Recommend me a serial killer thriller.

[Seamack]

Hi, I've searched the book recommendations thread and I don't see anything that deals directly with this sub genre of crime fiction. So please, Shoot! Recommend me some sinister and bloodthirsty villains just one step ahead of their emotionally broken super sleuth pursuants.

[NAF1138]

This isn't totally exactly what you were talking about, but Devil in the White City (http://www.amazon.com/Devil-White-City-Madness-Changed/dp/0375725601) was the first book that sprang to mind.

John Sandford's Prey Series (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_8?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=john+sandford+prey+series+in+order&x=0&y=0&sprefix=john+san)also isn't exactly what you are looking for (it's about a cop not the killer) but is a pretty good crime fiction series.

[silenus]

A neat twist on the genre are Tim Dorsey's Serge Storms books. Set in Florida, they recount the adventures of Serge, an amiable, manic serial killer who only kills assholes. Of which there are plenty. Funny, insane, whacko...they read like a cross between Dave Barry and Carl Hiaasen. Start with either Florida Roadkill or Hammerhead Ranch Motel.

[Seamack]

This isn't totally exactly what you were talking about, but Devil in the White City (http://www.amazon.com/Devil-White-City-Madness-Changed/dp/0375725601) was the first book that sprang to mind.


I'm intrigued and that is now on my library reservation wish list. Thank you.

[NAF1138]

You are welcome. I hope you like it, I really liked it a lot.

[Seamack]

A neat twist on the genre are Tim Dorsey's Serge Storms books. Set in Florida, they recount the adventures of Serge, an amiable, manic serial killer who only kills assholes. Of which there are plenty. Funny, insane, whacko...they read like a cross between Dave Barry and Carl Hiaasen. Start with either Florida Roadkill or Hammerhead Ranch Motel.

I've reserved Florida Roadkill too. Again, not what i was thinking of but sounds entertaining. Thank you.

[Ellen Cherry]

I assume you've read all the Hannibal books?

[Seamack]

I assume you've read all the Hannibal books?

Yeah, for sure. I've discovered Cody McFadyen recently who writes serial killer themed thrillers very much in the vein of Thomas Harris. This has left me (blood) thirsty for more.

[infinitii]

Try Nightlife by Thomas Perry. He does a lot of cat and mouse type thrillers (usually with professional killers), but this one is about a serial killer, and a female one at that. As is typical with his books, you get into the mindset of both the serial killer and the detective investigating the case.

[kayaker]

How about Hush (http://www.amazon.com/crime-fiction-police-procedural-ebook/dp/B0044KM17M/ref=zg_bstf_digital-text_66). It is a serial killer police procedural novel written by Theresa Weir (using the name Anne Frasier). I'm about half way through and it is very good.

It is available free as a kindle download.

[Meme Chose]

The First Deadly Sin by Lawrence Sanders. You'll enjoy the rest of the series, too, if you like the protagonist.

[WordMan]

Have you read The Alienist by Caleb Carr? Set in 1896 Manhattan. A bit slow at the end, but a fun historical ride along the way...

[Blank Slate]

Are you squeamish? Val Mcdermid's Dr. Tony Hill series is excellent, but there is quite a bit of sexual violence. Hill is a clinical psychologist and part of his appeal is that he considers himself as loony as the serial killers he profiles.

[Annie-Xmas]

Quite a few of Ed McBain's, including his first Cop Hater, The Mugger, Heat, and some others.

[Morgyn]

I suggest The Judas Child (http://www.amazon.com/Judas-Child-Carol-OConnell/dp/0425238075/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315331241&sr=1-1), by Carrol O'Connell.

[Lancia]

Seconding John Sandford's Prey series, especially the earlier ones. If nothing else, read the two with Michael Bekker as the bad guy. Also the two with Clara Rinker the assassin are hard to beat. (Silent Prey & Eyes of Prey, and Mortal Prey & Certain Prey, respectively. I think).

For something a little less mac & cheese, try Ian Rankin's Inspector Rebus series.

