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7 Most Terrifying Books About Serial Killers

Learn about the vile and wretched that lies on the heart of the worst that humanity’s got to offer.

Evil exists, and there are people that personify it by basking in enjoying inflicting pain indiscriminately to their fellow men and women alike, people so wretched, so lacking of empathy and conscience that the thought that they are doing something wrong does not even cross their heads, all the contrary, they find what they are doing amusing.

These sickening individuals sometimes express their sick and vile instincts via murder, they are known as serial killers, and they are an example of how low can a human being go. Learn about the pathology that makes these people such a danger with these books about serial killers and learn to identify early the signs of such evil minds so if you ever come across one, you know is time to run (warning, these books are not for the faint-hearted).

Who contributed to this article?
Sara Niemiec

Lucath from Frater Lucath LHP Occultist

Joseph Tully criminal defense attorney at Tully-Weiss.com

Vivian Young from Good Night’s Rest

Christina McCall from Mango Publishing

#1 The A to Z encyclopedia of serial killers

The A to Z encyclopedia of serial killers
The A to Z encyclopedia of serial killers, harold schechter and davit everitt, This book is great because it provides A to Z descriptions of all serial killers going back decades and covers a multitude of crimes, locations, killers and more.

Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:

Read more reviews and buy the book here (Amazon)

Search for the audiobook here (Audible)

#2 The Killer Book of Serial Killers by Tom Philbin

The Killer Book of Serial Killers by Tom Philbin
This book provides the background to every serial killer dating back to their childhood and gives the reader insight into their childhood and life story before they got into killing, and why they committed their crimes. It also provides pictures of the individuals, quotes, and details of their convictions as well as their courtroom confessions when applicable.

Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:

Read more reviews and buy the book here (Amazon)

Search for the audiobook here (Audible)

#3 The Stranger Beside Me by Anne Rule

The Stranger Beside Me by Anne Rice
This book details the true story of true crime author Anne Rule slowly realizing her friend Ted was actually a serial killer. It’s an enjoyable, hard to put down read and is one of the most in depth books about Ted Bundy out there written from the perspective only a friend would have. Anyone interested in the psychology of a serial killer should definitely read this book!

Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:

Read more reviews and buy the book here (Amazon)

Search for the audiobook here (Audible)

#4 Zodiac: The Shocking True Story of the Hunt for the Nation’s Most Elusive Serial Killer

Zodiac: The Shocking True Story of the Hunt for the Nation's Most Elusive Serial Killer
The Zodiac Killer is the template for every Hollywood psycho serial killer. Torturing, killing, menacing, mocking, taunting. The fact that the Zodiac Killer wreaked havoc around the Bay Area for years, with dozens of suspected victims, and was never caught makes his story all the more scary.

The book documents the trail of evil left by the self named Zodiac, the clues sent by the killer to both media and police, and the possible suspects never brought to justice. It is true life horror and crime, not fiction.

Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:

Read more reviews and buy the book here (Amazon)

Search for the audiobook here (Audible)

#5 The Bush Crime Family by Roger Stone

The Bush Crime Family by Roger Stone
A sharp look at century of evil perpetrated by powerful Blue Bloods driven by power. The Bush family is a political dynasty that toyed with the lives of Billions using the CIA, oil, banking, and the White House (twice!).

Psychopaths seek power, and when they get it, either lurking in the night or controlling a nation, people die. Written by Roger Stone, yes THAT Roger Stone, the murderous reign including assassinations, wars, and 9-11 is laid out for indictment.

Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:

Read more reviews and buy the book here (Amazon)

Search for the audiobook here (Audible)

#6 True Crime – Serial Killers By the Editors of Time-Life Books

True Crime - Serial Killers By the Editors of Time-Life Books
Ted Bundy is still making the news in 2019, albeit for the 30th anniversary of his death in the electric chair in 1989. His face (dis)graces the cover of this Time-Life book on serial killers and the editors have devoted pages 6-47 to one of the most prolific predators of young women.

The following pages 48-90 are dedicated to John Wayne Gacy, who killed and hid the bodies of 29 young men in and around his house. There’s a startling full-color photo of him in his clown regalia.

Other serial killers are profiled in the Gallery of Evil section which includes some lesser known but equally monstrous murderers – Joe Ball aka “The Alligator Man”, Albert Fish “The Moon Maniac”, Dennis Nilsen, the flatmate from hell, and Son of Sam Berkowitz.

Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:

Read more reviews and buy the book here (Amazon)

Search for the audiobook here (Audible)

#7 Double Lives: True Tales of the Criminals Next Door by Eric Brach

Double Lives: True Tales of the Criminals Next Door by Eric Brach
Everyone has heard of these sociopaths and their crimes, and yet, no one is scared of them. Why? Well, we can see them for what they are; they hold no mystery. Dastardly though they were, they’re famous. They’re celebrities. For all intents and purposes, they’re Paris Hilton.

What really shocks us is the unknown. It’s the commonality shared by Adnan from Serial and Jame Gumb from Silence of the Lambs: the criminals who blend in are the ones that captivate us the most. Double Lives is a book that chronicles those very monsters who walk unnoticed among us – the neighbors and students, professionals and friends living out criminal double lives.

Double Lives is a nonfiction expose and a search that details the exploits of some of the worst serial killers in recent American history, all of whom succeeded in going undetected for years while perpetrating one gross crime after another: in their own hometowns. Gender? Race? Age? Socioeconomic class? It doesn’t matter. All stripes of people from all walks of life are profiled.

Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:

Read more reviews and buy the book here (Amazon)

Search for the audiobook here (Audible)

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Written by Zak Parker

Journalist, writer, musician, professional procrastinator. I'll add more here later.

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