True crime: serial killers and murderers Books

Book SynopsisWHEN YOU THINK YOU''RE SAFE,WHEN YOU THINK YOU''RE ALL ALONE,THAT''S WHEN HE''LL COME FOR YOU...A silent killer stalks the city, targeting those home alone at night, playing a deadly game of cat and mouse with the victims.As panic spreads, Detective Inspector Helen Grace leads the investigation, but is herself a hunted woman, her every step shadowed by a ruthless psychopath bent on revenge.As she tracks the murderer, Grace begins to suspect there is a truly shocking home truth that connects these brutal crimes. But what she will find is something more twisted than she could ever suspect...Check the windows, lock the doors - this is a twisted page-turner that will prey on your darkest fears, in the way only M.J. Arlidge can._____________________PRAISE FOR MILLION-COPY BESTSELLER M.J. ARLIDGE''Helen Grace is one of the greatest heroes to come along in years'' Trade ReviewTerrifying and wildly compelling in equal measure. Nobody does chilling suspense quite like MJ Arlidge, and Cat & Mouse is a superb addition to the Helen Grace series. * BP WALTER *

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Book SynopsisSunday Times bestselling author Christopher Berry-Dee is the man who talks to serial killers. A world-renowned investigative criminologist, he has gained the trust of murderers across the world, entered their high security prisons, and discussed in detail their shocking crimes. Berry-Dee now delves into the mind of perhaps the most sadistic and psychopathic killer of all time. Between 1978 and 1991, Jeffrey Dahmer murdered and dismembered seventeen boys and men. But he is most notorious for what happened to his victims after their grisly deaths and the shocking depravity that led to Dahmer being dubbed the ‘Milwaukee Cannibal’. Using his long experience and psychological expertise, Berry-Dee seeks to understand the motivation, the amoral urges and the merciless horror behind Dahmer's inhuman behaviour: what could make a man do this?

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Book SynopsisJohn Douglas is the FBI''s pioneer and master of investigative profiling' Patricia CornwellGET INSIDE THE MINDS OF PSYCHOPATHS WITH THE GODFATHER OF CRIMINAL PROFILINGIn The Killer Across the Table, legendary FBI criminal profiler and number one bestselling author John Douglas delves deep into the lives and crimes of four complex predatory killers, offering never-before-revealed details about his profiling process and divulging the strategies used to crack some of his most challenging cases.In this riveting work of true crime, Douglas spotlights four very different criminals he's confronted over the course of his career, and explains how they helped him to put together the puzzle of how psychopaths and predators think.Taking us inside the interrogation room and demonstrating the unique techniques he uses to understand the workings of the most terrifying and incomprehensible minds, The Killer Across the Table is an unputdownable journey into the darkest reaches of criminal profiling andTrade Review‘John Douglas is the FBI's pioneer and master of investigative profiling, and one of the most exciting figures in law enforcement I've had the privilege of knowing’ Patricia Cornwell ‘John Douglas knows more about serial killers than anybody in the world’ Jonathan Demme, Director of The Silence of the Lambs ‘Douglas was instrumental in expanding our understanding of murderous psychopathy. He even coined the term “serial killer”’ Telegraph

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Book SynopsisIn this provocative and eye-opening classic of investigative journalism, the #1 New York Times bestselling author and “America’s best true-crime writer” (Kirkus Reviews), Ann Rule, explores the nearly twenty-year long search for America’s most prolific and horrifying serial killer. In 1982, the body of Wendy Coffield is discovered floating near the sandy shore of Washington’s Green River. Authorities have no idea that this tragic and violent death is only the beginning of a string of murders that will rock and terrify the Seattle area for two decades. With her signature riveting prose and in-depth research, Ann Rule takes us behind the scenes of the search for the Green River Killer, a terrifying specter who ritualistically killed young women and eluded authorities for years. From seeking the help of incarcerated serial killer Ted Bundy to Ann Rule’s horrifying realization that the killer she was writing about had attended her book signings, Green River, Running Red is the suspenseful and unforgettable “definitive narrative of the brutal and senseless crimes that haunted the Seattle area for decades” (Publishers Weekly).

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Book Synopsis'Every journalist who is not too stupid or too full of himself to notice what is going on knows that what he does is morally indefensible' In equal measure famous and infamous, Janet Malcolm's book charts the true story of a lawsuit between Jeffrey MacDonald, a convicted murderer, and Joe McGinniss, the author of a book about the crime. Lauded as one of the Modern Libraries "100 Best Works of Nonfiction", The Journalist and the Murderer is fascinating and controversial, a contemporary classic of reportage.Trade ReviewOne of the best journalists writing in English anywhere * Financial Times *It is often overlooked how good a reporter Malcolm is, fearless in her questioning, ruthless in her pursuit of every last witness. The Journalist and the Murderer is a lesson in not courting your subject too much * Guardian *A spare and unsparing account of tragicomic human folly * The Times *A timely reissue for Janet Malcolm's 1990 classic, which caused a storm when it was first published for its uncompromising analysis of the ethics - and otherwise - within the slippery relationship between a journalist and her subject -- Claire Allfree * Metro *Malcolm's seminal 1990 work about the ethics of journalism is at once reportage, a scrutinising look at the practice and a cautionary tale of personal manipulation and betrayal * Big Issue *

