Serial Murder Books

Some of my favorite authors are Canadian. Cheryl Tardif is a new addition to the ranks of Margaret Atwood, Tanya Huff, and a host of others.

Arson is probably the deadliest five letter word and definitely a curse to any firefighter or criminalist. Solving arson cases and especially preventing recidivism in an arsonist takes special training. A future Canadian FBI has developed a crack team of investigators to help solve these types of crimes. The three are led by Matthew Divine, hence the name of the book. Divine makes no appearances and seems more like the mysterious "Charlie" of the Angels' boss.

Jasi (Jasmine) McLellan, is a Pyro psychic who can breathe smoke from either the conflagration or cremains of a crime and join minds with the arsonist. Natassia, a recent Russian emigre, is a Victim Empath, who literally talks to dead people and 'empties' their psychic aura when she reads them. Ben rounds out the team (and provides a love interest for Natassia) as a profiler and empath. For this book, they are joined by arson investigator, Brandon Walsh, who initially doesn't believe in any of their gifts and serves as an interesting antagonist.

The team's facing a serial arsonist. The crime that comes to their attention is the incineration of Dr. Norman Washburn at his lakeside cabin. The physician is trussed up in IV tubing, soaked with gasoline, and set ablaze. What gets them called in is that the physician is the 'illegitimate father' of a notable politician from that area.

"He needed killin'" is a common phrase in the South and unfortunately, there's not much sympathy for the victim in this case. Nor for one of the prior victims, foster mother Charlotte Foreman, who died in a similar manner, unfortunately, Samantha, one of Charlotte's foster kids, was witness and the arsonist killed her as well.

It's clear that the arsonist is working from a 'dead list' and will strike again so it's imperative the team tracks him down quickly. The issue is--can Jasi work with Brandon when the sparks literally are flying between them? And can they untangle the Gordian knot of clues in before perhaps another innocent victim goes out in a blaze?

It's difficult to write a credible multiple point of view novel, because each character has to have his or her own 'voice'. Ms. Tardif manages to do that with the four primary characters. In addition, Jasi slips into the arsonist's mind and Natassia gives voice to the victims.

The alternate world Ms. Tardif has created is also interesting combined with a very Canadian feel. It still blows my mind that a criminal investigator would be taking a taxi anywhere, I'm so used to the US agents with their G-rides.

My only gripes are more than average copy-editing problems and Jasi missing some critical questions on one cab driver interrogation. I realize she did it to keep the suspense going, but that was at the cost of the character and unworthy of her talents. A veteran agent, like Jasi, would have asked more questions and eliminated the subject right there.

My next stop is to purchase Ms. Tardif's second book, "Divine Justice". Merry Christmas to me!

Things get really hot in this paranormal thriller when a serial arsonist murders three people, one of whom is the father of a politician on the rise. Set in British Columbia at a time in the near future, the case is assigned to a very special team of investigators with psychic abilities.

Leading the team is agent Jasmine McLellan, a Pyro-Psychic who can visit the remains of an arsonist's target and reconstruct the crime through the mind of the perpetrator. The other two members are Ben, a Psychometric Empath who can check you out by just touching your bare skin, and Natassia, a Victim Empath, who can reverse the saying that dead men tell no tales. The three form a very closely knit group, so that when they are ordered to temporarily expand the group by one, things get really tense, especially when the newest member is tall, rugged and handsome, but most of all, a skeptic.

The trail blows hot and cold as it leads them across British Columbia, as do the emotions, but the thing is, how many more people does the arsonist intend to kill, and how are the victims connected to each other?

The author combines murder, arson, adultery, blackmail, abuse and much more in this fast-paced book that you'll just have to read in one sitting. The only problem with it is that there is a book two mentioned, and I don't yet have a copy in my hands.


Amanda Richards, August 28, 2007

Jasmine McLellan and her team of psychically-gifted CFBI agents race against the clock to discover the identity of a serial arsonist/murderer. The reader is swept along through plot twists, profiling, even politics as 'Jasi', herself, enters the mind of the killer.
Highly emotional, yet intriguing, "Divine Intervention" is the first of the 'Divine Series' by Ms Tardif, who has already made a name for herself with "Whale Song" and "The River".
"Divine Intervention" is set in southern British Columbia, Canada in the not-too-distant future, and is as well-written and moving as her previous novels. And for excitement and thrills, it surely doesn't disappoint! Divine Intervention

A serial arsonist is on the loose, and they may strike again. Jasi's team of psychically gifted individuals is set on the case. Another member, albeit sceptical, is later added to the case, even though this adds unwanted friction within the group dynamics. The team uses their gifts to gain valuable clues, leading them down a twisty path across British Columbia to the most likely suspect; but the clues do not always point in the right direction. The arsonist will strike again. Will Jasi and her team discover who the culprit is in time? Or will they be too late?

