What do you think?
Rate this book
The Human Predator: A Historical Chronicle of Serial Murder and Forensic Investigation
From ancient Rome through the Dark Ages to the burgeoning West to the open highways of urban America, from the unconscionable exploits of French religious zealot Gilles de Rais to such all-American monsters as Jeffrey Dahmer and Aileen Wournos.
Katherine Ramsland makes an eye-opening case for the existence of serial killers throughout time, offering a complete chronological record of the serial-killer phenomenon—as well as the parallel development of psychology, forensic science, and FBI profiling in the serial killer's evolving manifestation throughout human history.
Katherine Ramsland makes an eye-opening case for the existence of serial killers throughout time, offering a complete chronological record of the serial-killer phenomenon—as well as the parallel development of psychology, forensic science, and FBI profiling in the serial killer's evolving manifestation throughout human history.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
About the author
Katherine Ramsland
99 books520 followersI've loved books since I was 3, and the library was a highlight of my childhood. I've been fortunate to be able to find great joy in what others have written and sometimes to give this to readers. I follow my own muse, because it leads me on interesting adventures. I began my writing career with "Prism of the Night: A Biography of Anne Rice." I had a bestseller with "The Vampire Companion." Since then, I've published 69 books and over 2,500 articles, reviews and short stories. I have also been an executive producer for "Murder House Flip" and "BTK: Confession of a Serial Killer." From ghosts to vampires to serial killers, I have taken on a variety of dark subjects, mostly in crime and forensics. I hold graduate degrees in forensic psychology, clinical psychology, criminal justice, creative writing and philosophy. Currently, I teach forensic psychology and criminal justice at DeSales University. My books include "I Scream Man," "How to Catch a Killer", "Confession of a Serial Killer", "The Forensic Psychology of Criminal Minds", "The Mind of a Murderer", "The Human Predator: A Historical Chronicle of Serial Murder and Forensic Investigation", "Inside the Minds of Serial Killers", "Inside the Minds of Sexual Predators", and "Inside the Minds of Mass Murderers". My background in forensic studies positioned me to assist former FBI profiler John Douglas on his book, "The Cases that Haunt Us", and to co-write a book with former FBI profiler, Gregg McCrary, "The Unknown Darkness", as well as "Spree Killers" with Mark Safarik, "The Real Life of a Forensic Scientist" with Henry C. Lee, and "A Voice for the Dead" with James Starrs. I speak internationally about forensic psychology, forensic science, and serial murder, and has appeared on numerous documentaries, as well as such programs as The Today Show, 20/20, 48 Hours, NPR, Dr. Oz, Coast to Coast, Montel Williams, Larry King Live and E! True Hollywood. Currently, I'm working on a fiction series, The Nut Cracker Investigations, which features a female forensic psychologist who manages a PI agency. "I Scream Man" is the first one.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
October 16, 2012
It was certainly a thorough set of case histories for killers throughout history. I was a little disappointed that she didn't go more in depth on her theory that serial killers act on the subtle tensions which exist but aren't acknowledged in society. I was also somewhat disappointed that there was no attempt at analysis of the motivations of various types of killers. Someone like Jeffery Dahmer is acting for a different reason than a baby farmer in Victorian England.
I thought she made a good call to exclude those who did their killing as part of a war effort (like Vlad Tepes Dracul). While I'm sure some killers managed to sate their urges in otherwise legitimate arenas, it would be hard to distinguish them.
The patterns which emerged were definitely interesting. The women noted by history as multiple killers mostly seem to have targeted people known to them while stranger killing is mostly a male pastime. Of course, I wonder if there are women serial killers who have simply never been caught because no one was looking for a female?
It was an interesting book, although the lists of victims and crimes became encyclopedic sometimes. For those interested in the subject matter, it's a good reference.
I thought she made a good call to exclude those who did their killing as part of a war effort (like Vlad Tepes Dracul). While I'm sure some killers managed to sate their urges in otherwise legitimate arenas, it would be hard to distinguish them.
The patterns which emerged were definitely interesting. The women noted by history as multiple killers mostly seem to have targeted people known to them while stranger killing is mostly a male pastime. Of course, I wonder if there are women serial killers who have simply never been caught because no one was looking for a female?
