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The Killer Across the Table
The Killer Across the Table: Unlocking the Secrets of Serial Killers and Predators with the FBI's Original Mindhunter | John E. Douglas, Mark Olshaker
The legendary FBI criminal profiler, number-one New York Times bestselling author, and inspiration for the hit Netflix show Mindhunter delves deep into the lives and crimes of four of the most disturbing and complex predatory killers, offering never-before-revealed details about his profiling process, and divulging the strategies used to crack some of Americas most challenging cases. The FBIs pioneer of criminal profiling, former special agent John Douglas, has studied and interviewed many of Americas most notorious killersincluding Charles Manson, Son of Sam Killer David Berkowitz and BTK Strangler Dennis Radertrained FBI agents and investigators around and the world, and helped educate the country about these deadly predators and how they operate, and has become a legend in popular culture, fictionalized in The Silence of the Lambs and the hit television shows Criminal Minds and Mindhunter. Twenty years after his famous memoir, the man who literally wrote the book on FBI criminal profiling opens his case files once again. In this riveting work of true crime, he spotlights four of the most diabolical criminals hes confronted, interviewed and learned from. Going deep into each mans life and crimes, he outlines the factors that led them to murder and how he used his interrogation skills to expose their means, motives, and true evil. Like the hit Netflix show, The Killer Across the Table is centered around Douglas unique interrogation and profiling process. With his longtime collaborator Mark Olshaker, Douglas recounts the chilling encounters with these four killers as he experienced themrevealing for the first time his profile methods in detail. Going step by step through his interviews, Douglas explains how he connects each killers crimes to the specific conversation, and contrasts these encounters with those of other deadly criminals to show what he learns from each one. In the process, he returns to other famous cases, killers and interviews that have shaped his career, describing how the knowledge he gained from those exchanges helped prepare him for these. A glimpse into the mind of a man who has pierced the heart of human darkness, The Killer Across the Table unlocks the ultimate mystery of depravity and the techniques and approaches that have countered evil in the name of justice.
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blurb
deeannloso
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“The legendary FBI criminal profiler, number-one New York Times bestselling author, and inspiration for the hit Netflix show Mindhunter delves deep into the lives and crimes of four of the most disturbing and complex predatory killers, offering never-before-revealed details about his profiling process, and divulging the strategies used to crack some of America‘s most challenging cases.”

29 likes1 stack add
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nonbinaryandbitter
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Pickpick

I‘ve been in a reading slump, but John Douglas can always push me out. What an incredible read about serial killers. He is the master of behavioural science!!!

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Kimberlone
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Pickpick

This has been our road trip audiobook for the past month, and my fiancé and I finished it while driving out to Talkeetna, AK last night. Audio narration by Jonathan Groff (actor from Mindhunter on Netflix) was excellent. Trigger warnings for pretty much anything you can imagine. Do not recommend if you can‘t handle intensely graphic descriptions of violent crimes.

vivastory Didn't this book have the serial killer who left Amazon reviews? 2y
Kimberlone @vivastory yes! A very weird tidbit! 2y
68 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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StellaDz
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Pickpick

A lot of true crime books don‘t have actual interviews with the killers in them. They‘re past tense, usually well after the crimes, and the perpetrators, have been caught, imprisoned, or executed. This book was interesting because it actually contained one on one interviews that John conducted with different criminals. It gave a first hand look into what he did in the FBI and how he developed the program that it is today. Also Groff? 👍

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kimberlone Currently listening to this also! The Groff narration is great. My bf is also catching up on Mindhunter season 2 - lots of serial killers in my life right now! 2y
StellaDz @Kimberlone I know the feeling! Between audiobooks and Netflix, I have been inhaling true crime lately!! 2y
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StellaDz
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The next audiobook! I‘m on a true crime roll and this one is read by Groff! Why have I never thought of him reading Douglas‘ and Olshaker‘s books when he was in Mindhunter?! But now I‘m questioning why he hasn‘t done the rest! #currentlylistening

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EatSleepRead
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Pickpick

Equally fascinating and disturbing.

15 likes1 stack add
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Nikki_E
Pickpick

Finished listening to this while doing laundry. I really need to watch Mindhunter on Netflix.

