One of the more disturbing of my true-crime collection, this fair-condition paperback (different cover than shown) tells the near-unbelievable story of Albert Fish, who appeared to the world like a kindly old man - until his own need to brag about the things he had done got him captured. He committed his crimes in the 1920's - no Twinkie defense for him, nor was he influenced by TV or by violent video games. According to the book, Fish showed the symptoms of practically every psychiatric disorder known, and yet he functioned in society right up until his capture. Very disturbing story, this...

I'm adding this book to chefcrossing's Serial Killers bookbox, which will be on its way to marriedfairy in Arizona soon. Hope someone enjoys it!

Received in the Serial Killer Bookbox.

Mailed out in the Serial Killer Bookbox.

Received in chefcrossing's Serial Killer bookbox - thank you!

Oddly enough, I'd heard of Albert Fish, but I didn't know what he'd done. Disturbing is right; it may be a while before I look at a packet of needles the same way again.

Interesting that Schechter doesn't refer to Heimer's book at all in his acknowledgements: I would imagine that he read the previous books on the subject as part of his research.

Sent out as a wishlist tag via media mail.

Thank you so much for tagging me and also for all the goodies tucked between the pages,
it was like a treasure hunt. :)

My review on Goodreads:

This is the story of Albert Fish - child killer and cannibal.
He was every parent's worst nightmare until he was caught by the cop who wouldn't give up the search.
This book will sicken and sadden you, but, in the end, when he is strapped in "the chair" you will breathe a sigh of relief ... knowing that this monster will never, ever harm another child.

Rest In Peace ...

Billy Gaffney (Age 4)
Francis McDonnell (Age 8)
Grace Budd (Age 10)
And the ones who remain nameless ..........

Tagging along with a couple of other books that are being mailed today.

This one seems to engender strong feelings - I look forward to reading this one.

A true crime / horror book detailing some of the crimes attributed to Albert Fish and the dogged pursuit of justice for his best known victim, Grace Budd. When Robert Block, author of [book:Psycho|156427], based on the life of Ed Gein, states that the continued fascination with the crimes of Gein is only due to the lack of knowledge of the crimes of Fish, it is not an understatement. Fish, a rather shabby, unassuming, grandfatherly looking man, committed unspeakable crimes, likely against 15 children, mostly between 4 - 12 years old. He lived a life of "unparalleled perversity" and the list of sexual perversions this man exhibited were extensive. This is not a story for the squeamish - think: Hannibal. . The pursuit of justice for one of his last victims, Grace Budd, takes 6 years and depends on some of those almost incredible strokes of luck by investigators. Fish was active in the 1920s and 30s and that may account for the lack of general knowledge about this man, described as "a creature propelled through the world by the searing ecstasies of pain."

Reserving for NF VBB