Tardif writes a unique crime thriller set in British Columbia. Her use of psychically gifted characters adds to the uniqueness of the story, as well as adding extra layers. Through the use of the characters' gift, the reader can see the twisted minds of the criminal as well as the victims, who are just as twisted, if not more so, than the criminal. Jasi's team is a very tight-knit group, who have worked on several cases together. The new member to the team adds some tension and conflict between the members. This added friction contributes another dimension to the story. Tardif leads the readers on an exciting adventure as the characters gain clues, struggling against time to solve the case before the arsonist strikes again.

Cheryl Tardif was born in Vancouver, B.C., and has lived at different locations across Canada and Bermuda. She has also published the novels Whale Song and The River. There are more books in the works and waiting to be published, including the much anticipate second book in the Divine series, Divine Justice.

A crime novel at its best, with a Canadian twist, this book is a really thrilling page-turner, and is highly recommended by: Margaret Orford, Allbooks Reviews.

If you are a mystery fan then Divine Intervention will definately appeal to you. But this story is more than your average murder mystery. It is a futuristic mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat right until the very end wondering just who did it.

Like a fly getting trapped in a spiders web this story will keep you entangled right until the very end.

Whale song was great, but Cheryl Tardifs stories just keep on getting better. I cannot wait until her next one.

Ian Lyon Poet, Artist and soon to be Author.

The Friends of the Ruston Book Club hereby request Amazon.com to remove your racist review of February 12, 2008 by Constant Reader, currently in prison here for hate crimes. This novel firmly upholds human rights. Three Black ladies in South Carolina manage to overcome their poverty. What makes this novel so brilliantly different is that they are able to do this in such a hilariously unexpected manner by becoming international celebrities! Anyone who really has read this book would already know this.

Glad to see Vancouver's dragqueen 'Miss B Ramage' got arrested again after she tried to disrupt Mark Reed's booksigning Aug 8 in Vancouver! GREAT BOOK--we LOVE Corinne, Elfrieda & Bessie Adams--they have to be the most hilarious characters of the century!!

The year's most brilliant whodunit & the year's most ripping story!! Totally unexpected, we're particularly intrigued by the exciting, delightful lives of the Cormier family!! As the local critics are saying, "A goldmine of entertainment."

The world's most timely novel regarding your US PRESIDENT's TORTURES!!!!! (#1 with smart people everywhere.)

We don't understand Amazon's ranking system.
This book is definitely NUMBER ONE with all of us here in Berkeley. Perhaps it's too intelligent for other people??
We love all of the book, especially the President's visit to the San Francisco jail!

"Defending Donald Harvey" goes beyond the standard true-crime/serial killer genre, by showing us the ethical dilemma of an honest man who is also a shrewd attorney, trying to simultaneously discharge his responsibilities to his client and to his community. It also allows us to glimpse the residual humanity behind Donald Harvey's significant pathology. I highly recommend this book.

Having lived in the Cincinnati area all of my life, I had some recollection of the events surrounding Donald Harvey as the media reported the story. This book is a fascinating insight into a truly psychopathic person. William Whalen, Donald Harveys appointed attorney, tells a very personal story of his involvement in this case, and as importantly, the relationship that developed between him and Harvey. Whalen takes the reader through the decisions he made and gives us insight into the thinking behind them. He also talks about a defense attorney's
responsiblities to his client. I found this book impossible to put down, because it's true for one reason, but also because it's scary to even think that it happened.

I could not stop reading this book which reads like a novel. What a well-written book which gives a concise account of this bizarre person! The book is very well organized and gives enough information but not too much information. Hard to believe this is a true story and what a fascinating story it is. Also gives insight into all that Mr. Whalen went through during the course of this investigation. A quick and haunting read!