It was an interesting book, although the lists of victims and crimes became encyclopedic sometimes. For those interested in the subject matter, it's a good reference.
August 22, 2013
Mildly entertaining. Unfortunately, the facts and circumstances of the crimes discussed in the book begin blurring together after awhile. While the author does make an effort to sprinkle in historical facts to provide context, unfortunately, parts of the book still read like a grocery list of serial killers and their crimes.
Another little nuisance occurs when the author belabors the point that there are in fact female serial killers- however, all they seem to be capable of are poisoning people... boring. Overall, all I took away from this book was the fact that I'm desensitized and need to take a break from true crime.
Another little nuisance occurs when the author belabors the point that there are in fact female serial killers- however, all they seem to be capable of are poisoning people... boring. Overall, all I took away from this book was the fact that I'm desensitized and need to take a break from true crime.
March 3, 2019
Holy disorganization, Batman.
March 29, 2014
It was very difficult to get over the horrible grammar in this book. The book also seemed a bit disorganized at parts where the author would jump back to a time covered in previous chapters. I know the author said that she had to cut down the material in the book so that it would not be a huge book, but I felt myself wanting to know more than just a brief statement about each of the killers covered in the book. The author could have split the book into a series of books that covered different time periods so that she could go into more detail.
December 27, 2010
I love forensic psychology and I found this book fascinating from begining to end. While this book was great, nothing beats hearing Katherine discus all her adventures in person. I've had her as a college professor and have felt compelled to read most anything she writes!
May 24, 2016
I thought it would be more psychology and profiling based. It wasn't a bad read just not what I was expecting.
October 26, 2012
Fucking creepy book...fascinatingly so...
June 23, 2023
I struggled with a rating for this book. Initially, I had difficulty getting into it, because it just seemed like a never-ending list of names, dates, victim numbers, etc etc… so much so that I couldn’t keep up or remember any of them. This could also be my own bias, because I genuinely do not care to remember the names of violent criminals. I often think that those who kill for notoriety get off on everyone knowing their name, so the best thing we can do is forget them. Not the crime, because that’s a disservice to the victims. Their names deserve to be heard and remembered. But the killer? Forget you.
I was hoping for something different from this book, so that also could be my own bias. As I said, I don’t care to have names and dates and descriptions of depraved acts; I want to understand motive. Like so many who hunt these people, I want to know what inspires people to turn so bad. I am fascinated (and horrified) by what makes a serial killer. The author glosses over this and of course there are many, many experts out there attempting to answer this very question without any fully encompassing answer, but I like those theories. There is no “one size fits all” answer to the “why?” but further exploration of this will always fascinate me.
But if you’re looking for a pretty comprehensive list of known serial killers based on the author’s definition, this book definitely has that.
I was hoping for something different from this book, so that also could be my own bias. As I said, I don’t care to have names and dates and descriptions of depraved acts; I want to understand motive. Like so many who hunt these people, I want to know what inspires people to turn so bad. I am fascinated (and horrified) by what makes a serial killer. The author glosses over this and of course there are many, many experts out there attempting to answer this very question without any fully encompassing answer, but I like those theories. There is no “one size fits all” answer to the “why?” but further exploration of this will always fascinate me.
But if you’re looking for a pretty comprehensive list of known serial killers based on the author’s definition, this book definitely has that.
February 1, 2021
It took me years to finally finish this book. I really wanted to love it. It did have some good information but it was not what I was hoping for when I picked it up. I was hoping for more of an analysis for how forensics have evolved and how that effects our view and investigation of the serial killer but instead it was more of a showcase of serial killers and some mention of forensic changes through the years. Very little showing of how investigations were adjusted based on emerging information and mostly just a list of serial murders around the world. It wasn't bad but I would have preferred a more in depth look at specific investigations and forensic findings and how they helped or didn't. In the beginning of the book it started out doing this a bit but by the end it was just a list and I was bored.
May 6, 2017
Seems like anybody who ever [famously] killed anybody was included in here. Sweet, quick and to-the-point. Mostly interesting and just fine . . . BUT:
It was all good until the end when the author spells Beats instead of Beatles, or says 300,000 people were killed in Colombia during something called "La Violencia". That was supposed to be 200,000 over the span of 10 years but still, why include that when it just dwarfs the rest of the perps she's describing. She even includes Hitler. Just a little broad.
