The political construction and manipulation of the serial killer panic and the workings of the FBI. Credited with superhuman intellect and abilities the serial sex killer emerged in the 1980s as a dominant figure in American popular culture. In a decade marked by conservative politics and fundamental protestantism the serial killer was accused of attacking the traditional values underpinning society and was used to manipulate public fear for political gain. Using government reports trial transcripts and correspondence Better to Reign In Hell examines the people and events behind the panic notably Ronald Reagan the New Right the FBI and the media.