Also Trevanian's The Main is superb. Not exactly serial killer, but a good police story. For a killer you will definitely love, try Shibumi.

[Sir T-Cups]

Messiah by Boris Starling

A London detective has to find out the identity of a serial killer who is killing guys with the same names and occupations as the 12 disciples, in the way that disciple was killed.

The rest of Starling's books are just as gruesome/awesome. I love him.

[Seamack]

Thanks for these and by all means keep them coming. I'm definitely checking out the Prey series. Messiah is already on my to read list. I love the Rebus books. Interestingly - in UK TV adaptations of Rebus and Messiah the lead characters were played by the same actor - Ken Stott.

[Khadaji]

Have a look at the first two in the Dexter series. (Skip the third.)

[TimToyGeek]

James Ellroy wrote a very good serial killer novel called 'Killer on the Road' which examines things more from the killer perspective.

It's not quite as good as most of the Hollywood Quintet books - and those have some good serial killer action in them too, most notably The Black Dahlia.

Tim
"toy geek"

[Seamack]

Have a look at the first two in the Dexter series. (Skip the third.)

I've read the first and (I think) the third. That was a bit of a shark jumper right? Put me right off. TV series has gone from strength to strength by developing the story from book one but going in it's own direction after that.

[Khadaji]

I've read the first and (I think) the third. That was a bit of a shark jumper right? Put me right off. TV series has gone from strength to strength by developing the story from book one but going in it's own direction after that.
The third was horrible and put me off the series too. I can't imagine what he was thinking when he wrote it. I can't imagine what his editor was thinking when he let it go through. If there is a forth, I won't read it, just because the third was so very very bad.

Here (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=619418)is a similar thread that I started a few weeks ago.

[Doug K.]

Pity Him Afterwards (http://www.amazon.com/Pity-Him-Afterwards-Donald-Westlake/dp/0786703962) by Donald Westlake.

A killer escaped from an asylum hides out by working in a small town theater under a phony name. The POV switches from the killer's to third person objective in alternating chapters without revealing his identity to the reader until the end. Which is to say, we know the killer's real name but not his assumed name.

Regarding Dexter: There is not only a fourth, but also a fifth book, and the supernatural element in the third book was pretty much abandoned.

[MadTheSwine]

Does it have to be fiction?

[Gil-Martin]

A neat twist on the genre are Tim Dorsey's Serge Storms books. Set in Florida, they recount the adventures of Serge, an amiable, manic serial killer who only kills assholes. Of which there are plenty. Funny, insane, whacko...they read like a cross between Dave Barry and Carl Hiaasen. Start with either Florida Roadkill or Hammerhead Ranch Motel.

This sounds similar to the Dexter series of books. Does anybody know how it compares?

I would also like to second WordMan's recommendation of The Alienist.

[Thudlow Boink]

I read The Perfect Woman (http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Woman-James-Andrus/dp/0786022159/ref=tmm_pap_title_0) by James Andrus when it was briefly free for Kindle. I thought it was a decent read, though not particularly special or memorable.

[Seamack]

Does it have to be fiction?

No not at all. Here's a very disturbing but well researched non-fiction read www.amazon.com/Happy-Like-Murderers-Gordon-Burn/dp/0571209971 It's an account of Fred and Rose West's murderous reign. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosemary_West

[kbear]

Most, if not all, of James Patterson's books are about serial killers. British writer Mark Billingham has a DI Thorne series that's mostly serial killers as well. You very much get the sense that they are both churning them out but they're a decent beach read.

[C K Dexter Haven]

Margery Allingham's The Tiger in the Smoke -- a classic, but wonderful.
Robert Block's Psycho on which the movie was based.
Another Donald Westlake: Sacred Monster
On the lighter and amusing side, there's Agatha Christie's The ABC Murders, of course.

There is at least one by Lawrence Block in his Scudder series, but i can't recollect the title.

[Annie-Xmas]

On the non-fiction side, nothing is better than Ann Rule's "The Stranger Beside Me." Image getting a contract to write your first book about the murders of several young women before there is any suspect, then realizing later you know the murderer.