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Book Synopsis‘OMG THAT ENDING!!!!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review ‘Oh my! I thought The Serial Killer's Wife was good but Alice Hunter has really turned up the heat for The Serial Killer's Daughter. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader ReviewTrade Review Praise for Alice Hunter ‘A gripping, fast-paced plot that drew me in and propelled me on a twisty, white-knuckle ride. Utterly compelling with an ending that chilled me to the bone.’ Anne Wyn Clark ‘A dark page-turner, not for the fainthearted.’ Woman’s Weekly ‘A stunning debut … It richly deserves to be a hit.’ Daily Mail ‘The steadily unfurling plot … kept me hooked. The final double twist, too, is well worth waiting for.’ My Weekly ‘This book hooks you in to the drama straight away and does not let you go, even on the last page. Brilliant.’ The Sun ‘I am going to go all in and say The Serial Killer’s Wife is one of the best books of 2021.’ Frost Magazine ‘Twisty and suspenseful.’ Jane Corry ‘Absolutely gripping and a brilliant premise – how well does anyone ever know anyone else? Fantastic.’ Catherine Cooper ‘A one-sitting read that absolutely gripped me from the first page.’ C S Green ‘Twisty, turny, tense and so very, very clever.’ Susi Holliday ‘Smart, assured and wickedly twisty.’ Jenny Blackhurst ‘Top end crime fiction, beautifully written and totally mesmerising.’ Amanda Robson ‘A gripping story of secrets, manipulation and power in a quiet Cotswolds village. Terrific!’ Mick Finlay ‘A novel that I was immediately sucked into … Alice Hunter cleverly kept me on my toes as I was desperately trying to work it out.’ Joy Kluver 'Scarily believable – what does go on behind closed doors? It's such a twisty, addictive read, and brilliantly written – highly recommended.' Elisabeth Carpenter

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the True Crime Awards 2023 Best New True Crime Author The murder of Sarah Payne, Adam the Thames Torso, the London bombings, the Night Stalker and the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko... The solving of all these cases can be linked to one man: Ray Fysh, a Charlton Athletic fan from Woolwich, a natural raconteur and also one of the finest forensic detectives the country has ever seen.Ray began work for the Met Police in the 1970s when forensic investigation was seen as little more than a geeky side show, only in existence to confirm or eliminate evidence. But by the mid 90s Ray and his team had made huge progress in their field, contributing to the UK becoming a world-leading innovator in forensic techniques, with Ray himself being named as Special Adviser to the Forensic Science Service. As the SA, Ray worked alongside Senior Investigating Officers from day one of a case, directing his team to identify forensic opportunities and harvest case-cracking clues.As Ray looks back over his career at the cases he worked on, the reader is given unparalleled insight into the highs and lows of an astonishing career, the historic classist snobbery of the Met and the stunning realities of crime and forensics

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Book SynopsisFROM NARCISSISM TO AGGRESSION, AN ORIGINAL LOOK AT THE PERSONALITY TRAITS AND BEHAVIORS THAT CONSTITUTE EVIL In this groundbreaking book, renowned psychiatrist Michael H. Stone explores the concept and reality of evil from a new perspective. In an in-depth discussion of the personality traits and behaviors that constitute evil across a wide spectrum, Dr. Stone takes a clarifying scientific approach to a topic that for centuries has been inadequately explained by religious doctrines. Stone has created a 22-level hierarchy of evil behavior, which loosely reflects the structure of Dante's Inferno. Basing his analysis on the detailed biographies of more than 600 violent criminals, hetraces two salient personality traits that run the gamut from those who commit crimes of passion to perpetrators of sadistic torture and murder. One trait is narcissism, as exhibited in people who are so self-centered that they have little or no ability to care about their victims. The other is aggression, the use of power over another person to inflict humiliation, suffering, and death. What do psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience tell us about the minds of those whose actions could be described as evil? And what will that mean for the rest of us? Stone discusses how an increased understanding of the causes of evil will affect the justice system. He predicts a day when certain persons can safely be declared salvageable and restored to society and when early signs of violence in children may be corrected before potentially dangerous patterns become entrenched.Trade Review""True crime readers and those interested in learning more about the possible motivations of torturers and deranged killers will want to give this a look....The nature of the crimes, the sheer depth of evil makes this as terrifying a read as any thriller and worse, the villains are real." --Monsters and Critics.com “Psychiatrist Stone...provides an etymology of evil with case studies of over 600 violent criminals, giving readers a comprehensive picture of the nature and varieties of human evil.... useful to those seeking the neurological and psychiatric reasons people commit ’evil’ crimes." --Library Journal “This book is well researched and thorough, and Dr. Stone hopes that it will help us understand and judge the criminals whose criminal impulses cause such terrible suffering." --Sacramento Book Review “This excellent study of evil and forensic psychiatry will be valuable to anyone interested in why people commit evil acts. Recommended. All readers." --Choice “This is a very readable book...these pages prompted a good deal of reflection and conversation. In this spirit, I would recommend the book to you."--American Journal of Psychiatry

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Book SynopsisPlay with fire, and you’re going to get burned. The unputdownable new Ridpath crime thrillerIn Manchester, a block of flats is burning. The only victim is a middle-aged man, sat watching TV. Are the fire and the man's death an accident or is something more frightening at work?Meanwhile, DI Ridpath is back with his wife and enjoying work at the Coroner's Office, his myeloma still in remission. But the quiet life is soon shattered by a new threat.More corpses start appearing; charred, burnt, silent bodies, strewn in the streets and lodged in buildings. Next to each one is a chilling message sprayed in orange ink.Fighting on all fronts, Ridpath will be drawn into the dark past of his city and the youth football clubs of the 1990s. He must find the link before any more people die. Before the flames come close to home...An absolutely gripping, nerve-shredding crime thriller from master storyteller M J Lee, perfect for fans of Mark Billingham, Robert Bryndza and Patricia Gibney.

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Book SynopsisHeart-poundingly suspenseful, Little Deaths, inspired by a true story, is a gripping novel about love, morality and obsession.It's the summer of 1965, and the streets of Queens, New York shimmer in a heatwave. One July morning, Ruth Malone wakes to find a bedroom window wide open and her two young children missing. After a desperate search, the police make a horrifying discovery.Noting Ruth's perfectly made-up face and provocative clothing, the empty liquor bottles and love letters that litter her apartment, the detectives leap to convenient conclusions, fuelled by neighbourhood gossip and speculation.Sent to cover the case on his first major assignment, tabloid reporter Pete Wonicke at first can't help but do the same. But the longer he spends watching Ruth, the more he learns about the darker workings of the police and the press. Soon, Pete begins to doubt everything he thought he knew.Ruth Malone is enthralling, challenging and secretive – is she really capable of murder?'A lightning fast, heart-pounding, psychologically resonant crime novel that effortlessly transcends genre.' – Jeffery Deaver, author of the Lincoln Rhyme seriesTrade ReviewA phenomenal achievement. Little Deaths is one of those so-very-rare accomplishments: a lightning fast, heart-pounding, psychologically resonant crime novel that effortlessly transcends genre. If you believed that literary fiction can't be a one-sitting read, think again -- Jeffery DeaverUtterly atmospheric and with style to burn, Emma Flint's Little Deaths is a novel that troubles and transfixes from its simmering first pages all the way to its searing final words -- Megan AbbottWrenching and real and deeply moving. I fell fast and hard under the spell of this lush, moody, film noir of a novel -- Chris BohjalianA stunning feat . . . Ruth Malone's descent into hell is a riveting tale of bad luck, heartbreak and prejudice, written with the pace of a thriller and the rich detail of a historical novel -- Jane CaseyA gripping read that is at the same time deeply real. A beautifully written and realized debut. I absolutely loved it. * Kate Hamer, author of The Girl In The Red Coat *

