Her interest in criminology began when she noticed factual errors in an undergraduate textbook, and set out to confirm the information by writing directly to the criminal (in this case Ivan Milat). Following this, she wrote to others and when many began writing back, she decided to pursue it further. After 25 years of corresponding with hundreds of serial killers (including Milat, Charles Manson, David Birnie, Richard Ramirez, Ian Brady, and Roy Norris) she has been nicknamed "The Serial Killer Whisperer" by sections of the media.
Howard released her first books in 2004, and has since made numerous media appearances on radio, television, at conferences, online, and also appears on the morning show Studio 10 as a regular guest. In 2017, she was included in the Who's Who of Australian Women. In 2018, she began work as an associate producer on an American film about serial killer Jesse Pommeroy.
In 2019, Howard opened a pop up museum exhibition called Memento Mori Death Museum. It features pieces from her true crime collection and correspondence from killers from across the globe as well as pieces related to death and culture.
Personal life
Howard was married to Steve, a high-school peer, and they went on to have two children. In mid-2017, however, her husband committed suicide at the family home at the age of 42. As a result of his death, Howard is now a spokesperson for male suicide prevention.
Bibliography
Howard has authored a number of books and articles in a number of genres:
2004:
Ripper Notes: Murder by Numbers (chapter only)
Ripper Notes: Madmen, Myths and Magic (chapter only)
River of Blood: Serial Killers and their Victims (co-author: Martin Smith)
2005:
Man of The Shadows (Ripperologist Magazine 62; co-authors: Adam Went and Antonio Sironi)
One Hundred and Twenty Years Ago (Ripperologist Magazine 94)
2009:
Innocence Lost
Predators
2011:
Predators - Killers Without A Conscience (co-author: Paul Wilson)
Serial Killers and Philosophy
2013:
Charlotte's One of a Kind Cakes
The Cicadas Roar
A Killer in the Family (nominated as a finalist for the Davitt National Crime Writing Award)
2014:
Murder on the Mind
2015:
A Thousand Cuts
2016:
How to be An Author: 36 Real Authors Talk Writing and Publishing (chapter only)
Innocence Lost: The Crimes That Changed Australia
Killer Australia: Death and Destruction Down Under
Rope: A History of the Hanged
2017:
Bound by Blood: Killers We Trust
Child Killers: When Evil Hunts Innocence
Killer Minds: An Insight into the Minds of Serial Killers
Killing Time: Tales of Terror and Torment
Life, Death and Other Funny Stories
2018:
Monsters Who Murder (Volume 1)
The Story of the Hanged
Kate Reilly series
Howard has also authored a series of investigative novels "following the life of a police detective who is an international expert on ritual crimes and ancient societies." The series, set in the fictional Somerset Police Violent Crimes Department, currently consists of:
The Blood of Many (Ritual book 1) (2013)
The Elements of Murder (Ritual book 2) (2013)
A Thousand Cuts (Ritual book 3) (2015)
Shrouded Echoes (Ritual book 4) (2016)
Media
Monsters Who Murder - an Australian crime podcast hosted by Howard and Robert McKnight (2018–present)
Behind True Crime - Amanda Howard, The Serial Killer Whisperer (11 August 2017)
Australian True Crime - Serial Killer Whisperer Amanda Howard - #49 (10 May 2018)
Australian True Crime - The Woman Who Thinks Ivan Milat is Innocent - #70 (27 September 2018)