For lovers of true crime, a deep insight into the minds of some unknown criminals, with interesting relevant meanderings into more famous killers. Interesting to understand how the science of analysing criminal minds has developed organically and how it can help to catch and potentially prevent some perpetrators.

In ‘The Killer Across the Table’ FBI profiler John E. Douglas's takes an in-depth look at four of his most prolific cases, and the killers behind them through a mixture of background research, media coverage and personal interviews in an attempt to explain the how, what and why of their crimes.

I don’t really know how to describe my feelings about this book, other than to say that it was equally fascinating and harrowing to read. As a crime fiction fan, I was interested to learn about some real-life serial killers, and after being completely gripped by the Netflix series Mindhunter I knew that this would be an interesting read. What I didn’t expect was how difficult I would find it to hear the details of the murders and especially about the impact the crimes had on the victims’ families. The first section of the book which focusses on the murder of seven-year-old Joan Angela D’Alessandro was probably the hardest to get through. However, despite it being a tough story to read, it was written with a lot of sensitivity and also brought attention to her family who have worked tirelessly to raise awareness and make changes to laws protecting children in Joan’s memory.

This was a heavy read and definitely not for the faint hearted but it detailed four fascinating stories and I honestly don't think I will read a better book this year.

I am a huge fan of true crime and was so excited to receive a copy of this book.

I loved mindhunter and the FBI profiler reveals secrets and literally sent shivers down my spine.

I cannot recommend this book enough for true crime lovers!

I requested this on a whim as I'd enjoyed Mindhunter on Netflix and wanted to check whether I enjoyed the style before buying the first book. As it turns out there was no need to read that first as this was very engaging and accessible. I really liked the focus around 4 cases and the linking of other anecdotes within the context of those 4. Overall this is a very readable book, with great flow and clever use of diversions.

One of the best books I have read by John Douglas and Mark Olshaker.. Douglas drills down into the killers psyches and analyses motives with stunning clarity. A must for true crime lovers. Highly recommended.

I couldn't get into this book as the descriptions of the crimes were too jarring and almost salacious. This surprised me as I am not averse to True Crime, and enjoyed the Mindhunter series, but I just couldn't warm to the author's style.
My Amazon review will say for fans of True Crime who don't mind the details of sexual crimes (3 stars).

I've read some of Douglas's books before and this one was similar. Sometimes a little heavy-going, sometimes the author liked to discuss his accomplishments too much, but generally an interesting read.

This is a great book for anyone interested in true crime. It is less about the crimes themselves, although Douglas does talk about them in detail, but it is about the minds of the killers. Why they did what they did. I haven't watched the TV show Mindhunter, but I have read the book, and it's about the same kinds of profiling. I noticed that there was some overlap with Mindhunter (the book), with Douglas talking about old cases, but the four main cases in the book are new subject matter so it's definitely still a great read.

The subject matter is disturbing, obviously. Douglas does talk in detail about the murders and assaults, so it's probably not a book for anyone who finds that kind of thing especially upsetting. But for most people interested in true crime it shouldn't be a problem. And Douglas actually approaches the subject with more respect than some true crime writers. You can tell that he is disgusted by what the killers have done, even when he has to pretend not to be in interviews with them. His goal is to understand them, so that he can stop killers like them. It's a lot less of a spectacle than some true crime. In my opinion this is a good thing.

The book can be a bit rambly at times, but on the whole it's a good book. It is a brilliant insight both into the minds of killers, and into the mechanics of profiling.

Thanks to 4th Estate and William Collins and NetGalley for allowing me to review a copy of this book.

I’m a big true crime fan and have read Mindhunter and watched the Netflix series.

Despite the horrendous crimes, this book is surprisingly readable and gripping. It’s very well researched and interesting.

It focuses on a few cases and explores them in depth, it isn’t confusing and gives it a good structure.

If you’re interested in true crime then this book is a must read!

The writing of the book is very good and Jonathan Groff's narration of the audiobook is fantastic, I could listen to him for hours. The crimes themselves weren't what I was expecting, so I wasn't as gripped as I'd hoped I would be. I also cringed at the mentions of Mindhunter the TV series, maybe it's just me but that really affected my enjoyment of the book. Overall, a pretty decent book.

It’s difficult to review he actual writing itself of books like these because for the most part so long as it’s clear and I follow it then I don’t pay attention to the language used because that’s not why I’m reading this kind of book, right? It was clear and concise and unremarkably good, which I think is what works best with these sort of subjects. That being said, a few times I felt like I was going crazy as if I had heard it all before and then realised I had. The repetition from Mindhunter (the book) often made things a little duller, and the cases chosen here weren’t always as exciting for me as they were in Mindhunter (also the book).