Lost interest when she couldn't even spell Josefina Gutiérrez. She put Josephina Guttiériez.
Twenty-three hundred police involved in an urgent investigation, during the early 60s, for a black student . . . doesn't pass the BS test.
It was all good until the end when the author spells Beats instead of Beatles, or says 300,000 people were killed in Colombia during something called "La Violencia". That was supposed to be 200,000 over the span of 10 years but still, why include that when it just dwarfs the rest of the perps she's describing. She even includes Hitler. Just a little broad.
Lost interest when she couldn't even spell Josefina Gutiérrez. She put Josephina Guttiériez.
Twenty-three hundred police involved in an urgent investigation, during the early 60s, for a black student . . . doesn't pass the BS test.
January 17, 2021
Great timeline of forensic science development and serial killers
If you are into forensics or criminal science, you’ll enjoy this book! The author does a great job explaining how serial killers started B.C. And how they are currently. Moreover, she goes over how forensic science originated and the different methods and tools that have made it possible to identify criminals and save more lives.
If you are into forensics or criminal science, you’ll enjoy this book! The author does a great job explaining how serial killers started B.C. And how they are currently. Moreover, she goes over how forensic science originated and the different methods and tools that have made it possible to identify criminals and save more lives.
October 8, 2019
Great insight and history of serial killers
I really enjoyed reading this book although others may not. The history of serial killers from lycantropy and vampires to the real werewolves and vampires all based on serial killings. Just a really detailed book on the "why " and how some killers throughout history killed. Loved this book.
I really enjoyed reading this book although others may not. The history of serial killers from lycantropy and vampires to the real werewolves and vampires all based on serial killings. Just a really detailed book on the "why " and how some killers throughout history killed. Loved this book.
February 11, 2018
The book is detailed and covers serial killers and the growth of forensics in a way that’s easily understandable. While wordy at times, the book offers insight into the world of criminology and is thus highly appreciated by me.
November 27, 2017
A boring laundry list.
August 16, 2020
Cool concept but begins to blur together about halfway. A who's who of the killer world, but skims over everything so quickly. Kind of lost the point.
May 13, 2014
I wish I could have given this book a better rating. I think her intent was there, but she tried to cover too much. In terms of the world serial killers themselves, through history, she mentions them in a line or two. The Ted Bundys and Charles Mansons maybe get a paragraph. That's too little information to set the time and place and culture of these people. She never does settle on a "why" and I don't think there is one answer: sexual motivation, power killing, an unhappy childhood? One thing she does foresee, and I would agree, is that the act of mass killings is often done for attention (the type of attention can vary,) but more and more people, for whatever reason, are entering the community square and taking out as many as they can before their own lives end. Kids? There's no pride in your work anymore. At the end of Ramsland's book she states, "Whether aggressively psychotic, psychopathic, or just general antisocial, the development of these behaviors results from a cumulative exchange between experience and the nervous system. It's all coded into the body's neurochemistry as an emotional record. Whenever these behaviors succeed, it affirms and updates the brain chemistry, thus increasing the probability of returning to these same behaviors.
Over the past two decades, serial killers have spread into more cultures around the world, especially as nations have grown more international and global,tensions have heightened. Serial killers may mirror with more intensity things that the normal human beings around them do on a lesser scale. Social narratives, especially those that affirm compartmentalized morality, will play out in diverse ways in different people, but the parallels will nevertheless be apparent to those who look. As the world grows more complicated, with sophisticated philosophies erasing moral foundations, people will sense the instability and pursue things that offer a feeling of security and self-satisfaction."
Over the past two decades, serial killers have spread into more cultures around the world, especially as nations have grown more international and global,tensions have heightened. Serial killers may mirror with more intensity things that the normal human beings around them do on a lesser scale. Social narratives, especially those that affirm compartmentalized morality, will play out in diverse ways in different people, but the parallels will nevertheless be apparent to those who look. As the world grows more complicated, with sophisticated philosophies erasing moral foundations, people will sense the instability and pursue things that offer a feeling of security and self-satisfaction."
May 31, 2020
The Human Predator by Katherine Ramsland is a non-fiction book that traces the history of serial killers and forensic investigation down through the centuries.
