You're not really evil until you've killed more than once? - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T04:41:21Zhttps://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:149509?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A149757&feed=yes&xn_auth=noWhat a good point Dan.
it's n…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-07-10:537324:Comment:1506812008-07-10T06:17:04.027Zcarole gillhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PhyllisDietrichson
What a good point Dan.<br />
it's not the amount, it's the nature of the crime--who was killed and why.<br />
I agree with that.<br />
Just watched a documentary about Loeb and Leopold.<br />
they "only" murdered one child, yet they were two of the most evil murderers I ever heard of.<br />
<br />
excellent points you made!
What a good point Dan.<br />
it's not the amount, it's the nature of the crime--who was killed and why.<br />
I agree with that.<br />
Just watched a documentary about Loeb and Leopold.<br />
they "only" murdered one child, yet they were two of the most evil murderers I ever heard of.<br />
<br />
excellent points you made! I have to totally agree with…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-07-05:537324:Comment:1498662008-07-05T10:14:55.082Zcarole gillhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PhyllisDietrichson
I have to totally agree with Theater of Blood and the first Phibes!<br />
What a funny old romp that was for Price and Riggs! (Theater of Blood)<br />
I'd have substituted the critics for some choice directors--but never mind!<br />
it was brilliant!<br />
Fabulously, enjoyable films both of them.<br />
I see your point about the serial killers. I suppose it's entirely how it's written.
I have to totally agree with Theater of Blood and the first Phibes!<br />
What a funny old romp that was for Price and Riggs! (Theater of Blood)<br />
I'd have substituted the critics for some choice directors--but never mind!<br />
it was brilliant!<br />
Fabulously, enjoyable films both of them.<br />
I see your point about the serial killers. I suppose it's entirely how it's written. I don't mind body count, but…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-07-04:537324:Comment:1498042008-07-04T20:50:34.869ZClair Dicksonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/ClairDickson
I don't mind body count, but I want a reason for it. And more often than not, when the reason is "serial killer" it seems like a cop out.<br />
<br />
And, at least in your standard serial killer movie (thank fully I don't watch too many of them) we know who's going to die. And when. The person who wonders off alone, yeah, they die.<br />
<br />
The person with the least character development dies, too. The cute girl rarely dies.<br />
<br />
And there will be extra bodies in the last third of the book. To me, there's no surpise…
I don't mind body count, but I want a reason for it. And more often than not, when the reason is "serial killer" it seems like a cop out.<br />
<br />
And, at least in your standard serial killer movie (thank fully I don't watch too many of them) we know who's going to die. And when. The person who wonders off alone, yeah, they die.<br />
<br />
The person with the least character development dies, too. The cute girl rarely dies.<br />
<br />
And there will be extra bodies in the last third of the book. To me, there's no surpise as to when or where. It's always obvious.<br />
<br />
I suppose there might need to be a distinction made between serial killers who kill 'just because' and those guilty of committing multiple murders. I prefer the latter, because there's usually some semblance of humanity, of thought process, of something besides pure "EVIL". The one who kills a couple people to keep the death of his mistress a secret is more human, he has movtives, fears, and even compassion. I think it's much more frightening when Average Jo(e) kills someone.<br />
<br />
What do people always say about the kid next door? Quiet kid. Never knew he was capable of killing those six people the other night. Nice kid. Never saw it coming. THAT to me is far more frightening than serial killers (espeicially the serial killers who are EVIL. And in movies, just look for the ones with the creepy looking faces! =) i agree with eric. the appeal…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-07-04:537324:Comment:1497992008-07-04T20:03:07.887ZAnne Frasierhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/annefrasier
i agree with eric. the appeal of a serial killer novel is the serial. that's what it's all about. another murder (or two or three) will take place. we don't know when and we don't know where, but boo!
i agree with eric. the appeal of a serial killer novel is the serial. that's what it's all about. another murder (or two or three) will take place. we don't know when and we don't know where, but boo! Oh dear!
Oh well, strong stom…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-07-04:537324:Comment:1497732008-07-04T17:53:16.683Zcarole gillhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PhyllisDietrichson
Oh dear!<br />
Oh well, strong stomach?! Hmm, I'll have to see about that--coming from her, it's got to be good.
Oh dear!<br />
Oh well, strong stomach?! Hmm, I'll have to see about that--coming from her, it's got to be good. I wonder how many it takes to…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-07-04:537324:Comment:1497702008-07-04T17:47:35.929ZD. C. Hawkinshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/CurtDaniels
I wonder how many it takes to be serial? Even Agatha and AC Doyle had murderers who killed (or tried to) more than once. I suppose the difference is motive. It's not serial if later killings are to get away with the earlier ones?
