Does murder interest you?

Shandashey

Would have an interest too. Have read lots about Jack the Ripper, the Zodiac killer, Jeffery Dahmer, Charles Manson, Fred and Rose West and Harold Shipman. So messed up. Ian Hindley too and the horrific moors murders. Catherine Nevin gets a shout out too!

Kalman

Deleted User wrote: »

As a topic, hopefully not as a pastime!

Just watching 10 Rillingron Place on BBC4, the classic film based on Ludovic Kennedys famous book of the John Reginald Christie killings.

My wife finds it a bit macabre, but have bookshelves full of books on murder. Usually historic stuff, Jack the Ripper, the Moors Murders, the Yorkshire Ripper, the William Herbert Wallace mystery, Fabian of the Yard and Charles Walton and the like. Have little interest in current one, no interest in the Graham Dwyer case for example. I like the murders of Victorian or Edwardian England, gaslight, misty streets, the hangmans noose and so on.

Ao you interested in true crime? Any particular crime, such as Jack the Ripper? What do you think draws us in? And any good book
recommendations?

Try : "Forty Years Of Murder" by Professor Keith Simpson.

Bernard Spilsbury>>his life and cases.

r93kaey5p2izun

Yes I love reading about murders and serial killers. Not about the gory details of the act itself, but about the setting, the killer's background, mindset and motivations, the victim's background and how they came to be in that situation. And how (if) the crime was solved and the killer caught. People can call it voyeuristic if they like, though there's a strong hint of snobbery in most such dismissals in my experience, but personally I find it odd that somebody would not be interested in how and why humans can carry out such extreme actions - particularly when it comes to serial killers or elaborate murder plots, rather than spur of the moment crimes of passion and the like.

MadDog76

MadDog76 wrote: »

You said you find even the idea of violence nauseating so I just found it odd that you would want to contribute to a thread titled "Does Murder Interest You?" .......... just my opinion honey-buns

Hmm. That's a fair point tbh. Don't know why I replied. I do find murder nauseating, I think I just wanted to register that.

Love you babes. :pac:

Ann22

Candie wrote:

Does the material being true make them better to read? And how so?

I don't know about being better to read. That all depends on the reader's taste in books. A good writer will hold the attention regardless of whether it's a true story or not but I personally find a true story more compelling and more scary as it's actually happened in reality and it's no harm to be aware of the dangers that do exist around us.

moc moc a moc

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Love you babes. :pac:

Your grammar is terrible.

Kalman

Kalman wrote: »

Try : "Forty Years Of Murder" by Professor Keith Simpson.

Bernard Spilsbury>>his life and cases.

Have it, worn to a shred, compulsory toilet reading.

expatinator

Hmmm, do you think books/movies can glorify serial killers?

I find it funny that serial killers, murders, in tv-shows are always attractive charismatic people. While, in reality, a lot of the killers are maladjusted psychopaths, or have a form of mental illness. They don't show things like glazed eyes, nervous tics or lack of personal hygiene.

FouxDaFaFa

I would say I do have an interest in murder. There's something a little base in learning about it, I think.

Learning about it can reassure us that we are still alive, or that we are "good" people. And that we're part of a "we". Us V Them.

There are definitely some things I wish I could unsee, like the details of the death of Junko Faruta or the transcript of the tape that the "Toy Box Killer" would play for his victims as they woke from a drug-induced state of unconsciousness. Even reading the transcript, I was overwhelmed by its cruelty and the fact that it's only purpose was to inspire pure panic in the victims because that's how David Parker Ray got his kicks.

It's interesting someone mentioned concentration camps too. I went to Auschwitz last week. I felt disconnected from what had happened due to the sheer number of tourists and found myself asking what we were all doing there. If any good could actually come of it. Then we moved onto Birkenau and there was a group of jewish teenagers gathered around a memorial, crying and praying. They were distraught. I found the layout of Birkenau and the level of emotion on show so uncomfortable that I wanted to run from the place but it did hammer home its purpose. If people are educated about it, it is hopefully less likely to happen again.

I also find the cult of personality interesting. There was a good Rolling Stone piece a few years back. The author went to visit Charles Manson in prison, where he had somehow convinced a young woman who wasn't old enough to remember the "family" to carve a swastika into her forehead and marry him. The (heterosexual male) author described how Manson casually touched him on the arm or shoulder and he felt this connection to him.

I nod, because for a moment, with his hand on my skin, sliding up, I can see how it was. It feels OK. It feels unexpectedly good to go with the flow, even if it is Charlie Manson's flow and even if, since he's touching me, he can kill me, which is probably how it was way back when, too.

There are so many interesting aspects to it. What is different in his head compared to mine? What is sanity? Is there such a thing as "evil"? What is justice for this crime? And so on.

boobar

expatinator wrote: »

Hmmm, do you think books/movies can glorify serial killers?

