Clutches of Madness: The Real Faces of Serial Killers

“Invisible until they don’t want to be, some are charming and almost all manipulative. This book is an introduction to serial killers, including their traits, attributes, why they kill, how they get caught, profiling, and characteristics.”

BUY FROM AMAZON


What makes a serial killer? The most terrorizing act a human can carry out is to take the life of another.  Serial killers do this repeatedly and often get away with it for years before they are caught.  The intrigue of those who kill has captivated the nation with a curiosity and an interest in the crimes themselves and in the criminal minds that have carried them out.

Clutches of Madness: The Real Faces of Serial Killers is a book that addresses those common questions. It explores what defines a serial killer, the debate of what makes a serial killer through nature or nurture, and goes on to examine why they kill.  Populated with many examples of famous serial killers along with photos, it is a book that gives a good introduction to the subject.

Criminologists and psychologists have long debated the motivations and personalities of these individuals. The research into how a person may evolve into a serial killer is increasing with neuroscientists now examining the brains of multiple murderers through neuroimaging techniques to try and distinguish any differences which may explain their behavior.

The personal history of each individual has also come under scrutiny.  Aileen Wuornos for example, a female serial killer who robbed and murdered numerous men, is discussed in Clutches of Madness as a solid example of the influence of childhood.

Abandoned by her mother while still a toddler and with her father in prison, Wuornos was raised by her grandfather who subjected her to horrific abuse.  Her attitudes towards men and clear anger at the world were no doubt molded by her childhood experiences. The lack of love and care that every child should receive creates a block for a young mind to develop the common social interaction skills, the emotions such as empathy, and the healthy relationships that help shape a well-balanced adult. However, not all serial killers have had a childhood history as traumatic as that of Aileen Wuornos.

Jeffrey Dahmer, for example, grew up with both parents in what could be said to be a loving home. His home environment was still fraught, with his mother distracted by her own mental health issues and his father generally out of the home to avoid the tension, Dahmer was left to his own devices. He began to show disorganized and disturbed behavior at a young age with an unhealthy interest in dead animals and difficulty socializing and making friends. However, no one could have predicted the brutal acts Jeffrey Dahmer would go on to carry out against 17 young men and boys.

“Milwaukee Cannibal Jeffrey Dahmer had a hobby of biking around the neighbourhood, collecting dead animals (roadkill) to dissect.”

What is clear, is that not all serial killers necessarily have those signals in their history which could lead to conclusions as to why they kill.  Equally, the factors involved for one individual may not apply to another, highlighting the complexity of the nature-nurture debate and the ongoing search for reasons why.

Author Deividas Serevicius has successfully brought together the psychology of those who kill and the information we currently know from research, with a wealth of examples from serial killers themselves.  For those unfamiliar with the so-called ‘high profile’ serial killers, this book provides an excellent overview of their crimes and their states of mind.

Related: Top 10 FBI Criminal Profiling Books

I did feel that early chapters would benefit from some sectioning and headings introducing each concept that is discussed. Furthermore, in places, the narrative does not always flow smoothly with snippets of information followed by an example serial killer. While informative this does leave you wanting more and feels a little jilted.

Some areas do read more like a list than a book chapter; ‘How Do They Choose Whom To Kill’ for example provides just one paragraph discussing the role of fantasy in the behavior of serial killers and then multiple single paragraphs giving brief information on a serial killer and how fantasy was involved in their crimes. ‘Why Do They Kill’ was a much better read, providing a breakdown of the seven categories the FBI has specified for motivation, which is interesting and informative with examples of serial killers who fit into each category and why.  ‘Profiling A Serial Killer’ in Chapter 6 was probably the most comprehensive and engaging section of this book.

“Mission-orientated killers generally aren’t psychotic. They want to make the world a better place to live according to their own attitude.  They think that they need to get rid of people who shouldn’t be a part of society or even walk on the Earth along with them.”

This chapter does go into some depth behind the techniques and methodologies of criminal profiling including some history on how it was created and how it has been used.  The different stages of profiling are discussed giving a sequential idea of how a profiler goes from the details of the crime through to creating a profile and applying it within a criminal investigation.

The remaining chapters of Clutches of Madness focus on the many different serial killers and their crimes.  With chapters covering how serial killers can get away with murder and how serial killers are caught, this is a book that guides the reader through the many stages of understanding and catching a serial killer.

These sections do give an informational and educative read on these cases and what we know about the crimes and the individual responsible. A full collection of serial killers are included in this book, with information and analysis provided on The original Night Stalker in Southern California, The Long Island Killer, the elusive Zodiac Killer, Dennis Radar the BTK killer, UK serial killer Dennis Nilsen, the Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe and of course Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer.

“While a killer’s modus operandi pertains to his methods, the signature has a much less pragmatic role.  It just serves the emotional or psychological needs for him.”

This book overall is a fairly quick read at 136 pages but does give some good information on the well-known serial killers. For a basic introduction to serial killers and criminal psychology, this book is illustrative and filled with examples and facts on many serial killer cases. The numerous photos included do very much add to the narrative. Reading about the horrific crimes carried out by an individual hits home much harder when you see a photo of that individual.

There are some crime scene photos included however although some are graphic, these have been tastefully chosen and are not the gruesome and undignified photos of crime victims that can be found elsewhere. Clutches of Madness: The Real Faces of Serial Killers does indeed live up to its title.  A behind-the-scenes look at the lives and the minds of some of the worst serial killers that have operated in the US and the UK.

