The Serial Killer Whisperer

How One Man's Tragedy Helped Unlock the Deadliest Secrets of the World's Most Terrifying Killers

By: Pete Earley

Narrated by: Alan Sklar

Length: 13 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Fifteen-year-old Tony Ciaglia had everything a teenager could want: good grades, good athletic skills, and good friends - until he suffered a horrific head injury at summer camp. Pronounced clinically dead three times by helicopter paramedics before he reached a hospital, Ciaglia lapsed into a coma. When he emerged, his right side was paralyzed and he had to relearn how to walk, talk, and even how to eat. The areas of his brain that were damaged required him to take countless pills to control his emotions and rages. Abandoned and shunned by his friends, he began writing to serial killers on a whim and discovered that his traumatic brain injury - which made him an outcast to his peers - enabled him to emotionally connect with notorious murderers in a unique way.

Soon many of America's most dangerous psychopaths were revealing heinous details to Tony about their crimes - even those they'd never been convicted of. The killers opened up to him, trusted him, and called him a "best friend". But there was a price. As Tony found himself being drawn deeper and deeper into their violent worlds of murder, rape, and torture, he was pushed to the brink of despair and, at times, forced to question his own sanity - until he found a way to put his unusual gift to use. Asked by investigators for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for help in solving a murder, Tony began launching his own personal searches for forgotten victims, incredibly with clues often provided to him voluntarily by the killers themselves.

The Serial Killer Whisperer takes listeners into the minds of murderers in a way that has never been done before - straight from a killer's thoughts. It is also an inspiring (albeit sometimes terrifying) tale of an American family whose idyllic life is shattered by a terrible accident and how healing and closure came to a tormented man in the most unlikely way: by connecting with monsters.

©2012 Pete Earley (P)2012 Tantor

Reader reviews warned extremely stomach turning

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It was interesting because it did include cases I had seen or heard brief details on throughout the years on different true crime shows. But to truly be able to step into the mind of killer guard down is a different animal all together. Truly sickening and beware it is extremely descriptive and gory from a serial killers perverse own recollection.

If you’ve listened to books by Pete Earley before, how does this one compare?

I haven't so I can't compare

Which scene was your favorite?

When they are in the car leaving a visit at a max sec prison and the distant crime story aspect is gone and now any pity he felt for the SKs was gone and focus was again on the Victims & families

Was The Serial Killer Whisperer worth the listening time?

Yes but only once! I'm truly amazed at how the killers rationalized or excused their crimes. Sometimes even claimed they were doing them a favor

Any additional comments?

Narrator kept me listening. Excellent performance

Awesome

I like this book.. I hope tony makes some money for his hard work and dedication..
Unique n interesting read..

narcissistic psychos need friends too!

If you could sum up The Serial Killer Whisperer in three words, what would they be?

hope they rot.

What other book might you compare The Serial Killer Whisperer to and why?

none, its in a category i don't normally delve so i have no base of experience, maybe silence of the lambs for the way that Clarice communicates with Lector to solve a crime, only this is real!

Which scene was your favorite?

When the boy comes out of the coma, only to be crushed by a horrifically described torture and murder of someone.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I would hope there wouldn't be a film of this book. too much gore, no pun intended:>, unless it focused on the main characters fight to come back from suicidal madness to his triumphant heights on the strip in Vegas, and his families' will to see him survive.

Pete Earley has done it again

Fascinating Riviting details of who why how true Crime . Interviews with see one of the most disturbed most evil . The narration was difficult at times but overall this is a fantastic work from a accomplished author

Wow - not for those who have a weak stomach

I am an avid true crime reader. I have never had a book actually scare me. This book gave me nightmares. Yet I couldn’t stop listening. This book is seriously intense. It contains very graphic descriptions of murder and rape. Definitely not for the faint of heart. Now that I know what to expect, I will listen to it again. The pure shock the first time distracted me. Worth the read.

Not for people who are easily offended

It baffles me when people give negative reviews any say the book was to graphic or offensive. If your reading about a killer who is torturing, raping and killing it’s not going to be downplayed so feelings don’t get hurt. If you need your hand held so your not offended….don’t listen to the book.

Narration was Killer!

The narrator Alan Sklar is one of the best narrators living. He nailed this one.
****warning - this is not just a true crime book. This book is filled with actual letters/conversations of the killers themselves. It contains very descriptive graphic language.
If you dont believe in capital punishment now you WILL after this book.

Spooky journey into the mind of evil

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Great listen, this book was by far one of my favorites. If you like true crime and have the stomach for it then get this book!

Good story, very disturbing and graphic.

What made the experience of listening to The Serial Killer Whisperer the most enjoyable?

The narration was very good. The story was pretty disturbing, a bit drawn out, but a good listen.

Great book!

This was one of the most fascinating books I have ever read and the fact that it's true really blows my mind---Great Book!