World's Most Evil Psychopaths

by John Marlow

2007 horrifying true-life cases

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Horror, Serial Killer, Reference

208 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2007

Reviews

[✨Jess✨ Ann]

Interesting read but why did i have to finish it at quarter to 3 in the morning.... Now it's all I can think about.

[Brandy Shark]

A nice overview, like reading wikipedia articles except you know, this is reliable. There were a few people I don't think should have been in there, primarily Aileen Wuornos; whiles she was a serial killer, I don't believe she was an evil and horrifying psychopath. I'm not excusing her actions or denying that she killed people, but she wasn't torturing anyone.

[David Wright]

This was a fascinating glimpse (albeit very briefly) into the lives of some truly disturbed individuals. I love the fact that the author starts with historical figures like Elizabeth Bathory first and then progresses through the ages, this gives an overview of how things were different and perceived over the years. There are some people included in here that I have never heard of, which was a bonus and, although the information is limited, it is informative in the content provided. At the back there is reference source material listed so that if there is someone you are interested in you can do a further investigation. There will always be people omitted / included that will not please everyone (I was hoping The Golden State Killer would get a mention), but the killers in here are well researched and portrayed pretty well in the short spaces allocated for each person.

Recommended for people who are not familiar with serial killers and want to learn more, as well as people who may want to fill in the gaps in their current knowledge (although I would either order from the library or check the charity shops if this is the case as it is quite pricey if you already know the main content - I got this from British Heart Foundation).

[Danya Button]

interesting

[Jakub Rabyniuk]

This book is "catalog" of peoples who the Americans calls serial killers.
For guy who is intersting on them it can be used as quick source of informations.
Psychopaths (as the author, not entirely correctly, calls them) are categorized chronologicly and this not this without trouble. Filing historical characters like Vlad III. or Elizabeth Báthory is far off. I don´t exactly understand why is modern psychos separate to "Sexual Murderers" and "Serial killers". For example Ed Kamper is "Sexual murderer" and Ted Bundy is "Serial killer", but both of them killed and raped lot of womans. They are both.
But those are just details. This book serves its purpose well.
Nothing less, nothing more.

[Baz]

Much more interesting than I had expected. While not exactly light Sunday reading, it provides an informative and interesting insight into some of the most notorious and written about psychopaths of our time and times passed.
I found some of the historical and Victorian figures particularly interesting to read about.

[Chrissy]

This book is great for succinct, detailed and well written sections on the lives of the 'psychopaths' talked about.
I've found it a fantastic way to learn about them and decide who I would like to learn more about!

[Kirsty Light]

Could be better

While interesting I often felt as though I could have just read Wikipedia pages and had the same experience.. it often seemed like I was doing that anyway.

[Rebecca Rogers]

really good book and sad. so many people murdered. I just don't get it. I don't get home someone can eat someone, or kill their own children, or kill 10 of their own children. why have kids? why shoot up schools and kill innocent children? why kill someone because they have different views then you? I just don't understand why people murder.

[Lester B. Hart]

This book was a disappointment to me. There seems to be nothing new about any of the cases presented. They just seem to be a rehash of the many news articles and reports we have already read or heard. There are much better sources of information about these sick killers available.

[Kristi Brown]

Great job on this. Most of the people I have already heard of since I enjoy true crime. There were photos I had not seen before. It seemed like it described each person quite well in just a couple of pages.

[romancelover]

Listened on audio. Think I needed to pay more attention to it instead of just reading during commute because I feel like I missed a lot, since they just skimmed the cases. It was interesting they included some victorian cases though.

[Julie Berzins]

Chapters:
Bloody History
-Vlad the Impaler
-Elizabeth Bathory

Victorian Killers
-Gillies De Rais
-Mary Anne Cotton

Serial Killers
Ted Bundy
John Wayne Gacy
Jeffrey Dhamer

Lust Killers
Spree Killers
Mass Murderers
Aileen Wuornos
Colombine High

[Nikoleta]

A good introduction but far too vague at times.

[Zoë]

Winded

The book was winded and boring. Doing basic recaps on already famous serial killers and babbled on about people that you've never heard about but again was very basic

[Claire]

Very interesting book. Many cases I've already heard of, some new as well, but good information on all.

[Nicole]

Excellent quickie 101 overview of the crimes/people they covered. It's a great book to spark interest.

[Lauren]

Mildly interesting but contains several inaccuracies and seems a bit rushed.

[Chris Gallant]

Read this on tour. Kept my band mates from fighting with each other. 10/10

[Iz]

some I knew, some I didn't, some I didn't read but all equally messed up

[Sonia]

I enjoyed this a lot, with only a few reservations keeping it from being a full five-star read. The strongest parts are the atmosphere and the sense of momentum; it kept giving me reasons to continue. John Marlowe gives it enough control and personality that it feels like more than just a premise on a page. It may not be flawless, but it is confident and engaging where it matters. Four stars because I enjoyed it and would happily recommend it, even if it stopped just short of being a favourite.

[Susan Jo Grassi]

I bought this book as research material for a novel/screenplay my son is developing. The book covers serial killers from early history through more modern times. Many of these individuals I had never heard of but, although the descriptions were concise, they are definitely names and deeds I will long remember.

[TJ Shelby]

Rather basic biography compilation of historical evil doers. Lots of pictures and colorful quips, not an in depth treatise on any individual but better than average basic introduction to many of the horrifying figures of yesteryear's nightly news reports.

[Jessica]

Awesome book, that is if you like this kind of stuff! It was very informative and gives an in-depth description about the lives, motives, and crimes committed by some of the most dangerous human beings that have ever lived. Highly recommended, great read!

[Joseph Bloyd]

Disturbing and thought provoking.

Three stars. An interesting quick look at the evil minds of many psychopaths. John Marlow takes you on a historical journey of international true crime. Anyone interested in this type of genre will come away with new some new insights.

[Michãel]

short biographies and details of the lives of mass murderers.

[Jackie]

A Christmas gift from someone who knows my reading taste a little too well.

[Tiffany]

This contains short stories of the history of serial killers and their crimes. I can't put it down.

[Maan Adelantar]

Sick.

[Anna Negrusz]

This book is a very straightforward A to Z of different serial killers from different eras.