Common characteristics in serial murder stories include the presence of a complex and often disturbed killer. These killers may have a history of abuse or trauma in their own past. There's also the element of mystery that surrounds the identity of the killer for a significant part of the story. Plus, the police investigations in these stories usually involve a lot of forensic evidence and profiling to catch the culprit.
Well, in serial murder stories, the killers usually leave some sort of signature. It could be a specific way of arranging the victim's body or leaving an object at the crime scene. And often, there is a cooling - off period between the murders. This is the time when the killer seems to go back to normal life for a while before striking again.
It should also have a strong protagonist. In many such books, the detective or the person trying to solve the murders is a well - developed character. They have their own flaws and strengths, like Clarice Starling in 'The Silence of the Lambs'. Her determination and her own backstory make her a great character to follow in the story.
A lot of them have had troubled childhoods. Aileen Wuornos, for instance, had a very difficult upbringing which likely contributed to her criminal actions. Another characteristic can be a fascination with death or violence from an early age, like some killers who started with torturing small animals.
Serial sex stories often involve themes like complex relationships, power dynamics, and exploration of sexual identities. However, it's important to note that such content should be approached with appropriate boundaries and respect for others.
The top 10 murder mystery stories often have complex plots. For example, they might involve multiple suspects, each with their own motives and alibis. They also usually have a detective or an investigator figure, like Sherlock Holmes, who uses logic and observation to piece together the mystery. Another characteristic is the element of suspense. The stories keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering who the killer is. For instance, in 'And Then There Were None', the constant threat of another death creates a great deal of suspense.
Well - developed characters are important. In a good murder short story, the murderer, the victim, and the detective (if there is one) all have distinct personalities. Take Dashiell Hammett's stories. His characters are often morally ambiguous, which adds depth to the story and makes the murder and its investigation more interesting.
One characteristic is the unexpected alibis. Like in the story where the gardener said he was watering the plants at night but it rained that day so there was no need. Another is the comical characters. For example, a bumbling detective who always gets the wrong clues at first but in a funny way. Also, the situations can be humorous. Such as when the suspects all start blaming each other in a really over - the - top and comical manner.
Often, they have a history of childhood trauma. For example, many were abused physically or emotionally as children. This can lead to psychological problems later in life.
Often, they have a history of abuse, either physical or psychological. For example, some killers were abused as children, which can lead to deep - seated anger and a distorted view of the world. They may also have problems with impulse control.
The reason serial murder is such a compelling news story is that it combines elements of mystery, horror, and the need for justice. It intrigues the public and prompts discussions on various aspects like the psychology of the killers and the effectiveness of law enforcement.
The murderers in psychological crime novels usually didn't have a clear character description because these novels usually used hidden narrative techniques to let the readers infer and think for themselves. The reader could deduce and guess the identity of the murderer according to the plot and character of the novel. In some novels, the murderer may use deception, concealment, disguise, and other means to avoid being exposed. Therefore, determining the identity of the murderer requires the reader to have a certain degree of imagination and logical thinking ability.