From the opening chapter when Donald Harvey communes with the otherworld using a human skull to select his next victim, to the closing passages when he lists his matter-of-fact recommendations on how hospital workers can be prevented from killing patients, the reader is taken on a bizarre, fascinating, literary ride that delves into the twisted yet sometimes touching psyche of a serial killer. The product of a childhood rife with poverty, domestic violence, and incestuous pedophilia, Harvey as an adult hospital orderly kills each of his 59+ patients with a mixture of compassion, disgust, and pity. This book is a true, stranger-than-fiction tale that will have you turning pages in breathless anticipation of the next twist and turn of Harvey's life, killings, and trial.
But it is more than the story of one man's life. The book also resonates with important questions about contemporary American society at large: How does the media affect the outcome of criminal cases? How does a public defender draw the line between protecting society and protecting his client? How safe are our hospitals? How far should a company go to cover up the mistakes of its employees?
A pleasure to read and masterfully paced, "Defending Donald Harvey" is a must-read for aficionados of true crime, legal thrillers, and creative non-fiction.

I highly recommend this remarkable book for 2 reasons. First, it provides a nonjudgemental, candid revelation of the life and mind of a serial killer. Second, it reveals a realistic insight into the criminal justice system and the function of an excellent defense attorney and his successful strategy designed to spare his client the death penalty.

Joel Rifkin, the most prolific serial killer in New York history, was adopted at the age of 3 weeks and raised by loving, community-minded, and educated parents. Rifkin's parents also raised an adoptive daughter who was popular, intelligent, and conscientious. So what happened to Joel?

It is highly likely that Joel was born with brain abnormalities (e.g. undiagnosed brain lesions, cognitive processing delays, etc.). As a child, Joel was physically awkward, socially delayed, and exhibited odd and eccentric behaviors. However, no one could have predicted the murderous impulses that were later unleashed on the prostitute population of New York.

The final chapters of the book make reference to another book, "Guilty by Reason of Insanity." I have read this very well researched and thought provoking book. The authors, who studied many violent criminals, including Joel Rifkin, provide documentation of congenital brain abnormalities and/or a history of head truama associated with many, many violent criminals and serial killers. While this in no way excuses the behavior of Rifkin, it does provide explanation. Rifkin probably never had a chance.

There are numerous Rifkin quotes throughout the entirety of the book, providing a glimpse into the contradictory thinking and bizarre rationalizations of a serial killer. My only complaint about the book is that Rifkin was less than insightful at times, leaving the reader with more questions than answers. But then, what should one expect of a serial killer? I would suggest that more inquiring minds read "Guilty by Reason of Insanity" for a more comprehensive understanding of the enigma Rifkin always was and continues to be.

A friend gave me this book to read on the plane, I am glad I had it, we were delayed two hours. I really liked this book, it is a little different than the other true crime books I have read, the writer shares his life, his own shortcomings, fears and insights with the reader. I also thought the book a had a good pace, there was always something around the corner...

This book was well written. I enjoyed the many comments directly from the subject of the book, and I really appreciated the author's sharing of his own thoughts-both good and bad. I felt the author was very honest with the reader and found it easy to identify with this author and his feelings of confusion.

