Any recommendations for serial killers from the 1940s and before?

[Benjamin]

Already read The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America and rapidly reading Death in the City of Light: The Serial Killer of Nazi-Occupied Paris. My next book is In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin, but after that im kinda clueless. Its a new genre for me. Not really interested in Jack the ripper (it happened around the time of the chicago's worlds fair, and the descriptions of his worst crimes are in Erik Larson book about the chicago killer (graphic enough that I doubt they were in many books about jack the ripper).

[Lady ♥ Belleza, Gif Princesa]

How far back are you interesting in? I have some from the late 1800's to early 1900's. Let me know.

[Benjamin]

That time frame would be great.

[Lady ♥ Belleza, Gif Princesa]

The Killer of Little Shepherds: A True Crime Story and the Birth of Forensic Science by Douglas Starr about serial murderer Joseph Vacher in France 1894-1897 is a good book.

Also The Postcard Killer: The True Story of J. Frank Hickey by Vance McLaughlin, his crimes were committed in the Buffalo area of NY state I believe, he was arrested in 1912, I haven't read this book yet but it comes highly recommended from someone I trust.

Those are just off the top of my head, I will look up more when I get some time.

[A.r.]

♥Beleza★✰ wrote: "The Killer of Little Shepherds: A True Crime Story and the Birth of Forensic Science by Douglas Starr about serial murderer Joseph Vacher in France 1894-1897 is a goo..."

I was going to suggest the same book Beleza!

[A.r.]

Benjamin wrote: "Already read The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America and rapidly reading [book:Death in the City of Light: The Serial Killer of Nazi-Oc..."

I also liked "Devil in the White City" and "Death in the City of Light". I've just started "A Serial Killer in Nazi Berlin" by Scott Andrew Selby. If you want to take a tour around the world I can also suggest some Australian true historical true crime?

[Susan]

P.D. James actually wrote a true crime book very early in her career: The Maul and The Pear Tree: The Ratcliffe Highway Murders 1811.

[Dachokie]

I read an interesting book several months ago: a Serial Killer in Nazi Berlin

He was dubbed as the "S-Bahn murderer" as his victims were train-riders and generally the wives of servicemen who were away fighting the war. I found this story pretty fascinating, especially when you consider the environment (the heart of the Nazi state). Interesting to read about how the Nazi media marginalized the murders to avoid creating hysteria and how the police investigated the murders. Truly unique story.

[Benjamin]

A.r. Of course! Id love to read stuff australian stuff.

[Chris]

There is always Deranged about the crimes of Albert Fish (they took place mainly in the 1920s)

Chilling stuff.

[Fishface]

Do not miss Paull Hill's PORTRAIT OF A SADIST, about Neville Heath. Unlike any other author on this case, he knew the guy personally. And it's beautifully written.

[Shelley]

The Dark Strangler: Serial Killer Earle Leonard Nelson by Michael Newton ** Pretty Good **

The Road Out of Hell: Sanford Clark and the True Story of the Wineville Murders by Anthony Flacco ** Excellent **

I know I have read others...I will hunt them down and send them along when I find them.

[Shelley]

Fiend: The Shocking True Story Of America's Youngest Serial Killer
Deviant: The Shocking True Story of Ed Gein, the Original Psycho
Bestial: The Savage Trail of a True Amercian Monster

All by Harold Schechter

[Shelley]

Set in 1875: Death at the Priory: Love, Sex, and Murder in Victorian England by Ruddick, James ** Very Good **

Set in 1924: For the Thrill of It by Baatz, Simon ** Excellent **

The two above aren't about serial killers, just murders. I just realized that.

[Shelley]

There seems to be a lot of books about Hawley Harvey Crippen who, in 1910, murdered his wife. Anyone have recommendations on specific books about him?

[Fishface]

Shelley wrote: "There seems to be a lot of books about Hawley Harvey Crippen who, in 1910, murdered his wife. Anyone have recommendations on specific books about him?"

Before Larson's Thunderstruck came out, one of the favorite treatments of that case was The Mild Murderer: The True Story of the Dr. Crippen Case.

[Fishface]

Fiend: The Shocking True Story of America's Youngest Serial Killer is a very old case -- the killer was active well before the turn of the last century.

For the oldest case known in the US of A, let me suggest Harpe: America's First Serial Killers.

[Fishface]

Richard Lindberg's Heartland Serial Killers: Belle Gunness, Johann Hoch, and Murder for Profit in Gaslight Era Chicago is a swell collection of happy stories.

[Fishface]

And let us not forget a personal favorite of mine, The Laughing Gorilla: A True Story of Police Corruption and Murder.

[Lee]

John Christie was an interesting serial killer who started in the 40s in England,an innocent man was hanged for two of his crimes before he was convicted.
Ten Rillington Place
John Christie of Rillington Place: Biography of a Serial Killer

10 Rillington place was made into a great film starring Richard Attenborough,which is well worth watching

[Shelley]

On my wish list to read:

Panzram: A Journal of Murder by Thomas E. Gaddis

Serial Killer Carl Panzram set in the 1920's.

[Beth]

Can't recommend a book, but can recommend a name you might want to look up. ALBERT FISH. He was a serial killer and a cannibal in the '30's. His victims were exclusively children.

[George]

Hi, you might give Trace Evidence: The Hunt for the I-5 Serial Killer a look. The focus is on the detectives and procedures, but there is probably more forensic evidence in there that was enlightening than my review gave it credit for (after giving it some more thought).

[Shelley]

Trace Evidence: The Hunt for the I-5 Serial Killer by Bruce Henderson was an excellent book. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Fishface]

One I just loved was The Real Bluebeard: The Life of Gilles de Rais. He was executed in 1440. Is that far enough back for ya?

[K.A.]

How about Hell's Wasteland: The Pennsylvania Torso Murders? This was in the mid 1930s.

[Fishface]

K.A. wrote: "How about Hell's Wasteland: The Pennsylvania Torso Murders? This was in the mid 1930s."

VERY interesting case.

[K.A.]

Fishface wrote: Hell's Wasteland: The Pennsylvania Torso Murders

VERY interesting case."

Or cases, as may be...

[Anna]

1947

Black Dahlia Avenger: A Genius for Murder

Black Dahlia Avenger II: Presenting the Follow-Up Investigation and Further Evidence Linking Dr. George Hill Hodel to Los Angeles's Black Dahlia and Other 1940s Lone Woman Murders

I've read the first book (I haven't gotten to the 2nd but intend to soon). Best book about The Black Dahlia I've ever read. It's not so far-fetched with it's theories as some other books are.

(Also, Hi, I'm new. First post.)

[Fishface]

For 1940s serial killers specifically, I can very warmly recommend Portrait of a Sadist, Murder with a Difference and In the Dark: The True Story of the Blackout Ripper.

[George]

Lady♥Belleza★✰ wrote: "The Killer of Little Shepherds: A True Crime Story and the Birth of Forensic Science by Douglas Starr about serial murderer Joseph Vacher in France 1894-1897 is a goo..."

Yes, The Postcard Killer is fascinating and includes probably the first first criminal profile.

[Fishface]

Can't believe I forgot Erszebet Bathory. There are a lot of versions of her life based on misinformation, but the really good one is Dracula Was a Woman: In Search of the Blood Countess of Transylvania.