Kirkus Review of Whoever Fights Monsters by Robert Ressler
Books: Whoever Fights Monsters: My Twenty Years Tracking Serial Killers for the FBI
Author: Robert Ressler, Tom Shacthman
Review:
Author: Robert Ressler, Tom Shacthman
Review:
The former FBI agent, Robert Ressler, interviews
serial killers, such as Edmund Kemper John Wayne Gacy, William Heirens, and Ted
Bundy to create a profiling system to stop other serial killers from continuing
to murder. Ressler retells the interviews and profiling cases that he worked on
in the 1950s
.
Ressler
does an amazing job by enthralling the reader by his fast-pacing and blunt
descriptions of the cases. This book could entertain anyone who has a strong
stomach and doesn’t get weak by the details of how serial killers torture and
murder their victims. You will not find any romanticized versions of serial
killers here. Ressler explains what happened to agents, cops, and himself when
they become enchanted by these monsters, reminding the reader that these
figures should never be idolized. During the time these profiles were being
created, local law enforcement were not trained to look for a suspect that wasn’t
in some way connected to the victim. There was a lot of push back when these
new tactics were put into place and the book gives a not to seen perspective of
an FBI agents battle with local police. Ressler details how going to psychologist
conventions and making connections there helped the FBI create the profile on
serial killers. The book delves into the minds of serial killers using the
tools of both FBI agents and psychologists to get a better read on how to stop
these murderers. It would have been more insightful to also see a psychologist’s
point-of-view in this books. Although Ressler does try to give psychology
lessons throughout the book, I think the reader would have gained more
knowledge with an expert opinion.
All in all this book does
do an amazing job on giving a civilian a look behind the FBI’s heavily
protected curtain. With the interest of true crime growing Whoever Fights Monsters is an essential read for anyone who wants
to understand why a serial killer kills.
Interesting review! I think the popularity of true crime is burgeoned right now with Netflix’s Mindhunter on the air, which covers the same topic. True crime is a generally strong area in popularity anyway, mostly for that elusive glimpse into the mind of someone who could commit atrocities like these. To have had a psychologist’s perspective definitely would have been helpful, as it could have shed some light on society’s fascination with the “otherness” of these criminals.
ReplyDeleteI've often thought that people who track serial killers must get a little disturbed in some way, being so thoroughly involved with the details of such horror all the time. And I tend to shy away from stuff about murder and torture. But I can't resist a book with a glimpse behind the curtain...just what are those serial killers thinking? I'm intrigued. I may have to take a look. Good review!
ReplyDeleteFantastic Kirkus Review! Your opening and closing lines are solid and succinct, and your summary in the middle is eloquent and full of description. Full points!
ReplyDelete