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Laura Doe (1350 KP) rated Inside the Mind of Jeffrey Dahmer: The Cannibal Killer in Books
Mar 12, 2022
Jeffrey Dahmer is one of the serial killers that I didn’t know too much about and this book was definitely a revelation. It takes you through from Dahmer being born right up to his death and a lot of the in between.
I’ve never read this author before but am aware of some of his other books and I think that this book was a good one to start with. I liked that we delved into Dahmer’s childhood and found some possible triggers from there but also that the author reinforced that not every child that suffers a specific trauma in their childhood becomes a serial killer, as I think it is important that the reader is reminded of this each time.
I also liked how there was a chapter for each of the victims and also in the appendix there were the charges in more detail for each victim too. Far too often when reading or watching documentaries about serial killers their victims are glossed over and forgotten while their killer’s name is remembered.
There were a few things that I disliked about this book, the main one being the whole chapter that seemed to be dedicated to slagging off psychiatrists and psychologists. While psychology is not an exact science and different people in the profession can come to different conclusions, I feel that the author spent too many pages trying to prove his point. I also felt that a lot of contempt for the profession was coming through in the writing, which, as somebody who wants to become a psychologist, is not something that I appreciated. I understand that everyone has their opinion on it, but I felt that far too much time was spent trying to get his point across.
There were also a few mistakes that made it hard to make sense of a few things, I understand that it has only just been published and there will be a few mistakes (there was a repeated word in a sentence that wasn’t needed) but when it is an obvious mistake with a date (in the Anthony Hughes chapter it says that he was last seen on 24th September 1991 and then 2 chapters below it says that his family were notified of his death on 5th July 1991) it makes for very confusing reading.
I also found that a lot of the time Christopher Berry-Dee referred to the book written by Brian Masters, I’m unsure if this was only because he hasn’t spoken to Dahmer in person while Masters did but at times I felt like I should have just picked up his book instead. I also found that sometimes the author seemed to boast about which serial killers he had met in real life when he didn’t need to.
Overall, I liked the humour in the book and found the writing style easy to get on with. It wasn’t a pleasant book (what book about a serial killer is?) but it was well written. I would pick up other books by this author in the future. Thank you to The Motherload book club on Facebook for the opportunity to win this book in a giveaway and the publisher Ad Lib for my copy!
I’ve never read this author before but am aware of some of his other books and I think that this book was a good one to start with. I liked that we delved into Dahmer’s childhood and found some possible triggers from there but also that the author reinforced that not every child that suffers a specific trauma in their childhood becomes a serial killer, as I think it is important that the reader is reminded of this each time.
I also liked how there was a chapter for each of the victims and also in the appendix there were the charges in more detail for each victim too. Far too often when reading or watching documentaries about serial killers their victims are glossed over and forgotten while their killer’s name is remembered.
There were a few things that I disliked about this book, the main one being the whole chapter that seemed to be dedicated to slagging off psychiatrists and psychologists. While psychology is not an exact science and different people in the profession can come to different conclusions, I feel that the author spent too many pages trying to prove his point. I also felt that a lot of contempt for the profession was coming through in the writing, which, as somebody who wants to become a psychologist, is not something that I appreciated. I understand that everyone has their opinion on it, but I felt that far too much time was spent trying to get his point across.
There were also a few mistakes that made it hard to make sense of a few things, I understand that it has only just been published and there will be a few mistakes (there was a repeated word in a sentence that wasn’t needed) but when it is an obvious mistake with a date (in the Anthony Hughes chapter it says that he was last seen on 24th September 1991 and then 2 chapters below it says that his family were notified of his death on 5th July 1991) it makes for very confusing reading.
I also found that a lot of the time Christopher Berry-Dee referred to the book written by Brian Masters, I’m unsure if this was only because he hasn’t spoken to Dahmer in person while Masters did but at times I felt like I should have just picked up his book instead. I also found that sometimes the author seemed to boast about which serial killers he had met in real life when he didn’t need to.
Overall, I liked the humour in the book and found the writing style easy to get on with. It wasn’t a pleasant book (what book about a serial killer is?) but it was well written. I would pick up other books by this author in the future. Thank you to The Motherload book club on Facebook for the opportunity to win this book in a giveaway and the publisher Ad Lib for my copy!
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Things That Go Bump in the Night: Here There Be Monsters in Books
Jan 12, 2018
I received a copy of this from the author in return for an honest review.
The book centres around 2 people - one a serial killer and the other someone who doesnt know he is - and the authorities trying to catch them one of whom happens to be related to one of the killers. It was an interesting and enjoyable story and although I had guessed who the serial killer was early on, the pace and style of writing kept me interested as I wanted to see if and how the two came together.