PaperbackPirate Mindhunter is excellent! I haven‘t read the book though. 2y
43 likes1 comment
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DeadBy420
Pickpick

I absolutely loved this book! The cases they chose were obscure so it made it really interesting to see them relate it to the more famous cases. 10/10

DebinHawaii Welcome to Litsy!! 🎉📚🎉 Hope you enjoy it here! 2y
4 likes1 comment
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MirandaLeighBee
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Recently finished #TheOne by #JohnMarrs and I very much enjoyed it...but now I‘m on to the next!
Diving into some true crime this time with #TheKillerAcrossTheTable by #JohnDouglas and #MarkOlshaker

#TrueCrime #FBI #CriminalMinds #BehaviorAnalysis

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Froglover81

Wow what a great book. 🙄

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wideeyedreader
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book, and the audiobook was great!

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Kristy_K
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Pickpick

I‘ve read the majority of Douglas‘ books and enjoyed them all. This one was no exception. I enjoyed seeing more of how he goes into and proceeds with the interview process. I also liked that he focused on less infamous cases so most of the material was new to me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Addison_Reads
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Pickpick

Excellent read. I was a fan of Mindhunter, so I decided to try this book as well. It's a chilling look into the mind of various serial killers. There's lots of details about the crimes and the process used to interview the killers.

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swishandflick
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Pickpick

I've been going for what I've come to think of as daily "true crime walks". I usually listen to podcasts but decided to switch it up with an audiobook. I can't imagine literally sitting across the table from as many serial killers as John Douglas has, but his insight into their psyche and his perspective as a former FBI agent is so intriguing! Also, bonus for fans of the Mindhunter TV adaptation, Jonathan Groff narrates the audio! ???

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Crazeedi
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Pickpick

First audiobook I've listened to while working in garden
Chilling descriptions into the minds of serial killers. Lots of details about the interviews the author had with 4 killers.
Recommend
#audiogardening

58 likes1 stack add
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RamsFan1963
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Pickpick

I'm not the kind of person fascinated by serial killers, but I remember reading Mindhunter back in the 90s and being impressed with John Douglas's writing. I find these people sickening, clear arguements for the death penalty. The book is enthralling in a morbid way, but a very ugly view of the darkest part of the human (mostly male) psyche. 3 💥💥💥 1/2

Book 2 for #24B4Monday
@Andrew65 @SumisBooks @jb72

Andrew65 👏👏👏 4y
46 likes1 comment
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natalieebloom
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Pickpick

#CoronaBreak Book 5. I can‘t say much except holy SHIT, this is the best true crime book I‘ve ever read. I couldn‘t put it down. It‘s definitely not for the faint of heart, especially Part I (child rapist/molester/murderer), but I just found it to be such an insightful perspective on the human condition. If you like true crime, get this in your hands ASAP.

9 likes1 stack add
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

John Douglas helped establish the profiling unit at the FBI. Here, he tells the stories of four different killers, all of different subtypes. I was totally fascinated by this book and the way these men are so different from the norm. There are frank descriptions of child murders here, so this one isn‘t for everyone, but if you like true crime, it‘s terrific. #botm

vivastory The killer who wrote online reviews of chainsaws 😬 4y
Hooked_on_books @vivastory Right?! I didn‘t know whether to laugh or cringe at that one. 4y
56 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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guinsgirlreads
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No litsy tag on this #jolabokaflodswap package, so I hope you see this thank you!!! This one will go right next to my copy of Mindhunter!! 👏🏻

MaleficentBookDragon I believe that is from @Jb2003 Happy #Jolabokaflod! 4y
Jb2003 @guinsgirlreads Sorry, I realized after I posted it that I forgot the tag. I hope you like it. 4y
See All 7 Comments
guinsgirlreads @Jb2003 Yay! Thank you! Merry Christmas! 🎄 4y
Jb2003 @guinsgirlreads Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!! 🎄☃️ 4y
LeahBergen I recently bought this one, too. 👍🏻 4y
MidnightBookGirl I need to read this one too! Loved Mindhunter! 1 pt! 4y
41 likes7 comments
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Sungirl79
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Starting this one!! 😱

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fakesteph
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Pickpick

I really love the books by John Douglas. This one focuses in on four cases where Douglas had to interview and evaluate killers. He had some interesting insights and managed to make it fresh instead of a rehash of his other books.

Added bonus: the audio book is read by the actor from Mindhunter and there is an interview with the author at the end.

