This, literally one of my favorite book ever written:

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Thanks Jansz, I've got it on the list already.

Either will do, though I'm particularly interested in nonfiction.

Human Monsters by David Everett is an essential book to have on hand for your serial killer (and mass murderer) informational needs.
That is, it covers many killers (over 150 I think) and it's only 265 pages long. So the write-ups are fairly short but still very informative, thought provoking, and full of fun facts. It's much more than just a list of blurbs. It also covers killers who date back to the 15th century and moves forward chronologically. Not the type of book you sit and read as a narrative but I've still probably read the whole thing 3 or 4 times.

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http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_love59j1Nm1qb3qif.jpg

Or, at least I will be as soon as my Mom (who demanded the privilege of reading it first) finally finishes it.

Based on the cover, I was initially expecting some Dark Tower kind of explanation, like with the multiple "whens" and all of that jive.

My mother tells me that's not the case. Interest piqued.

very non fiction on the subject....John E Douglas was one of the....if not the first actually FBI serial killer profiler....he started his career interviewing the "big" ones (Manson, Bundy, Dahmer).....and then became involved as a FBI behavioral science officer in many notable cases including The green River Killer....he was a consultant on both the Jean Benet Ramsey case and apparently told the police way back when that the three kids in west Memphis were killed for personal reasons and not by silly satanic metal heads

anyways these books are very interesting insights into the world and mind of serial killers by a true and unfortunate expert......(it nearly killed him numerous times)

if you've seen and or read any of the Hannibal Lector books....the character Jack Crawford was based off of him

i suggested these two :)
http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/101480000/101488431.jpg

and
http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/148660000/148667469.JPG

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i'm almost done with reading the Unabridged copy of Moby Dick....which will be a first in my life....the unabridged has soooooo much information which has very little to do with continuing the plot.....but i have to admit is quite interesting.....gonna have to with something very light next :)

Not to take away from the slew of great serial killer book recommendations. I've recently dusted off the Griffin and Sabine trilogy to read again. I always thought it was a cool concept for a book, check it out.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0811...pt#reader-link

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America is a fantastic book about the lurid events about the 1893 world fair in Chicago, one of my favourite nonfiction reads indeed.

Oh man, those are great! I haven't read them since they were new but I loved them at the time.

i knew i recognized those names!.....i love these books

such an amazing idea and so much fun to actually read an interactive book

Neat, thanks Bob!