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Book Synopsis“One side of me says, I'd like to talk to her, date her. The other side of me says, I wonder what her head would look like on a stick?" Edmund Kemper (1948–), ‘the Co-ed Killer’ This gripping, fully illustrated true crime book explores a range of serial murderers in an innovative new format, using timelines both of the murderers’ lives but also precise hour-by-hour timelines of the crimes. Tracking a Serial Killer tells the story of 25 serial killers, from the nineteenth century right up to the present day. It enables the reader to understand some of the thinking of men such as Ted Bundy, who stalked university dorms, or Andrei Chikatilo, whose killings happened at similar intervals, to Randy Kraft who murdered hitchhikers along California freeways over several years, to Volker Eckert, a German lorry driver who murdered prostitutes across western Europe across three decades. The timeline approach offers a visual overview of the major developments of the murderer’s life, both before the killing began and covering killing sprees, trials, incarcerations, escapes, releases and repeat offences, up to their deaths. The second timeline takes the reader into the events of one particular murder, showing how events developed in the twenty-four hours around the murder, how close they were to being caught, how the factors came into place for the murder, and how they managed to escape capture.Table of ContentsChapter One: A Lust for Killing Andrei Chikatilo • John Wayne Gacy • Harold Shipman • Ted Bundy • Pedro Lopez • Gary Ridgway Chapter Two: Special Desires H. H. Holmes • Albert Fish • Joachim Kroll • Dennis Nilsen • Edmund Kemper • Richard Ramirez • Jeffrey Dahmer Chapter Three: Predators Jack the Ripper • David Berkowitz • Robert Hansen • Randy Kraft • The Yorkshire Ripper • Beltway Sniper Attacks Chapter Four: Female Murderers Jane Toppan • Dorothea Puente • Aileen Wuornos Chapter Five: Serial Killer Couples The Moors Murderers • The Hillside Stranglers • Fred and Rosemary West Index

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Book SynopsisPublished for the 40th anniversary of the arrest of Peter Sutcliffe, aka The Yorkshire Ripper.The Yorkshire Rippers' reign of terror is well known, but many remain unaware of the full truth behind the brutal attacks that shocked the nation many years ago. Countless crucial details of murder, manipulation and miscarriages of justice have been hidden from the public, and the true extent of the Ripper's crimes still remains hidden to this day. This book exposes the twist in the tale of the most notorious British serial killer of the last hundred years.

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Book SynopsisThe dramatic, compelling bestselling true story of how a serial killer was finally unmasked after evading justice for more than twenty yearsNow a major TV series starring Luke Evans1980s. In the beautiful, unspoiled landscape of Pembrokeshire, a serial killer is at large: two double murders; an assault; the rape and assault of two teenagers - all potentially the work of one man.This is the fascinating true story of a brutal murderer and the detectives who worked the cold case for six years in order to bring him to justice. Combining cutting edge forensic techniques with old fashioned detective work, a team of detectives worked to build a case against their prime suspect. But it was a race against time: would he strike again?No one could predict that the killer's appearance on a gameshow would provide bizarre but crucial evidence.The operation is now recognised as one of the greatest cold case reviews ever undertaken in the UK.The killer is now serving a "life means life" sentence.Perfect for fans of The Serpent

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Book SynopsisNominated for the CWA Dagger Award 2023A wonderful book' - Guardian Truth, murder and the birth of the lie detectorHenry Wilkens burst through the doors of the emergency room covered in his wife's blood. But was he a grieving husband, or a ruthless killer who'd conspired with bandits to have her murdered?To find out, the San Francisco police turned to technology, and a new machine that had just been invented in Berkeley by a rookie detective, a visionary police chief, and a teenage magician with a showman's touch.John Larson, Gus Vollmer and Leonarde Keeler hoped the lie detector would make the justice system fairer but the flawed device soon grew too powerful for them to control. It poisoned their lives, turned fast friends into bitter enemies, and as it conquered America and the world, it transformed our relationship with the truth in ways that are still being felt.As new forms of lie detection gain momentum in the present day, Tremors in the Blood reveals the incredible truth behinTrade Review"A gripping and densely reported account of a little-known period of history, with implications for how we understand science to this day. I was hooked." Sirin Kale, feature writer for The Guardian "Katwala manages to bring history alive in this riveting delve back into the archives, placing you right at the heart of one of the most consequential – and controversial – inventions in criminal history." Chris Stokel-Walker, author of TikTok Boom and YouTubers "A gripping, forensically detailed account that reads more like a mystery than history." Angela Saini, author of Superior and Inferior “A wonderful book … tells the story of the lie detector, from the first, gripping murder case for which it was conceived, up to its use today in the justice system.” – Guardian “Certainly demonstrates how easily the polygraph can be manipulated…deploys its twists and maintains suspense with some skill….Katwala tells his various tales with admirable lucidity….rich with colourful incidental detail.” Telegraph “Tremors in the Blood, a cautionary tale about the limits of technology and the fallibility of humans, is as dramatic as any thriller”. Times “With a cinematic narrative style that often reads more like a thriller than a work of history…Katwala charts how the (polygraph) machine tore apart the lives of the men who invented it, and explores how it led to the deaths of many more who failed to pass its test.” New Statesmen “A thrilling, page-turning near-novelisation of the development of what we now know as the polygraph…Katwala’s meticulous archival research, centred around two high-profile US murder cases – those of Henry Wilkens and Joseph Rappaport – is worthy of any thriller.” The Spectator