In the late 1990s, Joel Rifkin was a serial murderer of prostitutes who is jailed for life in the New York prison system. Author Robert Mladinich was a New York detective and writer who, in college, had briefly known and liked Joel Rifkin. It was inconceivable to Mladinich that someone he had considered a kindred spirit could have committed the senseless murders Rifkin did - murders of people who had not threatened him nor harmed him in any way - and he began a mission to understand the soul of Joel Rifkin and ultimately of himself.
Rifkin as an adult was insecure, fearful, and socially inept, and - as might be expected - was the same as a child. He was the sad child we have all known: friendless, excluded, and the perennial target of bullies. As an example, Rifkin's mother reports that Rifkin, a photographer who played a major role in the production of his high school yearbook, was subsequently not invited to the yearbook wrap party. This seems to have been a pattern throughout his life.
Mladinch allows the personality, psyche, and soul of Rifkin to emerge through Rifkin's own words, provided to the author during numerous visits to Rifkin in prison and through Rifkin's letters to Mladinich. There is no bias and almost no personal judgement by Mladinch which is impressive given the despicably vile acts Rifkin committed. The reader can read Rifkin's words without any commentary by Mladinich about how he is supposed to feel.
The resulting book is simply one of the most outstanding I have read of any kind. It is really not a true crime book at all, but rather in in depth, often painful, character study. Describing the aftermath of Rifkin's first murder, Mladinich writes, "As he sopped up the blood and cleaned up the mess in the living room of the home where had always found refuge from his tormentors, Joel did not realize that, in essence, he had died along with Susie on that cold, damp March morning."
The last two chapters thoughtfully and in considerable depth summarize Rifkin's soul and, due to the bond Mladinich still feels with him all these years later, Mladinich's as well. "What was most apparent was that Joel, living within the artificial environment of a prison, was finally experiencing, in his own mind at least, what it was like to be normal. For the first time in his life he had....a social network of friends who were in no position to betray or abandon him." And, "Joel had finally found his utopia, a place where the disenfranchised and the dissociated were welcomed with open arms...."
Even as he is repulsed by Rifkin's murders, Mladinich retains a bond of humanity with his old friend and, amazing to himself, finds him to be intelligent and in some ways still likable. He writes thoughtfully and intelligently and with a depth, personal honesty, and humanity which are extremely rare, resulting in a book of much greater value than either a dry psychiatric report or many of the often superficial true crime books currently written.
This book is simply outstanding. Although it would obviously be more difficult to obtain material as the subjects are dead, I would love to read a book by Mladinich about the lives of Rifkin's victims. I'm sure it would be fascinating due to Mladinch's obvious personal feelings of a human bond between himself and all other people. I will read anything else he has written.

It is very rare to see an author transform himself during the writing process. Mladinich, a seasoned NYPD Detective, lures the reader in with the gripping details surrounding the well-publicized slayings of serial killer Joel Rifkin. In the true form of a master interrogator, Mladinich draws Rifkin out of his "sociopathic lair" but at the same time enters the domain of a murderer's psyche. He succeeds in drawing parallels between his own seemingly "normal" life and that of a confessed executioner of innocent young women and asks, "what makes an individual cross the line?" It is a must read for any student of psychology as well as fans of the old-fashioned murder and suspense fiction novel ... only this story actually happened. Gripping, insightful, and intelligently written ... I anxiously await Mladinich's next book.

I couldn't put the book down. UNTIMELY DEATH is just about the best novel of its kind that I have read. It drew me in in a way that even the best mystery writers never could.

Fred and Jan Yager obviously have delivered the foundation for a franchise series of mystery novels. Hope to see Kimberly Stone and Alan Blake in action again soon.

I've read mysteries for over thirty years, and most of them are forgettable. Untimely Death was one of those joyful reads, because I knew I'd met a detective that I wanted to read a whole series about, and because I couldn't figure it out. Well drawn, interesting characters, and easily worthy of adaptation to film. Hope to see more. Soon.

This book is wonderful. I don't read mysteries very often, but I enjoyed UNTIMELY DEATH right up to the last page. The characters are exceptionally well drawn, quirky, as human beings are, and twisted, as murderers are, but not bizarre or grotesque. The plot, as they say, is a page turner and there are so many surprising gems that the resolution is truly a mystery until the end.

Don't pick up this book if you have something important to do because you will not want to put it down. Untimely Death is a real page-burner.

Character development is good -- the people are real, and I can't wait for another book featuring Kimberly Stone. The Yagers' familiarity with New York gives us Left Coasters a view you won't find in a travelogue, and the descriptions are fascinating.

The well-designed plot moves at a perfect pace, and the suspension builds steadily, until the end, when you might discover you've been holding your breath a long time.

When I see the name Yager on a title, I'm not going to look any further. I'm going to get it, find a nice chunk of time and settle down for another good read.

This book is a fast, fun read. And while that may sound odd for a book about murder - it illustrates the real power behind this book. Like any good murder mystery, there has to be strong visualization, but without dwelling on the gory details. Here, the authors take you a step further, by dealing witthe psychological and emotional side of murder. As your read on, you develop a sense of understanding about the murderer and the motivations and demons that lead a person to kill. And this is the real breakthrough. Unlike most who-dun-its, which leave a trail of breadcrumbs and red herrings, Fred and Jan Yager plant their clues by taking you inside the killer's mind. In fact, you solve this mystery by carefully matching the killer's thought patterns with the behavior of the characters in the book. I haven't seen this technique used before. I eagerly await the sequel.