The story was well written although the dialogue between characters was difficult to follow at times - it was not always clear who said what in a conversation as there was sometimes no distinction between what was being said by which character - however, this could have been due to how the book formatted on my reading device and it certainly didnt detract too much from the flow of the writing.
The characters were well developed and I enjoyed getting to know them. They were believable and I found myself feeling sorry for the main character, Jalen, and the predicament he was in through no fault of his own.
I would have liked the serial killers character to have been developed a bit more than it was - it felt like he was more of an aside or afterthought to make the story more interesting and different but nevertheless, it was an entertaining read and one that I would recommend.
The book centres around 2 people - one a serial killer and the other someone who doesnt know he is - and the authorities trying to catch them one of whom happens to be related to one of the killers. It was an interesting and enjoyable story and although I had guessed who the serial killer was early on, the pace and style of writing kept me interested as I wanted to see if and how the two came together.
The story was well written although the dialogue between characters was difficult to follow at times - it was not always clear who said what in a conversation as there was sometimes no distinction between what was being said by which character - however, this could have been due to how the book formatted on my reading device and it certainly didnt detract too much from the flow of the writing.
The characters were well developed and I enjoyed getting to know them. They were believable and I found myself feeling sorry for the main character, Jalen, and the predicament he was in through no fault of his own.
I would have liked the serial killers character to have been developed a bit more than it was - it felt like he was more of an aside or afterthought to make the story more interesting and different but nevertheless, it was an entertaining read and one that I would recommend.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Mindhunter - Season 1 in TV
Oct 15, 2017 (Updated Oct 15, 2017)
A sum total of nothing
Totally disappointed with this series. It's slow and at times seems completely pointless. The premise sounds fantastic - two behavioural psychologists set up a team within the FBI to establish the first idea of serial killers, finding patterns in speech and action from notorious convicts such as Edmund Kemper and Richard Speck, in order to create a pioneering guide into forensic psychology. It is based on the true crime book Mind Hunter: Inside The FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit written by Mark Olshaker and John E. Douglas.
The series is produced by David Fincher and Charlize Theron, so you would hope for something rather spectacular. Alas, it just completely falls short, each episode seems to just waste away into nothingness and the only thread there is, is the irritating behaviour of the main character who seems to be an arrogant narcissist himself and seems to completely unravel by the end of the series.
There's also a mysterious character throughout the series that doesn't come to fruition so you're left literally scratching your head wondering why the hell he was used in the first place. The acting is the only part where I can say, without a doubt, is extraordinary but that's it.
The series is produced by David Fincher and Charlize Theron, so you would hope for something rather spectacular. Alas, it just completely falls short, each episode seems to just waste away into nothingness and the only thread there is, is the irritating behaviour of the main character who seems to be an arrogant narcissist himself and seems to completely unravel by the end of the series.
There's also a mysterious character throughout the series that doesn't come to fruition so you're left literally scratching your head wondering why the hell he was used in the first place. The acting is the only part where I can say, without a doubt, is extraordinary but that's it.
Jessica Erdas (463 KP) rated Conversations With A Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes in TV
Jan 26, 2019
An interesting look into the mind of a killer
This Netflix original details the killing spree enacted by Ted Bundy and his downward spiral. Very interesting for those curious about the actions of serial killers. Some of the details are pretty hard to swallow, as would be expected of any story where murders are committed. I think one of the most interesting parts to the show was being able to see his mannerisms, arrogance, and even his voice as he denied his guilt despite tantamount evidence against him. Ted Bundy was a killer who completely flipped profiling on its head; before him there were common misconceptions that a serial killer was an unattractive, uneducated, and socially inept person but after his atrocities were exposed, it forced members of law enforcement to look deeper into the kinds of people who committed such crimes against humanity. It was also very interesting to see the effect the trials had on his mother and her tearful pleas to avoid the death penalty. I didn't feel that it incited any sympathy for Bundy but it kind of opens your eyes to the destruction of a family, regardless. A testament to a mother's love, even to those we don't feel deserve it.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Mindhunter - Season 1 in TV
Sep 2, 2020
Superb series
Fantastic series documenting a fictionalised account of the ground-breaking FBI agents who tried to define a system of using psychology and profiling to try and identify what kind of person may have committed a crime.
Includes portrayals of some famous serial killers, Edmond Kemper's is sublime, as they are interviewed to try and assess what drove them to commit their atrocious crimes (spoiler: it's usually their mums and absent dads).
Excellently acted, Jonathan Groff is a perfect antisocial, driven investigator who doesn't pull his punches and shares a lot of personality traits with those he is analysing.
