All That Is Wicked

A Gilded-Age Story of Murder and the Race to Decode the Criminal Mind

By: Kate Winkler Dawson

Narrated by: Kate Winkler Dawson

Length: 9 hrs

Publisher's summary

Acclaimed crime historian, podcaster, and author of American Sherlock Kate Winkler Dawson tells the thrilling story of Edward Rulloff—a serial murderer who was called “too intelligent to be killed”—and the array of 19th century investigators who were convinced his brain held the key to finally understanding the criminal mind.

Edward Rulloff was a brilliant yet utterly amoral murderer—some have called him a “Victorian-era Hannibal Lecter”—whose crimes spanned decades and whose victims were chosen out of revenge, out of envy, and sometimes out of necessity. From his humble beginnings in upstate New York to the dazzling salons and social life he established in New York City, at every turn Rulloff used his intelligence and regal bearing to evade detection and avoid punishment. He could talk his way out of any crime...until one day, Rulloff's luck ran out.

By 1871 Rulloff sat chained in his cell—a psychopath holding court while curious 19th-century "mindhunters" tried to understand what made him tick. From alienists (early psychiatrists who tried to analyze the source of his madness) to neurologists (who wanted to dissect his brain) to phrenologists (who analyzed the bumps on his head to determine his character), each one thought he held the key to understanding the essential question: Is evil born or made? Eventually, Rulloff’s brain would be placed in a jar at Cornell University as the prize specimen of their anatomy collection...where it still sits today, slowly moldering in a dusty jar. But his story—and its implications for the emerging field of criminal psychology—were just beginning.

Expanded from season one of her hit podcast on the Exactly Right network (seven million downloads and growing), in All That Is Wicked Kate Winkler Dawson draws on hundreds of source materials and never-before-shared historical documents to present one of the first glimpses into the mind of a serial killer—a century before the term was coined—through the scientists whose work would come to influence criminal justice for decades to come.

©2022 Kate Winkler Dawson (P)2022 Penguin Audio

I wish I could give this book two reviews!

I wish I could give this book two reviews,; one for the first 8 hours and 48 minutes and one for the last 12 minutes. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and all of the detailed information, although the narration was a little slow. I felt like it was insightful and well written. Then I got to the last 12 minutes where the author turned away from a narrative about a killer and the men who tried to study him to interjecting politics. She really could have left that out. I give the last 12 minutes no stars.

AMAZING STORY!

I had no idea that this man existed until mentioned on Buried Bones. This truly is a very creepy man who basically decided no matter what this was his story. I think that Kate did an amazing job telling this man's story. The only thing I don't understand is why would you stay after being treated so badly by the family -he never left- he stayed then killed his wife. He truly could not love but himself. I just don't know why he was so evil.

Another amazing story from Kate Winkler Dawson

I’ve listened to all of Kate’s podcasts and books, and this was no exception to her other great work. Clearly thoroughly researched with realistic perspectives, and interesting notes on history.

Engaging Account of An Early American Psychopath

Kudos to Kate Winkler Dawson for bringing this story from the mid 1800s to life. Her outstanding research and writing skills led me to forget this fascinating story happened more than 150 years ago and felt like it was contemporaneously unfolding.

I especially found her approach to telling this story interesting and unique. Ms. Dawson focuses a number of chapters on disciplines that were current or emerging in the mid-1800s and sought to explain/understand why some commit murder. Now only does the author explore a heinous murderer’s life, she details the various studies of neurology, psychology, phrenology, and other disciplines’ takes on Edward Ruloff and his actions.

Lastly, having the author read her work adds to the performance and makes it more engaging and nuanced.

So interesting!

Kate never disappoints!! She tells a great story! So interesting!! Read this book, trust me!

Fascinating Story

This story took hold of me when it was presented by Kate on ten fold more wicked and consumed me. I was so excited she was writing and entire book about it. I enjoy her story telling and the way she presents the information

Good till the end

I thought the story was a good one. However at the end of the book in the epilogue the author decides to get political and add some false statements. Too bad that a story from 150+ years ago has to be tied to modern day politics.

Insanity and Murder

The interesting career of Edward Rulloff was exciting to say the least. In addition to murdering several people, and being accused of murdering two others, he was manically insane. Bent on producing what he considered "his life work" which was the study of language. He felt he could untangle the languages of the world through this work, and was determined to have it finished before his death.

During his lifetime, he was hounded by suspicion, which was rightly given. He was responsible for the murder of his wife, and most likely his baby daughter. He was suspected of killing a sister in law and her son.

Edward Rulloff is one of the more interesting serial killers that I have read about, and the many facets of his mind that were left unlocked due to the scientific methods of the day. While he deserved punishment for his crimes, there are many areas that could have given some interesting insights into the mind of someone who could be considered genius, yet entirely insane.

Fascinating read, and highly enjoyable.

Brilliantly Written

This brilliantly written tale of Edward Rullof's life was impossible to put down! Well Done!

Wonderfully told

I first heard this story by listening to Kate Winkler Dawson’s podcast. I 100% recommend this book if the podcast interested you. The story flowed in a compelling way, not to leave out insightful information. The end of the book does mention politics, and rightfully so. The discussion around true crime and the criminal justice system is political.
Interesting, compelling, and disturbing.