That question is a loaded one; at least for me. For I am usually reading something about the worst people on the face of the earth.

How did a nice girl like me come up with such a perverted hobby?

It started when I was thirteen and I picked up my first mystery novel. I became very interested in murder, at least in the fictional sense. I was content to stick to fictional murder until I read a book called Old Bones by Aaron Elkins. Elkins' fictional detective, Gideon Oliver, is a forensic anthropologist. I researched forensic anthropology and then my interest expanded to forensics in general.

As my reading in the forensic fields increased, I noticed certain cases being mentioned. Some very famous cases that true crime authors had written books about.

I was hooked, and there was no turning back.

People's reactions often surprise me, considering the media frenzy that goes on each time the authorities catch one of these serial killers. They act shocked and confused, and a little afraid of me. Like I have a head in my refrigerator or something. I don't, I keep all my heads in the basement, pickled. Just kidding!

So why do I read true crime? I like it. I like to see how the police brought them down. I like to see how they were convicted. I want know what makes a serial killer. How do they work? What do they think?

And so my true crime interest has taken me into other areas of crime and police work. Profiling is a great favorite of mine. You see criminal profiling is studying the crime, the crime scene, and the victim(s) to discover who the criminal is most likely to be.

So here's a couple of the serial killers that I've taken an interest in.

I have read all about Bundy. See my gallery of Ted Bundy pictures, and you will understand my facination with the man. His face says it all. He was the sublime chameleon, able to become whatever he wanted people to see.

Jeffrey Dahmer, he amazes me because he was capable of carrying out his murders practically in public. If you have ever lived in an apartment building, you'll know what I mean. Not much goes on in a crowded building that isn't observed by neighbors. Of course, a serial killer must pick his neighbors carefully. If he had lived in a building with middle class people, their constant complaints about the smell would have been taken more seriously.

So there you have it. My explanation for my interest in serial killers