Depraved: The Shocking True Story of America's First Serial Killer
Jun 2008 · Simon and Schuster
4.5star
17 reviewsreport
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497
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About this ebook
“A meticulously researched, brilliantly detailed, and above all riveting account of Dr. H. H. Holmes, a nineteenth-century serial killer.” —Caleb Carr, New York Times–bestselling author
The heinous bloodlust of Dr. H. H. Holmes is notorious—but only Harold Schechter’s Depraved tells the complete story of the killer whose evil acts of torture and murder flourished within miles of the Chicago World’s Fair. “Destined to be a true crime classic” (Flint Journal, MI), this authoritative account chronicles the methods and madness of a monster who slipped easily into a bright, affluent Midwestern suburb, where no one suspected the dapper, charming Holmes—who alternately posed as doctor, druggist, and inventor to snare his prey—was the architect of a labyrinthine “Castle of Horrors.” Holmes admitted to twenty-seven murders by the time his madhouse of trapdoors, asphyxiation devices, body chutes, and acid vats was exposed. The seminal profile of a homegrown madman in the era of Jack the Ripper, Depraved is also a mesmerizing tale of true detection long before the age of technological wizardry.
“Depraved demonstrates that sadistic psychopaths are not a modern-day phenomenon . . . Gruesome, awesome, compelling reporting.” —Ann Rule, #1 New York Times–bestselling author
“I unhesitatingly recommend [Depraved] . . . to round out your understanding of the true depth, meaning, and perversity of [this] uniquely American brand of mayhem.” —The Boston Book Review
“An acerbic period sketch and a readable tale of pure Gothic horror straight from the heartland of America.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Schechter has done a masterful job of reconstructing Holmes’s killing spree and detailing the detective work that led to his apprehension.” —Publishers Weekly
The heinous bloodlust of Dr. H. H. Holmes is notorious—but only Harold Schechter’s Depraved tells the complete story of the killer whose evil acts of torture and murder flourished within miles of the Chicago World’s Fair. “Destined to be a true crime classic” (Flint Journal, MI), this authoritative account chronicles the methods and madness of a monster who slipped easily into a bright, affluent Midwestern suburb, where no one suspected the dapper, charming Holmes—who alternately posed as doctor, druggist, and inventor to snare his prey—was the architect of a labyrinthine “Castle of Horrors.” Holmes admitted to twenty-seven murders by the time his madhouse of trapdoors, asphyxiation devices, body chutes, and acid vats was exposed. The seminal profile of a homegrown madman in the era of Jack the Ripper, Depraved is also a mesmerizing tale of true detection long before the age of technological wizardry.
“Depraved demonstrates that sadistic psychopaths are not a modern-day phenomenon . . . Gruesome, awesome, compelling reporting.” —Ann Rule, #1 New York Times–bestselling author
“I unhesitatingly recommend [Depraved] . . . to round out your understanding of the true depth, meaning, and perversity of [this] uniquely American brand of mayhem.” —The Boston Book Review
“An acerbic period sketch and a readable tale of pure Gothic horror straight from the heartland of America.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Schechter has done a masterful job of reconstructing Holmes’s killing spree and detailing the detective work that led to his apprehension.” —Publishers Weekly
Ratings and reviews
4.5
17 reviews
Ric Jones
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October 10, 2019
Sometimes the writing leaves a lot to be desired but you can't fault the mans dedication to the research of the material. A very well covered account of the man and his deeds.
1 person found this review helpful
sabrina Morrison
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June 18, 2017
I have read this book when it first came out. It is freaking awesome!! I love these books, I have 3 or 4 of his books. True Crime is where it is..
1 person found this review helpful
Gerald Gowens
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December 29, 2013
This book is great! Its definitely a journey into the bizarre. Definitely worth buying and reading! Highly recommend!
1 person found this review helpful
About the author
Harold Schechter is a professor of American literature and culture. Renowned for his true-crime writing, he is the author of the nonfiction books Fatal, Fiend, Bestial, Deviant, Deranged, Depraved, and, with David Everitt, The A to Z Encyclopedia of Serial Killers. He is also the author of Nevermore and The Hum Bug, the acclaimed historical novels featuring Edgar Allan Poe. He lives in New York State.
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