Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit

Written by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker

Narrated by Richard M. Davidson

Now a Netflix original series

Discover the classic, behind-the-scenes chronicle of John E. Douglas’ twenty-five-year career in the FBI Investigative Support Unit, where he used psychological profiling to delve into the minds of the country’s most notorious serial killers and criminals.

In chilling detail, the legendary Mindhunter takes us behind the scenes of some of his most gruesome, fascinating, and challenging cases—and into the darkest recesses of our worst nightmares.

During his twenty-five year career with the Investigative Support Unit, Special Agent John Douglas became a legendary figure in law enforcement, pursuing some of the most notorious and sadistic serial killers of our time: the man who hunted prostitutes for sport in the woods of Alaska, the Atlanta child murderer, and Seattle's Green River killer, the case that nearly cost Douglas his life.

As the model for Jack Crawford in The Silence of the Lambs, Douglas has confronted, interviewed, and studied scores of serial killers and assassins, including Charles Manson, Ted Bundy, and Ed Gein, who dressed himself in his victims' peeled skin. Using his uncanny ability to become both predator and prey, Douglas examines each crime scene, reliving both the killer's and the victim's actions in his mind, creating their profiles, describing their habits, and predicting their next moves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Oct 24, 2017
• ISBN: 9781508244912

John E. Douglas

John Douglas, the legendary FBI criminal profiler and veteran author of true crime books, has spent over twenty-five years researching and culling the stories of America’s most disturbing criminals. A veteran of the United States Air Force, he has directly worked and/or had overall supervision in over 5,000 violent crime cases over the past 48 years. He is currently chairman of the board of the “Cold Case Foundation.” One of the foremost experts and investigators of criminal minds and motivations, he currently lives in the Washington, D.C. area. Mark Olshaker is an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and author of ten nonfiction books and five novels, including Einstein’s Brain and The Edge. His books with former FBI Special Agent and criminal profiling pioneer John Douglas, beginning with Mindhunter and, most recently, Law & Disorder, have sold millions of copies and have been translated into many languages. Mindhunter is now a dramatic series on Netflix, directed by David Fincher. He and his wife Carolyn, an attorney, live in Washington, D.C.

Reviews for Mindhunter

[Thaddeus · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Interesting criminal profiling psychology, but brutal to hear the killing’s sick details. I wish there was an abridged, PG, version that was just as informative, but as Douglas says, in order to understand how to profile accurately, one must get in the heads of the victim and the attacker, a grueling mental process that I don’t recommend to most.

[Lane Ferrell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book! Even with the aging of the cases (example, btk and green river) were unsolved, it was interesting how much the psychology was spot on.

[Mike Jacobs · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book, well written, a must-read if you've seen the series or need to. Keep you interested and intrigued!

[Vanessa Benavidez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An enthralling psychological masterpiece into the criminal mind.

I couldn't stop listening.

[Marlene Suria · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book shows the reality of the workings of the FBI, which gives us an insight of the truth, which is not showed in tv series or films. Highly recommended.

[Dave Lao · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Gave me the creeps. What an amazing job john douglas.

[Jennifer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this book! It was so well written and interesting I can't wait to read more of his books.

[Rita Mansour · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fascinating insight into the minds of criminals. We’ll written and kept my interest. The narrators voice was very pleasant. Recommend highly

[Lau ChSalinas · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was captivated! It starts off crazy, then it gets a bit slow but it manages to flip it over and get excited! Very interesting stories!

[Julia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I adore John Douglas' writing and his mind in general

[Eva Matijevic · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a great book, with a lot of interesting stuff in it. If you are fan of true crime, make sure to check it out

[Lee Litzsey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Awesome book. Definitely recommend this read to all my friends.

[Monica Santacruz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great audio book to learn about profiling and how the FBI started profiling.

[Tyrone Walls · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you're a true crime fan like me, then this is a good one for you!

[Terry Carvalho · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic! Informative, will re-read again. If you enjoy true crime and want to increase your knowledge in the criminal mind, I highly recommend reading this book.

[Kim Gaarsdahl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A chilling account of the work relating to catching killers

[laurence9tremblay · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I adored the story that is very interesting when you love true crime or enjoy shows like criminal minds. I recommend the book. I listened to the book twice. ?

[Derechos Animales Monterrey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was a great and very realistic reading experience, far from the one I have ever imagined.

[Barbara Chanel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Everything needed. Nothing left to imagine . Painfully aware yet beautifully executed.

[John Gentry · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The amount of detail of the crimes and the humanism of those trying to save lives and prevent these crimes is masterfully put together.

[rhon go · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this book! Detailed and very empathetic without being pedantic

[Safal Dhungana · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really good book, some gory descriptions but worth listening to

[Veronica · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book and audiobook for know in detail about american crime.

[Gab McCann · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The narrator was great and the story was so interesting. I don’t know what it is about true crime but I’m obsessed with it right now. I loved being able to walk and listen

[james · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is an interesting and good read. I assume most will read because of the TV show and they won't be disappointed.

[Sharon Richman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Everything you could ask for in a book! Will find his other books

[0x000000 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love It, amazing book. I finished all at once. :)

[Jerilaine Gomez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fascinating book. I was doubting to read this after watching the film serie but I’m so glad that I’ve read it. It’s very different than the serie, it’s more documentary style but I liked it. It described more cases and see how this was dealt with in real life. It was also told in a funny way although dealing with very serious cases. I appreciate the humor, you need to keep yourself happy in this world full of darkness.

[Andres Ladino · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is a MUST for any true crime lover out there. You won’t be disappointed.

[Shayna Burgess · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely adored this book. I’m a big fan of psychology and I wish I had gotten into that topic sooner! This book relays many of the experiences Mr. John Douglas has before and during his time with the FBI. He delves into his profiling and that reveals how genius he is! I can’t wait to read another book of his.