Multiple killings by serial or spree killers and the mass violence seen in war crimes and other atrocities have typically been understood as discrete category types, which can foster the view that there are fundamentally different kinds of human beings, including "deviants" who are born evil and innately given to sadism or a callous lack of empathy. In contrast, this book considers the violence of these "deviants" in terms of larger questions about human violence. Therefore, in addition to describing the life histories of a sample of individual serial and spree murderers, the book includes analysis of macro-level phenomena such as genocide, mass rape and killing, and torture occurring under conditions of war, state authorization, or political upheaval. The chief claim of the book is that, given the "right" combination of factors occurring at different levels of analysis, virtually anyone can emerge as a killer or perpetrator of atrocities. While it is crucial to understand individual killers in terms of the details of their biographies, it is equally crucial to understand political atrocities in terms of the details of their histories; and to see that persons and groups are always the product of complexly interacting assemblage processes.

This the first book to focus specifically on serial killers motivated by monetary gain. Serial Killing for Profit: Multiple Murder for Money addresses a gap in the existing literature by documenting one dozen of the most notorious perpetrators of commercial serial murder—murderers who kill to secure inheritances and pensions, to sell possessions or even the body itself, or as murderers-for-hire. In these pages, readers will encounter some of the nation's most infamous and disturbing criminals, including "America's first serial killer," Herman Mudgett; Raymond Fernandez and Martha Beck, the "Honeymoon Killers;" Los Angeles's "Night Stalker," Richard Ramirez; the "black widow" Blanche Taylor Moore; and Dana Sue Gray, who killed three women for shopping money. Author Dirk Gibson gets to the twisted heart of each case, meticulously detailing the crimes, the victims, the hunt for the killers, the distinctive variations on the motive of "killing for money," and the lessons learned by investigators in each instance. Everyone from professional investigators to true crime aficionados will be riveted by these stunning accounts.

Clusters of English "unofficial" roses have climbed the fence to face the sun. Each in its crimson finery supposes that it, alone, is the only one. Compliment inflates. Blame deflates. Truth understates. When the Giant Progress invented the wheel, he drove around running over everyone's babies until they begged him to invent the road. FOOL MOON Abolishing the moon by draining the pool is an occupation for the fool. Look at her! Sitting like a Question Mark, halfway between please and no thank you. I asked my Mother, "What shall I be? Will I be famous? Will I be rich?" Here's what she said to me: "You will be a Big Issue Seller! Just like your father before you!" THATCHER Ethics detached from intelligence (a dangerous thing in woman). She abused her education by sunbathing her ego in every passing neon light. DEIST AND ATHEIST Be careful when you stop believing in God. He may stop believing in you.

Documents the murders committed by suspected serial killers in London, Ontario.

In Manhood Impossible, Scott Melzer argues that boys’ and men’s bodies and breadwinner status are the two primary sites for their expression of control. Controlling selves and others, and resisting being dominated and controlled is most connected to men’s bodies and work. However, no man can live up to these culturally ascendant ideals of manhood. The strategies men use to manage unmet expectations often prove toxic, not only for men themselves, but also for other men, women, and society. Melzer strategically explores the lives of four groups of adult men struggling with contemporary body and breadwinner ideals. These case studies uncover men’s struggles to achieve and maintain manhood, and redefine what it means to be a man.

A superbly targeted resource for those learning about serial killings. Serial Killers and the Phenomenon of Serial Murder examines and analyses some of the best known (as well as lesser) cases from English criminal history, ancient and modern. It looks at the lifestyles, backgrounds and activities of those who become serial killers and identifies clear categories of individuals into which most serial killers fall. Led by Professor David Wilson the authors are all experts and teachers concerning the ever-intriguing subject of serial killing: why, when and how it happens and whether it can be predicted. Taking some of the leading cases from English law and abroad they demonstrate the patterns that emerge in the lives and backgrounds of those who kill a number of times over a period. The book is designed for those studying the topic at advanced level, whether as an academic discipline on one of the many courses now run by universities and colleges or as a private quest for understanding. It contains notes on key terms and explanations of topics such as co-activation, Munchausen syndrome, cooling-off period, psychopathy checklist, social construction, case linkage, family annihilation, activity space, rational choice theory, medicalisation and rendezvous discipline. As the first textbook of its kind it will be an invaluable resource for teachers and students of serious crime.

Any murder causes pain and suffering that ripple through families and communities—of both the victims and the perpetrators—but premeditated murders cause the worst kind of damage. The Allure of Premeditated Murder is about the worst kinds of premeditated homicide in which the perpetrator plans an attack over a period of days, weeks, or months, leaving behind massive carnage and unspeakable suffering. Drawing on extensive research and interviews with murderers, sociologists Jack Levin and Julie B. Wiest help readers understand why such vicious murders occur and what we can do to minimize their incidence. Throughout the book, theyexamine why people engage in acts of premeditated murder—planning and implementing terrible violence against others—from the perpetrator’s viewpoint. By juxtaposing the motivations for these hideous homicides against everyday social circumstances, these often-baffling crimes are explained in an easy-to-understand manner that paves the way for promising solutions. In the process of examining the characteristics of premeditated murder, the book also addresses those questions that are commonly asked about this kind of violent crime but usually unanswered. How could a killer have enjoyed his murderous rampage when he committed suicide right afterward? Why do sadistic killers sometimes regard their murders as great accomplishments? What can be done to effectively reduce the likelihood of this kind of homicide? As violence remains such a prominent and troubling topic nationwide, The Allure of Premeditated Murder successfully explores the reasons behind the worst violence as well as the most promising solutions.

