However, since serial killers often prey on people who are seldom missed (the homeless/prostitutes), just because we don’t know if they are out there doesn’t mean they aren’t. Look at the the four women whose bodies were recently found near Long Island. Until they were found, no one knew a serial killer was on the loose.
I will say I am tired of books where serial killers have increasingly bizarre targets (like brides) or bizarre ways of killing them (like encasing them in life-sized sculptures). Real life isn’t nearly so cinematic. It’s usually ugly and brutal and sad.
You can read the Slate piece here.