Maybe it’s because they crave attention, or they just don’t know what else to talk about other than their horrific pastime.ĭepending on who’s doing the talking, listening to killers describe their crimes can be anything from exciting to sickening to just plain boring. Most serial killers are very chatty after they’ve been arrested. Read this one if you can possibly find a copy.Most of us will never know how it feels to take another human life if there’s some intangible sensation that comes with watching someone breathe their last breath and knowing it’s because of something you’ve done. These lines of enquiry make the book, not just thought-provoking, but prophetic. He comments fearfully on the fact that Ronald Reagan - openly blamed by a Santa Cruz jury foreman as having a role in the killings - was, as the book went to press, planning to move on from California governor to become president of the USA. He asks how likely it is that the old rule of "what California is, the rest of the country soon will be" is going to apply to mass murder. The author does an exceptional job of putting the various crimes into the context of that time and place. He comments fearfully on the fact that Ronald Reagan - openly blamed by a Santa Cruz jury foreman as having a role in the ki An excellent read on the scariest time in Santa Cruz, California's history, when it somehow became the murder capital of the USA. Such as when he describes Kemper murdering his grandmother with a shotgun while she was typing but the inaccuracies are very few.Ī rare hard to find book that is worth reading.moreĪn excellent read on the scariest time in Santa Cruz, California's history, when it somehow became the murder capital of the USA. Ward Damio did an excellent job but does get some facts wrong. The author interviewed friends of Kemper who give some great information and comments about the case and Kemper him self.
Such as his childhood and his confession put on audio tape. Of all the cases the author gives the most detail in Kemper's case but since the book isnt about Kemper a lot of facts about Kemper are ignored. I have read Why: The serial killer in America and The die song and neither of them are even close to Urge to kill's description of 1970's Santa Cruz. As well as it's place in California and America. It's history and it's title of "murder capital of the world" in 1973. Of all the cases the author gives the most This book is not a book about Edmund Kemper or Herbert Mullin.
This book is not a book about Edmund Kemper or Herbert Mullin. This just for anyone wanting to dig more deeply into either or both cases.more The Lie Song is the book on Mullin I was recommended and that, although I only browsed through it so far, appeares to give a good account of the case.
The best, most factual account on Kemper is still Sacrifice Unto Me, which comes at rather hefty a price as it has been out of print for many years. The Lie Song is the book on Mullin I was recommen I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars, really, as the quality of the book went up and down a bit, in my opinion.Ī few inaccuracies, some conjecture here and there, but overall a very interesting glimpse into this part of Santa Cruz history, as well as Edmund Kemper and Herbie Mullin as people and offenders. A few inaccuracies, some conjecture here and there, but overall a very interesting glimpse into this part of Santa Cruz history, as well as Edmund Kemper and Herbie Mullin as people and offenders. I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars, really, as the quality of the book went up and down a bit, in my opinion.