Books about serial killers in 1970s fiction

One of the top books is 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris. It features the infamous serial killer Hannibal Lecter. The psychological cat - and - mouse game between FBI trainee Clarice Starling and Lecter is gripping.

One great book is 'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis. It delves deep into the mind of a serial killer in a fictional Wall Street setting. The protagonist's internal monologues are both disturbing and fascinating, showing his warped view of the world, status, and people around him.

One of the best is 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris. It features the iconic character Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant and terrifying serial killer. The book is filled with psychological tension as FBI trainee Clarice Starling tries to get into Lecter's mind to catch another serial killer on the loose.

Yes, there are. 'Derailed' by James Siegel is a good example. It's a fictional account that could be set in the 1970s context. It has a serial killer who is very calculating and manipulative, and the story unfolds in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The serial killers in 2015 fiction tend to be highly intelligent. Take 'The Kind Worth Killing'. The character in this book is intelligent enough to manipulate those around him to achieve his murderous goals. They may also have a hidden motivation that is slowly revealed throughout the story. Sometimes it could be revenge for a past wrong, or a warped sense of justice. And they are often depicted as being able to blend into society, making it difficult for others to suspect them.

In some of these books, the serial killers are often highly intelligent. For example, in 'The Girl in the Ice', the killer is very cunning and leaves few clues. They are also usually very methodical in their killings. They have a pattern or a ritual that they follow, which makes them both terrifying and also a challenge for the detectives to figure out.

I think 'Red Dragon' by Thomas Harris is also a top pick. It's the first book in the series that introduced Hannibal Lecter. It delves into the mind of another serial killer, Francis Dolarhyde, known as 'The Tooth Fairy'. It shows how his twisted mind works and how the FBI tries to catch him with the help of Lecter. And then there's 'Misery' by Stephen King. Although not a traditional serial killer story, Annie Wilkes, the deranged fan in the book, has some of the traits of a serial - like obsessive and violent behavior towards the writer she holds captive.

The settings in these books are usually gloomy and isolated. It could be an old, abandoned asylum or a desolate forest. This helps to enhance the sense of dread and mystery. And the characters, apart from the killers, are often in a state of fear and paranoia as they try to solve the mystery of the killings.

One of the well - known ones is 'I'll Be Gone in the Dark'. It not only tells the story of the hunt for the Golden State Killer but also the determination of the author, Michelle McNamara, in her research. It has brought a lot of attention to real - life serial killer cases through the lens of a very engaging narrative. 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' is also widely recognized for its elements of mystery and the discovery of a serial killer's actions within a complex plot.

'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson also has elements of a serial killer mystery. While it's not solely about a serial killer, the search for a killer in the story is a major plot point. It combines mystery, crime, and complex characters to create a page - turning novel.