Talking With Serial Killers: The Most Evil People in the World Tell Their Own Stories by Christopher
The Blurb
Christopher Berry-Dee is the man who talks to serial killers. A world-renowned investigative criminologist, he has gained the trust of murderers across the world, entered their high security prisons, and discussed in detail their shocking crimes. The killers' pursuit of horror and violence is described through the unique audiotape and videotape interviews which Berry-Dee conducted, deep inside the bowels of some of the world's toughest prisons. Christopher Berry-Dee has collated these interviews into this astounding, disturbing book, which, since its first publication, has gone on to become a True Crime classic. Not only does he describe his meetings with some of the world's most evil men and women, he also reproduces, verbatim, their very words as they describe their crimes, allowing the reader a glimpse into the inner workings of the people who have committed the worst crime possible- to mercilessly take the life of another human being.​
My Review
Talking with Serial Killers: The Most Evil People in the World Tell Their Own Stories by Christopher Berry-Dee, is a complete departure for me from the 'entertainment' value of crime fiction, into the horrific reality of true crime. It's a world that not even the most macabre author of the genre would wish to fully recreate, the way that criminologist Berry-Dee describes, holding nothing back. The book is based on a series of interviews and correspondence with some of the world's most notorious serial killers, many who have served 'life sentences' for capital crimes, only to be released on early parole due to both corrupt and under-resourced penal systems, who go on to kill again, costing the lives of many more innocent victims who had been violated in the most extreme inhumane manner. It didn't really answer any questions regarding what drives these people to commit the crimes that they did, other than presenting a series of mitigating circumstances relating to their childhood. There are many other people who have been subjected to similar upbringing that go on to become upstanding citizens and do not resort to crime, or hurting their fellow man, woman or child in any way. However, it's left me with no doubt in my mind, that once convicted, they should be held under maximum security, as they are more predatory than dangerous animals confined to zoos. At least predatory animals have a purpose for their kills, unlike the people described in the book who kill for enjoyment. It was a necessary read for me, which I valued rather than took delight in. There will always be serial killers out there, and for this reason I believe it is necessary for criminologists and forensic psychologists to study the lives of these people to gain a better understanding of their motivation for purposes of criminal profiling in crime detection and hopefully earlier arrests to spare the lives of potential victims.​
