Serial Killers and Sadistic Murderers Up Close and Personal

by Jack Levin

After twenty-five years of investigating, analyzing, and interviewing serial killers, their family members, neighbors, and even surviving victims, Jack Levin has become one of the world's most respected experts on the motivations and modus operandi of dangerous criminals. In this gripping book, he taps his wealth of experience with the criminal mind to offer lessons for law enforcement and the general public about how serial killers think, as well as the conditions under which hideous murders typically occur. These lessons, he hopes, will lead to more effective ways to thwart such crimes in the future. Levin's face-to-face meetings and correspondence with such notorious murderers as the Hillside strangler (Kenneth Bianchi) and Orville Lynn Majors (the male nurse who was convicted of killing numerous patients in his charge) reveal that these types of killers are not motivated by money, revenge, or rage. In fact, the only motivation seems to be a sadistic craving for power and a need to feel in control. Levin also, for the first time, lets down his guard and reveals what it feels like to be seated so close to such cold-blooded killers.Many killers, as Levin points out, are meticulous planners. Levin has found that even in situations that appear spontaneous, for instance a workplace shooting by a disgruntled employee, the deed is carefully thought out and prepared for in advance. Another factor that consistently emerges in conversations with killers who have committed the most heinous of acts is the total absence of remorse or any notion of moral responsibility. Murder appears to be easy for these criminals and they kill with a feeling of complete impunity. Levin also notes the skillfully deceptive facades that such murderers are able to affect. They are extremely adept liars (he admits to having been fooled!), who enjoy playing mind games, even though outwardly they seem above suspicion. This is one reason they are so dangerous and difficult for investigators to track down and prosecute. This chilling glimpse into the minds of some of the worst criminals makes a valuable contribution to criminology and is a must-read for both true-crime buffs and law enforcement professionals.

Genres: True Crime, Crime, Psychology, Nonfiction, Death

233 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2008

About the author

Professor of Sociology and Criminology at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts where he teaches courses in prejudice and violence.

Reviews

[Steve Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What’s hitting me the most so far is how cold and calculated many of these killers really are. Levin makes it clear that these murders aren’t always about rage or revenge like movies might suggest. Instead, they often boil down to a twisted need for control and power, which makes it all the more chilling. Some of these individuals planned their crimes meticulously and showed absolutely no remorse just a void where empathy should be. Reading about that mindset is deeply unsettling.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are a lot of messed up people in the world.

[Amanda Capp · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well.

I wasn't to impressed with this book. I did finish it completely. However, there was def a time in this book about 1/2 of the way into it where I did want to stop reading and just get a different book. But I had to stick it out to see.

I wanted a book that was very, personal to the single serial killers. really got inside of their minds, possibly interviews, life stories, that type of stuff. However this was more a collection of paragraphs about why some people do what they do. It wasn't very specific on one person, or several people, it was more like 20-30 people. And why those GROUPS of killers do that type of killing. Didn't get too much into detail about anyone in particular.

I wouldn't read this book again.

[Meaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well-written and well-thought-out book. The title is a bit of a misnomer, as this book covers many types of murder besides serial murder. The author even discusses some cases where the killer might be innocent. (I had no idea some people still doubted Charles Manson's guilt!) He has interviewed many of the famous murderers he writes about, and discusses his impressions of them in a way that makes them seem very real to me.

[R.Z. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't expect a definitive study of the criminal mind when you pick up this book. Author Levin gives a rather general view of his own experiences in interviewing killers and the conclusions to which he comes regarding them. He chooses certain characteristics and then discusses which killers have or don't have them. As such, this book is more about a criminal profiler's mind in doing his work, and yes, he does mention that he doesn't sleep well at night.

[Alexandria Malone · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title is definitely not indicative of a book that includes entire chapters on threats (both empty and dangerous) and "don't snitch" culture. The author may know a lot about serial killers, but this book's content goes well outside of that realm and the author does not do those subjects justice.

[Calvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seems Serial Killers are messed up people, who knew?

[Krysta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting! (and quite terrifying) This was very well-written.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. The author has a lot of personal experience tied into facts. It was a quick, easy, enjoyable read.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting, if a bit disjointed and shallow. Robert Ressler still looms large as the definitive author on the subject.

[Michelle Aronoff McCullough · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these kinds of books, I cant get enough. Criminology is fascinating.