I. On the origin of the species: the evolution of serial killers. Serial killers: a brief introduction to the species ; Genesis: the stone age reptilian zombie serial-killer triune brain ; Psychopathia sexualis: the psychology of the lust serial killer in civilized society -- II. Serial killer chronicles: the early forensic history of monster. The dawn of the less-dead: serial killers and modernity ; Lupina insania: criminalizing werewolves and Little Red Riding Hood as victim, 1450-1650 ; Malleus maleficarum: the great witch hunt as a serial-killing-woman hunt ; The rippers before Jack: the rise of modern serial killers in Europe, 1800-1887 ; Back in the USA: the rise of the modern American serial killer ; Slouching toward Whitechapel: sex crimes in Britain before Jack the Ripper -- III. The new age of monsters: the rise of the modern serial killer. Raptor: Jack the Ripper and the Whitechapel murders, 1888 ; The French ripper: the forensics of serial murder in the Belle Epoch, 1897 ; Red tide rising: serial killers in the first half of the twentieth century, 1900-1950 ; American gothic: the "golden age" of serial killers, 1950-2000 ; Diabolus in cultura: serial-killing rape culture "sweats," the "greatest generation," and their sons of Cain -- Conclusion: Pogo syndrome: thinking herds of crazies in the twilight of the golden age of serial killers -- Afterword: "Serial killers need hugs too."