[beagledave]

The Harry Hole series of novels from Jo Nesbo.

I read The Snowman (http://www.amazon.com/Snowman-Jo-Nesb%C3%B8/dp/0307595862/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315402453&sr=1-1) and am currently reading The Redeemer. (http://www.amazon.com/Redeemer-Jo-Nesbo/dp/0099505967/ref=pd_sim_b_1)

[silenus]

This sounds similar to the Dexter series of books. Does anybody know how it compares?

Not really alike very much. The key to Serge is that he likes to kill assholes in very complex ways One comes to mind that involves gasoline, a garden shed, motion-activated lawn lights and a hula-hoop. The early books also feature the world's worst gang of Columbian drug runners.

[Seamack]

The Harry Hole series of novels from Jo Nesbo.

I read The Snowman (http://www.amazon.com/Snowman-Jo-Nesb%C3%B8/dp/0307595862/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315402453&sr=1-1) and am currently reading The Redeemer. (http://www.amazon.com/Redeemer-Jo-Nesbo/dp/0099505967/ref=pd_sim_b_1)

Cool. I'm just about to start 'Redbreast' from this author. Thanks

[beagledave]

Other resources to consider..

Join Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com)

http://booklamp.org/

http://bookseer.com/

[Puff]

Just wanted to say that I second the reccomendation of The Alienist, fascinating look into the mind of the detective not the killer, and how detection grew from the roots...

Another one that is slightly different and alternative is The Meaning of Night by Michael Cox link (http://www.amazon.com/Meaning-Night-Confession-Michael-Cox/dp/0393330346/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315421488&sr=8-1)

It's an introspective killer writing his memoirs, big nods to bibliophiles, victorian era fans and historical thrillers in general.

[Hockey Monkey]

A neat twist on the genre are Tim Dorsey's Serge Storms books. Set in Florida, they recount the adventures of Serge, an amiable, manic serial killer who only kills assholes. Of which there are plenty. Funny, insane, whacko...they read like a cross between Dave Barry and Carl Hiaasen. Start with either Florida Roadkill or Hammerhead Ranch Motel.

Serge is my favorite serial killer with Dexter a close second. I named my new dog Serge in homage. The books are also HILARIOUS!

[The_Peyote_Coyote]

Seamack, I would recommend Ellery Queen's Cat of Many Tails. Written in 1949 this is one of the first novels to deal with a serial killer and it's still one of the best.

If you're interested in non-fiction, try Helter Skelter and The Family, both about the Manson family.

[VOW]

I also put in a vote for the "Prey" series by John Sanford.

And Ann Rule has written a BUNCH of true crime books, all great reads.

I like Jonathan Kellerman and his Alex Delaware series. The earlier ones are much better than the recent books, IMHO.

A similar series with the main character being Alan Gregory are by Stephen White. Perhaps White and Kellerman were twins separated at birth?

The Patricia Cornwell books are outstanding, but again, I think the earlier ones are much better than those more recently written.

If you wish to branch out to your more feminine side, romance author Nora Roberts has written a series under the pseudonym JD Robb. The books have a slight sci-fi aura, in that the main character is a cop in the future, named Eve Dallas. All the JD Robb books are "[Something] in Death." I love these and scour the bookshelves in stores for the newest release.

And now I'm off to Amazon to check out the "Serge Storms" books!


~VOW

[Seamack]

Other resources to consider..

Join Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com)

http://booklamp.org/

http://bookseer.com/

Great suggestions. Booklamp really appeals to me. Cheers

[jjimm]

Not a serial killer in motivation, as he's really an opportinist sociopath, but I have read all of Patricia Highsmith's Ripliad (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Ripley) (spoilers at link) books and can't recommend them highly enough. Brilliantly written in the literary genre, and she really gets inside his mind, so much so that some biographers have suggested she might have done some bumping off herself.

How's it going btw? :)

[Becky2844]

I don't have the title but Joyce Carol Oates wrote one from killer's POV thruout, simple and chilling and TOO real...

[cuberdon]

I enjoyed "The Concrete Blonde", by Michael Connelly.