Lethal Intent: Aileen Wuornos, America's Deadliest Female Serial Killer

By Sue Russell

"A graphic portrait of evil." --M. William Phelps

"One of the best true crime books of all time." --Examiner.com

"The book to read about Aileen Wuornos--a case that has fascinated true crime fans from around the world." --True Crime Book Reviews

As a child, she was abandoned, abused and raped. By her teens, she was deep into a lifestyle of hitchhiking, petty crime, and the sex trade. In her twisted mind, uncontrollable bouts of violence were pure survival skills.

In 1986 she began a lesbian relationship with Tyria Moore. Three years later, tired of turning tricks, she fired four bullets into one of her clients--then robbed him. She claimed she killed six more victims before authorities finally locked her behind bars.

Award-winning journalist Sue Russell updates her harrowing and definitive real-life thriller with new details of the most famous female serial killer's decade on death row, her execution in 2002--and the lasting impact of her dark deeds.

The case that inspired the Academy Awarding-winning movie Monster

"A riveting and fascinating tale." --Robert Scott

With 16 Pages Of Photos

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Dec 3, 2013
• ISBN: 9780786034413

Reviews for Lethal Intent

[jlsimon7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Russell does an excellent job in covering the background and history of Aileen Wuornos. She covers the mitigating factors that might have contributed to Aileen/Lee becoming who and what she was, a serial killer.

There is not enough empirical data on female serial killers. As a result it is difficult to analyze her with any certainty, but Russell consulted and interviewed psychologists who did work with Wuornos. The consensus is that she falls into the guidelines established by expert Robert Hare who developed the standards for an individual with a borderline personality disorder. This diagnosis would be likely, but sociopath is not a legal defense for murder.

From Russell's research we can conclude Wuornos knew the difference between right and wrong. She justified her actions by convincing herself and others that her actions were self defense.

I would recommend this book for anyone who likes true crime novels, or like myself likes to analyze the psychological profiles of individuals like Wuornos, Bundy, Radar, Ridgeway, and so on.