I find it funny that serial killers, murders, in tv-shows are always attractive charismatic people. While, in reality, a lot of the killers are maladjusted psychopaths, or have a form of mental illness. They don't show things like glazed eyes, nervous tics or lack of personal hygiene.

And they have great taste in business cards with no problem getting a table in Dorsia.

Saralee4

expatinator wrote: »

Hmmm, do you think books/movies can glorify serial killers?

I find it funny that serial killers, murders, in tv-shows are always attractive charismatic people. While, in reality, a lot of the killers are maladjusted psychopaths, or have a form of mental illness. They don't show things like glazed eyes, nervous tics or lack of personal hygiene.

Actually one of the symptoms of being a psychopath is a kind of superficial charm and charisma. Ted Bundy is a good example. He had loads of female supporters and didn't he propose to one in court while he was defending himself and she was in the dock, in a manipulative approach to romanticise his situation?

A lot of psychopaths and serial killers appear completely normal and most of the time it's only when people look back that they spot the red flags.

MadDog76

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Hmm. That's a fair point tbh. Don't know why I replied. I do find murder nauseating, I think I just wanted to register that.

Love you babes. :pac:

Fair enough, wasn't having a go, was just curious ............

Love me enough to meet me alone in a nicely secluded little spot I know near the Dublin mountains? Just for privacy sake hun xxx

Saralee4

MadDog76 wrote: »

Fair enough, wasn't having a go, was just curious ............

Love me enough to meet me alone in a nicely secluded little spot I know near the Dublin mountains? Just for privacy sake hun xxx

How charming MadDog76;94983274! She should go for it

MadDog76

expatinator wrote: »

Hmmm, do you think books/movies can glorify serial killers?

I find it funny that serial killers, murders, in tv-shows are always attractive charismatic people. While, in reality, a lot of the killers are maladjusted psychopaths, or have a form of mental illness. They don't show things like glazed eyes, nervous tics or lack of personal hygiene.

It's estimated that there are approximately 300 active serial killers in the US at any one time with only 8% of them being psychopaths ......... whereas it's estimated that 3% of the population of the US are psychopaths meaning that of roughly 9 million psychopaths only 24 of them are actually serial killers.

punisher5112

MadDog76 wrote: »

It's estimated that there are approximately 300 active serial killers in the US at any one time with only 8% of them being psychopaths ......... whereas it's estimated that 3% of the population of the US are psychopaths meaning that of roughly 9 million psychopaths only 24 of them are actually serial killers.

Few thanks for all that info I feel so much better now.

Oh hold on there is someone knocking at the back window wait a minute how could they be there it's a

MadDog76

Saralee4 wrote: »

How charming MadDog76;94983274! She should go for it

They usually do ............

kerry4sam

I have ordered & started to read some of the most fascinating books I've read in a while from postings in this here thread, so

Thanks,
kerry4sam

expatinator

MadDog76 wrote: »

It's estimated that there are approximately 300 active serial killers in the US at any one time with only 8% of them being psychopaths ......... whereas it's estimated that 3% of the population of the US are psychopaths meaning that of roughly 9 million psychopaths only 24 of them are actually serial killers.

Well, thank God they know where to find all those serial killers so that they can question them...

I was using the word psycopath more as a phrase.

MadDog76

expatinator wrote: »

Well, thank God they know where to find all those serial killers so that they can question them...

I was using the word psycopath more as a phrase.

Sorry, I was using the word psychopath more as a literal word.

expatinator

MadDog76 wrote: »

Sorry, I was using the word psychopath more as a literal word.

Let's have a drink

MadDog76

expatinator wrote: »

Let's have a drink

Psycho!!!!!!! :eek:

Saralee4

MadDog76 wrote: »

Psycho!!!!!!! :eek:

:eek: a psycho on boards!! Wait...you mean literally or as a phrase?? :pac:

MadDog76

Saralee4 wrote: »

:eek: a psycho on boards!! Wait...you mean literally or as a phrase?? :pac:

Both!!!!!!

bjork

Sheeeeit wrote: »

Richard Ramirez (The Night Stalker) is a frightening character, he did some awful things. If you watch any of the documentaries on him they'll usually show interviews with him after his arrest, the man just looks evil!

Didn't he live in the hotel Elisa Lam was killed died in ?

McChubbin

I've got a morbid fascination with serial killers due to the fact that my mother used to buy those trashy "Murder Most Foul"-type magazines when I was growing up. To be honest, I'm more intrigued by the psychological side of things- what is it in the human psyche that drives people to commit such shocking acts of violence against another human being?

DEFTLEFTHAND

bjork wrote: »

Didn't he live in the hotel Elisa Lam was killed died in ?

Yes, and he wasn't the only famous serial killer to have lived there. The Cecil has a real dark history which is fascinating to read up on.