6 Sick Hipsters is a wild ride into the underworld of hip that takes more daring, shocking, bloody turns than Pulp Fiction. Rayo Casablanca pulls no punches. Oh, but you'll take 'em... and love every jolt.
---Kemble Scott, author of the bestselling novel SOMA.

What a fun book. Great and wild ride for a weekend. I wish I was a hipster with a tamed Baboon.

They stalk on spiderlike legs wearing jeans tighter than an old woman's wrinkled shoes. As they are the scourge of Starbucks baristas, so also Hipsters are the bones of this novel, but don't for a minute assume they're the flesh of it. Rayo Casablanca's debut is as dark as it is hilarious, as encapsulating as it is clever. He leads us by the hand so charmingly through places so noir their bars sell bourbon on tap and we're left smiling deftly with two toddler steps after each of his morbid strides. From Paleontological pornography to a gangster called "Tank the Niggatron", 6 Sick Hipsters leaves no stone unturned and when you're not laughing out loud you're silently nodding with a half-shameful envy.

Aside from the vinyl and drainpipes the novel stipulates pop-culture trivia like monastic creed and at a swollen and malformed range accepted only by the vicious trend setters themselves. From Thomas Pynchon to The Sisters of Mercy, 6 Sick Hipsters swells with allusions, but ultimately the novel's charm comes from the juxtaposition of iniquitous comedy, sly satire and a subculture fetish, and by his good graces does he do it well. All in all a funny, dark and clever debut.

(this review originally appeared at Dogmatika [dot] com)

Someone is killing the Williamsburg, Brooklyn hipster elite, leaving clues only the most sub-culturally attuned can find and decipher. The police don't seem interested in these seemingly random killings, so it is up to the Whole Sick Crew to find the killer before they become one of his next victims. Set amid the mainstream-eschewing world of hipsters, 6 Sick Hipsters is a conspiracy novel more rounded than most, delivering beautiful pacing and a well-defined ensemble cast told in an often self-depreciating style that perfectly compliments the uber-cool mentality of its characters.

This, Rayo Casablanca's first novel, is filled with obscure and pop references alike along with intelligent slacker character forms reminiscent of Douglas Coupland's Generation X, though Casablanca's characters are grounded by plot rather than the social criticism. Though Casablanca does dip into witty satire and deep social commentary, he displays more prominently the gun power and buckets of blood consistent with the conspiracy thriller genre. The novel is more apt to develop a beautifully grotesque description of a head being shot:

"Cooper's head had been there, all bright teeth and receding hair, and then a nanosecond later--just a jump cut--it was a million bits of corpus colossum and eyeball juice. It was like is smile got so wide and bright that it evaporated the face around it. Poof!" [pg. 168]

than to expound upon the contagion of cultural memes:

"You have to understand this battle [...] You're not up against a monolithic entity, a bear running at you from the forest. You're fighting for survival against a wave of fads..." [pg. 237]

though both do exist, and deliver beautifully.

The novel culminates to a revelation of a "trend-war" fought on the battle grounds of consumerism, a topic that could easily suffer the ramblings of nihilist angst and anti-capitalism critiques. These moments do appear, but the reader is never bogged down by tales of cultural woe. Instead we are allowed fresh insight into the buyer/seller mentality. I refer specifically to an especially engaging exchange between the novel's villain and hero toward the end of the story. I won't give it away, but not surprisingly the passage comes during another one of the conspiracy-thriller genre's defining aspects: there's always time for a speech before dying/pulling a trigger.

6 Sick Hipsters carries the rogue camaraderie of Joey Goebel's The Anomalies--punk attitude and hipster lifestyles included--along with a less passive social critique found in Coupland's Generation X. Fans of slick conspiracies and vinyl records rejoice.

This book starts with a JOLT and ends just like you thought it would EXCEPT totally different. Chocked full of action, 6 Sick Hipsters uses analytical dialogue to keep you guessing while radically misguided but ultra hip intellects search for the answers, sort of like your favorite Scooby Doo episode on acid. This book will make you LOL, ponder the power of pop culture, and could possibly give you nightmares. Super fun read.