"Written in an engaging manner that challenges critical thinking throughout, the text is very readable and balances providing facts grounded in research with case examples." —Minna Cirino, Shenandoah University Now with SAGE Publishing, The Will to Kill: Making Sense of Senseless Murder explores extraordinary and seemingly inexplicable cases of homicide—not to sensationalize them—but to educate students about these crimes. Authored by renowned experts, the Fifth Edition places recent crimes in context by reviewing current homicide laws, introducing the latest theories that seek to explain murder, and presenting up-to-date statistical data that identify homicide patterns and trends. Students develop a foundational understanding of a variety of topics, for example, domestic and workplace homicide, cult and hate killings, murders committed by juveniles, and serial slayings. Students also examine various criminal justice responses to homicide, including the strategies and tactics employed to apprehend, prosecute, and punish killers. New to the Fifth Edition Up-to-date research and data offers students the latest statistics on homicide patterns and trends in recent years. New illustrative cases cover various forms of homicide, focusing on crimes that drew significant interest from the public and policymakers alike and provide students with unique insights into violent behavior. Updated coverage of recent controversies, legislative changes, and Supreme Court decisions includes heightened concern over mass shootings, hate-motivated homicide and terrorism; new laws, shifting policies, and Supreme Court rulings pertaining to gun rights, juvenile offenders and the death penalty; and advances in surveillance technology, computer-aided investigation, and DNA forensic testing. Early introduction of theories helps students to understand the definition of homicide/homicide laws before developing a theoretical framework to explain violence.

This timely reference examines the psychological and social phenomena of mass and serial murder, bringing scholarly depth to a frequently sensationalized subject. Its review of the literature features case studies of serial and mass murderers to expand on salient theories of evil, with biopsychosocial profiles highlighting core personality traits, particularly malignant narcissism, associated with psychopathy and its often deadly outcomes. The author’s insightful analysis separates misconceptions from reality, poses questions for critical thinking and discussion, and offers realistic suggestions for prevention. Public fascination with these violent figures—the mystique of serial killers and their popularity in the entertainment media—is explored as well. Included in the coverage: · Public interest in mass and serial murder. · Concepts of evil: where it comes from, and why people kill. · Mass murder: classification, motivation, and typologies. · Serial murder: motivation and typologies. · Current trends in prevention, and areas for improvement. · Plus instructive case studies, both famous and less-known. Mass and Serial Murder in America is illuminating reading for undergraduate and graduate students and practitioners in social science disciplines such as criminal justice, criminology, social work, psychology, forensic psychology, and related fields. It will also find an audience among educators teaching courses in these areas, as well as interested laypersons.

R. Barri Flowers, award-winning criminologist and the bestselling author of Serial Killers & Prostitutes and The Sex Slave Murders, brings together seven of his best previously published true crime stories in a single volume for the first time in this gripping collection. Murder at the Pencil Factory: The Killing of Mary Phagan is a more than a century old tale of child murder, anti-Semitism, racism, and mob violence. Dead at the Saddleworth Moor: The Crimes of Serial Killers Ian Brady & Myra Hindley tells the shocking story of dark fantasies, pornography, rape, and murder in Northern England. The Amityville Massacre: The DeFeo Family's Nightmare is the harrowing real life tale of a mass family murder, by one of their own, in Amityville, New York. Missing or Murdered: The Disappearance of Agnes Tufverson is a puzzling historical mystery involving an attractive New York attorney and her husband, who was a Yugoslav army captain, and a ship bound for Europe but missing a passenger. The Scarborough Rapist: The Vile Crimes of Killers Paul Bernardo & Karla Homolka tells the disturbing tale of a Canadian serial killer couple, rape, and sibling murder. The Pickaxe Killers: The Chilling Tale of Karla Faye Tucker & Daniel Garrett is a frightening story of how vengeance and drug use led to a vicious double murder in Houston, Texas. The Sunset Strip Killers: The Story of Douglas Clark & Carol Mary Bundy is a dark tale of fantasies, prostitution, kidnapping, and serial murder in Hollywood, California. Also included is a bonus excerpt from the author's bestselling true crime book, Serial Killers and Prostitutes, which includes tales on such killers as Jack the Ripper, the Edmonton Serial Killer, Aileen Wuornos, and Kendall Francois. A second bonus is the complete mystery short story, Target of a Killer, that readers are sure to find riveting.