Mindhunter by John E. Douglas & Mark Olshaker

 

FBI Special Agent and expert in criminal profiling and behavioural science, John Douglas, is a man who has looked evil in the eye and made a vocation of understanding it. Now retired, Douglas can let us inside the FBI elite serial crime unit and into the disturbed minds of some of the most savage serial killers in the world.

The man who was the inspiration for Special Agent Jack Crawford in The Silence of the Lambs and who lent the film's makers his expertise explains how he invented and established the practice of criminal profiling; what it was like to submerge himself mentally in the world of serial killers to the point of 'becoming' both perpetrator and victim; and individual case histories including those of Jeffrey Dahmer, Charles Manson, Ted Bundy and the Atlanta child murders.

With the fierce page-turning power of a bestselling novel, yet terrifyingly true, Mindhunter is a true crime classic.

Just My Thoughts

I haven't read any true crime until now. I loved the show, Mindhunter, and when I discovered it was based on a book I naturally added it to my TBR.  The book, Mindhunter: Inside The FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit was engrossing, disturbing, and eye-opening even for someone who has been intrigued by the psychology behind criminal behaviour and the story of the unit itself.

I enjoy watching and listening to true crime documentaries and podcasts about serial killers, repeat offenders, and the penal system. However I have learnt I do not like them if they are salacious and grotesque for the hell of it. I also enjoy certain crime dramas, however I realised long ago it was for the science and psychology of it, not the crimes themselves. Once again if it gets gratuitous in any way I'm repelled and disgusted to the point I will avoid it. Of course some of this is triggering, which also causes me to avoid, but mostly you can tell a story or remark on someone's psychology without being gratuitous about it. Surely?

I've put off reading true crime for the above reasons. I'm glad I chose Mindhunter to begin with. There's detail there, but only the basics which is enough to better understand the criminal and the art of profiling. The book follows the path of Douglas, which is in itself interesting, and how he came into the career of profiler. Many cases are mentioned and touched on to better explain profiling, as well as the toll and obstacles working in this type of career can take.

I know several readers have ended up comparing the show with the book. I always try not to compare, just think of one as either an extension or an homage, but I was concerned I would end up comparing. I honestly didn't find it an issue. If anything reading the book made me appreciate the show and the skills of the actors. Especially those having to play the interviewees. In the show the interviews are disturbing, but it's moreso in the book.

Mindhunter makes me want to watch season three of the show and reinforces for me my interest in true crime is purely the science and psychology behind it all.

• Author: John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker
• Genre: Contemporary Fiction - Add to Goodreads or StoryGraph
• Find At: Kinokuniya - Dymocks - QBD - Abbey's - Booko