In Serial Killers at the Movies, investigative criminologist Christopher Berry-Dee presents the real life killers who inspired film characters, either in whole or in part.

Through archival research and extensive interviews with many of the serial killers, Berry-Dee shows that fact truly is stranger, and more evil, than fiction. Whether a film character is based entirely on a given killer or is a composite of several, this background adds a new dimension to watching and appreciating the films.

An important element of this book, which I think is often overlooked when a book examines film based on any aspect of real life, is the author's willingness to point out which films got things wrong. Not always simply facts but presentation and even exploitation. One can certainly argue than any use of real life serial killers to create film characters, even for films claiming to be as factual as possible, is exploitation. That broad argument aside, there is blatant misuse of facts and procedures strictly for monetary gain that goes beyond any questionable appropriation and exploitation. Reading about those instances shed new light on those films.

I recommend this to fans of true crime as well as film lovers who like to know the story behind some of their favorite, or not so favorite, films.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. ( )