A True Crime Farewell
Posted by Kristine Huntley on
Sep 18, 2009
Level 26ers,
I have some sad news—this will be my last blog for the True Crime section. I’ve so enjoyed exploring and talking about serial killers with you all in this blog, but the time has come for me to move on. I will still definitely be around on the site—I’m as eager for Book Two of Level 26 as you all are!—and will hopefully now have more time to interact with all of you. Josh Caldwell will be taking over for me here at Level 26 next week, and I hope you all will give him as warm a welcome as you’ve always given me. I know he’s going to bring a great new perspective to this section and the site in general.
For my final True Crime blog, I’d like to turn it mostly over to you and find out what draws you to serial killer stories, either real life ones or fictional ones. I have many friends for whom tales of serial killers are “too gory” or “too scary” or just “not my cup of tea.” Obviously, for those of us here, that’s definitely not the case.
For me, it’s a walk on the dark side, a chance to really see into a person with a really dark soul… without having to be face-to-face with an actual serial killer the way detectives, criminalists, and lawyers often are. Some people are armchair travelers, going to other countries in their minds by reading travelogues or watching documentaries on television. For me, reading novels about serial killers or true crime articles or books about them is a walk through a killer’s mind, a chance to cross that dark terrain and attempt to figure out just what makes these murderers tick.
I’ll turn it over to you now—what brings you here? What fascinates you about serial killers? And what first got you curious about them?
I’ll sign off now… if you’re a CSI fan and want to keep up with my writing, you can check out my reviews at www.csifiles.com. The new season starts next week. Big thanks for reading the True Crime blog and for all of your thoughtful comments!
I have some sad news—this will be my last blog for the True Crime section. I’ve so enjoyed exploring and talking about serial killers with you all in this blog, but the time has come for me to move on. I will still definitely be around on the site—I’m as eager for Book Two of Level 26 as you all are!—and will hopefully now have more time to interact with all of you. Josh Caldwell will be taking over for me here at Level 26 next week, and I hope you all will give him as warm a welcome as you’ve always given me. I know he’s going to bring a great new perspective to this section and the site in general.
For my final True Crime blog, I’d like to turn it mostly over to you and find out what draws you to serial killer stories, either real life ones or fictional ones. I have many friends for whom tales of serial killers are “too gory” or “too scary” or just “not my cup of tea.” Obviously, for those of us here, that’s definitely not the case.
For me, it’s a walk on the dark side, a chance to really see into a person with a really dark soul… without having to be face-to-face with an actual serial killer the way detectives, criminalists, and lawyers often are. Some people are armchair travelers, going to other countries in their minds by reading travelogues or watching documentaries on television. For me, reading novels about serial killers or true crime articles or books about them is a walk through a killer’s mind, a chance to cross that dark terrain and attempt to figure out just what makes these murderers tick.
I’ll turn it over to you now—what brings you here? What fascinates you about serial killers? And what first got you curious about them?
I’ll sign off now… if you’re a CSI fan and want to keep up with my writing, you can check out my reviews at www.csifiles.com. The new season starts next week. Big thanks for reading the True Crime blog and for all of your thoughtful comments!
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- 18 Responses
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- Matt
- Sep 29, 2009
- 11
NOOO! You are like the most awesomest True Crime blogger ever!!! I feel like crying now...Hope we can stay in touch!
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- Night Wanderer
- Sep 30, 2009
- 12
I'm sorry to see you go! I wish I could have been more on top of these blogs but my work computer blocks youtube and I only just got Comcast to fix my video problem at home yesterday. From what I have read, your blogs have been very thought provoking. There is just something about the abyss that calls to us and dares us to step closer. We promise ourselves that we only want to peek in and that scares us and thrills us at the same time. We tell ourselves that it is ok as long as we just look and don't fall in but we always think there is that chance we might stumble and fall head first. Hope to see you around!!
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- Matt
- Sep 30, 2009
- 13
Well said NW.....Well said...
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- Bozo the Clown
- Oct 1, 2009
- 14
It is curious that most comments--including Zuiker's--package their interest in serial killers as an intellectual curiousity or, at most, a walk on the "dark side." Yet what about the issue of the vicarious experience and the lurid thrill of symbolically participating in the unthinkable acts of "people" who wish to impose their sadistic fantasies upon the world? Why read Dark Origins which presents itself as a full immersion experience? If it was to gain insight into the mind of the psychopath, why not opt for more clinically authoritative texts? Perhaps there is a more personal psychic investment in reading Dark Origins than some people care to admit. To what extent is our own complicity?
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- Night Wanderer
- Oct 1, 2009
- 15
Matt- Go check out my first blog. I think you'll appreciate it =)
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- Tara
- Oct 2, 2009
- 16
I think the fact that we never really WILL know why they do what they do is the draw. No matter how much research or how many interviews they give... we'll never know what makes a person a serial killer, and it's the lure of the unknown...
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- 7hippiechick
- Oct 5, 2009
- 17
x
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- Lagean Ellis
- Oct 7, 2009
- 18
I have studied Serial Killers for years. I have a bit of a fascination with them. Each is so different.
It has helped me on cases, as a Criminal Investigator, to be able to get into the minds of criminals. I have yet to work a case involving a serial killer, but think I'd be better prepared. I have been able to put myself in the shoes of criminals, think like them, connect with them........ Freaky but really cool!
I'm an adrenaline junky, too, so getting inside their minds pumps me up.
It has helped me on cases, as a Criminal Investigator, to be able to get into the minds of criminals. I have yet to work a case involving a serial killer, but think I'd be better prepared. I have been able to put myself in the shoes of criminals, think like them, connect with them........ Freaky but really cool!
I'm an adrenaline junky, too, so getting inside their minds pumps me up.
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Manson Disciple Released from Prison
Posted by Kristine Huntley on
Aug 7, 2009
Breaking news on the true crime front… CNN is reporting that Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, a member of the Manson family who was convicted in 1975 of threatening then-President Gerald Ford with a gun, is being released from prison on parole on August 16th. Though Fromme never fired on Ford—and indeed, the chamber was empty—she has maintained an unwavering loyalty to Charles Manson, the cult leader held responsible for the murder of seven people in 1969, including actress Sharon Tate, who was eight and a half months pregnant at the time.
It’s impossible not to wonder what her feelings are for Manson now. In 1987, Fromme made an escape attempt that many believe was made because she learned Manson was ill. In past interviews, she praised Manson and disputed his jail sentence. One has to wonder – has anything changed? Is she still one of Manson’s disciples? How is it possible that Manson could hold such power over someone?
And how do you feel about her release from prison?
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