Serial Killers discussion

So, out of all of the books you've read so far, who (in your opinion) was the smartest fictional serial killer? Who did the best job of outsmarting the police (or thought they were smarter and more superior) before they eventually got caught?

There isn't even the faintest shadow of a doubt that Hannibal Lector wins this one hands down. By the way, you need to rethink the way your second question is worded, as in the long run, it does not apply to to the good doctor.

Very true, a bit of editing underway. :^)

I think I must be the only person in the world who has still not read Silence of the Lambs or seen the movie. Must do that this year.

I agree that both the books and the movies were great. The books, especially Hannibal, allowed you into Lector's mind. The movies can't handle that as well without employing hokey devices. Harris' ending was tres kinkier than the Mamet/Zaillian one in the Hannibal movie. Shame on Hollywood for changing that.

I think hannibal was a gross man

Arthur Lingard in Colin Wilson's 'The Killer' is brilliantly written and diabolically intelligent. Worth reading if you haven't. A very early protrayal of a fictional serial killer from the UK.

I don't think i heard about him

Vincent Malvado from Indoctrination is second to Hannibal.

Indoctrination

John wrote: "Vincent Malvado from Indoctrination is second to Hannibal.

Indoctrination"

Never heard of this but it sounds excellent, I've added it to my to read list. Thanks

Hannibal Lector and Luther Kite, without a doubt. Well, as far as I'm aware.

Hi, I'm Kristin-- new to the group.

Has anyone read Heartsick recently? I just started it this afternoon. I'm only on page 46 so far and I'm just not getting into it. In the reviews I read when I finally decided to sit down and read this, people were saying it's one of the best-- if not THE best-- fictional serial killer book out there. I guess I'm just wondering if finishing the book is worth my time and figured the Serial Killers group would be the best place to ask (:

Patrick Bateman from American Psycho

Kristin wrote: "Hi, I'm Kristin-- new to the group.

Has anyone read Heartsick recently? I just started it this afternoon. I'm only on page 46 so far and I'm just not getting into it. In the reviews I read when I..."

Hi Kristin, yeah, I read that (audiobook) just lately but had started it maybe twice before that and given up. I couldn't get into it either, but this time I persevered till the story caught me, and while I wouldn't put it with my top best I really did enjoy it and continued with the series.
I found each of the series books difficult at the start, but just plodded on till I got caught up in the story. It worked ok that way for me and wasn't a problem, though it sounds odd LOL
Keep going a bit more, they are a bit different from the usual serial killer thrillers and that's enough to keep on... so many same-old types out there it's hard to find one a bit different :)

aprilla wrote: "Kristin wrote: "Hi, I'm Kristin-- new to the group.

Has anyone read Heartsick recently? I just started it this afternoon. I'm only on page 46 so far and I'm just not getting into it. In the revie..."

Thanks! I had some extra time earlier and kept reading, finally made it to page 131 and it's getting more interesting. And thank you for the heads up about the rest of the series (:

From what I've read, and I've read a lot, lol, I would say Hannibal Lector by far. I think he stands out above others in knowledge period, he is exceptional in many ways.
I will try Arthur Lingard & Vincent Malvado and see what they're about. I do find I enjoy English, Nordic, and Irish murder the most. Hands down there is nothing I've read that's darker and more twisted than "The Darkness of Bones" by Irish author Sam Millar.

Kristin wrote: "Hi, I'm Kristin-- new to the group.

Has anyone read Heartsick recently? I just started it this afternoon. I'm only on page 46 so far and I'm just not getting into it. In the reviews..."

I love Chelsea Cain's Gretchan