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.
Some might like 'My Sister, the Serial Killer' by Oyinkan Braithwaite. This book offers a unique perspective as it's about a woman dealing with her sister who is a serial killer. It's a darkly humorous take on the subject. 'The Silence of the Lambs' also has elements related to female serial killers, with the character of Buffalo Bill and the strong female lead in Clarice Starling. Additionally, 'The Ice Twins' has a female character with a very mysterious and potentially murderous past that unfolds throughout the story.
The novel 'The Girl on the Train' can also be considered in this category. The female lead's alcohol - induced blackouts and her obsession with a couple she watches from the train lead to a complex web of mystery and death. It shows how a woman can be involved in a series of events that seem like the actions of a serial killer in a sense of being an unreliable narrator with a dark side.
Definitely 'Gone Girl' tops the list in terms of best - selling. It was not only a best - seller but also got adapted into a movie which further increased its popularity. 'The Silence of the Lambs' is also a classic that has sold well over the years. The chilling portrayal of the serial killer elements in the story has kept readers hooked. 'Sharp Objects' has also had a good run in sales, as Gillian Flynn's works often do well, and this one with its exploration of a troubled female character and her secrets appealed to many.
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.
One of the best is 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris. It features the iconic character Hannibal Lecter. The psychological cat - and - mouse game between Clarice Starling and Lecter is gripping.
'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.
One great thriller serial killer book in fiction is 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris. It's a classic that delves deep into the mind of a serial killer through the interactions between FBI trainee Clarice Starling and the brilliant and terrifying Dr. Hannibal Lecter.
Often, they have a complex and often deranged antagonist. For example, in 'The Silence of the Lambs', Hannibal Lecter is highly intelligent and has a very unique, disturbing personality. They also usually have a strong sense of mystery and suspense. The reader is constantly trying to figure out who the killer is or what their motives are.