The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers

by Michael Newton

Book Overview

An objective look at a fascinating criminal phenomenon-updated. Praise for the hardcover edition: "...recommended..."- American Reference Books Annual The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers, Second... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0816039798
• ISBN13: 9780816039791
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Checkmark Books
• Length: 397 Pages
• Weight: 2.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 8.3" x 10.9"

Customer Reviews

Good condition! But it’s there first edition.

Haven’t read it yet but looks good. There’s some pics of the serial killers but haven’t seen anything real graphic. I thought I was buying the second edition since it was the picture of that one when I was buying it so it was a little disappointing at first but still a good read.

GREAT BOOK!!

It's a pretty long read but it does contain some written material that might be inappropiate for some readers.What I really like about this book is the aspect of every serial killer which deals about their background as well as why would they committe such a crime that forever haunt us till this very day.Michael Newton does provide info that'll help us think and learn about who they are and what they are.Make no mistake that this book will give you everything you need to know about them except the only thing I wish that this book should have is more photos.Anyway,do yourself a favor and check this book out.

Very Interesting Book!!!

A friend of mine gave me this book, and normally I don't read. However, on a road trip, I decided to read some of the book and became very interested, QUICKLY! The book is quite detailed, and I liked the fact that there was information in the book on serial killers from the 1800's and earlier (Erzsebet Bathory born in 1560). A great, well-written book!

Updated issue of a fascinating encyclopedia

This is a fascinating read for true crime buffs. The author's stated purpose is to "demystify, as far as possible, those predators in human form who have been with us since the dawn of history..." Serial killers at large are so frightening that they end up touching all of our lives--most especially in the United States, where 84% of all known serial killers have committed their crimes since 1980. I first became aware of this type of human predator when I was a student at the University of Michigan, and John Norman Collins was murdering coeds with pierced ears and long brown hair. California native Michael Newton has published 181 books since 1977, including 147 novels but he is best known for his true crime and reference works. I have to say that I assumed this author was British because of his concise, witty style and also for his tendency to critique other true crime authors who failed to get their facts straight, including the names of a serial killer's victims. One of his special peeves is the term 'spree killer,' and he also doesn't seem to think much of profilers. Most of the entries in this encyclopedia are concerned with the serial killers themselves, whether they acted alone, in twosomes, or in packs. One of the biggest surprises for me was the large number of serial killers who are or were women. Something like 12% of all serial killers are female, and Hungarian women seem especially prone to this behavior, starting with Countess Erzsebet Bthory in the sixteenth century whose final body count was somewhere between 300 and 650 victims. In the early 1900s,Vera Renczi murdered 35 husbands, lovers, and a son and was arrested by the police only after they searched her basement and discovered 35 zinc coffins. "Some evenings, Vera liked to sit among the coffins in an armchair and enjoy the company of her adoring beaux." Then there were the "Angel Makers of Nagyrev"... Well, let me just close by remarking that "The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers" is an extremely interesting source of information on the darker side of human nature. In addition to the encyclopedia entries, there are also appendices on "Solo Killers," "Team Killers," and "Unresolved Cases," plus an extensive bibliography.

Update of a fine reference

Expanded and updated edition of his original that came out in 2000. There are now entries on cases that have been solved since the first edition was released. Examples: Gary Leon Ridgway, the Green River Killer and Dennis Rader, the BTK Strangler. Other cases have been expanded. Some that were only listed in the appendixes now have entries in the main section. The author uses the definition of a serial killer as someone who murders 2 or more persons, done as separate events. This leads to inclusion of some killers that most people would not consider serial killers. I understand the author going for a more inclusive approach than otherwise. If he didn't go this route, there would inevitably be complaints about killers left out. I spotted very few errors and none that I would categorize as major. I would like to see a much more comprehensive index. Trying to find an entry if all you remember is a victim name or an odd location is difficult. The entries range from a few paragraphs to several pages. Still, if you want a detailed read on a specific case, you will need to get a book devoted to that killer. There are entries on some killers that there hasn't been a book written about, such as Melvin Rees. Of the three SK Encyclopedias I've read, this is the best, in my opinion. The reviews for the first edition are still mostly applicable here. I recommend reading them for other viewpoints.

All the Serial Killers you Could Possibly Ask For...

I thought that this book was a very extraordinary and it hightlighted all the main facts of the serial killers of all time. The book covers all kinds of killers, from solo killers - like the Son of Sam, to unresolved cases such as the Zodiac, this book has it all! If you want to know just the facts about all these crimes, this book if definitely one to have on your shelf!