Whoever Fights Monsters: My Twenty Years Tracking Serial Killers for the FBI by

In 'Whoever Fights Monsters,' retired FBI profiler Robert K. Ressler shares his harrowing experiences from two decades of tracking and interviewing serial killers. This memoir delves into the psychological and emotional toll of his work, offering a rare glimpse into the minds of some of the most notorious criminals. Ressler's insights and personal stories provide a unique perspective on the criminal justice system and the nature of evil. Beyond the gripping narratives, the book explores the development of criminal profiling and its impact on law enforcement. Ressler's firsthand accounts and analyses make this a compelling read for anyone interested in true crime and the complexities of human behavior.

Reviews

Reddit - Recommended Books · 2025-10-15

terrifying 4.00

The reviewer praised the book for its detailed and chilling accounts of tracking serial killers, recommending it to fans of true crime.

The reviewer highly recommended this book to fans of true crime, particularly those who enjoyed the Netflix series 'Mindhunter'. They appreciated the detailed and chilling accounts of tracking serial killers, noting that the book provided a unique and terrifying journey into the world of criminal profiling. The reviewer also mentioned that the book's insights into the minds of killers were both fascinating and disturbing, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the subject.

Quick quotes

Whoever Fights Monsters: My Twenty Years Tracking Serial Killers for the FBI by Robert K. Ressler and Tom Shachtman.

I wrote pretty detailed accounts of the cases and the profiling techniques used.

The book is a terrifying journey into the world of criminal profiling and the minds of some of the most dangerous psychopaths.

The StoryGraph · 2025-10-15

informative 3.50

The reviewer found the book fascinating for its insights into criminal profiling but noted that the writing could have been better.

The reviewer was captivated by the book's exploration of the development of criminal profiling, particularly since it was written by someone who coined the term 'serial killer'. They found the content fascinating and the insights valuable. However, they noted that the writing style was not the strongest, which slightly detracted from the overall reading experience. Despite this, the book's historical and professional significance made it a worthwhile read.

Quick quotes

Fascinating read about the development of criminal profiling written by the man who coined the term 'serial killer'.

It wasn't the most well written book, but the content is so interesting that it's easy to overlook.

The book provides a unique perspective on the early days of criminal profiling and the challenges faced by those in the field.

Cannonball Read · Bea Pants · 2019-01-14

engaging 4.50

The reviewer found the book even better than expected, highlighting its gripping and chilling nature. They appreciated the unique insights into the mind of a criminal profiler.

The reviewer was pleasantly surprised by how much they enjoyed this book, finding it even better than another book they had loved. They were particularly drawn to the chilling and gripping nature of the stories, which provided a unique glimpse into the mind of a criminal profiler. The reviewer also appreciated the personal touch and the way the author's experiences were woven into the narrative, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

Having loved that, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Whoever Fights Monsters was even better.

The stories are chilling and gripping, and the author's insights into the minds of these killers are both fascinating and terrifying.

Ressler's experiences and the personal touch he brings to the narrative make this book a compelling read.

Appears in Lists

Goodreads' Popular True Crime Books