Despite some popular notions that serial murder is a uniquely American phenomenon, the truth is that it is a truly global occurrence. Here, Gibson demonstrates that serial murder is an historic reality and global experience. There has been serial murder since ancient times all around the world, and the contemporary situation has not changed. Various case studies illustrate the international reality of serial murder. These cases illuminate the diversity in types of motive, gender, and nationalities involved. The crimes were frequently fascinating, and the killers themselves provide a macabre statement on the nature of human predators. Ultimately, readers will understand more about this worldwide phenomenon, which is decidedly not limited to American suspects and victims, but rather transcends place and time.

Readers will learn about Pedro Lopez, ”The Monster of the Andes,” who murdered 100 little girls in each of three countries; Peru, Ecuador and Columbia. Then he would rape his little victims and have tea parties with them.

.Lucian Staniak murdered, raped and mutilated women he met on Polish trains, and sent letters to Polish newspapers about the crimes.

Javed Iqbal was a spoiled young pedophile in Pakistan who lured homeless street children to his home. He drugged and strangled them before raping them, then dismembered the bodies prior to partly dissolving them in a vat of acid. He died of suicide in prison, according to Pakistani police, but he was severely beaten prior to the bogus suicide.

Yoshio Kodaira murdered young women in postwar Japan, luring them to secluded places with the promise of jobs or black market goods. He was one of two serial killers using identical MOs at the same time.

The Butcher of Mons committed serial murders in Montenegro, Belgium and the United States. He used a wood-chopping machine to cut the bodies into equal-sized pieces which were carefully wrapped in parcels, placed into garbage bags and left in public places to be found.

The Monster of Florence was never apprehended. His victimology was quite limited. He murdered couples parked in cars in Lovers Lanes around Florence, Italy. The killer sent parts taken from his female victims to law enforcement agencies.

Catherine and David Birnie comprised an Australian husband and wife serial killer team. They raped, tortured, murdered and mutilated their victims.

Peter Sutcliffe was a British truck driver who changed his victimology selection during his murders. He began by only killing prostitutes, but later murdered any woman who crossed his path. He was questioned by British police early in the series of murders, but was released.