It is a collection of case files but with a deeper analysis exploring the techniques involved in criminal profiling alongside the varied and complex motivations that can often drive these individuals to carry out their horrific crimes against others.

Geared more towards those new to the subject of serial killers and criminal profiling, this book provides an excellent introduction to the topic and certainly a useful refresher for those more familiar. If you are looking for a book covering the major serial killers giving a glimpse into their criminal minds, Clutches of Madness will not disappoint.

You can purchase a copy of Clutches of Madness: The Real Faces of Serial Killers at Amazon.


Recommended Books:

  • Serial Killer Groupies Why are serial killer groupies attracted to serial killers? Author RJ Parker explores why some women leave everything behind to marry a killer behind bars. [Read Review]
  • Familicidal Hearts: The Emotional Styles of 211 Killers Neil Websdale uncovers the stories behind 196 male and 15 female perpetrators of familicide exploring the roles of shame, rage, and fear in the lives and crimes of the killers.
  • The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers Accurate, unglamorized information on hundreds of serial murder cases including the Sniper Killers; the Green River Killer; Harold Shipman and Aileen Wuornos.

REVIEW OVERVIEW

Writing Style
Readability
Writing Style

SUMMARY

Trying to understand how and why a serial killer can carry out their brutal and terrifying crimes against others is a topic of ongoing interest. In Clutches of Madness a number of the high profile and most well-known serial killers are covered, providing detail on their crimes and their states of mind. A book which brings together the psychological theory of criminal profiling with numerous examples from serial killers themselves, it is an interesting and informative read for those curious about the subject. A detailed chapter on the methodologies of criminal profiling is written alongside chapters on how serial killers can get away with murder and how they have been eventually caught. A book more for those new to the subject, it provides a solid overview populated by images which enhance the text. A quick but illustrative read into the crimes of serial killers and what hides behind their seemingly normal exterior.

JOIN CRIME TRAVELLER

New article updates and our free monthly Newsletter straight into your inbox.

It's free! You can unsubscribe at any time.

Unlimited reading on any device, try Kindle Unlimited from Amazon for free.
Prefer Audiobooks? Audible 30-Day Free Trial with free audiobooks.

As an Amazon affiliate, Crime Traveller may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. See our Disclaimers page for more information.

Hot this week

When the Sirens Fade: Inside the World of Crime Scene Cleanup 

Learn how expert crime scene cleanup teams ensure health and safety, turning traumatic spaces into places of healing with specialized skills and compassionate care.

The Virginia McCullough Case: A Daughter’s Dark Secret

Uncover the haunting case of Virginia McCullough and a secret that shook a quiet community to its core. In a disturbing tale of family tragedy, McCullough lived alongside her parents' concealed remains for four years, leaving investigators to piece together a puzzle that challenged their understanding of familial bonds and human nature.

Justice For Brianna Ghey: A Murder Trial Unveiling Dark Secrets

The senseless murder of Brianna Ghey exposes the shadowy depths of a false friendship and the sinister fantasies that led to her untimely death.

Family Annihilation: The Crimes and Psychology of Familicide

An in-depth look at familicide and family annihilators through the use of case studies, exploring the psychology, characteristics, possible trigger factors and profiles of individuals who decide to take the lives of multiple members of their own family.

Female Adolescent Parricide: Teenage Love, Parental Conflict, and Murder

The role of first-love and powerful emotions in adolescent female parricide including the cases of Jasmine Richardson, Erin Caffey, Kim Edwards and Sarah Johnson.

True Crime Books Best Sellers April 2018

In a new series from Crime Traveller, below are some of the bestselling true crime books of the month according to Amazon. Discover the most talked about new books on true crime and see for yourself which will become your next read.

A Good Month for Murder: The Inside Story of a Homicide Squad

Prince George’s County lies on the border to Washington DC and author Del Quentin Wilber gains full access to their homicide squad, shadowing them from the moment they get the call of a murder taking place.

The Girl I Never Knew: Melissa Ann Witt Deserves Justice

LaDonna Humphrey never met Melissa. Yet something about her story and murder captivated her into a 7-year obsessional quest to find her killer.

Kitty Genovese, The Public Murder 37 Witnesses Ignored

The desperate cries of a fatally injured young woman ring out into the night. She knows she can be heard but realises as her life ebbs away, that no one is coming to her aid.

The Murder of Bob Crane: Can Modern DNA Science Crack this Cold Case?

The 1978 murder of actor and American icon Bob Crane remains one of the most high-profile unsolved celebrity murders of all time, after he was found bludgeoned to death in his apartment.

Masking Evil: When Good Men And Women Turn Criminal

Masking Evil by Carol Anne Davis examines 37 killers, all were in good solid professions but revealed their hidden capacity for the darkest of crimes.
spot_img

Related Articles

<p style="text-align: justify;">Trying to understand how and why a serial killer can carry out their brutal and terrifying crimes against others is a topic of ongoing interest. In <em>Clutches of Madness</em> a number of the high profile and most well-known serial killers are covered, providing detail on their crimes and their states of mind. A book which brings together the psychological theory of criminal profiling with numerous examples from serial killers themselves, it is an interesting and informative read for those curious about the subject. A detailed chapter on the methodologies of criminal profiling is written alongside chapters on how serial killers can get away with murder and how they have been eventually caught. A book more for those new to the subject, it provides a solid overview populated by images which enhance the text. A quick but illustrative read into the crimes of serial killers and what hides behind their seemingly normal exterior.</p>Clutches of Madness: The Real Faces of Serial Killers