Author Brian Kaufman has woven a tight mystery around a sympathetic protagonist. Daniel Bain, a down-on-his-luck skip tracer, gets a bizarre job offer from a wealthy old geezer. "Find Jesus Christ," states Mordecai Ryan, "and I'll pay you a hundred thousand dollars." Daniel struggles with the case while recovering from personal problems that haunt him. His demons include a humorous battle with weight loss, a tender friendship with a seductive internet porn star, and bouts with his slightly dysfunctional family. Add dry wit, a dash of murder, and a touch of the biblical--you've got a well-written, page-turning thriller as well as a great read.

One of the joys of doing this column is discovering books published by small outfits that rarely get wide distribution. Such is the case with this novel by Colorado resident, Brian Kaufman. It is also one of those books difficult to slap a genre label on. It is part mystery, part thriller with a good dose of philosophical debate thrown in for good measure.

When widower Daniel Bain is hired by reclusive millionaire, Mordecai Ryan, to find Jesus, he at first thinks the dying old man is orchestrating some sick-twisted hoax at his expense. Bain is a skip-tracer who locates missing people, primarily through the use of computers and the internet. He's as far from being a private investigator as a counter clerk is being the head of a bank. Still, the obscene amount of money Ryan dangles under his nose is too much to resist and he reluctantly takes the job.

From that point on Bain's life is systematically turned upside as he experiences one bizarre event after another like a cosmic chain of good and bad luck interwoven together to confuse the hell out of him. Years earlier Bain's wife had run off to be with another man. She took their baby daughter with her and then both of them died when their car hit a patch of winter ice and flipped off the road. Bain's grief became so mixed up with his anger at her betrayal, he's become an emotional zombie and cynic.

Now his search for Mordecai Ryan's Jesus leads him to a nineteen year girl who sells pornographic tapes and pictures of herself over the internet. Like Bain, she too is a wounded soul and they instantly find a kinship together. Neither is aware of just how strong that bond is a stalker threatens the girl's life and Bain finds himself cast in the role of her protector. All the while he finds himself getting closer and closer to find Ryan's
lost Messiah.

Kaufman writes with courage in tackling spiritual themes. He clearly recognizes the human condition for its broken state, yet through Bain he refuses to accept the tired old platitudes that come from thousand year old gospel. Yet the book's gruesome climax hints at a begrudging acceptance of the greatest mystery of them all, love. This is a well written book with weighty themes. If you aren't afraid to think about the big questions, then this is a book you should seek out and read. Whether in the end, you agree or disagree with Daniel Bain, you won't easily forget him.

While Mr. Kaufman's newest novel has Christian aspects to the story, I did not find it to be a novel about Christianity. I am not a Christian, even if I do find some of their purported values to mine as well. If this had been a novel of Christianity, I probably would not have read it. No, for me, this was a novel of self exploration, of psychological and philosophical juggling, dealing with the darker side of man's nature. That nature can be destructive, as is portrayed by the antagonist, it can be self doubt as portrayed by our protagonist or it can be a loss of faith, exemplified elsewhere in the story as an on going theme. This is a story of a hero going on with his life, not appearing as a hero to anyone, not even himself. These heros exist in our daily lives, such as fathers going to jobs they hate, so that they can provide for their families.

Mr. Kaufman's writing is layered with meaning, most of which is lost on me, if not pointed out. The structure of this story is precise, with every scene and chapter having a specific purpose and meaning, and having an evil twin elsewhere in the book.

The ending is, in my opinion, what makes this story worth reading. If you are tired of being spoon fed a plot with a conclusion you can see from the second chapter, then read this book. It'll leave you wanting more from Kaufman, even if he does jump genre, keeping us all guessing what is next from him.
Aaron Spriggs

The Apocalypse Parable: A Conspiracy Of Weeds by Brian Kaufman is an original, engaging and complex suspense novel depicting the life of a wealthy man, Mordecai Ryan and his pursuit of Jesus Christ the services of Daniel Bain, a small-time private investigator for missing persons. Readers will be enthralled as Bain's pursuit of Christ leads him through a twisting and evermore intricate plot involving Hitler, discovering rewrites of the Gospel, and many more modern and estranging studies. The Apocalypse Parable is very strongly recommended to all readers of fantasy-fiction, particularly those inclined to the Christian faith.

Where would Jesus go if he were to return today? Which broadcast station would he choose to spread his word? What would the censors say? Haven't people been interpreting the words of Jesus since the moment he spoke them? Chances are, if he did come back, he might have some editing to do to the Bible; chances are, people would ignore him and assume he was just a nutcase. It is what people assume about others that really touches home in Brian Kaufman's book, "The Apocalypse Parable."

