10 Books for Fans of the Netflix Series Jeffrey Dahmer

In only its third week, Dahmer: Monster – The Jeffrey Dahmer Story became the second most-watched Netflix series in the U.S. Although disturbing, audiences are hooked and can't look away from this docuseries that follows the serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer and his horrific murders across the Milwaukee area. Dahmer not only killed his victims, but he also ate them. Yes, you read that right; he was a cannibal. This series is not for the faint of heart, but it isn't about the gore. It also sheds light on the police negligence and racism that hindered Dahmer's capture.

True crime has always been popular. Perhaps people are fascinated by what they're most afraid of, or maybe they are trying to comprehend how humans can act like monsters. Regardless, this genre will always entertain and thrill viewers. If you enjoyed Netflix's Jeffrey Dahmer mini-series, you are sure to love these unsettling murder-filled books, as well as a bonus show and podcast.


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My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf

My Friend Dahmer is a graphic novel that details Jeffrey's early life as a teenager before he became the cannibalistic serial killer who made headlines worldwide. This later became a 2017 film under the same name. The author went to school with Dahmer and shows how he was an awkward and 

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unremarkable youth. Yes, he was strange and became an alcoholic early in life, but no one could have imagined what he would become. Anyone fascinated by Dahmer's depraved nature has seen the Jeffrey Dahmer Netflix series, but if you want to dig deeper, My Friend Dahmer is a good choice. Read here.

https://www.amazon.com/Serial-Killer-John-Cleaver-Book-ebook/dp/B003DX0HYU/

Everyone has their own quirks, but if you're obsessed with death and serial killers, maybe you should seek help. John Cleaver is violent and knows he has the potential to kill; however, he's rational enough to control these impulses and lives by a set of rules to avoid becoming a murderer. I Am Not a Serial Killer 

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puts you inside the mind of a potential serial killer. Fans of the Jeffery Dahmer Netflix series will enjoy the rush of John's disturbing nature, impulses, and contentedness with dead bodies. You don't quite know what he's capable of, and this will keep you on the edge of your seat. Read here.

The Whisper Man by Alex North

Serial killers fuel fear and suspense. The Whisper Man was an evil murderer who would lure young boys to their deaths by whispering at their windows. Thankfully, he was caught and is now in jail. However, a young boy disappears in the same way, and the protagonist's son starts hearing whispers in the night. 

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If you watched the Jeffrey Dahmer series because you like horror and true crime, The Whisper Man will thrill you. Read here.

What You Don't Know by JoAnn Chaney

The after-effects of murder are incomprehensible. Victims extend farther than just those who had their lives stolen. What You Don't Know explores the survivors, family members, and those close to the case and how they deal with the consequences of a serial killer. Netflix's Jeffrey Dahmer miniseries focuses 

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on Dahmer's family, his neighbor who bore witness to some of his atrocities, and the victim's families. This is an upsetting but necessary point of view to fully understand the impact of crime. You'll enjoy What You Don't know if these various perspectives resonate with you. Read here.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

The work of serial killers also deeply affects the families involved. The Lovely Bones follows Susie, a young girl who was raped and murdered by her neighbor George. She was not George's first victim. As Susie watches on in the afterlife, 

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she views her family's torment and self-destruction as a result of her death. On Netflix, the Jeffrey Dahmer series explores the devastating effects of murder on the victim's families. If you found this emotional side poignant, The Lovely Bones would be a good reading choice. Read here.

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My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

What would you do if your family member was a cold-blooded killer? Korede needs to come to terms with the fact that her sister Ayoola is a serial killer when she murders Korede's third boyfriend. Although this fictional story has some humor thrown in, it explores the realistic conflict of dealing with complicated 

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family members. No one's family is perfect, and you can't choose who you're related to. Loyalty runs deep, so it is difficult to realize that someone you love is a monster. The Jeffrey Dahmer Netflix series dives into Dahmer's family life, especially his life with his grandma; you're constantly thinking, does she know, and why isn't she doing more? If this was a theme that fascinated you, you'd definitely enjoy My Sister, the Serial Killer. Read here.

The Devil's Harvest by Jessica Garrison

Knowing that society cares more about certain victims than others is a deeply upsetting notion. The Devil's Harvest follows the serial hitman, Jose Martinez, who killed for hire and his own pleasure. From an outside perspective, he seemed like a nice, normal guy. However, he was getting away with murder for 

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years. In the same way that Jeffrey Dahmer's victims were overlooked for being black and gay, Martinez's victims were overlooked for being immigrants. The police don't care to notice when those deemed less important by society are killed or go missing. The Dahmer series shined a light on these systemic issues that still arise, so if that is something you're passionate about, The Devil's Harvest will also resonate while being incredibly frustrating. Read here.

A Killer's Mind by Mike Omer

It's vexing to know that police often overlook suspects who continue to cause destruction. We see this in A Killer's Mind. Zoe has flashbacks to being 14 years old and closely following a string of serial killings. She is able to profile the killer and goes to the police with the information she gathers, but they brush her off. 

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Years later, Zoe works as a forensic psychologist, and a serial killer is on the loose. Is this the same one from her childhood? Watching the Jeffrey Dahmer series was eye-opening as you saw the police ignore witnesses and disregard those who saw Dahmer as a danger to society. If you were in disbelief at how Jeff would easily get away with his crimes, A Killer's Mind will be thoroughly entertaining. Read here.

Tender Is the Flesh by Augustina Bazterrica

Here we're straying away from the serial killer theme but diving deeper into cannibalism. Tender is the Flesh takes place in a dystopian world where cannibalism is a part of life. Animal meat has become poisonous, so other humans become sustenance. Although commonplace, there is still a glimmer of 

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morality and questioning if this is entirely wrong. This novel challenges the reader to get inside the mind of desperate people who are wired to believe cannibalism is fine. Is humanity really capable of this? This notion evokes similar sentiments to the Dahmer series. As you sit and watch, you wonder if you or someone you love could be capable of atrocities. Read here.

Brother by Ania Ahlborn

Humanity often wonders if murderers are a product of their environment or if they're just "wired wrong." Michael is part of a cannibalistic and deeply disturbed family in the backwoods of West Virginia. He has always helped with the kidnapping of victims to feed his mother. But everything changes when he 

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develops a crush on a girl he doesn't want to be killed. This makes him question his entire lifestyle, and he is finally faced with a moral dilemma. As you watch the Jeffrey Dahmer series on Netflix, you do wonder if his strange and sad childhood is to blame. If you enjoyed thinking deeper about this, you'll be hooked on Brother. Read here.

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Bonus Picks! Watch and Listen to Media Similar to the Jeffrey Dahmer Netflix Series

Mindhunter

Mindhunter is a thrilling series that follows the origin of the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit and how it came to profile serial killers. Based on the revered true crime novel of a similar name, Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit, by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker, the show centers around 

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interviewing captured serial killers to understand their behavior and thought patterns. This process will help them find future killers. If you enjoyed the Dahmer series on Netflix, you are clearly a true crime fan. You find serial killers and their twisted minds fascinating, so you are also sure to enjoy Mindhunter. Read here.

The Clearing

The Clearing podcast captures the nightmare April Balascio endures when she comes to the horrible realization that her father, Edward Wayne Edwards, is a serial killer. This true crime podcast features April herself. With the host, they go through her childhood, her adult life, and the suspicions that led to her own 

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father's arrest. This podcast captures April's unique point of view. She is a victim of this as well. Anyone who wants to know more about Dahmer's family in the Netflix series is sure to be captivated by April's life and story.

There you have it! If you enjoyed Netflix's Jeffrey Dahmer mini-series, you are sure to love these unsettling murder-filled books, as well as a bonus show and podcast. From spine-tingling thrillers to time-twisting psychological dramas, there's something on this list for everyone. So curl up with your favorite blanket and get ready to be shocked, surprised, and entertained by your next favorite mystery.

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