This book was a waste of time. The descriptions of the serial killer incidents are dry, brief, and shallow, while the forensic science parts read like excerpts from a textbook. This is not a work of original research, nor does it offer any fresh insight or analysis regarding serial killer phenomena. All it is, is a recital of serial killer incidents. That’s it.
I didn’t see any glaring factual errors, so there is that. But there is a conspicuous lack of citation and I have to point out that the author’s much touted PhD is in philosophy — not history. I looked into her other works and see that she’s also written about modern day vampires in America and haunted crime scenes, plus the Anne Rice trivia book. So… yeah. Interpret that as you will.
This book hasn’t got the academic credibility or the depth to suit a serious reader, but it’s too written too dryly to entertain your average CSI fan. This book did make me want to read more about the history of forensics because it was pretty darn interesting, but I’ll look elsewhere for a more academic work. 2 stars.
This book was a waste of time. The descriptions of the serial killer incidents are dry, brief, and shallow, while the forensic science parts read like excerpts from a textbook. This is not a work of original research, nor does it offer any fresh insight or analysis regarding serial killer phenomena. All it is, is a recital of serial killer incidents. That’s it.
I didn’t see any glaring factual errors, so there is that. But there is a conspicuous lack of citation and I have to point out that the author’s much touted PhD is in philosophy — not history. I looked into her other works and see that she’s also written about modern day vampires in America and haunted crime scenes, plus the Anne Rice trivia book. So… yeah. Interpret that as you will.
This book hasn’t got the academic credibility or the depth to suit a serious reader, but it’s too written too dryly to entertain your average CSI fan. This book did make me want to read more about the history of forensics because it was pretty darn interesting, but I’ll look elsewhere for a more academic work. 2 stars.
February 13, 2017
it had some interesting tidbits but was mostly like falling down the Internet serial killer click-hole.
April 7, 2015
This book packs a guttural punch.
Each page is chock full of explicit synopses recounting the gory history of serial murder. This is a great book if you want a gleaming look at the time line of serial killers and their crimes. It is not the best book, however, about the growth and progress of forensic science...which is what the book sets out to do but never quite honestly commits itself to exploring.
Obviously, forensics upped its game over time. I think the author sort of posits that serial killers did also...but that claim is never proven and when you're given this amount of detail in one book, you can walk away an informed reader and know that serial murder has always been a gory, brutal, and nuanced violence. To say that serial killers got wiser over time, however, doesn't pay tribute to the fact that science got wiser. It also BARELY touches upon the internet...which would work to support the author's argument.
I have a lot of respect for Katherine Ramsland...we have gone to the same school and have worked in the same industry. Our macabre zeal to unlock the mysteries of human behavior shared. I just wish this book wasn't so much a chronicle.
Each page is chock full of explicit synopses recounting the gory history of serial murder. This is a great book if you want a gleaming look at the time line of serial killers and their crimes. It is not the best book, however, about the growth and progress of forensic science...which is what the book sets out to do but never quite honestly commits itself to exploring.
Obviously, forensics upped its game over time. I think the author sort of posits that serial killers did also...but that claim is never proven and when you're given this amount of detail in one book, you can walk away an informed reader and know that serial murder has always been a gory, brutal, and nuanced violence. To say that serial killers got wiser over time, however, doesn't pay tribute to the fact that science got wiser. It also BARELY touches upon the internet...which would work to support the author's argument.
I have a lot of respect for Katherine Ramsland...we have gone to the same school and have worked in the same industry. Our macabre zeal to unlock the mysteries of human behavior shared. I just wish this book wasn't so much a chronicle.
December 18, 2016
I started this book then set it aside to finish a couple more that were due sooner at the library. I was so glad I really liked this book in spite of some low reviews on here about it. Some did not like that she wrote in small snatches on different cases and did not spend more to more going into greater detail on cases as far as the forensic aspect goes, but I rather enjoyed the author's coverage from the first known serial killers 1,000 years back up until the present and how forensics developed along in the midst of time and certain cases. I had learned of a terrible serial case in the 1700's with 2 relatives of horrendous magnitude by the surname of Harpe I never heard of which she had a page on which I found interesting. I found this book hard to put down and very interesting. It cemented small details and small bits of crimes I had known of but had not kept information concerning aspects of the crimes pieces together in my mind as I like to retain. Surprisingly even in the small amount, she covered of said crimes, I learned new facts I had never know before also.
