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.
I also recommend 'Red Dragon' by Thomas Harris. It's the prequel to 'The Silence of the Lambs' and introduces us to the character of Hannibal Lecter in his early days. It's full of suspense and great detective work as they try to catch the serial killer known as the Tooth Fairy.
One great book is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It features a complex female character with some very disturbing and manipulative tendencies that border on serial - killer - like behavior in terms of her psychological warfare against her husband. Another is 'Sharp Objects' also by Flynn, where the main character uncovers the dark secrets of her small town, and there are female characters with some seriously twisted motives. And 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' has Lisbeth Salander, a complex and somewhat vengeful character who has her own brand of justice, which could be related to the idea of a female serial killer in a more abstract way.
'Killing Floor' by Lee Child features a protagonist, Jack Reacher, who gets involved in a case that has elements of serial killing. It's a fast - paced thriller with lots of action and mystery. Reacher uses his sharp mind and combat skills to solve the case.
Well, 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson has elements of a serial killer story. Lisbeth Salander, the main character, is on a hunt to uncover the truth about a long - hidden serial killer case. It's a complex and engaging book with a strong female lead.
Iain Reid's 'I'm Thinking of Ending Things' is an interesting take. It's a psychological thriller that has elements that could be related to a serial killer - like mind. The story is filled with ambiguity and a sense of unease as the narrator contemplates ending things with her boyfriend during a visit to his family's farm. It keeps you guessing until the very end.
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 great one is 'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis. It delves deep into the mind of Patrick Bateman, a wealthy investment banker who is also a serial killer. The book is a disturbing look at the excesses of the 1980s and the dark side of a seemingly perfect life.
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.
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.