Review: True Stories that inspire Criminal Minds Episodes
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 24, 2014
Each chapter features one true crime case – 4 serial killer cases, four stalker cases and four domestic homicide cases, with a special case in Chapter 13 that Susan found difficult to categorize.Susan tells their life story, including where they are now. At least these ones you don’t need to worry about any more. If they are not dead, they will never walk the streets again.No one knows how many serial killers are active in the US. Some people think as many as one hundred people are murdered by them each year, but that is not accounting for the ones never found.There are many more stalkers than serial killers and domestic homicide is a horrendous problem with most victims being women and children.In the early years, before special investigation units, computers connecting similar cases in different states and advanced police techniques, who knows how many people could have been saved. We can see the advancement in police procedure has jumped by leaps and bounds.Serial killers often have a signature, something that stamps their name on a killing,. It can be how they kill or the trophies they take.Stalker assassins attack celebrities, presidents and others because they believe they can get away with it. How does a man’s mind work, when he believes, in this day and age, that he can pull a gun on the president and walk away? They are obsessed and believe they are in love. They will become violent when confronted and rejected. California was the first state to pass anti stalking laws in 1990. Looking back, it’s hard to believe we waited so long and why did we? That may be a story in itself.I read these type of books, because man’s cruelty and depravity heaped on others for pure enjoyment is very disturbing and I am fascinated (is that the proper word) by the question, why. What makes them tick?I can never understand how a nurse could kill her patients. The bigger question is how can hospitals and medical management allow it to continue to happen. I think most of us have heard a story or two about a criminal having a long rap sheet and question why nothing was done sooner.I watch TV shows, like Criminal Minds (my personal favorite) and CSI, and see where they get their inspiration. I also watch a lot of the true crime shows, like Forensic Files and Cold Case. I have a morbid fascination with murder.I do believe there is something wrong with these people, but I do not believe an insanity plea should get them off. They know the difference between right and wrong, they just don’t care. Sometimes, I think the justice system is skewed too much in favor of the accused and his rights and the victim is forgotten. After all, they can’t speak for themselves – because they are DEAD.I cannot understand the binge killings, especially the ones committed by younger people. All the school shootings….I don’t even know what to say. It stuns me. Who are these “people”?In some cases, I believe the murders could have been avoided. Some criminals have a rap sheet a mile long and are walking around and breathing air, just like you and me. Is it because we don’t believe anyone is capable of doing something like that or they are as bad as they are. or is the justice system overwhelmed with criminal cases?Susan has done her research. Each story is told from beginning to end, telling us where these killers are today. She satisfied my curiosity about that. I still wonder, and probably will forever, HOW CAN THEY DO THAT AND WHY?I received Dark Deeds, Book II from Susan Fleet, the author, in return for an honest and unbiased review.