Daniel Bain is a skip-tracer. He finds people who are in debt, have run away from life and responsibilities, or are hiding for other various reasons. When Mordecai Ryan, an eccentric wealthy invalid, hires him to find Jesus, Bain assumes at first that he is being taken for a fool, or else his client is one. He turns the research onto Mordecai himself, trying to find out just a bit more information. What turns up is very interesting. The research uncovers a connection to Hitler, a lot of importing business, and a church that stands empty. Getting deeper into it, Bain uncovers a connection that has to be more than coincidence; in fact, if he believed in such things, he might think it were divine intervention.

During the investigation, we are given a personal glimpse at the character who is Daniel Bain. Readers see his personal life and along with it, a parallel plot that is full of suspense and interest. Being a skip tracer he is able to track down a pretty young thing whom he has met at a questionable site on the internet, and arrives near her home just in time to save her from another, more sinister, stalker. The two have an instant connection and will end up learning a good deal from each other. Also in the story are Daniel's sister and her not-so-nice life partner, his terrible cook of a mother, and his best friend who also happens to be the priest at his seldom-visited church. Through it all, people make assumptions and learn from the repercussions of doing so.

The book is very well written, and is impossible to put down. Just when you think you've got things figured out, think again. With interesting and original twists, author Brian Kaufman will capture your attention and leave you with a satisfied understanding of his presented points. Something to think about, and a great tale!
Review by Heather Froeschl

I truly hope that someone with Devlin's fortitude and willingness to do what needs to be done would be able to complete the job without becoming a murderer and a thief. I would think that someone with an FBI agent's integrity would not depict a fellow agent in such poor light. I certainly hope that in real life we can expect better.

Paul Lindsay has created a great character in Mike Devlin. The plot is intricate and Paul Lindsay brings it all together at the end. No skimming through this read.

A FBI veteran-turn-writer guy writing about two FBI characters, Devlin (main character), and Shanhan (supporting character), together with the plot, the investigation, the ridiculous bureucracy, made Mr. Lindsay a yearning writer I would always keep looking for his new book publishing news. Both books are good,funny,and meanwhile, very deep!!

Now and again - if you are lucky - you stumble across an author who is really good. Author Lindsay is a terrific writer of the action/mystery/detective genre. His books about Devlin of the FBI are all very special. You can't go wrong reading them and I can't praise them enough. See for yourself!

Paul Lindsay's 3 books are some of the best mysteries that I have ever read. I put him up there with James Patterson, Mary Willis Walker and Patricia Cornwell. I couldn't put his books down!

Expanded and updated edition of his original that came out in 2000. There are now entries on cases that have been solved since the first edition was released. Examples: Gary Leon Ridgway, the Green River Killer and Dennis Rader, the BTK Strangler. Other cases have been expanded. Some that were only listed in the appendixes now have entries in the main section.
The author uses the definition of a serial killer as someone who murders 2 or more persons, done as separate events. This leads to inclusion of some killers that most people would not consider serial killers. I understand the author going for a more inclusive approach than otherwise. If he didn't go this route, there would inevitably be complaints about killers left out.
I spotted very few errors and none that I would categorize as major.
I would like to see a much more comprehensive index. Trying to find an entry if all you remember is a victim name or an odd location is difficult.
The entries range from a few paragraphs to several pages. Still, if you want a detailed read on a specific case, you will need to get a book devoted to that killer. There are entries on some killers that there hasn't been a book written about, such as Melvin Rees.
Of the three SK Encyclopedias I've read, this is the best, in my opinion.
The reviews for the first edition are still mostly applicable here. I recommend reading them for other viewpoints.

This is a fascinating read for true crime buffs. The author's stated purpose is to "demystify, as far as possible, those predators in human form who have been with us since the dawn of history..." Serial killers at large are so frightening that they end up touching all of our lives--most especially in the United States, where 84% of all known serial killers have committed their crimes since 1980. I first became aware of this type of human predator when I was a student at the University of Michigan, and John Norman Collins was murdering coeds with pierced ears and long brown hair.

California native Michael Newton has published 181 books since 1977, including 147 novels but he is best known for his true crime and reference works. I have to say that I assumed this author was British because of his concise, witty style and also for his tendency to critique other true crime authors who failed to get their facts straight, including the names of a serial killer's victims. One of his special peeves is the term 'spree killer,' and he also doesn't seem to think much of profilers.

