Not a book for the faint hearted, Douglas picks out high-profile crimes of serial killers, and describes to the reader how he is able to use the information at the crime scene to help police catch the perpetrator.

A must have for anyone seeking an introduction to the world of Serial Killers, but not really one for the reader who is already familiar with the main concepts and issues surrounding the modern phenomena.


A fascinating and insightful book   December 28, 1999
This is one of the most interesting and absorbing insights into the mind of killers and serial killers. Whilst it is at times graphic it is not voyeristic and succeeds in not slipping into overly dramatic descritions. John Douglas is the primary exponent of criminal profiling and his knowledge and expertise shines through.


a disappointing, structureless follow up to "Mindhunter"   November 26, 1998
Having enjoyed reading Mindhunter, Douglas's first book about his type of work, this was a huge disappointment. The main reason being the fact that most of the book focuses on cases that he was not directly involved in and is therefore a rehash of what someone else wrote or said. Though the book for the most part fails to live up to its title, there is a particular section which makes distressing reading as it explores a certain type of crime universally abhorred. However, the book's subject matter overall is poorly structured, suddenly leaping from one type of crime to another, with no explanation as to any links. In conclusion, it seems just to be a book cashing in on the success of "Mindhunter" with little thought as to how best structure coverage of more true life crime cases.


This book should get you talking to your kids ASAP!   April 1, 1998
 7 out of 8 found this review helpful

I grew up with a child molester under my own roof for years but was to frightened to talk about it. I escaped the situation by joining the US Marine Corps. Now I have children and after reading John's book, I had that long talk with my children about sexual predators. It was a subject that my Mother never talked to me about, and I pay for it everyday. My children will not feel the pain that I have and John's book gave me that extra push that I needed to tell my children how to protect themselves. He was right when he said that it is better to have your children scared and aware, than ignore and abused, or worse. Read it, for yourself and your children.