# Recommend me a serial killer thriller. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 6, 2011, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-serial-killer-thriller/595380 "2011-09-06T13:43:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Seamack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/46a35a/32.png) [@Seamack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seamack)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-serial-killer-thriller/595380/1 "2011-09-06T13:43:02Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-serial-killer-thriller/595380/2 "2011-09-06T13:52:10Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-serial-killer-thriller/595380/3 "2011-09-06T13:56:47Z")
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 Mote_l. ---
**Author:** ![Seamack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/46a35a/32.png) [@Seamack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seamack)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-serial-killer-thriller/595380/4 "2011-09-06T13:57:43Z")
> [@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. I’m intrigued and that is now on my library reservation wish list. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-serial-killer-thriller/595380/5 "2011-09-06T14:03:41Z")
You are welcome. I hope you like it, I really liked it a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Seamack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/46a35a/32.png) [@Seamack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seamack)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-serial-killer-thriller/595380/6 "2011-09-06T14:21:43Z")
> [@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 Mote_l. I’ve reserved _Florida Roadkill_ too. Again, not what i was thinking of but sounds entertaining. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-serial-killer-thriller/595380/7 "2011-09-06T14:22:12Z")
I assume you’ve read all the Hannibal books? ---
**Author:** ![Seamack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/46a35a/32.png) [@Seamack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seamack)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-serial-killer-thriller/595380/8 "2011-09-06T14:28:03Z")
> [@Ellen\_Cherry](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![infinitii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e8c25b/32.png) [@infinitii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/infinitii)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-serial-killer-thriller/595380/9 "2011-09-06T14:32:47Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-serial-killer-thriller/595380/10 "2011-09-06T14:40:02Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Meme\_Chose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Meme\_Chose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meme_Chose)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-serial-killer-thriller/595380/11 "2011-09-06T16:32:18Z")
The First Deadly Sin by Lawrence Sanders. You’ll enjoy the rest of the series, too, if you like the protagonist. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-serial-killer-thriller/595380/12 "2011-09-06T17:13:53Z")
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… ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-serial-killer-thriller/595380/13 "2011-09-06T17:23:57Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-serial-killer-thriller/595380/14 "2011-09-06T17:44:06Z")
Quite a few of Ed McBain’s, including his first Cop Hater, The Mugger, Heat, and some others. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-serial-killer-thriller/595380/15 "2011-09-06T17:50:00Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-serial-killer-thriller/595380/16 "2011-09-06T18:02:54Z")
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_. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-serial-killer-thriller/595380/17 "2011-09-06T19:08:46Z")
_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. ---
**Author:** ![Seamack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/46a35a/32.png) [@Seamack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seamack)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-serial-killer-thriller/595380/18 "2011-09-06T19:26:59Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-serial-killer-thriller/595380/19 "2011-09-06T20:02:20Z")
Have a look at the first two in the Dexter series. (Skip the third.) ---
**Author:** ![TimToyGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@TimToyGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimToyGeek)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-serial-killer-thriller/595380/20 "2011-09-06T20:36:32Z")
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” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-serial-killer-thriller/595380.md?page=2)