I Am a Killer: What Makes a Murderer; Their Shocking Stories in Their Own Words

Based on a Netflix series, this book examines the lives of convicted killers and their victims’ family and friends. Transistor Films CEO Tipping and executive producer Parker (host of the podcast Letters from a Killer) interviewed 10 killers, who were either on death row or in prison without the possibility of parole. The killings are described somewhat matter-of-factly and are not excessively graphic but not for the faint of heart either. Some readers may find these accounts distressing, especially descriptions of child abuse. Other readers may find the interviews compelling. Motives for the murders are as individual as the victims and perpetrators themselves. The book indicates that some of the murderers were victims of horrendous abuse too, which may evoke compassion from some readers. Others appear to be manipulative narcissists who feel compassion only for themselves. Frequently, drugs and alcohol were involved. Readers are left to make their own judgments about each case. The authors also interviewed those affected by their crimes and researched trial transcripts, crime scene pictures, police reports, and other documents.