Dark Truths Enter the Twisted World of the Serial Killer by Hunter, Robert D. ( Author ) ON Apr-02-2009, Paperback

by Christopher J. Kurtz, Robert D. Hunter

What drives a man to kill another person, and another, then another until he can no longer stop?


Pulitzer Prize nominee Dr Christopher J Kurtz and co-author Robert D Hunter may have the answer to this question.


Through their correspondence with numerous convicted killers, who have told of their compulsion to commit serial homicide, the authors have gained a unique insight into the lives of these individuals and explore in disturbing detail the homicidal manifestations of a number of mental afflictions.


Their conclusions make for frightening reading, but Kurtz and Hunter argue that we must delve deeply into the world of evil and the irrational if we are ever to understand the serial killer and his motives.


Dark Truths not only provides an in-depth study of the terrifying obsessions of serial killers and rapists, but it is also a compelling study of alienation and psychosis that lurk just beneath the surface of modern society.

Genres: Nonfiction

235 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[L. Penn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet more heinous acts of disturbed minds carrying out atrocities that simply beggar belief in the most sound of us. The same words and phrases come up all the time, fantasy, abused childhoods, different modeled personalities, etc, we can go on and on, and if we honestly looked hard enough, we all have suffered fantasy, abused childhoods, etc, because truly, who can claim they had the perfect childhood that raised the perfect adult? Of course not all of us go on to kill, and ticking the boxes of these two acclaimed Doctors, most people would meet the so-called labels of being some kind of sick individual. Really, who of us can be honest about ourselves, killers or not, still, I love these pieces of work. What's next for me? Mm...might check out another Georgina Lloyd.

[Kathryn Minn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an informative read, that was overall well written. Some points expressed in the book are sometimes repeated in later chapters but considering the subject matter, repeats of certain aspects of the book's subject matter are to be expected as the subject actually splits into many different categories and sub-categories, and each one only differs slightly to each other. That is one element of this type of research matter that is particularly highlighted in this book. The fact that the subject of forensic psychology is so huge and we haven't even begun to understand even say 50% of what can be learned about it. It's clearly demonstrated in this book how much we have learned, compared to just a few decades ago, about the human mind and the mind of the serial killer.
I would definitely recommend anyone interested in trying to understand or unravel the minds of criminals to read this book.

[Kathryn Minn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an informative read, that was overall well written. Some points expressed in the book are sometimes repeated in later chapters but considering the subject matter, repeats of certain aspects of the book’s subject matter are to be expected as the subject actually splits into many different categories and sub-categories, and each one only differs slightly to each other. That is one element of this type of research matter that is particularly highlighted in this book. The fact that the subject of forensic psychology is so huge and we haven’t even begun to understand even say 50% of what can be learned about it. It’s clearly demonstrated in this book how much we have learned, compared to just a few decades ago, about the human mind and the mind of the serial killer. I would definitely recommend anyone interested in trying to understand or unravel the minds of criminals to read this book.

[Sofface · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoied this one. Not at all what I was expecting, however, it was captivating, well written and informative.
Highly recommend for anyone interested in true crime.

[Erin Pallott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book with much interest as this is a topic that's always caught my attention.

It was written simply to allow a wide range of people understand. It wasn't outstanding but I've given it a high rating as it is about something I enjoy reading about.

[Amber Jaded · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting clinical insight into the different kinds of serial killers and what motivates them. Has a great bibliographic list at the back too.

[May Ocampo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great historical account and explanation of theories :)