Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit
Written by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker
Narrated by Richard M. Davidson
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
Discover the classic, behind-the-scenes chronicle of John E. Douglas’ twenty-five-year career in the FBI Investigative Support Unit, where he used psychological profiling to delve into the minds of the country’s most notorious serial killers and criminals.
In chilling detail, the legendary Mindhunter takes us behind the scenes of some of his most gruesome, fascinating, and challenging cases—and into the darkest recesses of our worst nightmares.
During his twenty-five year career with the Investigative Support Unit, Special Agent John Douglas became a legendary figure in law enforcement, pursuing some of the most notorious and sadistic serial killers of our time: the man who hunted prostitutes for sport in the woods of Alaska, the Atlanta child murderer, and Seattle's Green River killer, the case that nearly cost Douglas his life.
As the model for Jack Crawford in The Silence of the Lambs, Douglas has confronted, interviewed, and studied scores of serial killers and assassins, including Charles Manson, Ted Bundy, and Ed Gein, who dressed himself in his victims' peeled skin. Using his uncanny ability to become both predator and prey, Douglas examines each crime scene, reliving both the killer's and the victim's actions in his mind, creating their profiles, describing their habits, and predicting their next moves.
Editor's Note
Dark & disturbing…
“Mindhunter” is the true story of FBI agent John Douglas, one of the founders of criminal profiling. His interviews with killers are dark, disturbing, and somehow a little sad. If you’re a fellow fan of the Netflix adaptation, read slowly to fill the void between seasons.
John E. Douglas
John Douglas, the legendary FBI criminal profiler and veteran author of true crime books, has spent over twenty-five years researching and culling the stories of America’s most disturbing criminals. A veteran of the United States Air Force, he has directly worked and/or had overall supervision in over 5,000 violent crime cases over the past 48 years. He is currently chairman of the board of the “Cold Case Foundation.” One of the foremost experts and investigators of criminal minds and motivations, he currently lives in the Washington, D.C. area. Mark Olshaker is an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and author of ten nonfiction books and five novels, including Einstein’s Brain and The Edge. His books with former FBI Special Agent and criminal profiling pioneer John Douglas, beginning with Mindhunter and, most recently, Law & Disorder, have sold millions of copies and have been translated into many languages. Mindhunter is now a dramatic series on Netflix, directed by David Fincher. He and his wife Carolyn, an attorney, live in Washington, D.C.
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Reviews for Mindhunter
1,424 ratings66 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be an enthralling and fascinating exploration of the criminal mind. The book provides chilling accounts of catching killers and offers a deep insight into the minds of criminals. It is well-written and keeps the reader engaged, with a pleasant narrator. The book is highly recommended for true crime fans and those interested in psychology. It is informative, realistic, and offers a unique perspective on the workings of the FBI. Overall, readers adore this book and find it to be a must-read for any true crime lover.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Very interesting and worth a read for true crime buffs, or people interested in the true stories behind the Netflix series, but I can't say that I like Douglas himself.
2 people found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great book! Even with the aging of the cases (example, btk and green river) were unsolved, it was interesting how much the psychology was spot on.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great book, well written, a must-read if you've seen the series or need to. Keep you interested and intrigued!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5An enthralling psychological masterpiece into the criminal mind.
I couldn't stop listening. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The book shows the reality of the workings of the FBI, which gives us an insight of the truth, which is not showed in tv series or films. Highly recommended.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Gave me the creeps. What an amazing job john douglas.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Loved this book! It was so well written and interesting I can't wait to read more of his books.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fascinating insight into the minds of criminals. We’ll written and kept my interest. The narrators voice was very pleasant. Recommend highly
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I was captivated! It starts off crazy, then it gets a bit slow but it manages to flip it over and get excited! Very interesting stories!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I adore John Douglas' writing and his mind in general
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is a great book, with a lot of interesting stuff in it. If you are fan of true crime, make sure to check it out
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Awesome book. Definitely recommend this read to all my friends.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great audio book to learn about profiling and how the FBI started profiling.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5If you're a true crime fan like me, then this is a good one for you!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fantastic! Informative, will re-read again. If you enjoy true crime and want to increase your knowledge in the criminal mind, I highly recommend reading this book.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A chilling account of the work relating to catching killers
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It was a great and very realistic reading experience, far from the one I have ever imagined.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I adored the story that is very interesting when you love true crime or enjoy shows like criminal minds. I recommend the book. I listened to the book twice. ?
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The amount of detail of the crimes and the humanism of those trying to save lives and prevent these crimes is masterfully put together.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Everything needed. Nothing left to imagine . Painfully aware yet beautifully executed.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I love this book! Detailed and very empathetic without being pedantic
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Really good book, some gory descriptions but worth listening to
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Excellent book and audiobook for know in detail about american crime.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The narrator was great and the story was so interesting. I don’t know what it is about true crime but I’m obsessed with it right now. I loved being able to walk and listen
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is an interesting and good read. I assume most will read because of the TV show and they won't be disappointed.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Everything you could ask for in a book! Will find his other books
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Love It, amazing book. I finished all at once. :)
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fascinating book. I was doubting to read this after watching the film serie but I’m so glad that I’ve read it. It’s very different than the serie, it’s more documentary style but I liked it. It described more cases and see how this was dealt with in real life. It was also told in a funny way although dealing with very serious cases. I appreciate the humor, you need to keep yourself happy in this world full of darkness.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book is a MUST for any true crime lover out there. You won’t be disappointed.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I absolutely adored this book. I’m a big fan of psychology and I wish I had gotten into that topic sooner! This book relays many of the experiences Mr. John Douglas has before and during his time with the FBI. He delves into his profiling and that reveals how genius he is! I can’t wait to read another book of his.