I wonder how many it takes to be serial? Even Agatha and AC Doyle had murderers who killed (or tried to) more than once. I suppose the difference is motive. It's not serial if later killings are to get away with the earlier ones? :) Some of us don't read Patt…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-07-04:537324:Comment:1497682008-07-04T17:43:06.190ZI. J. Parkerhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
:) Some of us don't read Patterson. :)<br />
<br />
Seriously, though, I've said it before: the only quality serial killer novel I've seen is McDermid's THE MERMAIDS SINGING. But you will need a strong stomach.
:) Some of us don't read Patterson. :)<br />
<br />
Seriously, though, I've said it before: the only quality serial killer novel I've seen is McDermid's THE MERMAIDS SINGING. But you will need a strong stomach. Perhaps I didn't express myse…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-07-04:537324:Comment:1497572008-07-04T15:45:51.408ZEric Stonehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/estone888
Perhaps I didn't express myself clearly. I'm very fond of villains in which I can see hints of myself. I love writing villains who are in some way sympathetic characters or at least have sides to them that are unexpectedly humane or likeable. I just think villains in serial killer books are different, and I approach those sorts of books differently and sometimes like them for reasons having to do with the utter alienness of the villain. I don't read any science fiction and almost no horror, but…
Perhaps I didn't express myself clearly. I'm very fond of villains in which I can see hints of myself. I love writing villains who are in some way sympathetic characters or at least have sides to them that are unexpectedly humane or likeable. I just think villains in serial killer books are different, and I approach those sorts of books differently and sometimes like them for reasons having to do with the utter alienness of the villain. I don't read any science fiction and almost no horror, but I suppose the way I read serial killer books (which, frankly, I don't read that many of either) is not unlike how I would read those genres. Here's a "funny" story for yo…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-07-04:537324:Comment:1497542008-07-04T14:24:47.790Zcarole gillhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PhyllisDietrichson
Here's a "funny" story for you.<br />
I go on the imdb site a lot and someone wrote that when they went to see Hannibal Rising the audience was laughing.<br />
Now, I realize that sometimes people laugh from nerves or discomfort--but that didn't seem to be the key issure here.<br />
They just sounded weird!<br />
Sometimes I find the world a very disconcerting place actually.<br />
I guess we have to just self-censor and watch our kids and grandkids.<br />
the thing that troubles me the most is--the desensitation that you rightly…
Here's a "funny" story for you.<br />
I go on the imdb site a lot and someone wrote that when they went to see Hannibal Rising the audience was laughing.<br />
Now, I realize that sometimes people laugh from nerves or discomfort--but that didn't seem to be the key issure here.<br />
They just sounded weird!<br />
Sometimes I find the world a very disconcerting place actually.<br />
I guess we have to just self-censor and watch our kids and grandkids.<br />
the thing that troubles me the most is--the desensitation that you rightly mention has a direct link, as I see it, with youth crimes and the terrible apathy we see and hear about with regard to young offenders (all over the world), i mean I've seen the U.K. do almost a total turn-around to how it was when I first came, and as I read the news from America, I see it happens all over.<br />
That to me is the most troubling.<br />
but do you feel that the books and films that show mindless violence are influencing society or do you think that society is influencing the films and books?<br />
I don't even know what I think, but I'm going to give it some thought. So right, Persia!
I like your…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-07-04:537324:Comment:1497472008-07-04T14:17:49.356Zcarole gillhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PhyllisDietrichson
So right, Persia!<br />
I like your point about the sword of Damocles. very good.<br />
As in the James Patterson books and film,--"Kiss the Girls," for instance--<br />
wherein Alex Cross's niece is taken by the killer and is held, boy does that focus his powers of concentration. how true.<br />
Writers should I think give more reason to their plots. Even terribly exciting, fast-moving plots can only benefit from some richness of characterization and a sword or two hanging over certain heads!<br />
Just thought of another…
So right, Persia!<br />
I like your point about the sword of Damocles. very good.<br />
As in the James Patterson books and film,--"Kiss the Girls," for instance--<br />
wherein Alex Cross's niece is taken by the killer and is held, boy does that focus his powers of concentration. how true.<br />
Writers should I think give more reason to their plots. Even terribly exciting, fast-moving plots can only benefit from some richness of characterization and a sword or two hanging over certain heads!<br />
Just thought of another example. In Cape Fear--how much more interesting it is to know what kind of lunatic Max Cady is/what he's done and what he's capable of doing and we so FEAR he's capable of doing.<br />
Yes, threats (as you mentioned) only enrich the story and make it something truly worthwhile and unforgettable.