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Criminal Minds: Sociopaths, Serial Killers, and Other Deviants
An authorized tie-in to the popular TV show Criminal MindsMost episodes of Criminal Minds feature a briefing where the show's team of FBI profilers defines the type of criminal they're looking for and provides some real-life examples. This book tells the story of those examples.
Published to coincide with the release of season five of Criminal Minds on DVD
Organized by type of criminal, including solo serial killers, sexual predators, and killers with famous victims; and tells the stories of many famous murderers, including David Berkowitz, Jeffrey Dahmer, Mark David Chapman, and the Zodiac killer
Features photographs from the show
Criminal Minds: Sociopaths, Serial Killers, and Other Deviants is a fascinating, terrifying book about the criminal minds who live among us.
Published to coincide with the release of season five of Criminal Minds on DVD
Organized by type of criminal, including solo serial killers, sexual predators, and killers with famous victims; and tells the stories of many famous murderers, including David Berkowitz, Jeffrey Dahmer, Mark David Chapman, and the Zodiac killer
Features photographs from the show
Criminal Minds: Sociopaths, Serial Killers, and Other Deviants is a fascinating, terrifying book about the criminal minds who live among us.
304 pages, Paperback
First published July 15, 2010
174 people are currently reading
2944 people want to read
About the author
Jeffrey J. Mariotte
161 books163 followersAlso writes as Jeff Mariotte
Jeffrey J. Mariotte is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 70 novels, including the Cody Cavanaugh western series, historical western epic Blood and Gold: The Legend of Joaquin Murrieta (with Peter Murrieta), thrillers Empty Rooms and The Devil's Bait, supernatural thrillers Season of the Wolf, Missing White Girl, River Runs Red, and Cold Black Hearts, horror epic The Slab, and the Dark Vengeance teen horror quartet. With wife and writing partner Marsheila (Marcy) Rockwell, he wrote the sf/horror/thriller 7 SYKOS and Mafia III: Plain of Jars, the authorized prequel to the bestselling video game. His most recent release is the short story collection Byrd's Luck & Other Stories, comprising five "traditional" Western tales and five horror-Western stories, two of them brand-new for this edition.
He also writes occasional nonfiction, short fiction (some of which is collected in Nine Frights), and comic books, including the long-running horror/Western comic book series Desperadoes and graphic novels Fade to Black and Zombie Cop. With Marsheila Rockwell, he has published several short stories and is working on more. He has worked in virtually every aspect of the book business, as a writer, editor, marketing executive, and bookseller.
Learn more at www.jeffmariotte.com, and follow him at https://www.facebook.com/JeffreyJMari... and @JeffMariotte on Twitter.
Also writes as Jeff Mariotte
Jeffrey J. Mariotte is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 70 novels, including the Cody Cavanaugh western series, historical western epic Blood and Gold: The Legend of Joaquin Murrieta (with Peter Murrieta), thrillers Empty Rooms and The Devil's Bait, supernatural thrillers Season of the Wolf, Missing White Girl, River Runs Red, and Cold Black Hearts, horror epic The Slab, and the Dark Vengeance teen horror quartet. With wife and writing partner Marsheila (Marcy) Rockwell, he wrote the sf/horror/thriller 7 SYKOS and Mafia III: Plain of Jars, the authorized prequel to the bestselling video game. His most recent release is the short story collection Byrd's Luck & Other Stories, comprising five "traditional" Western tales and five horror-Western stories, two of them brand-new for this edition.
He also writes occasional nonfiction, short fiction (some of which is collected in Nine Frights), and comic books, including the long-running horror/Western comic book series Desperadoes and graphic novels Fade to Black and Zombie Cop. With Marsheila Rockwell, he has published several short stories and is working on more. He has worked in virtually every aspect of the book business, as a writer, editor, marketing executive, and bookseller.
Learn more at www.jeffmariotte.com, and follow him at https://www.facebook.com/JeffreyJMari... and @JeffMariotte on Twitter.
Also writes as Jeff Mariotte
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
January 22, 2022
This is a tie-in to the show, which I have watched every episode multiple times. I was devastated when it ended. Anywho this is a pretty decent book on famous, infamous, and unknown crimes that relate to different episodes.
September 11, 2013
Me: Whoa. All these horrible people. Sure shakes your faith in humanity. Must be near the end soon.
*checks Kindle progress*
Me: THIS IS STILL CHAPTER ONE??
------
So, in short, this book is chock full of information about criminals who have been mentioned on Criminal Minds. It also has some photographs from different Criminal Minds episodes. That's the extent of the tie-in between the book and the television show.
Informative read, but very, very dark.
*checks Kindle progress*
Me: THIS IS STILL CHAPTER ONE??
------
So, in short, this book is chock full of information about criminals who have been mentioned on Criminal Minds. It also has some photographs from different Criminal Minds episodes. That's the extent of the tie-in between the book and the television show.
Informative read, but very, very dark.
August 28, 2021
After watching the TV series four times I needed to satisfy my need to read about serial killers in another way. When I first found out about this book, I thought it will be like the TV series, each chapter will have a case that will be discussed and explained but it was not like that.
Each chapter is based on a larger category of serial killers. At first, it is explained and then we start to get the examples that are explained. The examples are both from real life and the series.
If you really want to read this book, I recommend watching at least the first 5 seasons, the book was written and published before the other seasons were aired on TV. It is not necessary to watch them though, the examples in the book are explained and you don’t really need to know and remember each episode but the feeling and information you get from this book might be spoilers to someone who didn’t watch the TV show or you just won’t understand certain references to the series.
I guess it can still be a good read if you didn’t watch the series and you are just interested in serial killers. In this book, we get stories about very known serial killers that were talked about a lot, for example, Edmund Kemper, the Zodiac killer, but also some serial killers I’ve personally never heard of, Herbert Mullin, Mendenhall. I think the fact that we also get other “smaller” or less known serial killers was what made this book amazing for me because I am tired of hearing about the same people and their murders over and over again.
There are graphic descriptions of their kills and what some of them did with their victim’s bodies. I thought this book will go more in-depth about their minds and psychology but it was really just describing and explain each individual and his crimes.
Before I thought I had an idea who was the worse criminal in this world but after reading this book I have no idea because they are done things so bad that I don’t know who is the worst. Also, another thing I didn't even consider before I started reading this, it is mainly focused on serial killers from the USA.
It is interesting and fun at the beginning but after 65% I got a little bored but I still recommend it if you are interested in true crime and serial killers in general.
Each chapter is based on a larger category of serial killers. At first, it is explained and then we start to get the examples that are explained. The examples are both from real life and the series.
If you really want to read this book, I recommend watching at least the first 5 seasons, the book was written and published before the other seasons were aired on TV. It is not necessary to watch them though, the examples in the book are explained and you don’t really need to know and remember each episode but the feeling and information you get from this book might be spoilers to someone who didn’t watch the TV show or you just won’t understand certain references to the series.
I guess it can still be a good read if you didn’t watch the series and you are just interested in serial killers. In this book, we get stories about very known serial killers that were talked about a lot, for example, Edmund Kemper, the Zodiac killer, but also some serial killers I’ve personally never heard of, Herbert Mullin, Mendenhall. I think the fact that we also get other “smaller” or less known serial killers was what made this book amazing for me because I am tired of hearing about the same people and their murders over and over again.
There are graphic descriptions of their kills and what some of them did with their victim’s bodies. I thought this book will go more in-depth about their minds and psychology but it was really just describing and explain each individual and his crimes.
Before I thought I had an idea who was the worse criminal in this world but after reading this book I have no idea because they are done things so bad that I don’t know who is the worst. Also, another thing I didn't even consider before I started reading this, it is mainly focused on serial killers from the USA.
It is interesting and fun at the beginning but after 65% I got a little bored but I still recommend it if you are interested in true crime and serial killers in general.
November 21, 2017
As someone who's fascinated by true crime I found this really interesting. It actually even brought a few cases to my attention that I hadn't heard of. I've been on a huge Criminal Minds binge recently so it was interesting to see certain episodes linked to real life cases. Obviously this is depicting true crimes that are pretty brutal in nature so just keep in mind that it does get quite graphic at times!
January 7, 2019
Recommended
"Criminal Minds" the TV show has been a favorite program of mine since I was finally old enough to be able to watch it. I had a phase where I wanted to be an FBI profiler, so of course I was excited to have a book inspired by the show to indulge in as well.
The book focuses on actual, real life serial killers, sociopaths and other deviants (as the tagline implies), not situations depicted on the show, though certain episodes are referenced if a fictional criminal shared traits with the killer the author was writing about. This is fine by me; sometimes, as this book illustrates, fact can be even more disturbing then fiction.
The way the author writes about the serial killers he brings up is not very in depth. He mostly just offers a brief overview of the killer in question and their life and crimes, before heading on to the next one. This doesn't take away from the book in any way I don't think, but if you are looking for a more focused look at any particular serial killer, I would advise you look elsewhere (perhaps the bibliography Mariotte has complied).
Additionally, if you are looking for an in depth analysis of the psychology of a particular killer, this book doesn't offer much there either. This is mostly just a sampler to draw you in, making it a very fast read. And if you like it (as I did), perhaps you will continue to delve into this subject (as I intend to).
"Criminal Minds" the TV show has been a favorite program of mine since I was finally old enough to be able to watch it. I had a phase where I wanted to be an FBI profiler, so of course I was excited to have a book inspired by the show to indulge in as well.
The book focuses on actual, real life serial killers, sociopaths and other deviants (as the tagline implies), not situations depicted on the show, though certain episodes are referenced if a fictional criminal shared traits with the killer the author was writing about. This is fine by me; sometimes, as this book illustrates, fact can be even more disturbing then fiction.
The way the author writes about the serial killers he brings up is not very in depth. He mostly just offers a brief overview of the killer in question and their life and crimes, before heading on to the next one. This doesn't take away from the book in any way I don't think, but if you are looking for a more focused look at any particular serial killer, I would advise you look elsewhere (perhaps the bibliography Mariotte has complied).
Additionally, if you are looking for an in depth analysis of the psychology of a particular killer, this book doesn't offer much there either. This is mostly just a sampler to draw you in, making it a very fast read. And if you like it (as I did), perhaps you will continue to delve into this subject (as I intend to).
February 23, 2017
I could not put this down. Mariotte provides clear facts in a logical but intriguing manner. Definitely would recommend to anyone interested in criminal psychology, either professionally or recreationally.
March 25, 2020
Like most true crime buffs Criminal Minds is a favourite TV show of mine; dark gritty story lines with a touch of humour, characters would who come to feel like part of your own family, Shemar Moore running around in tight t-shirts....
Most episodes feature the briefing where the team consider and define the type of un-sub they are looking for by examining behaviour patterns that were established in actual criminal cases. The episodes in Criminal Minds may be fiction but behind the fiction there is an element of truth and this truth comes from real life serial killers.
Jeff Mariotte gives a snap shot of the facts that lie behind the fiction introducing the reader to a snippet of who the killers were, what they did and how they tie into such episodes.
It's a great read if you are a fan of the show.
Most episodes feature the briefing where the team consider and define the type of un-sub they are looking for by examining behaviour patterns that were established in actual criminal cases. The episodes in Criminal Minds may be fiction but behind the fiction there is an element of truth and this truth comes from real life serial killers.
Jeff Mariotte gives a snap shot of the facts that lie behind the fiction introducing the reader to a snippet of who the killers were, what they did and how they tie into such episodes.
It's a great read if you are a fan of the show.
May 1, 2024
3.5
Wasn’t what I thought it was gonna be but was very interesting nonetheless. It was just about the different kinds of killers and how they were.
Would have loved to see a more inside view of how profilers analyze the killers and how they know that one has “mommy issues” and that the other is just a woman hater.
Still was interesting if you like crime, like me.
Wasn’t what I thought it was gonna be but was very interesting nonetheless. It was just about the different kinds of killers and how they were.
Would have loved to see a more inside view of how profilers analyze the killers and how they know that one has “mommy issues” and that the other is just a woman hater.
Still was interesting if you like crime, like me.
September 14, 2019
You get what the killer is thinking. Just that at some point I wanted to read an analysis of the killers' mindset. Most killers lack the self awareness to psycho-analyse themselves. Some are outright in denial. For a first hand account of their excuses, this is a good go-to book.
February 24, 2017
Nopers!
May 9, 2011
I was disappointed with this book. It contained some general information regarding some of the serial killers that were used as inspirations or mentioned within the Criminal Minds episodes. However there were some inaccurate references to Criminal Minds episodes and the author came across as very opionated. I also expected to read more about the serial criminals crimes, but the book concentrates more on their background.
February 9, 2016
5 stars
I've been saving this book for when I was in a reading slump and as I've just tried to work my way through 3 books I just did not like and couldn't get into, I knew it was the right time to break this little beauty out!
I love Criminal Minds and really enjoy reading about serial killers and the people who search for and catch them.
I've been saving this book for when I was in a reading slump and as I've just tried to work my way through 3 books I just did not like and couldn't get into, I knew it was the right time to break this little beauty out!
I love Criminal Minds and really enjoy reading about serial killers and the people who search for and catch them.
September 23, 2012
Love the TV Show. Book was not quite what I was expecting. I needed to read something less dark. Might try to read again at some point.
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October 26, 2014
Definitely not a fun late night read.
June 8, 2013
More like 3.5 stars. It was a good book but hard to read because of the reality of it all.
January 13, 2024
A good starting point for an overview of the some of the most grisly killers in the USA.
This book is a good resource for those starting out their research of various types of killers. It is well organized, grouping killers into logical categories, making the information easy to digest.
I appreciated that reasonably in depth look at some of the most well known killers, as well as others that should be included, but are not as well known. I also appreciated that the author included killers from Canada as well as other foreign countries (to the USA). The author focused on killers from the USA as expected, as this was a look at the killers that inspired the episodes of Criminal Minds.
The book flowed nicely as a piece of non-fiction, moving from killer to killer within each section in a logical manner while weaving in the episodes of the shows that mentioned each killer or that had fictional characters based on the real deal.
As a huge fan of the show, and an addict of true crime (especially serial killers), I did wish for a few things that weren't there. I was seeking a deeper insight into how the fiction killers in the show were built based on real killers. Although the killers that were used to inspire those on the show were identified, there wasn't any real insight into how the fictional versions were created. I wanted to know if a particular fictional killer was built based on multiple real killers, and if so, what elements of each specifically inspired the fictional version.
I was slightly disappointed in the portrayal of a few of the real killers mentioned as I felt that they were under represented. Some of the most disturbing facts about Robert Pickton, for example, were not mentioned. As this was one of the most horrific examples of a Canadian serial killer, his portrayal seemed to be missing some key components.
Overall, I do recommend this book for fans of the show and for those looking for a comprehensive starting point when researching or learning about the worst serial killers in the world.
This book is a good resource for those starting out their research of various types of killers. It is well organized, grouping killers into logical categories, making the information easy to digest.
I appreciated that reasonably in depth look at some of the most well known killers, as well as others that should be included, but are not as well known. I also appreciated that the author included killers from Canada as well as other foreign countries (to the USA). The author focused on killers from the USA as expected, as this was a look at the killers that inspired the episodes of Criminal Minds.
The book flowed nicely as a piece of non-fiction, moving from killer to killer within each section in a logical manner while weaving in the episodes of the shows that mentioned each killer or that had fictional characters based on the real deal.
As a huge fan of the show, and an addict of true crime (especially serial killers), I did wish for a few things that weren't there. I was seeking a deeper insight into how the fiction killers in the show were built based on real killers. Although the killers that were used to inspire those on the show were identified, there wasn't any real insight into how the fictional versions were created. I wanted to know if a particular fictional killer was built based on multiple real killers, and if so, what elements of each specifically inspired the fictional version.
I was slightly disappointed in the portrayal of a few of the real killers mentioned as I felt that they were under represented. Some of the most disturbing facts about Robert Pickton, for example, were not mentioned. As this was one of the most horrific examples of a Canadian serial killer, his portrayal seemed to be missing some key components.
Overall, I do recommend this book for fans of the show and for those looking for a comprehensive starting point when researching or learning about the worst serial killers in the world.
December 29, 2021
This is an authorized tie-in to the popular TV show Criminal Minds and defines the types of criminals that the team profiles against real-life examples. The book is organized by the different types, including solo serial killers, sexual predators, and killers with famous victims.
What I loved...
📚 Criminal Minds is one of my absolute favorite TV shows so finally finding an authorized tie-in was absolutely thrilling for me!! I've also had an ongoing fascination with serial killers and understanding their motivation so any book with reasonable reviews will catch my attention.
What I didn't love...
📚 Using the word tie-in was very generous. The references to the TV show was primarily indicating which episodes certain killers had been mentioned. My initial thought is that the episodes would've been compared against the actions of the real life killers.
📚 The analysis of the real life killers was a bit monotonous... their motivation, their crimes and their ultimate downfall. Reading similar stories repeatedly started to become very repetitive
What I loved...
📚 Criminal Minds is one of my absolute favorite TV shows so finally finding an authorized tie-in was absolutely thrilling for me!! I've also had an ongoing fascination with serial killers and understanding their motivation so any book with reasonable reviews will catch my attention.
What I didn't love...
📚 Using the word tie-in was very generous. The references to the TV show was primarily indicating which episodes certain killers had been mentioned. My initial thought is that the episodes would've been compared against the actions of the real life killers.
📚 The analysis of the real life killers was a bit monotonous... their motivation, their crimes and their ultimate downfall. Reading similar stories repeatedly started to become very repetitive
Read
April 7, 2024I don’t feel like I can really rate this considering the content—which is not for the faint of heart. This was an interesting read as I often listen to true crime and I love Criminal Minds, and getting the real stories gave the show an even deeper perspective.
Listen—this book was hard to read. Even cases that I had heard of before seemed to have a new level of depravity and there were a few times I had to stop and take a breather. This book really focuses on the darkest sides of humanity and doesn’t shy away from the gory details.
This is probably worth a read if you are an avid true crime listener as it covers well known and less well known cases in a decent amount of detail. However, I don’t think I’ll ever find myself rereading this in the future.
I hope the any still living victims and all victims family members are doing okay. My thoughts and prayers go out to them and I’m grateful the author dedicated the book to the victims who are really the ones that should be remembered.
Content: graphic sexual and violent content
Listen—this book was hard to read. Even cases that I had heard of before seemed to have a new level of depravity and there were a few times I had to stop and take a breather. This book really focuses on the darkest sides of humanity and doesn’t shy away from the gory details.
This is probably worth a read if you are an avid true crime listener as it covers well known and less well known cases in a decent amount of detail. However, I don’t think I’ll ever find myself rereading this in the future.
I hope the any still living victims and all victims family members are doing okay. My thoughts and prayers go out to them and I’m grateful the author dedicated the book to the victims who are really the ones that should be remembered.
Content: graphic sexual and violent content
March 18, 2021
This book was disappointing. Essentially, it is a little information about a range of killers, covering their childhood to the crimes that they committed. They are then grouped together by type. The extent of the tie in to Criminal Minds is done by saying what episodes killers were mentioned on & some pretty lackluster photos. I was expecting a little more from the tie in; maybe getting into reasons why these killers were chosen for the show, or a bit more behind the reasons why they did what they did. The information was brief, so if you are looking for an intro to true crime, this would be good.