I'm a big fan of the Netflix series Mindhunter but I struggled a little with the book it was based on. However, I much preferred their latest offering The Killer Across The Table. This is split into four sections with each focusing on an offender that Douglas has interviewed since leaving his behavioural science role in the FBI, either acting as consultant to parole boards wishing to determine the future dangerousness of a perpetrator or when filming a true crime documentary.  

As in Mindhunter, and Douglas's career, the continuing and overarching idea is to use criminal profiling to establish how and why serial offenders commit horrific crimes. If law enforcement understand the motivations involved then it may increase the chances of catching and stopping criminals. It turns out that while these killers have characteristics in common there are always cases that throw up unique information and insights.  

Douglas discusses the techniques he uses to encourage killers to open up and share their experiences. He does interleave each section's primary subject with references to many other cases he's worked on which some people may find distracting but I liked the chance to compare scenarios and find patterns of behaviour.

The tiny quibble I had is with Douglas's conviction that most/all of the serial killers he comes into contact with have no chance of rehabilitation because they've never been habilitated in the first place. While this is likely to be true (he's the expert) it did shock and sadden me to think he sees no hope of changing deviant attitudes and behaviours unless caught very early on, and that the only answer is lifelong incarceration.

The Killer Across the Table is a facinating look into the minds of 4 serial killers and how John Douglas looks at them and profiles their psychopathic minds.

I really enjoy reading true crime books and this one was one I didnt want to put down. Its very intersting and well written.

Thanks to Netgalley and William Collins for the ARC. My Review is my own opinion.

This was such an amazing read that I couldn’t put it down. It went everywhere with me. To the doctors office, the dentist, the eye doctor. IT WENT ABSOLUTELY EVERYWHERE. I was so sad when it ended that I immediately went and bought more books from this author!

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If you enjoyed ‘Mindhunter’ you will certainly enjoy this book. Unlike ‘Mindhunter’, however, this book shows how the profiling tools developed in the early years of the Behavioural Science Unit are used to categorise known serial killers. Douglas, despite the subtlety and complexity of his craft, provides the layman reader with a perceptible window into the often rotten soul of the serial killer. As he shows us, however, what makes these men ‘tick’ often vary from killer to killer. Taking four case studies of killers; interspersed with vignettes of other more known serial killers like Gacy, Bundy et al., Douglas walks us, stage-by-stage through the profiling process. This was particularly illuminating in that it exploded some of my own preconceptions about serial killers. For example, all killings of children with a sexual element are paedophilic and all serial killers target strangers to avoid detection.

If you want to understand more about the workings of these inhuman humans then this is the book for you.

Thanks to William Collins and NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.

I mean of course this book is going to be interesting, it's about true crime...but something about it just jarred with me. I didn't feel like I was reading anything I hadn't read before and something about the author just really rubbed me the wrong way. He just seemed really...smug. I have since learned that he is the inspiration for Holden on Netflix's Mindhunter... no wonder Tench is always so annoyed with him.

I can't say there is anything wrong with this book because there really isn't, I just couldn't reconcile myself with the writer.

John Douglas is an engaging writer, and this book about what makes particular serial killers tick was interesting, and gave some interesting insights into the motivations of the killers, and the things in their past that put them on their path. However, I did feel like Douglas wasn't really offering new insights with this book, even though the cases were new, none of the profiles were of really complex people, like his earlier books. Yet, if you're a true crime completist, and holding out hope that you can will yourself into the FBI (a job I wanted SO badly as a thirteen year old X Files fan), it's definitely worth reading.

I loved this just as much as Mindhunter - it's so fascinating what they did and who they talked to, and it is such an immersive book.

I enjoyed the tv series Mindhunter as well as the book so jumped at the chance to read Douglas next work.
Following Douglas’ interviews with a number of different, equally horrific criminals, it was fascinating. It was factual, interesting and educational. Although it was a slow read and took me a couple of weeks to finish I was glad I stuck with it.
This book is a brilliant study into the minds of horrific killers, told in an intelligent and compelling manner.
Even better than Mind Hunter

A sequel of sorts to Mindhunter, The Killer Across the Table follows John E Douglas across the United States as he focuses his attention on four different cases and the interviews he conducted to comprehend the offenders behind them. Along the way, he digs deeper into his own past interviews, building expectations and explaining to the reader the background to his theories and thoughts. The book is without question very interesting, but the tone of the language felt a little arrogant to me and I felt that the authors were convinced of their own rightness and therefore perhaps more liable to fall foul of confirmation bias. That said, the detail is good, the conversations interesting and the concept of criminal behavioural analysis very interesting.