What are some good fictional serial killer books?

One of the best is 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris. It features the infamous Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant and terrifying serial killer. His psychological games with Clarice Starling are captivating. Another great one is 'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis, which delves into the mind of a wealthy and deranged killer in the 1980s. And 'Red Dragon' also by Thomas Harris is excellent, introducing the character of Francis Dolarhyde, a serial killer with a complex and disturbing backstory.

The Butcher of Blight Street. It gives an immediate sense of a violent and menacing character. It's a name that can make readers shudder and be intrigued at the same time.

One great book is 'Sharp Objects' by Gillian Flynn. It features a complex female character with some disturbing tendencies. Another is 'American Psycho' which also has a female character with rather dark and violent aspects in its story. And 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' has a female character, Lisbeth Salander, who has a very dark past and is capable of extreme actions in certain situations.

The 'Dexter' series of books is also great. It follows Dexter Morgan, a forensic blood spatter analyst who has a dark secret - he's a serial killer. The books are full of suspense as he tries to balance his 'hobby' with his normal life and not get caught.

For mystery lovers, 'American Psycho' is a must - read. The mystery lies in trying to fully understand the mind of Patrick Bateman, the serial killer. His actions are so extreme and his dual life is so well - hidden that it's like peeling back layers of an onion to figure out what's really going on. Also, 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' has a great mystery surrounding the serial killer on an island. Lisbeth Salander's investigation into the case is full of surprises.

'I'll Be Gone in the Dark' by Michelle McNamara is a good choice. It's a non - fictional account that reads like a fictional thriller. It focuses on the hunt for the Golden State Killer. It's well - written and easy to follow for those new to this genre.

I would say 'The Bone Collector' is a great fictional serial killer book. The way the detective, despite his physical limitations, tries to solve the case is really inspiring. And 'Darkly Dreaming Dexter' is unique as it makes you root for a serial killer in a strange way. He has his own code of ethics which makes the story very interesting.

Good ones often have a complex and terrifying antagonist. For example, in 'The Silence of the Lambs', Hannibal Lecter is highly intelligent and his actions are unpredictable. They also usually have a strong detective or investigator figure. In 'Red Dragon', Will Graham is a key character trying to catch the killer. Another characteristic is a tense and suspenseful plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Well, a good one often has a complex and terrifying serial killer character. For example, like Hannibal Lecter in 'The Silence of the Lambs'. His intelligence and charm make him all the more menacing.

Another good one is 'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis. It gives a disturbing look into the mind of a wealthy and seemingly perfect man who is actually a serial killer. The detailed descriptions of his actions and thoughts make it a very intense read.