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  • Why We Love Serial Killers

  • The Curious Appeal of the World's Most Savage Murderers
  • By: Scott Bonn
  • Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka
  • Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (76 ratings)
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Why We Love Serial Killers

By: Scott Bonn
Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka
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Summary

For decades now, serial killers have taken center stage in the news and entertainment media. The coverage of real-life murderers such as Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer has transformed them into ghoulish celebrities. Similarly, the popularity of fictional characters such as Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter or Dexter demonstrates just how eager the public is to be frightened by these human predators.

But why is this so? Could it be that some of us have a gruesome fascination with serial killers for the same reasons we might morbidly stare at a catastrophic automobile accident? Or it is something more? In Why We Love Serial Killers, criminology professor Dr. Scott Bonn explores our powerful appetite for the macabre, while also providing new and unique insights into the world of the serial killer, including those he has gained from his correspondence with two of the world’s most notorious examples, David Berkowitz ("Son of Sam") and Dennis Rader ("Bind, Torture, Kill"). In addition, Bonn examines the criminal profiling techniques used by law enforcement professionals to identify and apprehend serial predators, he discusses the various behaviors - such as the charisma of the sociopath - that manifest themselves in serial killers, and he explains how and why these killers often become popular cultural figures.

Groundbreaking in its approach, Why We Love Serial Killers is a compelling look at how the media, law enforcement agencies, and public perception itself shapes and feeds the "monsters" in our midst.

©2014 Scott Bonn (P)2014 Audible Inc.

What listeners say about Why We Love Serial Killers

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Pseudo intellectual bs

Boring, long winded, repetitive. I found it utterly lacking a real argument or purpose. Give this one a miss.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Absolute Tripe

Can not finish this book. I've Actually considered writing a book myself.Knowing that this was published,...If he didn't explain what he just told you or what he's going to tell you later on at some specific point, the book would be a pamphlet. He feels the need to over explain the most mundane points. Not even one star. Frustrating to listen to.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Like a teenager’s essay

This was like listening to an essay written for high school or maybe a first year uni student. I couldn’t even finish it. Lots of ‘in this chapter I will’s’ and ‘in conclusion’ and ‘therefore I believes’. I really wouldn’t bother listening to this if you’re looking for something even vaguely entertaining.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

not what is says on the cover

written like a child would write a school essay and barely addresses the question in the title.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Why do we ?

a fascinating tale of the most prolific serial killers and why we are so curious about them. I couldn't put it down, very well written and narrated!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Dry and oddly technical

Despite a title that suggests a more lurid account of serial killers, this is quite dry and flatly written, with quite technical and academic diversions.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Repetitive

Was an interesting listen, but got very competitive toward the end. Always comparing and using the same serial killer. The narrator voice was very monotonous and got a bit boring to listen too.

But other then that I would recommend giving it a listen.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Refreshingly academic.

Great analysis overall. Enjoyed the essay structure but repetition was frustrating. Dreadful, hammy narration.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

Although fairly interesting, there's little here that's new or surprising. There is a tremendous amount of repetition in the narrative, and the narrator's delivery makes it very easy to simply zone out. The narrator's attempt at an English accent - any English accent - is excruciating. Actually, the narrator's habit of adopting an accent whenever quoting anyone else gives the whole book a fake, fictional feeling. It is really unnecessary and wholly inappropriate. The narrative itself is entirely USA centric with nothing given over to discussing serial killers from the rest of the world. All in all, a very disappointing book and I'm glad I didn't get the Kindle version.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Not perfect but definitely interesting

Firstly, do NOT take a shot every time the narrator says "psychopath"!
There are some bold assertions in this book (one being the nature/nurture influence on psychopathy/sociopathy), some narrative errors (not attempting a Scottish accent for Dennis Nilsen) and it's often repetitive (usually signposted by the phrase "stated differently", like he couldn't decide which way to state it and his editor didn't make him choose).
Overall an interesting exploration, particularly of the sociological function of the serial killer identity and worth a listen, if the above doesn't bug you too much!

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