#wintergames #slaybells #impulse @MidnightBookGirl @StayCurious @Clwojick

MidnightBookGirl I'm going to have to read this!! 11 pts! 4y
fakesteph You'll love it! 4y
12 likes2 comments
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JenReadsAlot
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Pickpick

Another great book by John Douglas. His book Mindhunter played a role in my going into Forensic Psychology.
#nfnov
@Clwojick @rsteve388

rsteve388 6pts 4y
38 likes1 comment
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FlowerFairy
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Pickpick

Happy Saturday reading, y‘all! This one is a definite five star read. Explores nature vs nurture vs choice. #murderino

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kezzlou85
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Pickpick

A fascinating look at four cases from FBI profiler John Douglas. An interesting read 4* #Scareathlon #TeamSlaughter @Clwojick

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LegallyBooked
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Mindhunter withdrawals 🔪🔪🔪

LauraJ This was good! And I also read it in a Mindhunter withdrawal fugue. (edited) 5y
20 likes1 stack add1 comment
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MarriedtoMrT
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This is fascinating! It hits on exactly why I‘m intrigued by true crime and psychology: what is going on in their minds?!

The writing is immersive but I‘m also really digging the narrator.

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cleoh
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I don‘t know if this technically counts as a “spooky” book for the build up to Halloween, but it‘s definitely chilling, so I‘m counting it 🔪💀🗡

Ruthiella Serial killer book scare the crap outta me so I say it counts! 5y
cleoh @Ruthiella I‘ll take it! 5y
59 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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cleoh
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• the Netflix show Mindhunter is based on the authors‘ lives and their work to build the BSU at the FBI!
• The Wanderers by Meg Howrey, The Best of Adam Sharp by Graeme Simsion, The Girl In Times Square by Paulina Simons, and. I found The Lying Game by Ruth Ware at a free book exchange!
• 25 and humid 🥵

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

57 likes1 stack add
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LauraJ
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Pickpick

This features lot of the same material as the book Mindhunter, but the focus is mainly on the killers and less on Douglas and the FBI. I suspect this is targeted at fans of the show who may not have the patience for the less prurient aspects of Mindhunter.

Ruthiella Stupidly my first thought when reading that title was “salt”? 😉 5y
LauraJ @Ruthiella 😹😹😹 5y
44 likes2 comments
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LauraJ
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Listening to this on audiobook - actor Jonathan Groff is the narrator.

Heatherfeather Whaaaaaaaat how did I not know about this 5y
MySharonaK 😮 5y
AmyG Oh wow. He is so great in Mindhunter. 5y
LauraJ @Heatherfeather I didn‘t either...until I started listening. 5y
46 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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Soscha
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Pickpick

Not much to learn here as a layman except there are monsters among us & there‘s very little you can do about it except identify them early & keep them away from the rest of society.

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CoffeeK8
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Some cutie baby 🦌 in our yard while I #audioclean in the kitchen.

Megabooks Awwww!! 5y
TheSpineView Very cute! 5y
readingjedi BAMBIS!!! I get excited when I see a hedgehog in our back garden - these two gorgeous creatures would blow my mind! 5y
54 likes3 comments
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vivastory
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The fascination with "true crime" is actually fascination with what writers and philosophers call the human condition...with crime, we are seeing the human condition writ large and at the extremes...

Scochrane26 I think it might be the same reason people enjoy taking psych classes? It‘s interesting to try to understand some people—esp the antisocial personalities because hopefully they‘re very different from ourselves. 5y
BarbaraBB I am obsessed with true crime podcasts at the moment..! 5y
vivastory @BarbaraBB What are your favorites? 5y
BarbaraBB Crime Junkie, Serial, Wondery/Bloomberg series and some Dutch ones. But you‘ve probably listened to them already since I‘m new to the podcasts! 5y
OnlyYoo On YouTube I like Staphanie Soo‘s stories a lot. She‘s also a mukbanger so if watching someone eat doesn‘t bother you I recommend her! She‘s a great story teller 5y
92 likes4 stack adds5 comments
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Skyler
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Reading about murderers with this sweet old girl on the eve of the first day of school. Happy new school year to all fellow teachers! 🍎

#teachersoflitsy #catsoflitsy

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MirandaLeighBee
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With my ever growing TBR list, I caved and bought more books. In all fairness, I was gifted a gift card for Indigo for my birthday. I was going to wait to use it...like wait until I got a good chunk of the way through my TBR list. What a joke that was! This book went on sale, so I HAD to get it!!

