Serial Killers
The first question to be asked is what are serial killers? I have heard, through movies, television shows and books, a variety of different descriptions.
I wanted to see whether my characters fit into this mould.
So a serial killer is someone who commits at least three murders but who has a non active phase in between each kill. The non active phase is what differentiates a serial killer from a spree killer.
Working alone is usual and strangers are often the victims. A serial killer tends to kill for the sake of it rather than as a result of an emotion such as anger or passion. There are a number of ways to break down the serial killers type and rather than list them all, when the information is so readily available elsewhere on the web, I thought I would simply determine which categories my main killer fit into. It was an interesting search.
From the information I have read on the subject my main killer appears to be the hedonist variety, getting a thrill out of what she does. She also fits the organized and non social category but is clearly not male and does not victimise a particular gender.
A Notorious Serial Killer
Inspiration
It has been interesting to do the research on these types of characters and that, without knowing he was America’s first serial killer, the idea for the book came from H.H.Holmes.
I have written a previous blog on H.H.Holmes and how it inspired the idea for this book if you want more information.
Disturbing Realisation
It is, however, somewhat disturbing that I wrote this character before I even began to research serial killers. That, without knowing the characteristics before hand and the profiling information, I wrote a specific type of serial killer. It could be the movies I have watched or books I have read that provided the background information I needed. It could even be that I picked it up whilst studying my degrees although they were more about the crime scene itself and investigating the evidence. Whatever the reason I am both pleased and disturbed by my character. Perhaps I will introduce you to her soon.
Sweet Dreams
Kate xxx
Related articles
- H.H.Holmes first American Serial Killer (theparanormaljournal.wordpress.com)
- Dr. H.H. Holmes “Killer” Book Signing at Tinker! (tinkercottagemuseum.wordpress.com)
- Serial Killers: The Real Silence of the Lambs (ifonlypeoplecouldshrink.wordpress.com)
- Top 10… Serial Killer Movies (lifevsfilm.com)
Horror and Fantasy Author – Also writing as K.T. McQueen. Love Western Horror, cowboy boots, my cactus Collin, & my Demon Cat.
Moths – I hate moths, the way they flutter at your face!
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