'Grand job, that last job was. I gave the lady no time to squeal. I love my work and want to start again. You will soon hear from me, with my funny little game. Next time I shall clip the ears off and send them to the police just for jolly.'

-Jack the Ripper

So ran a note written by the most notorious serial killer of all time. But no matter how awful his crimes, Jack the Ripper was a mere amateur compared to some, as he killed just seven times-

• Bonnie and Clyde shot eight victims

• Gary Ridgway butchered more than 50 prostitutes

• Dr. Marcel Petiot killed 67 times for cash

• Pedro Lopez slaughtered some 300 people for sex

• Harold Shipman may have finished off even more victims than that.

Anyone who has been on the receiving end of a crime will know that all criminals are bad. But there are some evildoers who are in a whole different league. They are the world's worst criminals. This concise book is packed full of more than a hundred of the most extreme. Read it if you dare.