hi all. so i have an essay due for my criminology class that is composed of two parts. the first part is a book summary, and the second part is the analytical summary, where we have to come up with several different criminological theories that can help explain why the killer did what they did. the requirement for the book is as follows: cannot be mostly revolved around the description of the actual murder(s), cannot be from a victims pov, and must mostly revolve around the killers past, their motives, mind, and childhood/life leading up to the murder(s). the book can be written from the perspective of a family member, but the book must mostly describe the killers motives, odd behaviors growing up, and anything from their childhood that might explain their reasons for becoming a killer. small descriptions and details from the crime can be mentioned but the book must mostly talk about the things i have previously stated. i’ve picked out “A Serial Killers Daughter”, written from the perspective of Dennis Randal’s daughter, Kerri Rawson, who’s father is the BTK serial killer. it’s quite a good book so far, but i’ve noticed that it doesn’t really give me much insight on the dad’s childhood, any potential motives, or a look into his mind. she does describe strange behaviors she’s observed from her dad and some of his actions growing up, his emotions and how he had a double life that he’s kept hidden, but i really feel it doesn’t give me enough in depth information into why Dennis may have committed the murders that he did. i feel like a good book for this essay may be written from a siblings, parents, or childhood best friend’s point of view. if anyone has any books they can recommend that fulfill the requirements listed above and will give me enough information to come up with a few criminological theories that may explain why the killer committed the crime they did, please let me know!! it will be very helpful for i haven’t had much luck finding a book that could fit all the requirements for my essay summary and the analytical essay.
by Aggravating_Rub7034
1 Comment
Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit
It’s the true story of how the FBI began learning how the minds of serial killers work by talking to the serial killers they already had locked up. Really getting in their heads in order to be able to find serial killers that were out in society. It delves into the killer’s pasts in an attempt to figure out why they are the way they are and how they operate.
It’s an excellent book and I think it might be exactly what you’re looking for. It’s non-fiction but it’s written in a really gripping way.