Is it nature or nurture that shapes a serial killer? What drives a person to become a kidnapper or a terrorist? And can such behaviors be predicted — or even stopped before they occur? As advances in science unlock the secrets of our DNA and reveal the inner workings of the human brain, Time-Life Books explores the fascinating findings that are shedding new light on the criminal mind. What role does birth order, divorce, media influence, and other societal pressures play in how criminals are formed? By examining some of the most notorious criminals from history and our modern era — from Al Capone and Charles Manson to Scott Peterson and Dzohkhar Tsarnaev — and their characteristics, the nature of their deeds and the possible formation of their pathologies. Readers will explore the roots of crime, going on the streets to meet the authorities who deal with criminals on a daily basis and have developed unique insights into the criminal mentality. Packed with infographics, sidebars and lists, this book is a compelling yet easy introduction to the new age of crime and punishment — a must-read for anyone who wants to understand how crimes begin and how we can help end them.

Grounded in extensive historical research, this eye-opening survey reveals the long-undervalued role secret societies have played in American history. Americans are fascinated by secret societies and have devoured exaggerated claims for their influence. At the same time, scholarly assessments of covert groups that have shaped American social, cultural, and political history have often undervalued their role or even questioned their existence. This survey challenges both the exaggerators and the deniers. Freemasons? They may not be the hidden rulers of the world, but a significant number of America's founders were Masons. The Know Nothings? Two American presidents joined the movement. The Bohemian Grove? Republican politicians and corporate leaders really did engage in strange behavior under the redwood trees through the 20th century. Revealing fascinating facts about some of the most talked-about covert societies, including the Mafia, the Skull and Bones and the Ku Klux Klan, Secret Societies and Clubs in American History exposes the truth about the subcultures that made their mark on some of the most important events in the nation's history and contributed to the shaping of the country itself.

The second novel based on the hit CBS series. The BAU is called to help Chicago detectives investigate a series of bizarre murders. The killings seem unrelated, until profiler David Rossi makes the connection: the scenes are modeled after three notorious serial killers. Original.

This carefully edited collection of true crime cases has been designed and formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. Content: The Secret of the Moat Farm The Murder on Yarmouth Sands The Great Bank of England Frauds The Trial of the Seddons Herbert Armstrong - Poisoner The Suburban Lothario Excerpt: "There is no more dangerous criminal than a small larcenist who has escaped the consequence of his offences, through, as he believes, his own dexterity and skill. Having this good opinion of himself, he progresses from crime to crime, until there comes a moment when he finds no other escape from the consequences of his meanness and folly than the destruction of a human life which, as he believes, stands between himself and freedom. And so confident is he in his own genius for evasion that he will plan the most diabolical of crimes, perfectly satisfied in his mind that the success which has attended the commission of minor offences will not desert his efforts to evade the penalty of his supreme villainy." Edgar Wallace (1875-1932) was an English writer. As well as journalism, Wallace wrote screen plays, poetry, historical non-fiction, 18 stage plays, 957 short stories and over 170 novels, 12 in 1929 alone. More than 160 films have been made of Wallace's work.

In the third Santero and Rein thriller, Carrie and Jacob must stop a lunatic who calls himself The Master, as he sends out letters to his potential victims. Fifteen years ago, Herbert Presley Tanner abducted teenager Brenda Drake in order to commit a ritual purification of the flesh demanded by his fanatical beliefs. He doused her in gasoline and was about to light a match when detectives Jacob Rein and Bill Waylon intercepted him and brought him to justice. Now Brenda Drake has been reported as a suicide. Arriving at the death scene, detective Carrie Santero finds a letter Brenda had received from someone who signed himself as "The Master." Bill Waylon, Carrie's boss, calls on her help after receiving a letter threatening the lives of his two daughters. Again, the signature is "The Master." Waylon recognizes the demented signature. Herbert Presley Tanner, he explains, was sentenced as a juvenile and committed to a mental health facility where he has been held indefinitely. Now, the state is trying to offload him. He has a hearing coming up. Bill needs Carrie to make sure Tanner isn't released. But when Tanner comes before the court, with the support of his parents and his prison doctor, the judge releases him. A woman who has been close to Rein is murdered, as is a female cousin whom Tanner had tortured as a teen. The threats intensify to include Carrie, Rein, and all who are dear to them. Carrie must delve into the deep secrets of Jacob Rein's past - and into the dark abyss of a psychopath's homicidal impulses - to stop "The Master" from destroying more lives.

A perfect gift for the true crime buff in your life, this book contains more than 300 absorbing stories about true crime. Includes stories both familiar and obscure, some macabre, some amusing, some stranger than fiction. Read about art thefts, jewel heists, bank robberies, con artists, stupid criminals, counterfeits, murders, the mob, and more. Crimes in Hollywood, professional sports, and politics are covered, as are absurd local crimes. Read about art forgers such as John Myatt and Han van Meegeren. Famous outlaws and bank robbers such as Bonnie and Clyde, Ma Barker, John Dillinger, and the Stopwatch Gang. Notorious murder cases such as H.H. Holmes, Jeffrey Dahmer, and the Zodiac Killer. Hardcover, 632 pages.