Most of the entries in this encyclopedia are concerned with the serial killers themselves, whether they acted alone, in twosomes, or in packs. One of the biggest surprises for me was the large number of serial killers who are or were women. Something like 12% of all serial killers are female, and Hungarian women seem especially prone to this behavior, starting with Countess Erzsebet Bthory in the sixteenth century whose final body count was somewhere between 300 and 650 victims. In the early 1900s,Vera Renczi murdered 35 husbands, lovers, and a son and was arrested by the police only after they searched her basement and discovered 35 zinc coffins. "Some evenings, Vera liked to sit among the coffins in an armchair and enjoy the company of her adoring beaux." Then there were the "Angel Makers of Nagyrev"...

Well, let me just close by remarking that "The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers" is an extremely interesting source of information on the darker side of human nature. In addition to the encyclopedia entries, there are also appendices on "Solo Killers," "Team Killers," and "Unresolved Cases," plus an extensive bibliography.

It's a pretty long read but it does contain some written material that might be inappropiate for some readers.What I really like about this book is the aspect of every serial killer which deals about their background as well as why would they committe such a crime that forever haunt us till this very day.Michael Newton does provide info that'll help us think and learn about who they are and what they are.Make no mistake that this book will give you everything you need to know about them except the only thing I wish that this book should have is more photos.Anyway,do yourself a favor and check this book out.

This is one of the best books availible for those interested in True Crime and the history of Serial Killers. The author has compiled a fast read and profiles for each person. Very detailed, It is a basic knowledge of the essential info. If you want more detailed profiles of certain serial killers i would recommend that you buy a book based on a certian individual.

But this is a great basic info source.

Most Recommended.

A friend of mine gave me this book, and normally I don't read. However, on a road trip, I decided to read some of the book and became very interested, QUICKLY! The book is quite detailed, and I liked the fact that there was information in the book on serial killers from the 1800's and earlier (Erzsebet Bathory born in 1560). A great, well-written book!

Having grown up in this locale and having known the killer, though not well, the book was very chilling, indeed. However, any reader would find the account a detailed and rather insightful look at a subject which is horrifying. I recommend it to mature readers with a caveat that it is not a pretty story.

Denis Foley does a great job setting the scene and detailing the acts of Lemeul Smith. The book is a fast and exciting read. I think the time Denis spent interviewing Lemeul in prison really paid off.

Overall, well-written book with good insight into Smith's personality(ies), the people involved and the crimes themselves. Foley very clearly did a lot of homework and was even able to get in the good graces of Smith himself. Far better than your run-of-the-mill true crime book.

My biggest personal complaint is a lack of impartiality. Foley obviously believes that Smith had multiple personalities and, at one point, even writes as though Smith and his alter ego both got into either side of a car to attack a woman - borderline cheesy. The chronological flow of the book is poor at times and you get lost as to which event occurred first. Clinical details like exact dates are sometimes missing but I'll concede I may be too picky on that front... All of those complaints amount to one star so the book is definitely worth getting.

Lemuel Smith and the Compulsion to Kill is the true account of a serial killer who kept the cities of Albany, Schenectady, Colonie, Amsterdam, and Saratoga on high alert for almost two decades. Lemuel raped, stabbed, sodomized, strangled, bit,and
mangled most of his victims. One victim was particially decapitated. The book graphically details the murders committed by this one man who claimed to have more than one personality.
The author, Denis Foley, documents the crimes, with careful attention paid to all the details that encompass bringing a criminal to justice. Many police agencies, departments, and jurisdictions collaborated jointly to end the wrath of Lemuel Smith. As a result of total team work between the cities involved, Smith's arrest, trial, and conviction occurred, to the relief of thousands of people in the Capital District of New York State.
Foley makes certain the reader is aware of the leg work and incredible effort that was put forth to bring Smith to incarceration.

I have just finished reading the above book.All I can say is this.
It is one of the scariest and best books I have read in a long time.
I remember the Dorothy Waterstreet Murder. It has stuck with me for a very long time, as i was born and raised in Amsterdam.
I remember my parents telling me about this murder of Dorothy Waterstreet. I really enjoyed it, because of the area in which the murder happened,and the people involved.