This series was a gentle introduction to their methodology and starting to use it to identify who may have committed crimes - this is done at a good pace, rather than getting drawn into a "one crime per episode" mentality.
Includes portrayals of some famous serial killers, Edmond Kemper's is sublime, as they are interviewed to try and assess what drove them to commit their atrocious crimes (spoiler: it's usually their mums and absent dads).
Excellently acted, Jonathan Groff is a perfect antisocial, driven investigator who doesn't pull his punches and shares a lot of personality traits with those he is analysing.
This series was a gentle introduction to their methodology and starting to use it to identify who may have committed crimes - this is done at a good pace, rather than getting drawn into a "one crime per episode" mentality.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Blood for Blood (Ziba MacKenzie, #1) in Books
Jun 19, 2019
Solid Crime Procedural Mystery
So I was pretty excited to read the blurb for this book, the debut and first in a new series from Victoria Selman. Ex-special forces profiler Ziba MacKenzie (yay strong female lead - love it!) has to profile a serial killer that returns after a long hiatus (yay serial killers and profilers trying to catch them.)
It started off full of action with a commuter train crash and Ziba helping the injured and dying and receiving a the cryptic last words of one victim: He did it. You have to tell someone. Which understandably peaks her curiosity. Ziba is then called in to help out when a brutal (read disturbing and not for the kiddies/squeamish) serial killer seemingly reappears and a connection between the woman on the train nags at Ziba.
I liked the intense train situation as a way of demonstrating Ziba’s training and expertise level but her kick ass nature didn’t come through much in the rest of the book. The conversations with Ziba and the language used just didn’t quite fit; it seemed overly forced to make her sound military but not natural. The serial killer profile talk also seemed like it wasn't at the level you’d expect between experienced law professionals, the conversations felt more like an intro to readers then real policing interactions and I’ve been around enough crime thrillers to not need that level of hand holding..
Oh did I mention Ziba’s husband dies because she does...constantly….. And then gets upset that people are trying to be protective of her. Less kick ass especially when accompanied by a thin romance story-line with her husbands best friend.
We get some good full on crazy , religious nut serial killer action with some nice clue following cat and mouse action, it is a strong crime procedural book. It’s a good story with plenty to keep you focused on just lacking some finesse, I felt red-herrings were thrown in your face without much subtlety and the major coincidence at work with the lady on the train having a connection to the case she Ziba was lucky to be the only totally “oh really eye-roll” and I always allow at least one…...
For a debut and the start of a series I see a lot of potential so will be giving the next ago.
It started off full of action with a commuter train crash and Ziba helping the injured and dying and receiving a the cryptic last words of one victim: He did it. You have to tell someone. Which understandably peaks her curiosity. Ziba is then called in to help out when a brutal (read disturbing and not for the kiddies/squeamish) serial killer seemingly reappears and a connection between the woman on the train nags at Ziba.
I liked the intense train situation as a way of demonstrating Ziba’s training and expertise level but her kick ass nature didn’t come through much in the rest of the book. The conversations with Ziba and the language used just didn’t quite fit; it seemed overly forced to make her sound military but not natural. The serial killer profile talk also seemed like it wasn't at the level you’d expect between experienced law professionals, the conversations felt more like an intro to readers then real policing interactions and I’ve been around enough crime thrillers to not need that level of hand holding..
Oh did I mention Ziba’s husband dies because she does...constantly….. And then gets upset that people are trying to be protective of her. Less kick ass especially when accompanied by a thin romance story-line with her husbands best friend.
We get some good full on crazy , religious nut serial killer action with some nice clue following cat and mouse action, it is a strong crime procedural book. It’s a good story with plenty to keep you focused on just lacking some finesse, I felt red-herrings were thrown in your face without much subtlety and the major coincidence at work with the lady on the train having a connection to the case she Ziba was lucky to be the only totally “oh really eye-roll” and I always allow at least one…...
For a debut and the start of a series I see a lot of potential so will be giving the next ago.
Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit in Books
May 16, 2018
If you’re reading this review, chances are you’re either a) a true crime buff or b) curious as to what the source material of Netflix’s latest original series, Mindhunters, is based on. That title, Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit by John Douglas is actually a fascinating read that details a division of the FBI that, had it not been created, would leave us without shows like Criminal Minds, where the Behavioral Science Unit profiles killers and races the clock to save victims that may still be alive. (Also, we wouldn’t have our Shemar Moore and wouldn’t that be a crying shame? We need our Morgan and Baby Girl.)
Reading more like Douglas is sitting in the room beside you and recounting his past, Mindhunter, as expected, delves into some pretty deep material. For a while, I had to put it down because the ATKID murders dug beneath my skin. Despite the sometimes gory details Douglas provides readers with, I feel this is an important title for any true crime fan. After all, it is Douglas that a certain character from Silence of the Lambs is based on.
