In this chapter, the author discusses interest in serial murder. She posits that interest in gruesome events such as serial killing is linked to morbid curiosity and protective vigilance and discusses her team’s research on this phenomenon. From an evolutionary psychology perspective, to survive, we are genetically preprogrammed to pay attention to that which is harmful. She discusses the lucrative murderabilia industry (i.e., murder-related artifacts for sale) and the popularity of morbid entertainment. This chapter addresses the commodification of serial murder and presents a debate about its sensitivity to the plight of victims. The cases of FSKs Dana Sue Grey and Belle Gunness are highlighted to underscore our profound interest in this disturbing phenomenon.

Author Marissa A. Harrison, a long-time research psychologist, describes her journey to writing Just as Deadly: The Psychology of Female Serial Killers. She recounts her pathway to conducting research on female serial killers (FSKs) and broadly introduces the concepts, content, and approach to writing this book. She describes her work with fellow researchers in various explorations of the psychology of serial murder and introduces her published work in scientific journals such as Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences, The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, and Current Psychology. Harrison describes her team’s work on morbid curiosity and protective vigilance, thought to motivate the great interest in serial murder. Included is a case study of Amy Archer-Gilligan to illustrate how FSKs can be just as deadly as male serial killers (MSKs). The author underscores the mandate for proper attribution of others’ work in scientific writing and her endeavors to provide extensive documentation for all factual information in this book to ensure a science-based presentation.