Monday 21 July 2014

Infamous Female Serial Killers by Debbie Christiana #horror #NewRelease #Anthology

I have a wonderful treat for you today. The marvelous Debbie Christiana has been up to some creepy story writing and is here to scare the crap out of us.

Thank you, Nana, for having me today.

I was fortunate to have my short dark fiction story, Professional Courtesy, included the newly released DarkLight 4 anthology by Crushing Hearts and Black Butterflies Publishing. 

Professional Courtesy tells a tale of two contemporary serial killers, but history shows us that serial murdering has gone on through the ages, including female serial killers, who are rare, but not unheard of.

The first recorded serial killers (both male and female) date back to the late thirteenth century, but human nature being what it is, I’m sure they’ve been around since the beginning of time.

Baron Gilles de Rais, a leader in the French army and companion in arms of Joan of Arc, was hanged in 1440 for killing and raping 200 boys in the course of his lifetime.

Countess Erzebet Bathory of Hungary (The Blood Countess) is labeled the most proficient female serial killer in history. She tortured, killed and butchered 600 young girls until her capture in 1610. Her family’s status prevented her from going to trail but she was imprisoned and died in 1614.

There are differences and similarities between male and female serial killers. 80% of female killers use poison or some non-aggressive form of killing, where as men tend to be more violent.  75% of female killers do so for profit and kill people they know, usually family members and acquaintances, where as men kill randomly and are sexually driven.  However, beware, both fit into society without attracting attention to themselves, and both are psychopaths and have no conscience or remorse.


Delphine LaLaurie was a French aristocrat living in New Orleans and was played by Kathy Bates is this season of American Horror. She was unusually and disturbingly cruel to her slaves, chaining them in the attic and sewing their mouths closed.  She was discovered when her mansion caught on fire and they found a woman slave chained to the stove. She started the fire in attempt to kill herself to escape Madame LaLaurie’s punishment. Delphine escaped justice, fled to Paris and died there. However, Kathy Bate’s character of Madame LaLaurie, got exactly what she deserved.

 Enriqueta “The Vampire of Barcelona” Marti sold homemade cures for TB and Syphilis, for those in need in the early 1900’s. What her customers didn’t know was she lured young children to her home, prostituted them, killed them and used their fat, bones and muscle in her elixir. She was captured in 1912 but her cellmates killed her before she could stand trial.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg of the long list of killers through history. In doing my research I found that women killers, while outnumbered by males killers, can be more ruthless and merciless than their male counterparts.


Looks can be deceiving….

I don’t always write dark stories, I also write paranormal romance, with a happy ending.  You can find me at:

Twitter: @DebChristiana

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Blurb for DarkLight 4:

If you’re looking for stories of “happily ever after”, continue onward. Warm and fuzzy tales of love won’t lie within these pages. These dark accounts incur greed, anger, hostility, murder, revenge, and creatures that go bump in the night. Be forewarned—there will be blood, and you may need to check under your bed before going to sleep. Darkness awaits.

Blurb for Professional Courtesy:

Wayne had everything going for him.
He’s handsome, has a good job and a hobby he enjoys: serial killer
Until he takes Charlotte.


20 comments:

  1. Hi Nana, thank you so much for letting me show my darker side, LOL.

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    1. Lol. I know not to mess with you. So happy to have you here.

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    1. Hi Cathy - LOL, I feel like it should be Halloween :)

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  3. Nice Debbie! I always have female killers. Some interesting points to consider.

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    1. Hi Ronnie - glad you liked it. I love to read about and try to write about women who don't fit into the loving and nurturing stereotype of women :)

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  4. Oh dear. Looks creepy. Congratulations to Debbie.

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    1. Thanks, Kiru ;) I haven't read all the stories in the anthology yet, but the ones I've read are very creepy, LOL.

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  5. I've been intrigued and interested in psychopaths/sociopaths since my teen years. Hmm...what does that say about me? LOL! I'm going to get this book, but definitely will not be reading it at night! LOL! Thanks!

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    1. Hi Felicia - I think you'll like it. It's a collection of all different stories. The ones I've read so far are good. Thanks :)

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  6. Ohmygoodness! I'm a big chicken, and this alone may have been enough to start the nightmares. Lol. (I'm the kind of girl who had to hide behind a napkin while watching WOMAN IN BLACK in the theater. Sheesh.)

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  7. LOL, Julia - horror isn't for everyone. I think Nana would agree with you :)
    Thanks for stopping by.

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    1. I'm laughing. My eyes didn't see a bit of Silence of the Lambs when my friends dragged me to it in high school.

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    2. That's too bad, Nana, Hannibal Lector is the best :)

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  8. Intriguing, dark and certainly fascinating!

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    1. Thank you :) Research is one of my favorite parts of writing, because I love history so much.

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  9. Thank you, Debbie, for sharing your fascinating research. Thanks, Nana--you're right, it's creepy but fun! Another exciting book for my reading list--woo hoo!

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    1. Hi Carole, glad you enjoyed it. It was fun delving into the minds of people, especially the women, who do such horrible things.

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  10. Interesting article on female serial killers.
    The anthology sounds deliciously creepy.

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I love reading your comments.