made up a fictional character like Holmes, it would be unbelievable, but as they say, truth is stranger than fiction. Ben Hammott has done a fantastic job of telling the story of the monster that was Holmes. He takes the historical facts and dramatizes them in a very entertaining way. If you like true crime, you’ll love this book, but be warned, it might keep you up at night.
If someone made up a fictional character like Holmes, it would be unbelievable, but as they say, truth is stranger than fiction. Ben Hammott has done a fantastic job of telling the story of the monster that was Holmes. He takes the historical facts and dramatizes them in a very entertaining way. If you like true crime, you’ll love this book, but be warned, it might keep you up at night.
November 22, 2015
1st review received "Though I don't know much about H. Holmes, the serial killer of the story, it does seem as the author has carried out his research diligently. The well written story and characters bring the evil deeds, of which there are many, of this intelligent gentleman killer to life. It is suspenseful and harrowing. Holmes was truly an evil man who enjoyed causing pain and suffering to his victims."
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews