Strange Case of Dr. Kappler

by Keith Ablow

A chilling portrait of a psychopathic anesthesiologist who, despite multiple psychotic episodes and four attempts to murder patients, was freed on a technicality, and left unhindered by his evaluators to resume medical practice and finally to kill two strangers.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

Hardcover

Published September 21, 1994

About the author

Keith Russell Ablow is an American psychiatrist, New York Times best-selling author, and television personality.

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointing read. I don't think Dr. Ablow could decide if this was a true crime book or a psychology text. He couldn't get anybody involved to talk to him, so it's very thin on real insight or details. Very dry & boring. This is the 1st true crime book I had a hard time getting thru.
The version I read was titled "Without Mercy", & true crime buffs should give this one a pass. Even psychology readers probably should pass on it.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not an easy read by any means and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone that doesn't have a keen interest in psychology and mental illness. I'm dumbfounded at how long Dr Kappler was allowed to continue to practice, despite his continuing erratic and bizarre behavior, way past the point that he became a danger to his patients. Shame on his colleagues, his own physician, and his wife for allowing this to happen.

[Hapaxes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but I wasn't sure about how much the author brought himself into the story. Without input from the subject and his family the story really couldn't go into too much depth about the crimes or its cause.

[Kathleen W. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The discussions of the Psychiatrist trying to excuse Kappler after he killed one person and nearly killed another were so dated and old fashioned that no one could believe this was just mental illness. It isn't very well done and I wish I had chosen a different book.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick, interesting read. It's also reminiscent of The Good Nurse: A True Story of Medicine, Madness, and Murder, which I also enjoyed. Keith Ablow is a doctor as well as a journalist/writer, and he knew one of Dr. Kappler's victims personally, which inspired him to write this book. It's an eye-opening look into the reality that doctors are all to willing to protect their own, even when there are doctors like Dr. Kappler amongst them who are evil/insane. Recommended!

[Glenn Banks · Rating 3 out of 5]

The treatment of mental illness and the diagnosis of it has difficulties. In this case for most of his life he was a functional person. Though his wife may have helped mask some early signs. People that kill should be imprisoned, if it is a mental hospital imprisonment I would be fine with that.

[Darlene Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting story. I had not heard of this case before reading. Definitely makes you think about how we treat or lack there of the mentally ill.