Read
June 4, 2021This is a non-fiction book that closely groups diffrent serial killers into diffrent types of offenders. Then relates these groups they have formed to episodes and killers in the show Criminal Minds. This is a book that will inform you about a wind variety of killers and give you a rough overview of there crimes. And while informative the content of the book for me left me feeling unconfterble and emotionally raw. This looks at the absolute worse of humanity and gives you a fairly detailed but cursory glance at there horrible actions. While informative and insightful I have no ability to rate this book and have no desire to explore this topic deeper.
February 19, 2019
This book is very good. It has many details and the information is presented in a way so you remember it. The information can be disturbing, but it also is nice to learn and understand how these people developed into the terrible people that they are. I also learned about one of the killers spending time in prison near my house which is freaky, but when he was released, he continued killing and ended up in prison somewhere else.
February 13, 2018
Some of the facts of the book were not well researched and were incorrect. The author also had a tendency to jump back and forth, get names incorrect (from one paragraph to another) and ramble a bit. Overall though, the book was very good and it was nice to see how the show related to real-world experiences.
December 30, 2024
It was a very educational experience...however, now I will be checking and rechecking that my windows and doors are locked and I won't be opening my door for anyone !!!
I had to read this in small doses because there were just too many, beyond awful, less than human beings & their depraved crimes described in the book.
I had to read this in small doses because there were just too many, beyond awful, less than human beings & their depraved crimes described in the book.
September 17, 2021
Good for an overview of each killers history and behavior, but doesn't go in depth into each individual. The more prolific killers got 2-3 pages each. Definitely more aimed at fans of Criminal Minds and people just getting into the true crime genre.
October 15, 2021
This was an intriguing read. Showing how the Criminal Minds show made use of real-life Sociopaths, killers, and other criminals, mixing them with the fictional characters that the BAU crew catch in various episodes.
March 15, 2017
I was-- actually, am-- on a true crime bender and I ended up picking this book up because, well, true crime, and it had my favorite team from Criminal Minds on the cover. This book is a sort of overview of the various killers and criminals that inspired the Criminal Minds show through the fifth season.
Overall, it's very good. The book is well-written, with well-told stories and nice throughlines that tie its chapters together. It's not super tied in to Criminal Minds, so you can read it if you've never seen the show, but at the same time it nods to the show a lot, so those of us who are fans can see the ties between them. It delves more into the lives of serial killers than it does into their crimes, which is nice for those of us who aren't really gore fans.
That said, there's a few nitpicks. A few times references to the show are inaccurate. Once the author refers to "bisexual" as a lifestyle one of the killers was trying on, which is just... ergh, and there was at least one other moment like that. I'd recommend it, but with that one warning: sometimes there will be a comment that will just smack you in the face, and it may be hurtful depending on who you are.
Also, of course, it's about serial killers, so, yeah.
Overall, it's very good. The book is well-written, with well-told stories and nice throughlines that tie its chapters together. It's not super tied in to Criminal Minds, so you can read it if you've never seen the show, but at the same time it nods to the show a lot, so those of us who are fans can see the ties between them. It delves more into the lives of serial killers than it does into their crimes, which is nice for those of us who aren't really gore fans.
That said, there's a few nitpicks. A few times references to the show are inaccurate. Once the author refers to "bisexual" as a lifestyle one of the killers was trying on, which is just... ergh, and there was at least one other moment like that. I'd recommend it, but with that one warning: sometimes there will be a comment that will just smack you in the face, and it may be hurtful depending on who you are.
Also, of course, it's about serial killers, so, yeah.
March 20, 2017
I love this show I would love to read the book
May 8, 2017
It took me a while but I finally finished! I read this book while watching Criminal Minds itself and it was such a heartbreaking yet truly interesting read.
December 19, 2018
Interesting but only references Seasons 1-5. Cool Pics, and okay info.. found some stuff redundant and blah.. but I like the tie in to the show and how the author lined up episodes with real life 😻
June 13, 2020
Scary people were out there
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews