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The Killer Inside Me Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of The Killer Inside Me


THE KILLER INSIDE ME is a book written by Jim Thompson in 1952. The book is primarily a journey through a killer's mind trying to justify his actions.
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Central City, Texas. Lou Ford is a sheriff's deputy who wouldn't hurt a fly. He likes to tell dull philosophical clichés and is appreciated by his boss and the town's population. But Lou is totally psychotic, refraining from an urge to hit and kill women who remind him of his nurse, his father's mistress. He already has killed a little girl but his half-brother Mike went to prison in his place. One day, he's asked by the sheriff to visit Joyce Lakeland, a prostitute, who soon falls in love with Lou and his sexual violence. Together they plan to leave town after having swindled Chester Conway, a rich businessman whose son Elmer has become sexually involved with Joyce. But Lou, exasperated by Joyce's love, kills her and Elmer in cold blood. As nothing can connect him to the murder, Lou observes with cynicism the Sheriff's efforts to find the murderer. Meanwhile, Lou's girlfriend, Lucille, wants him to marry her, Johnnie Papas, Lou's friend, is arrested and suspected of being the murderer and a pipe-line worker who saw Lou near Joyce's house is blackmailing him. Will Lou's mind be able to cope with these unexpected events ?

A masterpiece.
The review of this Book prepared by Daniel Staebler



Chapter Analysis of The Killer Inside Me

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Plot & Themes

Tone of book?    -   thoughtful Time/era of story    -   1930's-1950's Ethnic/Regional/Religion    -   American Texas Crime & Police story    -   Yes Story of    -   criminals killing each other    -   victim falls in love with criminal Ethnic/regional/gender life    -   Yes

Main Character

Gender    -   Male Profession/status:    -   police/lawman Age:    -   20's-30's Ethnicity/Nationality    -   White (American) Unusual characteristics:    -   Mentally ill    -   Extremely cynical or arrogant

Setting

How much descriptions of surroundings?    -   7 () United States    -   Yes The US:    -   Texas Small town?    -   Yes Small town people:    -   very gullible, like Gomer Pyle Misc setting    -   prison

Writing Style

Sex in book?    -   Yes What kind of sex:    -   actual description of hetero sex    -   rape/molest Amount of dialog    -   significantly more descript than dialog

Books with storylines, themes & endings like The Killer Inside Me

Jim Thompson Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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