Signature Killers

by Robert D. Keppel and William J. Birnes

Book Overview

In a real-life scenario straight out of The Silence of the Lambs, Robert Keppel went one-on-one with the notorious serial killer Ted Bundy, who advised Keppel on the detective's highly publicized... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671001302
• ISBN13: 9780671001308
• Release Date: October 1997
• Publisher: Pocket Books
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.1" x 7.4"

Customer Reviews

A masterwork

Bob Keppel cut his teeth working the Ted Bundy murders in Washington State in the mid-1970s. He later went on to work the infamous "Green River" investigation, as well as consulting on other high-profile serial murder cases like the Atlanta child murders in 1979-1981. He has worked with leading law enforcement professionals on the state and federal levels. As such, Keppel is well-positioned to discuss serial murder.Signature Killers focuses on sexual offenders who leave "signatures" at their crime scenes. These individuals are compulsively forced to commit certain acts that will not vary from crime to crime. So while a murderer may change his modus operandi -- climbing in a window one time, picking a lock the next -- his signature will not change. Perhaps even more interesting is Keppel's theory on the "arc" of violence that murderers move through. Included are discussions on sadism, picquerism, and even cannibalism.Many reviewers have complained that Keppel's writing style leaves something to be desired. While this is probably true, I think it should be pointed out that this book almost certainly derives from Keppel's dissertation in pursuit of his Ph.D. Keppel appears to have taken sections from his thesis and added commentary to form a book. The discerning reader can see where the structured style of the dissertation leaves off and the conversational, casual style begins. I don't consider this a fault; I'm glad to have this accessible book to read instead of a dry, stuffy doctoral dissertation. Keppel should be commended for making this material available to a wider audience.Anyone interested in the motives of serial offenders can hardly do better than to turn to Dr. Bob Keppel. Others have said, and I agree, that Keppel's last chapter -- regarding the cause(s) of increasing violence in our society -- leaves a bit to be desired. But Keppel is entitled to his opinion (which, in this case, cannot be proved or disproved with ease) and it certainly doesn't diminish the comprehensive knowledge on serial sexual offenders that Keppel makes available to readers in Signature Killers.

a fascinating look at serial killers and their motives.

I have read many books about serial killers and this is by far one of the most fascinating and informative that there are.

Keppel offers a serious look into the mind of serial killers

Robert D. Keppel is the consumate homicide detective and he offers a startling look into the world of the serial killer. He supplies all of the facts needed for the reader to glean an understanding of the harrowing details homicide detectives must face in their careers. He teaches with a practical authority without being condescending, as some of the other writers in his feild. Although some may compare his book with those of Robert Ressler and others, it is not so easily compared as some might think. It offers his valued opinions and ideas on investigation techniques and police procedure. Giving the reader a unique and insightful glance into the psychopathic mind, this book is a wonderful resource for students of criminal deviants.

For the Criminal Psychologist in all of Us...

Okay, Keppel is not as smooth as Ressler, or egocentric as Douglas, but he IS as informative. Of the many serial killer books I have read, this one gave me some of the best information on the whys and wherefores of what is a signiture and how can it be identified, and how it differs from an M.O. Keppel is not condscending, like Douglas can be at times, but tries to explain it all. Although, I must say, as with all the Profilers, he has a way of referring back to his one "Big Case." There are some decent biography and verbal re-creation of crime scenes, with commentary on how to figure out what's going on in the killer's head.