Who are the best serial killers in fiction?

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.

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.

In the 'Saw' series, Jigsaw is a unique serial killer. He doesn't kill his victims directly in most cases. Instead, he creates elaborate and sadistic traps that force his victims to face their own 'sins' and make difficult choices. His actions are often justified in his own twisted mind as a form of moral correction, which adds a different dimension to the typical serial killer trope in fiction.

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.

There's also Bellatrix Lestrange from the 'Harry Potter' series. She is a Death Eater and is responsible for multiple murders. Her loyalty to Voldemort and her pure - blood supremacist beliefs drive her to kill without remorse. Her character shows how ideology can play a role in the actions of fictional female serial killers.

Well, 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn is extremely popular. It has a female character, Amy, who exhibits some very devious and almost serial - killer - esque behavior in the way she manipulates those around her. It was a huge best - seller due to its gripping plot and complex characters.

In the TV show 'Hannibal', there are female characters with serial - killer - like tendencies. Alana Bloom, for example, has moments where she straddles the line between good and evil. Her character development shows the gray areas that can exist in the minds of fictional female characters with violent tendencies. It also shows how their actions can be influenced by the complex relationships they have with other characters, like her relationship with Hannibal Lecter.

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 well - known book in this category could be 'The Silence of the Lambs' which features the infamous serial killer Hannibal Lecter. Although it was published in the 1980s, it has a lot of elements that are similar to what might be found in 1970s serial killer fiction. The complex relationship between the detective and the killer is a common theme in such works.

Fictional serial killers also tend to be solitary figures. They operate alone, away from the prying eyes of society. This solitude allows them to carry out their heinous acts without being easily detected. Additionally, a lot of them have some sort of signature or pattern to their killings. This could be a specific type of victim they target, or a unique way they leave their mark at the crime scene. For instance, Jack the Ripper in fiction (based on the real - life case) has a distinct pattern of killing prostitutes in a particularly brutal way. It becomes part of their identity in the fictional world and makes them more memorable and menacing.