Daniel Annechino spent two years researching serial killers before penning his gripping and memorable debut novel, They Never Die Quietly (AmazonEncore). In his new novel, Resuscitation (available now from Thomas & Mercer), Annechino wanted to explore the dark side of a successful cardiothoracic surgeon's desire to make medical history: what could drive a doctor not only to violate his Hippocratic oath to do no harm, but to find perverse pleasure in doing so. The result is a fast-paced thriller that pits a cunning killer against a single-minded cop.

Just in time for post-Halloween withdrawal, Annechino gives us his recommendations for the best serial killer nonfiction out there.

The Serial Killer Files: The Who, What, Where, How, and Why of the World’s Most Terrifying Murderers by Harold Schechter (Random House, $18.95)

This book digs deeply into the psyche and motivation of a serial killer. What I found most interesting was the author's exposé on Kenneth Bianchi, the Hillside Strangler. He was actually my neighbor!

The Method and Madness Of Monsters by Peter Vronsky (Penguin, $17)

I found this book most intriguing because it delves into the first recorded instances of serial killers in Ancient Rome, and fifteenth-century France. It's not only a journey through the serial killer's mind, it's a history lesson.

The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers by Michael Newton (Facts on File, $85)

The unique thing about this book is that the author explores the lives of a few obscure names not commonly thought of as serial killers. Nonetheless, their crimes are every bit as brutal and merciless as the more notorious serial killers.

The Bundy Murders: A Comprehensive History by Kevin Sullivan (McFarland, $45)

No serial killer research would be complete without exploring the life and death of Ted Bundy. Killer of untold numbers of victims, he is likely the most notorious killer in history.

The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule (Pocket, $7.99)

An extraordinary book loaded with little-known facts about Ted Bundy, but with a twist: Ann Rule was actually friends with him. In this book, she examines what it was like to interact with a killer without ever having a clue that he was anything other than the guy next door.

For more of Annechino's thoughts on serial killers, book critics, scary books and more, check in at his blog.