Murder Most Rare: The Female Serial Killer

By Michael D. Kelleher and C. Kelleher

Book Overview

While the short, lethal careers of serial killers such as Jeffrey Dahmer and Andrew Cunanan terrorize the public and provide morbid inspiration for the entertainment industry, few people realize that it is the female serial killer, seldom heard of, who deserves most to be feared. Murder Most Rare provides startling information about the female serial murderer, who is shown to be far more deadly and determined, difficult to apprehend, and complexly motivated than her male counterpart. While serial murder by women is relatively rare, a surprising number of female serial killers are identified by the authors, nearly 100 in this century, with half of them having committed their crimes in America. By examining these women's backgrounds, motives and methods of killing, the book sheds new light on dozens of overlooked cases of murder and uncovers callous crimes and passions gone awry.

After a thought-provoking exploration of the cultural biases that have caused us historically to dismiss and ignore the criminal potential of women, Murder Most Rare divides female serial murders for the first time into seven categories: Black Widow, Angel of Death, Sexual Predator, Revenge, Profit or Crime, Team Killer and Question of Sanity. These seven types vary widely in motivation, choice of victims, weapons and methods. The authors reveal patterns that occur within the types, but stress that the complicated nature of these women's crimes makes personality profiling almost impossible--a fact that causes the jobs of homicide investigators to be difficult, indeed, sometimes impossible. This is a uniquely personal look into a dark, shocking world.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 027596003X
• ISBN13: 9780275960032
• Release Date: February 1998
• Publisher: Praeger
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 1.24 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.5" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Another great read . . .

I discovered this book after reading the author's latest, "This is the Zodiac Speaking," which I loved. This book is just as strong and interesting.If you like to read something genuinely new, this is it. I doubt that many Americans are even aware of the number of female serial killers among us. I certainly wasn't. This book covers it all -- the women, their motives, and their crimes. Also, like the author's other book, this one goes outside the box and takes up new possibilities when looking at female serial killers. The typology that is used (something new) is fascinating and seems much more comprehensive than what is usually thrown around in profiling circles. Moreover, it just makes good sense.Don't pass it up.

Good book, breaks the rules

This is a well written, fascinating book. It re-writes some of the traditional rules of how to define serial murder. Obviously, this has upset some folks. However, the logic of the book is not flawed. Perhaps its time to look at serial murder in a different, more comprehensive way rather than accepting the definitions of individuals/organizations who would minimize this type of crime.

A one-of-a-kind read

As a criminologist, I give this book excellent marks as an objective and informative look into a secret and violent world. The authors have stayed the course on keeping to the facts and have done an outstanding job of profiling an aspect of violent crime that has been long overlooked. A great read!

One-of-a-kind read

This is an outstanding book! Explores a world of serial killers that has obviously been overlooked for far too long. Frightening and entertaining at the same time. Highly recommended.

Rare and compelling . . .

This is an excellent piece of work. The authors have obviously been hard at work seeking out the most elusive murderers, female serial killers. Great periodic reading, or take it straight through and be amazed at these crimes!