In the TV show 'Hannibal', there are female characters with serial - killer - like tendencies. Alana Bloom, for example, has moments where she straddles the line between good and evil. Her character development shows the gray areas that can exist in the minds of fictional female characters with violent tendencies. It also shows how their actions can be influenced by the complex relationships they have with other characters, like her relationship with Hannibal Lecter.
In the 'Saw' series, Jigsaw is a unique serial killer. He doesn't kill his victims directly in most cases. Instead, he creates elaborate and sadistic traps that force his victims to face their own 'sins' and make difficult choices. His actions are often justified in his own twisted mind as a form of moral correction, which adds a different dimension to the typical serial killer trope in fiction.
Manipulation is a common theme. Female serial killers in fiction often use their charm and intelligence to manipulate others into vulnerable positions before they strike. For example, in 'Gone Girl', the female character manipulates the situation and the people around her masterfully.
There's also Bellatrix Lestrange from the 'Harry Potter' series. She is a Death Eater and is responsible for multiple murders. Her loyalty to Voldemort and her pure - blood supremacist beliefs drive her to kill without remorse. Her character shows how ideology can play a role in the actions of fictional female serial killers.
Jigsaw from the 'Saw' franchise is a unique one. He doesn't kill his victims directly in most cases. Instead, he puts them in elaborate and deadly traps to test their will to live and their ability to change. His warped sense of justice and his elaborate schemes set him apart as one of the best fictional serial killers.
One such book is 'Sharp Objects' by Gillian Flynn. It features a complex female character with some disturbing tendencies that border on serial - killer - like behavior. The story is full of mystery and psychological depth.
One of the top books is 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris. It features the infamous serial killer Hannibal Lecter. The psychological cat - and - mouse game between FBI trainee Clarice Starling and Lecter is gripping.
I think 'Red Dragon' by Thomas Harris is also a top pick. It's the first book in the series that introduced Hannibal Lecter. It delves into the mind of another serial killer, Francis Dolarhyde, known as 'The Tooth Fairy'. It shows how his twisted mind works and how the FBI tries to catch him with the help of Lecter. And then there's 'Misery' by Stephen King. Although not a traditional serial killer story, Annie Wilkes, the deranged fan in the book, has some of the traits of a serial - like obsessive and violent behavior towards the writer she holds captive.
One well - known book in this category could be 'The Silence of the Lambs' which features the infamous serial killer Hannibal Lecter. Although it was published in the 1980s, it has a lot of elements that are similar to what might be found in 1970s serial killer fiction. The complex relationship between the detective and the killer is a common theme in such works.
Fictional serial killers also tend to be solitary figures. They operate alone, away from the prying eyes of society. This solitude allows them to carry out their heinous acts without being easily detected. Additionally, a lot of them have some sort of signature or pattern to their killings. This could be a specific type of victim they target, or a unique way they leave their mark at the crime scene. For instance, Jack the Ripper in fiction (based on the real - life case) has a distinct pattern of killing prostitutes in a particularly brutal way. It becomes part of their identity in the fictional world and makes them more memorable and menacing.