<a href="http://theghastlygrimoire.com/2017/11/19/book-review-mindhunter-inside-the-fbis-elite-serial-crime-unit-mindhunter-1-by-john-douglas/"; target="_new">Read more at <i>The Ghastly Grimoire</i>.</a>
Reading more like Douglas is sitting in the room beside you and recounting his past, Mindhunter, as expected, delves into some pretty deep material. For a while, I had to put it down because the ATKID murders dug beneath my skin. Despite the sometimes gory details Douglas provides readers with, I feel this is an important title for any true crime fan. After all, it is Douglas that a certain character from Silence of the Lambs is based on.
<a href="http://theghastlygrimoire.com/2017/11/19/book-review-mindhunter-inside-the-fbis-elite-serial-crime-unit-mindhunter-1-by-john-douglas/"; target="_new">Read more at <i>The Ghastly Grimoire</i>.</a>
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Victims (Alex Delaware, #27) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I won this book from First Reads. I have heard of Jonathan Kellerman prior to reading this book, but this is the first of his that I've read. It was an enjoyable read. I could probably have given it 5 stars, but I found that parts of it were a bit on the predictable side. That is not to say I didn't enjoy it however! There were some twists & turns that I did not at all expect! Always good to have those in a book of this genre!
This is another in the series of Kellerman's books that features Dr. Alex Delaware. This book finds him consulting on what turns into a serial murder investigation where the victims at first seem to have no connection to each other. Upon digging a bit deeper however a strange connection is brought to light that eventually leads to Delaware & Milo hunting down the killer or killers. Guess you'll have to read it to find out more!
This is another in the series of Kellerman's books that features Dr. Alex Delaware. This book finds him consulting on what turns into a serial murder investigation where the victims at first seem to have no connection to each other. Upon digging a bit deeper however a strange connection is brought to light that eventually leads to Delaware & Milo hunting down the killer or killers. Guess you'll have to read it to find out more!
MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019) in Movies
May 8, 2019
I've been looking forward to this one since it was announced. While I know the story is being told from Liz's perspective, I have to admit I found it strange that we didn't get to see any of the murders being committed by one of the most famous serial killers of all time. It's an interesting take on a story most people already know.
Zac Efron was excellent, as was the rest of the cast (Jim Parsons can do no wrong), but the movie does drag just a bit, and I feel like some of Efron's talent is wasted here. They definitely could have done more with him. That said, he was the perfect mix of creepy and charming, and when they show the actual Bundy footage during the end credits, you realize how close Efron's performance comes to the actual man.
Overall I thought it was good, but could maybe have been better.
Oh, and also? I'll never be mad at Zac Efron's....backside. ?
Zac Efron was excellent, as was the rest of the cast (Jim Parsons can do no wrong), but the movie does drag just a bit, and I feel like some of Efron's talent is wasted here. They definitely could have done more with him. That said, he was the perfect mix of creepy and charming, and when they show the actual Bundy footage during the end credits, you realize how close Efron's performance comes to the actual man.
Overall I thought it was good, but could maybe have been better.
Oh, and also? I'll never be mad at Zac Efron's....backside. ?
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Badlands (1973) in Movies
Jul 29, 2019
Impressive debut from the legend himself, Terrence Malick
Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek look so young! Probably because they are!
Impressive directorial debut and the start of great things to come. Some of his visual style are already present including impressive landscape shots or cut scenes featuring animals and nature.
The story is based on the American serial killer Charles Starkweather who befriends a naive young girl, invades her life and brings her along on a mass killing road trip across the southern United States. The victims include almost everyone they meet. The authorities are mobilized and pursue the duo as tensions escalate.
Sheen and Spacek are perfectly cast as the young couple which modern audiences would equate to Natural Born Killers; however, this film is not over the top like NBK. I really enjoyed their reluctant relationship and the mounting peril with the inevitable confrontation with the law.
Highly recommended.
Impressive directorial debut and the start of great things to come. Some of his visual style are already present including impressive landscape shots or cut scenes featuring animals and nature.
The story is based on the American serial killer Charles Starkweather who befriends a naive young girl, invades her life and brings her along on a mass killing road trip across the southern United States. The victims include almost everyone they meet. The authorities are mobilized and pursue the duo as tensions escalate.
Sheen and Spacek are perfectly cast as the young couple which modern audiences would equate to Natural Born Killers; however, this film is not over the top like NBK. I really enjoyed their reluctant relationship and the mounting peril with the inevitable confrontation with the law.
Highly recommended.