Altogether, a staggering amount of information is packed into this book, and I'd recommend it to those who are interested in the subject matter. There were a few I didn't (for example, the only reason I've ever heard of the name Peter Kuerten was because of the movie "Copycat").
Also, the author mentioned a few serial killers without giving much background on them, as if expecting the reader to know who they were.
I understand that each chapter details something different, and perhaps the author didn't intend for this book to be read cover to cover, but it got rather annoying. There are several places where entire sentences are almost repeated verbatim. Harold Schechter is a professor of American literature and popular culture at Queens College of the City University of New York. Those who want to learn more about serial killers will also find this useful.My only complaint is that the author repeats himself quite often. There is a ton of information to be found here, and it's the perfect resource for those writers who want to incorporate an accurate portrayal of a serial killer in a piece of fiction. Each section is punctuated with at least one in depth case file illustrating the points already discussed. I've read several of his books, and I have "enjoyed" (I am not sure if that is the correct word, considering the subject matter) each of them.The book is incredibly in depth, covering a range of topics (starting with how the term "serial killer" entered the English language, then delving into common characteristics of serial killers, why and how they kill, how they're caught, and much more). Harold Schechter is one of the leading authorities on American serial killers, and he has a very readable writing style.
0 kommentar(er)
