Deranged

Calling Albert Fish bizarre or even deranged is almost an understatement. Fish is the strangest murderer [possibly serial murderer] that I have read about in eight plus years of reading true crime exclusively. Indeed, one of my crime references describes him wonderfully as a "polymorphous pervert." One of the defense's psychiatrists listed all of Fish's perversions as a exhibit for trial; the list contained 17 items. He was also a religious fanatic, very probably delusional, and looked like everyone's favorite elderly uncle. One example of Fish's perversions was his habit of inserting sewing needles into his groin and rectal areas. There is a photo of an X-ray of Fish's pelvic region in this book that is just stunning; you can count many of the needles and even discern the eye holes!This is not a book for the squeamish or easily upset; it was hard for me, a long-time reader of true crime, to read some of these things. Regardless, it is an excellent, thorough work of true crime. Schechter discovered that Fish's attorney was still alive, secured his cooperation, and was given access to the lawyer's documents, which, he states, "proved invaluable in my reconstruction of the case." Schechter's reconstruction of the case is full, detailed, beautifully organized, and well written. I was struck several times during my reading of this book how contemporary this case seems, even though the kidnapping and murder Fish was tried for happened in 1928 [he wasn't caught until 1935]. The media coverage was sensational and pervasive. Fish's trial hinged on the question of his sanity on insanity and there were elements that I see regularly on CourtTV: dueling expert witnesses; the "is he mad or just bad" question that surrounds an insanity plea; and the defense's attempt to shift blame to Bellevue Hospital, where Fish had been committed twice for short periods of time, and even an ill-advised attempt to place some blame on the parents of Grace Budd [the child he kidnapped and killed] for letting a stranger take their daughter on an alleged outing! Fish was only tried for Grace Budd's murder and kidnapping, but Schechter found two cases, kidnappings in 1924 and 1927, that may well have been committed by Fish. Schechter has done something that was not easy in this book: he has taken a horrible crime and an even more horrible criminal and made both understandable.

It's kind of sad that hardly anybody knows (or cares) about Albert Fish anymore. In my opinion he's much more interesting than Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, etc. I agree with the jury's verdict: Albert Fish was insane but he deserved to die anyway. Harold Schechter's descriptions of not only Fish's crimes but also the things that he did to himself -- sticking needles up his groin, whipping himself etc -- turned my stomach. It was all so incongruous, as Fish looked like everybody's grandfather. Yet another insightful, entertaining book from Harold Schechter.

Mr. Schechter seems fixated on books about mad dog killers that begin with the letter D for example Deviant, Depraved and this offering Deranged. I have read all three books and this one is the best, they are all good by the way. The research done is impresive, Mr. Schechter must have gone through volumes of microfiche to find the newspaper stories that he has added to statements made by participants he has taken from trial records and other sources. The structure of the story is well written and easy to follow. The subject Mr. Albert Fish is so...Deranged that it is hard to find a place to start when describing his evil and perverse acts. From sending dirty letters to ladies at lonely hearts clubs to murdering and cannibilizing a little girl. Trust me, this guy makes Jeffery Dahmer look sane and mellow. I have loaned this book to buddies and it has never been gone for more than 3 days, it is a quick read, hard to put down. This book will make you walk around the house checking to make sure the doors and windows are locked. Good work Prof. Schechter.

Mr. Schechter pens yet another true-crime story that is worthy of a reserved spot for any true-crime buff. As the late author Robert Bloch said: "People are only into Ed Gein because they haven't heard of Albert Fish." So, here is Fish's book. It is unbelievable. One has to remind oneself that this is actually TRUE. This really did happen. I couldn't believe it. A person who indulged in a numerous variety of perversities, sexual fetishes (some way, way too bizarre to mention here!) the unspeakably ghastly aftermath of Grace Budd was reminiscent of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale classic "Little Red Riding Hood". In my previous review of a Schechter novel I said had found myself sympathizing (in a very awkward way) to Gein and actually saw a motive for his madness. In Fish's case I could not sympathise with him whatsoever. He was possibly the most deranged man to ever walk on Earth (in my opinion)...but contrary to what others may think, he was aware of the fiendish nature of his crimes. He planned Grace Budd's abduction with a cool cunning, and killed her in the most outrageous way possible... This makes for possibly the sickest yet most compelling read in the genre ever.Hats off to Mr. Schechter once more for providing impeccable research and a story with no boring moments in it whatsoever.

Schechter is one of the best true crime writers around. He puts Fish, that nut, in a historical context. We get to know a lot about the times (late 20's, early 30's) as well as this quite rightly named deranged man.Bloch was right, pple are into Ed Gien because they haven't heard about A. Fish!