May 31, 2013
This book is nothing more than a cliff's Notes version of a more thorough investigative book. Katherine Ramsland has tried to cram too much into one book and for her efforts the reader only gets a peek instead of a real taste of what they bought the book for. She has a tendency to go on for paragraphs about the most mundane of killers throughout history, yet when she gets to key characters such as H.H. Holmes, Jeffery Dahmer, even Ted Bundy, she breezes through their crimes as if they are the mundane killers. This might make a good fast reference book to have on hand to gather dates and where to go to look for real indepth information, but as for anything more, you will find that you need to search for better written books on the subject.
August 3, 2015
Many reviewers have already expressed what I thought of this book, so I'm glad it's not just me.
It started good, but it essentially went nowhere. I read about 2/3 of it in one go, but then I put it down and it wasn't that easy to pick back up and get into again because it becomes repetitive. The author clearly knows her subject well. I wish she had done more with it than basically list serial killers and their crimes for 286 pages. If there is a discussion or thesis going on anywhere in the book, it gets lost in the laundry list of murderers and victims, which makes it a disappointing read for me because there are a thousand books like that out there already and the synopsis of this one led me to believe that it wasn't like that.
It started good, but it essentially went nowhere. I read about 2/3 of it in one go, but then I put it down and it wasn't that easy to pick back up and get into again because it becomes repetitive. The author clearly knows her subject well. I wish she had done more with it than basically list serial killers and their crimes for 286 pages. If there is a discussion or thesis going on anywhere in the book, it gets lost in the laundry list of murderers and victims, which makes it a disappointing read for me because there are a thousand books like that out there already and the synopsis of this one led me to believe that it wasn't like that.
January 9, 2009
this book is sick, not in a bad way it talks about a couple of killers that have mental issues. This book is abotu a number of stories about serial killers that grew up in an unstable household. one story i took interest in was the one about Jack the ripper jack the ripper was born in a time of war, he saw all the men in his family being killed and all the women rapped. his family was poor so Jack had to sleep wit both of his older sisters. Jack watched his sisters maturering, having their piriods, ETC. He got a certain like from watching blood. Jack started rappiong and killing women by the age of 16.
August 23, 2007
If you interested in the psychology behind serial killers and the savagery that humanity is capable of throughout history, then this book is an ideal read. Also, Human Predator gives good insight on the criminal investigation and the forensics that have been involved and how it has progressed over the centuries. Although, very informative, this is not a book that lacks all the gory details so if you're someone who is squimish in regards to violence then you might want to skip this one.
February 1, 2008
Though the book runs dry and repetitive in parts, I don't blame the author. It's my fault that I get tired of the endless list of serial killers and their death tolls. I will say I've never read anything scarier than deeds of Locusta, the first serial killer and a woman or Gilles de Rais, suffocater of hundreds of children.
February 24, 2013
I have been fascinated by the dark side of humanity for years, and sociology and psychology have been major interests for most of my life. This book revealed many killers I was previously unaware of. Let's just say it was fascinating and utterly disturbing at the same time. There are some real sickos out there.
March 11, 2014
What a great book! I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in the history of serial killers... but wants to avoid those books that are overly-sensational and dramatic for the sake of sales. It is very matter-of-fact and is kind of a timeline for serial killings and the settings of the times. I look forward to reading another of Ramsland's books... and even re-reading this one! Read it!
October 20, 2008
This book read more like a textbook. Informative but rather dry. I didn't retain most of what the author wrote. The author was repetitive. In fact, I researched one of the people discussed in the book and found a story on the internet verbatim. I guess I had different expectations.
February 16, 2010
This book was fantastic. I have to say this is one of the best "true crime" books I've ever read. Katherine Ramsland has given a detailed account of serial murder - even naming off some criminals I've never heard of before reading this book. This is a definite must-read.
May 15, 2013
This book was okay but, I was disappointed that there was not much detail about the cases. It seemed that the facts were presented in an almost textbook progression and began to run together after awhile. Still a pretty good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews