First I have to say that this book is only useful, if you're interested in serial killers. I had bought a movie on DVD - "Copycat" - where a young guy imitates the most famous killers. But no-one explains anything about the facts of the killings, so I decided to get a book which does it. And this is the book.
Within you get only the facts you want to know. Very good described and sometimes with pictures. It covers the most killers from the 20th century (male and female). Since it was released in 2000, there is nothing in there about the recent "Sniper" killings. But who cares?
Depending on the murderer there is more text or less. For instance if you want to know who is David Berkowitz and what he did and what all this "son of sam" is about, you can read it right in this book.
But beware! Buy it only, if you really want to. Most of the crimes described there are really gruesome, so you might spend some sleepless nights or you might get housebound after reading it, just for knowing that such a guy has existed or is still in prison or maybe just in your neighborhood ;-)
All in all, a great work for those who want the facts and nothing else.