Law and Disorder: : Inside the Dark Heart of Murder with the FBI's Legendary Mindhunter

Legendary FBI criminal profiler John Douglas, inspiration for the hit Netflix show Mindhunter, and the model for Agent Jack Crawford in The Silence of the Lambs, looks back on some of his most controversial cases—from JonBenet Ramsey to the West Memphis Three—and provides a personal look into the workings of the criminal justice system, and the criminal mind. No one is more familiar with humanity’s most notorious crimes, or those who commit them, than legendary FBI profiler John Douglas. Over the course of his celebrated career, Douglas has pursued, studied, and interviewed scores of violent predators, including Charles Manson, James Earl Ray, Dennis Rader, and David Berkowitz. In this provocative and personal book, the most prominent criminal investigator of our time offers his unique perspective on the criminal mind while also exploring the wrenching challenges involved in seeing justice served. Writing with award‐winning partner, Mark Olshaker, Douglas opens up about his involvement in historic, headline-making cases—including the West Memphis Three, Amanda Knox, and JonBenet Ramsey. Brimming with gripping narratives, Law & Disorder sheds light on some of our most pressing questions about guilt, innocence, the pursuit of justice, and the heart of human darkness. The legendary FBI criminal profiler and inspiration for the hit Netflix show Mindhunter offers a personal look into the workings of the justice system.“At the top of his form.” —James Patterson For the first time since his retirement, the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Killer Across the Table and The Killer's Shadow teams up with award-winning author Mark Olshaker to delve into his most notorious and baffling cases, showing what it's like to confront evil in its most monstrous form. No one is better acquainted with the subject of humanity's most notorious crimes and the wrenching challenges of bringing those criminals to justice than John Douglas, the model for Agent Jack Crawford in The Silence of the Lambs.In this provocative and deeply personal book, the most prominent criminal investigator of our time recounts his twenty-five-year FBI career tracking down master criminals, writing true crime bestsellers, and developing forensic science and the art of criminal profiling. In his earlier works, Douglas wrote only about the guilty; in Law & Disorder, he writes about the guilty, innocents accused, and even innocents convicted as he addresses every law enforcement professional's worst nightmare: those cases where, for one reason or another, justice was delayed... or even denied. A deep glimpse into the mind of a man who has explored the heart of human darkness, he looks tounlock for his readers the ultimate mystery of depravity and the techniques and approaches that have countered evil in the name of justice throughout his career. “An essential title for those interested in true crime stories, forensic science, or law enforcement.” —Library Journal (starred review) "For twenty-five years, John E. Douglas worked for the FBI, where he headed the elite Investigative Support Unit. The real-life model for FBI Agent Jack Crawford in The Silence of the Lambs, he's had a brilliant and terrifying career, getting inside the minds of notorious murderers and serial killers including Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, and David Berkowitz (Son of Sam). Written with long-time collaborator Mark Olshaker, Law & Disorder is Douglas' most provocative and personal book to date. In it, he addresses every law enforcement professional's worst nightmare: those cases where, for one reason or another, justice was delayed...or even denied. Through a series of character-driven case histories--from the earliest trials in Salem, Massachusetts to the bungled trial of Amanda Knox--Douglas shows what happens when the system breaks down and bias, media coverage, and other influences get in the way of a dispassionate pursuit of the evidence. Here also are Douglas' personal reflections on his ongoing search for the truth--from painful lessons learned early in his career to his controversial findings in the West Memphis Three and Jon Benet Ramsey investigations. Brimming with procedural detail, Law & Disorder is an eye-opening insider's account of the exhilaration and frustration that attend the quest for justice."--from publisher's description The inspiration for the hit Netflix series Mindhunter , as well as the model for Agent Jack Crawford in the iconic Silence of the Lambs , #1 New York Times bestselling author John Douglas delves deep into his most notable cases, and reveals what it's like to confront evil in its most monstrous form. No one is more familiar with humanity's most notorious crimes, or those who commit them, than legendary FBI profiler John Douglas. Over the course of his celebrated career, Douglas has pursued, studied, and interviewed scores of violent predators, including Charles Manson, James Earl Ray, Dennis Rader, and David Berkowitz. In this provocative and personal book, the most prominent criminal investigator of our time offers his unique perspective on the criminal mind while also exploring the wrenching challenges involved in seeing justice served. Writing with award-winning partner, Mark Olshaker, Douglas opens up about his involvement in historic, headline-making cases--including the West Memphis Three, Amanda Knox, and JonBenet Ramsey. Brimming with gripping narratives, Law & Disorder sheds light on some of our most pressing questions about guilt, innocence, the pursuit of justice, and the heart of human darkness. "It is mankind's most abominable crime: murder. No one is better acquainted with the subject and its wrenching challenges than John Douglas, the FBI's pioneer of criminal profiling, and the model for Agent Jack Crawford in 'The Silence of the Lambs.' In this provocative and deeply personal book, the most prominent criminal investigator of our time offers a rare look ino the workings not only of the justice system--but of his own heart and mind. Writing with award-winning partner Mark Olshaker, Douglas opens up about his most notorious and baffling cases--and shows what it's like to confront evil in its most monstrous form."--Back cover. "It is mankind's most abominable crime: murder. No one is better acquainted with the subject and its wrenching challenges than John Douglas, the FBI's pioneer of criminal profiling, and the model for Agent Jack Crawford in 'The Silence of the Lambs.' In this provocative and deeply personal book, the most prominent criminal investigator of our time offers a rare look into the workings not only of the justice system--but of his own heart and mind. Writing with award-winning partner Mark Olshaker, Douglas opens up about his most notorious and baffling cases--and shows what it's like to confront evil in its most monstrous form."--Back cover The FBI's pioneer of criminal profiling reflects on his forty-year career during which he pursued and studied such criminals as Charles Manson and David Berkowitz and devoted his time to helping the wrongfully convicted.