Can you recommend some fictional serial killers books?

Sure. 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson has elements of a serial killer mystery. Lisbeth Salander, a brilliant hacker, and Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist, team up to solve the mystery of a girl's disappearance that may be linked to a serial killer. It's a great blend of mystery, thriller, and character study.

The first one that comes to mind is Hannibal Lecter. He's so iconic that his character has been adapted into multiple movies. Another notable one is Dexter Morgan from the 'Dexter' series of books. He is a serial killer who only kills other killers, which gives him a unique moral code in the world of fictional serial killers. There's also Mr. Hyde from 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'. He represents the evil alter - ego of Dr. Jekyll, emerging to commit heinous acts.

Definitely 'The Silence of the Lambs'. It has been extremely popular and was also made into a very successful movie. Hannibal Lecter has become an iconic fictional serial killer.

Often, fictional female serial killers are depicted as having a strong sense of self - preservation. In books like 'Dark Places', the female character involved in the killings seems to be acting in a way that protects herself, either from her past or from potential threats. They can also be associated with a sense of powerlessness in their normal lives which they try to overcome through their violent actions. For instance, in 'Misery', Annie Wilkes' actions can be seen as a way to gain control in a world where she felt she had none. Moreover, they may have a distorted view of relationships, as seen in 'We Need to Talk about Kevin' where the mother's relationship with her son is very abnormal and related to his violent tendencies.

A popular one is 'Red Dragon' by Thomas Harris. It gives a detailed look at the mind of Francis Dolarhyde, a serial killer with a complex set of motives. The book shows how his past traumas and his own twisted fantasies drive his actions.

The novel 'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis has a female character, Evelyn, who shows some traits that could be associated with female serial killers in the context of a very dark and twisted story about excessive consumerism and violence. There are also some short stories in horror anthologies that deal with the theme of female serial killers, like those found in some of Ellen Datlow's collections.

One popular book is 'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis. It delves into the mind of a wealthy and deranged serial killer in the yuppie culture of the 1980s. Another is 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris. It features the iconic character Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a cannibalistic serial killer. And 'Red Dragon' by the same author is also great. It shows the early days of the investigation into a serial killer and the role of Hannibal Lecter in it.

There's 'The Stranger Beside Me' by Ann Rule. Rule actually knew Ted Bundy personally before she realized he was a serial killer, and her book provides a very in - depth look into his life and crimes. These books are not only about the gruesome acts but also often explore the psychological aspects of serial killers.

The 'Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris is a classic. It features the infamous Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant and terrifying serial killer. The story follows an FBI trainee as she tries to catch another serial killer with Lecter's help, which makes for a gripping read as it delves into the psychology of these killers.

Another example is Dexter Morgan from 'Dexter'. He has a code and only kills other killers. He's very methodical and hides his true nature well.