The Killers Among Us: An Examination of Serial Murder and Its Investigation

by Steven A. Egger

Book Overview

Egger (criminal justice, U. of Illinois) provides an overview of serial killers, the centerpiece of which is the presentation of seven case studies of serial murderers such as Ted Bundy, John Wayne... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0138947341
• ISBN13: 9780138947347
• Release Date: June 1997
• Publisher: Prentice Hall
• Length: 316 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.0" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

A rare and important work

As a researcher, writer and student of serial murder, I believe that Dr. Egger's work is important for three reasons. #1- He writes for the average person who wants to know more about serial murder. He attempts to dispel some of the myths about these people. He gives the average interested person a standard to judge media coverage and the facts in a more informed way. #2- He writes for the person in the criminal justice system whose job it is to deal with the Killers Among Us. His observations and suggestions are helpful and succinct. #3- Dr. Egger is one of the few "experts" in this field who is a voice for the victims and encourages and demands that we do not forget the many victims who have died at the hands of a serial killer.Dr. Egger was the first person in the world to deal with the investigation of serial murder as a PhD student. His understanding of this phenomenon is enormous.This book is used in universities throughout the world to introduce students to serial murder and to critically look at this field beyond the pop culture symbolism that it is usually looked upon. This second edition showcases three student contributors. Dr. Egger's motives are to inform, educate, and contribute to apprehending these killers as he said in his PhD dissertation, "so that lives can be saved."I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants an accurate overview of the subject.

A rare achievement

This study of serial murder has been acclaimed as both scientifically sound and reliable. Dr. Egger puts down numerous myths that have confused and bedeviled the study of serial killers for decades. A noted authority, a strong academic voice on the subject of criminology. A fine work. Includes studies of John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy, the Hillside Stranglers and Henry Lee Lucas. Dr. Egger spent more than 50 hours with Lucas who managed to fool everyone in authority by retracting his early confessions. The damning factor about Lucas is that teenage girls are no longer disappearing from the highways of South Texas like they did for the past 30 years.