Dark Dreams: Sexual Violence, Homicide and the Criminal Mind

I started reading about serial killers after the sniper deaths in Washington D.C. and Maryland. "Dark Dreams" is an interesting and horrifying look into the minds of serial killers, mostly American, although there is the obligatory chapter on Jack the Ripper. In a previously read book, "Serial Killers" by Joel Norris, the author attempted both a psychological and biological profile of these murderers with emphasis on both nature and upbringing. Hazelwood and Michaud do not attempt to decipher the 'why' of serial killers in "Dark Dreams." They concentrate on the different types of 'how,' and what the 'how' reveals about the serial killer.For instance, one of the authors' major themes is the narcissism of serial killers. Many of them come to believe that they are too smart for the police to catch, and start taking unnecessary chances. Some even write taunting letters to the police, e.g. the Zodiac Killer, or commit a crime under the very noses of their pursuers. An example of the latter type of behavior was demonstrated by the stalker, Andrew Johnstone, who stole his victim's underwear out of a Salvation Army box that the police had under twenty-four hour surveillance. The authors point out that a safer method to obtain the same result would have been to steal his victim's bras off of her clothesline.A few other common characteristics of serial killers that the authors spend some time with are their ritualistic behavior, their employment of paid or compliant partners to 'practice' on, and their use of detective magazines as 'how to' manuals. A range of deviant behaviors including fetishism, necrophilia, sadism, masochism, and autoeroticism are touched upon although the authors concentrate on ritualistic sexual sadists as "the most resourceful, destructive, and elusive of all deviant offenders."One of the authors, Roy Hazelwood" also co-authored a book on "Autoerotic Fatalities" and "Dark Dreams" follows up on this theme and explains how profilers determine whether a particular death is suicide, homicide, or an unfortunate accident.How would you interpret the case where a teen-age boy's nude body was discovered hanging inside a vertical sewer pipe, his face covered in duct tape, and his grandfather's watch taped inside his mouth? Read the chapter on "Equivocal Deaths" and learn how FBI profiler and co-author, Roy Hazelwood determined exactly what had occurred.This book is a dark journey into the human mind, quite graphic at times, and should probably be stamped "For mature readers only."

The information presented by Roy Hazelwood and Stephen Michaud is of a type obviously found only first-hand. The pathologies are explored and explained so detailedly, that these monsters almost seem to make sense after a while. Anyone interested in forensic psychology, especially those cases dealing with a sexually aberrant patholgy, will find this a must read!

The books written by Hazelwood and other former FBI profilers, such as John Douglas, are just wonderfully creepy. I can no longer read fiction mysteries after reading this book. The truth is so much more frightening than fiction!! I recommend this bookhighly to true crime fans, whether they be law enforcement professionals or, like me, fans of the genre. This is a frightening book that looks sexual violence straight in the eye. It is filled with scary factual detail. I recommend you hunker down with this book with the doors and windows locked!!!

This book is terrifyingly fascinating! It delves deep within the minds of those who commit the unspeakable and discusses it without sugar coating a thing. I have taken a lot of classes on crime and deviance and I went into this book thinking I wouldn't be scared or emotionally affected. Wrong! I was still shocked by what some people out there do- and perhaps more shocking- why they do it. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in the field of criminal profiling, criminal law, or even a true crime buff looking for a new addition to their library.

Eoy Hazelwood describes his experiences and shares his knowledge of sex criminals from his job in the FBI profiling unit (the 'behevioral science unit' of 'The Silence of the Lambs'). Roy does a terrific job of describing what the job really is, what are it's different aspects and what it takes (training nd the type of person who'd be good at the job). He also gives us many detailed descriptions of many cases he was involved in during his long career both as an FBI agent and as a private consultant.My only advice is not to read this book before going to bed, especially if you're a woman...