NachoBusiness

I usually try not to read about murders when see articles about them, and often turn off the news if it's gruesome. The recent high profile case here I knew nothing about until the day of tbe verdict, to the puzzlement of many who had raised it is as a topic of discussion with me. Watched the Prime Time episode regarding it since however and can now see why so many were wanting to discuss it.

The nine year old French girl killed over the past few days is yet another incomprehensible murder.

Saralee4

McChubbin wrote: »

I've got a morbid fascination with serial killers due to the fact that my mother used to buy those trashy "Murder Most Foul"-type magazines when I was growing up. To be honest, I'm more intrigued by the psychological side of things- what is it in the human psyche that drives people to commit such shocking acts of violence against another human being?

Same with me. My mam bought them and I started reading them. I remember reading about Jeffery dalhmer one day when I was supposed to be studying :-s

Teyla Emmagan

I remember staying overnight with a friend back when I was a teen. The house was full of those serial killer magazines. I remember thinking it was really inappropriate to have them in a house with young kids (my friend had younger siblings!).

Personally I don't get the fascination with serial killers, have no idea why they inspire obsession in people or why you would waste your time reading lurid details about their appalling actions.

garra

Duggy747 wrote: »

Very fascinated by the psychology of a killer, what makes a person do what they do, their history growing, and the depths they will go to, especially the more deranged and psychotic ones who have zero empathy like David Parker Ray or Albert Fish.

This interview covers all bases for you then. It's unusual how someone can get away with it for as long as Richard Kuklinski

bjork

Isreali Keyes - Is very interesting and there is a lot of his interviews taped. He'd fly all over the state and had murder packs prepared.

Adamantium

The details don't interest me especially petty crime if all you have are Paul Williams books and the know the name of every thug and minute detail out there and not a thing to say about Communism, WW2 or the history of violence, human nature, well.....

The details aren't that shocking when you see what we can do to each other and never learn. So I'm interested in the cycles of war and how empires fall and rise over the same damn things again and again.

MadDog76

Adamantium wrote: »

The details don't interest me especially petty crime if all you have are Paul Williams books and the know the name of every thug and minute detail out there and not a thing to say about Communism, WW2 or the history of violence, human nature, well.....

The details aren't that shocking when you see what we can do to each other and never learn. So I'm interested in the cycles of war and how empires fall and rise over the same damn things again and again.

I think war is a separate issue to what's being discussed in this thread though ............ "normal" people will do extraordinary acts (both heroic & savage) during extraordinary times (such as during a war) but what some of us here find interesting is murder in everyday life.

Who are they and why they do the things they do etc.

Mam of 4

bjork wrote: »

Isreali Keyes - Is very interesting and there is a lot of his interviews taped. He'd fly all over the state and had murder packs prepared.

On the CI channel , there's a series on a Saturday night -Serial Killer Profiles. He was the subject on Saturday night just gone, have it recorded, didn't watch it yet though .

Roquentin

the ice man HBO doc is very interesting.

its funny i can list of the top of my head maybe 40 serial killers. i would struggle to name one of their victims. ridgeway had about 70 victims and i cant name a single one.

i think the psychology behind them and also the pattern between them is interesting.

some great videos on youtube. interviews with dahmer and bundy.

one thing that struck me was how articulate and manipulative some of them spoke. richard ramirez was chillingly articulate ( he even quoted shakespeare)

weldoninhio

Roquentin wrote: »

the ice man HBO doc is very interesting.

its funny i can list of the top of my head maybe 40 serial killers. i would struggle to name one of their victims. ridgeway had about 70 victims and i cant name a single one.

i think the psychology behind them and also the pattern between them is interesting.

some great videos on youtube. interviews with dahmer and bundy.

one thing that struck me was how articulate and manipulative some of them spoke. richard ramirez was chillingly articulate ( he even quoted shakespeare)

Philip Carlo's book on Richard Ramirez is chilling. Like Kuklinski, he was allowed into prison to interview him.

Roquentin

weldoninhio wrote: »

Philip Carlo's book on Richard Ramirez is chilling. Like Kuklinski, he was allowed into prison to interview him.

must get it. i love reading these books. read the one on kuklinski and the butcher. chilling.

weldoninhio

Roquentin wrote: »

must get it. i love reading these books. read the one on kuklinski and the butcher. chilling.

He has another called Gaspipe, more a mafia book, but his style of writing is brilliant. On a completely different note, his book The Killer Within, about his battle, and death, due to motor neurone disease is very good too.

AudreyHepburn

I'm a big fan of crime novels and real crime books and shows. I love to watch how a case is solved and find it incredible how the smallest of clues can often be the one that breaks the case.

I also find the psychology behind it fascinating.

fryup

watching the primetime special about the mark nash grangegorman murders...

it was never explained why did he kill those two old women?? did he break into the house with the intention of robbery or did he just have a bloodlust?