#Indigo #ShoppingIsMyCardio #TheKillerAcrossTheTable #BirthdayPresents

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DebinHawaii
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Traffic was pre-holiday heavy coming home tonight but at least I started & got about 45 minutes of this audiobook in. I read Mindhunter years ago & I am liking this one so far. Challenging to listen to the details of the killings, but fascinating in learning about profiling & the mind of a killer. 😱

78 likes1 stack add
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Jen2
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Pickpick

Pretty good!

heidisreads Ooh! I‘m adding this to my TBR! 5y
laur89 Sounds interesting - I wonder how it compares to 5y
Crazeedi Hmmm... 5y
85 likes9 stack adds3 comments
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RealBooks4ever
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Pickpick

Great book by the original FBI criminal profiler! Four murderers are interviewed in an effort to figure out what made them kill. Fascinating stuff!

Sleepswithbooks I just added it to my TBR list 😁 5y
JanuarieTimewalker13 Stacking!!!👌🏽 5y
21 likes1 stack add4 comments
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HaleyG14
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Pickpick

I enjoyed John Douglas‘ Mindhunter but I think I enjoyed this book even more. This seemed to be able to go deeper into killers psyche‘s since it focused on a few specific cases but also related the case to other known killers and cases. If you have an interest in psychology and what makes people do what they do, I would recommend this read!

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mdemanatee
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Guys my new role and actually having a social life is really cutting into my reading time 😭

9 likes1 stack add
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Vivlio_Gnosi
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Adding this 336 page #Nonfiction #mystery account of the #FBIs original #mindhunter to my #TBR stack.
#GreenvilleSC #SerialKiller #JohnDouglas #MarkOlshaker
Also, yes, that is a Book by Color shelf in the background. #2ndandCharles

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LadyRuthven
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Pickpick

Another great book by John Douglas. This book is perfect to read while waiting for Mindhunter season 2 to come out. Highly recommend.

#truecrime #mindhunter #johndouglas

TheRomantiCate I am so ready for #mindhunter season 2!!! 5y
40 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

Loved this look at serial killers from former FBI profilers. #truecrime in all its terribleness, but also keeps me thinking why and how can these things happen...? If you're interested in learning more about the reasons behind some of the most heinous crimes are committed, this is for you.
Finally had a few spare moments to finished this after a busy weekend at the pool. Photo taken after all the kids finally got out & the cookout ended. 🇺🇸

Chelsea.Poole Happy Memorial Day! 🇺🇸 5y
ErinC Picking up my copy at the library today! 5y
Chelsea.Poole @ErinC oh yay! Hope you enjoy 😊 5y
103 likes6 stack adds3 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
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Look at my tiny baby Concord grapes! 🍇 I'm so into this book and would love to do nothing but read. Family life with my two young boys is always what comes first. If you're a #truecrime reader like me I think you'll enjoy this one. There's a series on #Netflix called Mindhunter based on the book with the same title by these authors.

Clare-Dragonfly I thought I had already stacked this. I love his books. 5y
LauraJ Season 2 is coming in August!!! 5y
90 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
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Dining alfresco with my egg sandwich and a great book...lovin' my life! 🥪 📖 ♥️ #truecrime #readandeat

Drocchio03 Yum! Enjoy! 5y
Buechersuechtling Your meal looks delicious. Have a nice day. 5y
93 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
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My #librarybook haul for this weekend 😊 📚
Just started The Killer Across the Table this morning and already loving it.

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candc320
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My #botm box finally came in!! So excited about my selections this month! And this might be my new favorite tote! Who doesn‘t love a bag with its very own book pocket?!

RaimeyGallant Great pic! 5y
19 likes1 stack add2 comments
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echalpan
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Mehso-so

This book was very interesting, and I recommend if you‘re interested in true crime (I hadn‘t heard of any of the 4 cases analyzed). Note that some of the information was repetitive, and though there is a clear overall structure to this book, the sections felt a little messy. I haven‘t read Mindhunter. I‘d love to hear opinions from those who have read both books!

NatalieR I haven‘t read this one yet, but I have read Mindhunter and some of his books that followed. I am very interested in his line of work and love his books. 5y
17 likes1 stack add1 comment
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sophierayton
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Pickpick

Brilliant and important.
Unfortunately, killers walk among us and I salute the people who strive to understand them in an attempt to make the world a safer place. This book was very well done and I plan to read more from this author.

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Lisas.Library
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Pickpick

John Douglas turns his keen eye on the lives of 4 of the most disturbing killers he has confronted. There is mention of a few other killers.
I‘m never sure how to rate books like this. It is very disturbing at times. However, its informative and intriguing. I‘ve always been curious as to why killers do the horrible unthinkable things they do. I will never get an answer to satisfy me, this book did give me a unique insight into criminal behavior.

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