jjares reviewed The Killer Across the Table: Unlocking the Secrets of Serial Killers and Predators with the FBI's Original Mindhunter on + 3275 more book reviews
This book is awesome. I cannot say enough about it. I find the 'why' of things fascinating, but the why of killing with no remorse is true crime at its finest. Dr. Douglas describes everything about the interview with the miscreant, from the size of the room to the psychology of the questions he asks. First, he describes in great detail, each victim and how he/she died. Then, the murderer's life goes under the microscope. I am amazed that the interviewers can remain calm and nonjudgmental during these marathon interviewing sessions.
There are four main murderers that the authors highlight. Each has his own section of the book.
Joseph McGowan is from page 1 - 114. He raped and murdered a seven-year-old New Jersey girl scout who came to deliver cookies.
Joseph Robert Kondro's story is from pages 117-190. He raped and murdered an eight-year-old and a twelve-year-old in Washington state. He was a friend of each family.
Donald Harvey's story is covered in pages 193-254. This man murdered at least 87 elderly people in Ohio hospitals.
Todd Kohlnepp's story is in pages 257-323. He murdered more than 100 people. He's the most insightful of all the murderers highlighted.
The Epilogue tried to tie up all the murderer's stories. The authors state that they believe that the killers highlighted in the book made choices based on their character defects, rather than insanity.
In closing, the authors show the difference between making reasoned choices and insanity. They pinpointed two women killers and the differences in their 'whys.' Susan Smith killed her two sons so she would be more attractive to a wealthy man, who was not interested in her children. She made the choice to improve her odds. Andrea Yates killed her five children because she was insane; she thought she was a bad mother and wanted her children from Satan and hell.
I finished this book in a matter of hours because it was just so compelling. Now, I want to read the rest of Douglas' work.
There are four main murderers that the authors highlight. Each has his own section of the book.
Joseph McGowan is from page 1 - 114. He raped and murdered a seven-year-old New Jersey girl scout who came to deliver cookies.
Joseph Robert Kondro's story is from pages 117-190. He raped and murdered an eight-year-old and a twelve-year-old in Washington state. He was a friend of each family.
Donald Harvey's story is covered in pages 193-254. This man murdered at least 87 elderly people in Ohio hospitals.
Todd Kohlnepp's story is in pages 257-323. He murdered more than 100 people. He's the most insightful of all the murderers highlighted.
The Epilogue tried to tie up all the murderer's stories. The authors state that they believe that the killers highlighted in the book made choices based on their character defects, rather than insanity.
In closing, the authors show the difference between making reasoned choices and insanity. They pinpointed two women killers and the differences in their 'whys.' Susan Smith killed her two sons so she would be more attractive to a wealthy man, who was not interested in her children. She made the choice to improve her odds. Andrea Yates killed her five children because she was insane; she thought she was a bad mother and wanted her children from Satan and hell.
I finished this book in a matter of hours because it was just so compelling. Now, I want to read the rest of Douglas' work.