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the True Crime Awards 2023 Best True Crime Audio BookOn a summer evening in 2002, ten-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman took a break from playing video games and left the house to go to buy some sweets, but they never came home.For weeks after they were declared missing, an image of these smiling young girls dressed in their matching Manchester United kit, taken just a couple of hours before they went missing, was plastered across the British press as a nationwide search began to take place. Hoards of volunteers stepped forward, the Cambridgeshire police began an exhaustive investigation and candlelight vigils were held as the local community and the rest of the country hoped for their safe return.When the bodies were discovered in a ditch, the final ray of hope for their safe return was extinguished as it became clear that both girls had been murdered. The nation was shocked and sickened at the news and so began a national outpouring of grief for these two innocent girls who had tragically lost their lives in such a terrible way. And, in a terrible twist, Ian Huntley, a man who having given such vocal support for the search had become spokesperson for the community, was found guilty. Twenty years on, Huntley is still one of the most reviled men in the country.Beyond Evil is an in-depth study of this shocking case as it unfolded, written by investigative journalist Nathan Yates, who witnessed the murder hunt first-hand and even interviewed Huntley and former girlfriend Maxine Carr in what is still remembered as one of the most terrible cases of abduction and murder.

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Book SynopsisMurder - the most appalling crime of all. It comes in many guises and is as diverse as the victims and perpetrators themselves. But no matter how horrifying, it fascinates as much as it repels.In this updated edition of THE LAW KILLERS, journalist Alexander McGregor examines some of the country's most chilling cases and peels back the civilised layers of our society to reveal some of the horrors that lie beneath, including:The Templeton Wood Murders - Was the same serial killer responsible and is he at last identified?Little Boy Blue - The schoolboy with a continuing compulsion to kill.Forgive Me Father - A trail of slaughter that spread to two countries?Anything You Can Do - The country's most notorious father and son who killed again and again.To Love, Honour and . . . Kill - The double wife-killer who thought he had committed the perfect murder . . . and nearly had.'Alexander McGregor is the safest pair of hands in Scottish true crime . . . accurate, detailed and written with rare sensitivity - for good reason, The Law Killers was a bestseller'Emeritus Professor David Wilson, leading UK criminologist and presenter of In the Footsteps of Killers and Crime Files

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Book SynopsisWow! A stunning, nerve-wracking read. So well plotted with so many twists and turnsit kept me guessing until the very last page!' Bestselling author Patricia GibneyI don''t know what happened to my daughter. Only that she''s missing and I was the last person to see herMy name is Nora Logue. You've probably heard of me most people have.I am the mother of Daisy Logue. Seven years ago, I took her for a walk in the woods. Only I came out.I have no memory of what happened that day.I have tried to rebuild my life. Met a man, had another child Luca. But I can't let go of Daisy, or give up hope of seeing her again.And now, I have the chance to find out what happened to her.But what if pursuing the truth about my daughter risks my son's life?A whiplash-inducing, unputdownable crime thriller from the author of The Nurse, perfect for fans of CLARE MACKINTOSH and LISA JEWELL.Readers can't put down IN THE DARK!So gripping! I read this brilliant book in two sittings because I just had to know whTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR IN THE DARK: ‘Stunning writing, superb plotting, and characters that jump off the page – In The Dark is outstanding; her best yet.’ – Andrea Mara 'Dark secrets, dark motives and dark twists galore – seriously, what more can you ask for in a book?’ – M.K. Hill ‘Claire Allan’s voice and ability to keep you gripped to the page are pure magic. Prepare to lose sleep as you work your way through a rollercoaster of emotions, theories, and near-misses. This book is the poster child for taking the old missing child story we all know and flipping it on its head. I couldn’t get enough of the terrifying premise and delicious storytelling. Utterly captivating, this pulse-pounding thriller is one not to be missed. Thriller lovers, get your hands on this one and clear all your plans! In The Dark demands to be read in one sitting. – Kiersten Modglin author of The Arrangement Trilogy

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Book SynopsisHomicide, the celebrated true crime book from the creator of HBO''s The Wire, is reenvisioned as a gritty, cinematic graphic novel duology. This thrilling second volume concludes the saga.A woman is stabbed and left to die in her bedroom. A taxi cab driver is killed for a handful of jewelry. A man is gunned down over a debt of $8. As the board fills with red ink, the pressure rises. All the while, Detective Pellegrini is haunted by the murder of eleven-year-old Latonya Wallace, a case that is getting colder by the day. Originally published in 1991, Simon's Homicide became the basis for the acclaimed television show Homicide: Life on the Streets and inspired HBO's The Wire. Now, this true-crime classic is reenvisioned as a gritty two-part graphic novel series.

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Book SynopsisThe scalpel goes down. The gown is discarded. The chatter stops. Heads turn expectantly. 'Well, Doc, what happened? Have we got a murder on our hands?'For more than 30 years, bodies have been Dr Marie Cassidy's business. The lucky ones have died peacefully in their own beds, surrounded by loved ones. But that's not always the case.In her international bestseller, Marie invites us into the world of forensic pathology and her remarkable personal journey, from working-class Glasgow to being Ireland's head pathologist for nearly 15 years.Involved in the most high-profile cases in the country, Marie shares the intricate processes central to solving modern crime, inviting you to go beyond the tape.Follow her onto the scene of the crime and walk in her footprints - but don't touch anything. Remember, every contact leaves a trace . . .Trade ReviewBeyond The Tape provides an insight into Marie Cassidy's macabre but vital craft * Irish Times *a gripping insight into the criminal mind and the often awful ordinariness of crime * RTE Guide *She debunks the myths of the CSI generation and shows remarkable empathy for the people who end up on her mortuary table * Sunday Business Post *Beyond The Tape provides an insight into Marie Cassidy's macabre but vital craft * Irish Times *a gripping insight into the criminal mind and the often awful ordinariness of crime * RTE Guide *

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Book SynopsisAnd here I am. Totally alone in a cell with a convicted sex offender who is free to do what he wants. There is no officer. No handcuffs. No radio. Only the man across the desk and me. He looks more petrified than I do.HMP Graymoor. One of the UK's most notorious prisons. Home to nearly 800 murderers, rapists and child molesters.Reporting for her first shift inside is Rebecca: twenty-two, newly graduated and about to sit down with some of the country's most dangerous criminals.In this gripping, hard-hitting memoir, forensic psychologist Dr Rebecca Myers revisits her time in the Hot Seat' with Graymoor's infamous inmates who might not be as different to us as we think.This is as close as we can get to knowing what really goes on inside the damaged minds behinds bars.

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Book Synopsis*A must-read for all True Crime fans*Why are Scotland Yard murder detectives considered among the finest in the world? And why is so little known about how they truly work? ? Take a look at what lies behind that success with someone who knows.DI Steven Keogh spent over half of his 30-year police career as a Scotland Yard detective, helping to hunt down terrorists and some of the worst murderers in London.Step inside the mind of an investigator in a never-before-seen look into what it takes to catch killers and bring them to justice. In a journey from crime scene to trial, you will witness the emotional highs and lows of cracking real-life murder cases and discover why people kill, while debunking the myths that surround this detective work.Are you ready to challenge everything you thought you knew about the world of murder investigations?Trade Review'Fascinating' * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisShocking, eye-opening and grimly fascinating, these are the true stories, patients and cases that have characterized a career spent treating mentally disordered offenders. As a forensic psychiatrist, it's Dr Das's job to treat and rehabilitate what the tabloids might call the 'criminally insane', many of whom assault, rob, rape, and even kill. His work takes him to high-security prisons and securely locked hospital wards across the country, as well as inside courtrooms, giving evidence as an expert witness. From the young woman who smothered her two-year-old nephew in a flash of psychosis, to the teenager who set his house on fire with his mother locked inside, Dr Das must delve into the minds of these violent offenders to elicit their symptoms of mental illness, understand their actions and prevent future atrocities. In this honest, revealing and at times humorous memoir, Dr Das shares stories from his fifteen years as a psychTrade Review'This is a thought provoking book which brings alive the work of psychiatrists in the criminal justice system. Dr Das writes with verve about a complex and difficult subject, and true crime readers are in for a treat. Very entertaining!' -- Gwen Adshead, author of THE DEVIL YOU KNOW'You will want to spend time with Dr Sohom Das - he's witty, insightful, humble and humane and above all he just makes you glad that there are still psychiatrists out there who work with and care about those unfortunate people who, if we are honest with ourselves, we would all prefer to ignore, or simply lock up' -- David Wilson, author of MY LIFE WITH MURDERERSIn a binary world where it is tempting to think of people as either victims or perpetrators Dr Das eloquently explains how they can be both. In this excellent and enlightening book we enter the minds of people who have been classified as both mad and bad. We learn what it has been like to walk in Dr Das's shoes as he treats these mentally disordered violent offenders -- Jonathan Levi and Emma French, authors of INSIDE BROADMOORIn Two Minds is a fascinating and moving account of life working with people who too often society wants to forget. Dr Das writes with warmth about his experiences as a psychiatrist and provides important insight into an world that usually remains hidden -- Dr Amanda Brown, author of THE PRISON DOCTOR

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Book SynopsisThis Sunday Times top ten bestseller is a heartfelt account of his son's murder and his fight for justice by Ralph Bulger.James Bulger was just a few weeks shy of his third birthday when, on 12 February 1993, he wandered away from his mum Denise in a shopping mall in Bootle. From his deeply personal perspective of his son's tragic murder to his relentless fight for justice, Ralph Bulger's poignant memoir, My James, delves into one family's harrowing journey following an incomprehensible act of violence. This heart-rending narrative, a top ten Sunday Times bestseller, masterfully communicates the profound sorrow of losing a child and the desperate pursuit for justice that followed.The chilling image of innocent James Bulger's trusting hand held by ten-year-old Jon Venables - a moment captured on security cameras before the horror unfolded - still reverberates across the nation. Ralph Bulger's account takes re

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Book SynopsisI Survived is Victoria Cillier's chilling, eye-opening story of marriage and attempted murder, revealing the truth about a case that made headlines around the world. Soon to be the subject of a major TV documentary.On Easter Sunday 2015, experienced skydiver Victoria Cilliers undertook a parachute jump, a gift from her husband, British army sergeant Emile Cilliers. Her parachutes failed to open and she plummeted 4,000 feet to the ground, sustaining life-threatening injuries. Miraculously, she survived. Then the police arrived at her door. Someone had tampered with her parachute and they suspected Emile.In I Survived Victoria describes how she fell for Emile, and how the charming man she thought she knew gradually revealed a darker side, chipping away at her self-worth until she found it impossible to sift truth from lies. Can she really believe that her husband – the father of their two young children – tried to kill her? As more shocking revelations come to light, and she has to face his trial and relentless media scrutiny, she struggles to come to terms with the past. Even a guilty verdict does not free her because Emile is not ready to let her go . . .Powerful and honest, this is the story of a woman who was put through hell and yet found the strength to forge a new life for herself and her children.

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Book Synopsis Nominated for the CWA Dagger Award 2023 ‘A wonderful book’ - Guardian Truth, murder and the birth of the lie detector Trade Review"A gripping and densely reported account of a little-known period of history, with implications for how we understand science to this day. I was hooked." Sirin Kale, feature writer for The Guardian "Katwala manages to bring history alive in this riveting delve back into the archives, placing you right at the heart of one of the most consequential – and controversial – inventions in criminal history." Chris Stokel-Walker, author of TikTok Boom and YouTubers "A gripping, forensically detailed account that reads more like a mystery than history." Angela Saini, author of Superior and Inferior “A wonderful book … tells the story of the lie detector, from the first, gripping murder case for which it was conceived, up to its use today in the justice system.” – Guardian “Certainly demonstrates how easily the polygraph can be manipulated…deploys its twists and maintains suspense with some skill….Katwala tells his various tales with admirable lucidity….rich with colourful incidental detail.” Telegraph “Tremors in the Blood, a cautionary tale about the limits of technology and the fallibility of humans, is as dramatic as any thriller”. Times “With a cinematic narrative style that often reads more like a thriller than a work of history…Katwala charts how the (polygraph) machine tore apart the lives of the men who invented it, and explores how it led to the deaths of many more who failed to pass its test.” New Statesmen “A thrilling, page-turning near-novelisation of the development of what we now know as the polygraph…Katwala’s meticulous archival research, centred around two high-profile US murder cases – those of Henry Wilkens and Joseph Rappaport – is worthy of any thriller.” The Spectator

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Book SynopsisPretty sure I''m a sociopath. I''m not ashamed of it. In fact, it''s something I quite like.Yellowface meets You - a gripping and addictive psychological thriller about toxic friendship and dark academia.A dark triumph with jaw-dropping twists' Heather Darwent, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Things We Do To Our FriendsJane is unhappy. She's a struggling writer trapped in an underwhelming marriage with husband Ted, scraping by to pay for a mortgage for a house and a life that she's never really wanted.There's only ever been one person she cared about, one person who truly understood her: Thalia. Jane's best and only friend nearly a decade ago during their time together at Oxford. But then the night of the formal which should have bound them together for good, drove them apart. Until now.Because after years of searching, Thalia is everywhere as she tops the New York Times bestseller list. And now Jane has found Thalia after all these years, she won't let her goReaders were grippeTrade Review Praise for Jesse Sutanto and Dial A For Aunties: ‘Charming, hilarious and heartfelt’ Emily Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read ‘Doused in black humour, comical references, mixed with romance – fans of Crazy Rich Asians will love it’ My Weekly ‘Brilliant, wicked and dead, dead funny’ Andi Osho, Asking For A Friend ‘A gloriously screwball crime caper (with a dusting of romance) which will have you snort-laughing’ Red ‘One of the funniest, smartest, most compelling books I’ve read in a long time and I couldn’t put it down’ Lucy Vine, Hot Mess ‘Rejoice over Dial A For Aunties’ Elle ‘This smart, funny charming novel has all the right ingredients to make you laugh out loud… ’ Platinum ‘Dial A For Aunties keeps you guessing till the very last twist’ Lauren Ho, Last Tang Standing ‘Has redefined what “page-turner” means with laugh-out-loud humour and delightful twists and turns at every corner’ Buzzfeed ‘A rip-roaring treat! Dark comedy at its finest and a set of catastrophes that had me roaring’ Abigail Mann, The Lonely Fajita ‘This laugh-out-loud read is a real breath of fresh air’ Fabulous ‘Dark humour at its best. We had such a laugh reading through’ Magic Radio Bookclub ‘The comedy jackpot! Fresh, funny and fabulous’ Kirsty Eyre, Cow Girl ‘A laugh-out-loud read’ Bella ‘Genuine laugh-out-loud funny’ Frost ’A comedy of errors, by turns macabre and romantic, hilarious and affectionate’ Saga

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“A gripping look into the psychology behind racialized violence and how it’s carried out, MY WAR CRIMINAL is a powerful and timely book. Jessica Stern draws a chilling portrait of Radovan Karadžic, giving us an eye-opening new context not only for the Bosnian War, but also of how fear can be harnessed and diverted to violent political ends.” — Senator Chris Coons “This book is a remarkable blend of biography, history, and psychiatry—only Jessica Stern could have written it.” — Howard Gardner, author of Leading Minds “Based on extraordinary access to a notorious Serbian leader, Jessica Stern has produced a remarkable study that both Illuminates the psychology of an individual war criminal and incisively analyzes the dynamic behind ethnic hatred and violence. Timely and compelling.” — Michael Chertoff, former Secretary of Homeland Security “Eloquent and revelatory.” — Publishers Weekly "[A] scrupulously researched work by a skilled interviewer...the author provides a subtle, powerful illustration of terror that resonates today, especially regarding the resurgent white supremacist movement. The deep, extensive footnotes and detailed timeline attest to Stern’s meticulous research. An utterly compelling chronicle from a master scholar and clear writer." — Kirkus Reviews “My War Criminal is a riveting account full of edge-of-your-seat moments as Dr. Jessica Stern explores the boundaries of good and evil through hours of interviews with convicted mass murderer Radovan Karadžic. Complex emotions are unleashed on both sides as the interviewer circles a wily subject skilled at charm, obfuscation, misdirection, and intimidation—and Dr. Stern lays all of this out with extraordinary candor. Must reading for anyone interested in how a narcissistic leader can merge popular grievances and history to produce human tragedy on a massive scale.” — John McLaughlin, Former Deputy Director and Acting Director of the CIA

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Mann tells his story expertly ... When it's all over, Mann has argued so ably for his killer-candidate that he finally may have put this controversy to rest." -- Washington Post "Mann's call sheet of colorful characters is so richly painted, they not only make the Roaring '20s come to life, they're so bizarre they seem like they could only exist in a movie." -- Entertainment Weekly "Mann's got the goods ... Tinseltown may well be the most completist murder mystery of all time." -- Choire Sicha, BookForum "Sex! Drama! Scandal! If you have the slightest curiosity about the dark purple scars of Hollywood history, this is the go-to book you cannot miss... Epic and fabulous-every page is haunting, every chapter a film noir. I was up all night." -- Rex Reed "William Mann fires on all cylinders in this fascinating real-life crime story that has stumped film fans since 1922. A page-turner with incredible research and prose double-boiled, Tinseltown is a whodunit tour de force, revealing the dark heart of Hollywood." -- Patrick McGilligan, author of Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and Light "Massive, exhaustively researched, endlessly fascinating ... It's a gripping ride with innumerable twists and turns and scenarios ... If you love a good mystery and vintage Hollywood lore-which doesn't read much differently than current Hollywood lore-I recommend Tinseltown without reservation." -- Liz Smith "A stellar and gripping true-crime narrative ... An engrossing and comprehensive look at the birth of the motion picture industry and the highs and lows it faced in the early 1920s ... Mann has crafted what is likely to be a true-crime classic." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Mann spins this yarn with all the suspense and intrigue of a Dashiell Hammett novel. From beginning to end, the engrossing true tale will keep you guessing." -- Out Magazine "The book's power derives not just from piecing together the clues and analyzing motives; Los Angeles is very present as well." -- Publishers Weekly "A gripping true-crime story that encompasses a colorful period in film history ... Mann seamlessly weaves the details of the murder investigation, witnesses and newspaper accounts into the rich history of early film ... Mann masterfully captures the zeitgeist of Hollywood in its early days." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "[A] gripping true-crime narrative... Mann expertly juggles the various threads of the narrative to a satisfying conclusion that is sure to please both true-crime and film-history enthusiasts." -- Booklist "For folks interested in true crime and the heyday of Hollywood, this book is a match made in a rather sinister version of heaven." -- Living Read Girl "[Mann] brings the early days of the movie industry to sparkling life on the page, whether he's evoking Los Angeles' demimonde or explaining how the era's scandals drove the film industry toward protectionism in the face of morality campaigns." -- NPR, The Best Books of 2014 "Tinseltown is an immensely enjoyable read as a recreation of a murder, and a fascinating time [and] place." -- McClatchy News Service "A gripping true-crime narrative... Mann expertly juggles the various threads of the narrative to a satisfying conclusion that is sure to please both true-crime and film-history enthusiasts." -- Booklist "If you love a good mystery and vintage Hollywood lore-which doesn't read much differently than current Hollywood lore-I recommend Tinseltown without reservation." -- Liz Smith A lucid solution to the crime that feels almost as airtight as the final chapter of an Agatha Christie mystery." -- Connecticut Post "The book is so evocatively written, right down to the weather, characters' glances, and what they are feeling, . .. [and] seductively cinematic ... should be made into a film itself." -- Daily Beast Tinseltown is entertaining enough to feel illicit, but its reporting makes it an essential addition to any respectable bookshelf of L.A. history." -- Los Angeles Times Book Review "Author William J. Mann paints a striking portrait of Los Angeles in the Roaring Twenties--a sparkling yet schizophrenic town filled with party girls, drug dealers, religious zealots, newly-minted legends and starlets already past their prime; a dangerous place where the powerful could still run afoul of the desperate." -- TCM.com "Tinseltown does a fine job of parceling out its complex plot, and its author brings early Hollywood to life with the flair of a popular historian." -- Wall Street Journal "Mann spins this yarn with all the suspense and intrigue of a Dashiell Hammett novel. From beginning to end, the engrossing true tale will keep you guessing." -- Out Magazine

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Trade Review"A true crime classic! A chilling study where both the victim and the stalker are bizarre and inscrutable...by one of the best in the true crime genre." -- Ann Rule

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“The Cecil has a macabre reputation… Price’s colorful disclosures as well as her descriptions of the vagaries of life in the hospitality industry’s seedier corners will likely intrigue readers… Many readers will be entertained.” — Booklist "True-crime and tabloid fans will devour this spicy tell-all." — Library Journal

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Book SynopsisThe Angel Makers is a true-crime story like no other—a 1920s midwife who may have been the century’s most prolific killer leading a murder ring of women responsible for the deaths of at least 160 men.The horror occurred in a rustic farming enclave in modern-day Hungary.

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Book SynopsisAn extraordinary tale of madness, genius and obsession, discover the true story of the two remarkable men that led to the making of the Oxford English Dictionary - and literary history!The compilation of the Oxford English Dictionary, begun in 1857, was one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken. As definitions were collected, the overseeing committee, led by Professor James Murray, discovered that one man, Dr. W. C. Minor, had submitted more than ten thousand of those words. But when the committee insisted on honouring him, a shocking truth came to light: Dr. Minor, a millionaire and American Civil War veteran, was also an inmate at an asylum for the criminally insane . . . charged with murder!_____________________''A weird and wonderful story of an eccentric friendship, and a slice of history'' Sunday Times''What a revelation. Beautifully told and awe-inspiring'' Daily Mail''Simon Winchester could not have told it better . . . a splendid book'' Economist ''Masterful . . . one of those rare stories that combine human drama and historical significance'' Independent

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Book SynopsisMurder Inc. is the latest blockbuster by Ireland''s most respected crime writer and journalist, Paul Williams. Murder Inc. is the definitive account of how organized crime exploded in Limerick from the 1990s and in the noughties. It describes the depravity and decadence of the gangs, their deadly rivaliries, and their reigns of terror over the community in which they lived. Finally, Williams traces the faultlines that eventually led to the implosion of the gangs and their defeat.Drawing on his vast inside knowledge of the criminal underworld, an unparalleled range of contacts and eye witness interviews, Paul Williams provides a chilling insight into the mobsters and events that corroded entire neighbourhoods and devastated countless lives.

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Book Synopsis''A book that had to be written and it''s really well written ... fascinating.'' Ray D''Arcy, RTÉ Radio 1''A great book ... really comprehensive'' Miriam O''Callaghan, RTÉ''Fascinating'' Pat Kenny, Newstalk''It is very rare for murder to involve the degree of calculation revealed in this case'' Irish TimesFor over a year everyone assumed missing Dublin woman Elaine O''Hara had ended her own life. But after her remains were found gardaí discovered that Elaine was in thrall to a man who had spent years grooming her to let him kill her. That man was Graham Dwyer, a married father of three and partner in a Dublin architecture practice.Almost the Perfect Murder details the exhaustive investigation - one of the most complex and chilling in Irish criminal justice history - that allowed gardaí to build a case against Dwyer. And it outlines the twists and turns - both in the courtroom and behind the scenes - during the dramatic trial tha

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Book SynopsisFormer CNN/HLN anchor and veteran broadcast journalist Susan Hendricks takes an investigative deep-dive into the still-unsolved double homicide of two teens in Delphi, Indiana-and its lasting impact on the communityOn February 13, 2017, two teenage girls-13-year-old Abby Williams and 14-year-old Libby German-decided to enjoy a day off from school by exploring the popular hiking trails near the Monon High Bridge just a few minutes'' drive from Libby''s home in Delphi, Indiana. Libby''s sister, Kelsi, dropped the two girls off at the head of the trail and waved to them as they walked down the path, which was the last time they''d ever be seen alive. Less than 24 hours later, their bodies were found on the north bank of Deer Creek, about a mile from where they were last seen. There were few clues and little to go on in terms of physical evidence, except for the visual and audio remnants of a strange encounter the girls had with a stranger just hours before their disappea

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Book SynopsisFully updated and revised, including two new chapters, Missing

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Book SynopsisDavid Wilson uncovers the truth behind Peter Farquhar's murder, and the psychopath who almost got away with it.Trade Review'A real-life Midsomer Murder ... it's chilling, but [David Wilson's] explanation of how a psychopath thinks is masterly' * The Times *

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Book SynopsisThe true story behind hit BBC drama THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT''[A] real-life Midsomer Murder ... it''s chilling, but [David Wilson''s] explanation of how a psychopath thinks is masterly'' The TimesThe shocking story of the murder of Peter Farquhar and the churchwarden who groomed and betrayed him, from the UK''s leading criminologist David WilsonTwo deaths.Three doors apart.An unsuspecting community about to realise there''s a killer in their midst. In October 2015, Peter Farquhar was found dead in his house in Maids Moreton, lying on the sofa next to a bottle of whisky. An inquest was made, and Peter''s death was quickly ruled an accident.But after the death of another elderly neighbour, the dreadful truth began to emerge: both victims had been groomed, seduced and mentally tortured by a young man, Benjamin Field, who had used his position of power in the comTrade Review'A real-life Midsomer Murder ... it's chilling, but [David Wilson's] explanation of how a psychopath thinks is masterly' * The Times *[A] real-life Midsomer Murder ... it's chilling, but [David Wilson's] explanation of how a psychopath thinks is masterly * The Times *

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Book SynopsisShocking, eye-opening and grimly fascinating, these are the true stories, patients and cases that have characterized a career spent treating mentally disordered offenders.As a forensic psychiatrist, it's Dr Das's job to treat and rehabilitate what the tabloids might call the 'criminally insane', many of whom assault, rob, rape, and even kill. His work takes him to high-security prisons and securely locked hospital wards across the country, as well as inside courtrooms, giving evidence as an expert witness.From the young woman who smothered her two-year-old nephew in a flash of psychosis, to the teenager who set his house on fire with his mother locked inside, Dr Das must delve into the minds of these violent offenders to elicit their symptoms of mental illness, understand their actions and prevent future atrocities.In this honest, revealing and at times humorous memoir, Dr Das shares stories from his fifteen years as a psychiatTrade Review'This is a thought provoking book which brings alive the work of psychiatrists in the criminal justice system. Dr Das writes with verve about a complex and difficult subject, and true crime readers are in for a treat. Very entertaining!' -- Gwen Adshead, author of THE DEVIL YOU KNOW'You will want to spend time with Dr Sohom Das - he's witty, insightful, humble and humane and above all he just makes you glad that there are still psychiatrists out there who work with and care about those unfortunate people who, if we are honest with ourselves, we would all prefer to ignore, or simply lock up' -- David Wilson, author of MY LIFE WITH MURDERERSIn a binary world where it is tempting to think of people as either victims or perpetrators Dr Das eloquently explains how they can be both. In this excellent and enlightening book we enter the minds of people who have been classified as both mad and bad. We learn what it has been like to walk in Dr Das's shoes as he treats these mentally disordered violent offenders -- Jonathan Levi and Emma French, authors of INSIDE BROADMOORIn Two Minds is a fascinating and moving account of life working with people who too often society wants to forget. Dr Das writes with warmth about his experiences as a psychiatrist and provides important insight into an world that usually remains hidden -- Dr Amanda Brown, author of THE PRISON DOCTOR

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis'The book that everyone will be talking about this year: a staggering work of honesty, empathy and humanity, wholly unlike anything else you will have read' Terri White On the evening of Halloween in 2015, Morgan Hehir was walking with friends close to Nuneaton town centre when they were viciously attacked by a group of strangers. Morgan was stabbed, and died hours later in hospital. He was twenty years old and loved making music with his band, going to the football with his mates, having a laugh; a talented graffiti artist who dreamed of moving away and building a life for himself by the sea. From the moment he heard the news, Morgan's father Colin Hehir began to keep an extraordinary diary. It became a record not only of the immediate aftermath of his son's murder, but also a chronicle of his family's evolving grief, the trial of Morgan's killers, and his personal fight to unravel the lies, mistakes and cover-ups that led to a young manTrade ReviewI feel very lucky to have read this book. Extraordinary and important . . . a triumph * Adam Kay, bestselling author of This Is Going To Hurt *Gripping, moving and beautifully executed . . . This is the first book I've read in a long time that acknowledges the grief, rage and misery of a crime's aftermath, and it does so with such truthfulness, humanity and respect. Hugely affecting * David Nicholls *I was utterly floored by the emotional depth of About A Son - a book that reaches so deeply into the human experience that to read it is to be forever changed. It is an unflinching examination of grief, a painstaking deconstruction of injustice and a dispatch from the frontiers of the human heart. David Whitehouse has written something of great power and truth. In doing so, he has ensured that Colin Hehir's beloved son, Morgan, and the family's fight for justice will never be forgotten. * Elizabeth Day, author of How To Fail *The book that everyone will be talking about this year: a staggering work of honesty, empathy and humanity, wholly unlike anything else you will have read. Whitehouse is a masterful storyteller who builds an intimate, immersive and unflinching portrait of a boy lost to preventable violence and the family who loved him. I found it absolutely compelling from the first word to the last and know I will never forget it * Terri White, author of Coming Undone *An incredibly compassionate and moving story of loss, grief and enduring love. The portrait of a father's determination and resilience left me filled with both heartache and hope. David Whitehouse is a singularly gifted and deeply compelling writer and this beautiful book opened my eyes to what creative non-fiction can be and do. * Cathy Rentzenbrink, author of The Last Act of Love *I was lucky enough to bag a preview copy of this startling piece of non-fiction a few months ahead of its official release in April. Weird thing to say, but the author might have invented a new genre of literature here, so unique are the events leading up to the book's publication. Part evidence-led true-crime investigation and part psycho-spiritual communion with the essence of grief itself, About A Son is unlike anything you've ever read, I guarantee. This deserves to be massive in 2022 * Time Out *Shocking, harrowing and sensitive . . . brings their love for Morgan to vivid life. Whitehouse writes in a spare style reminiscent of Gordon Burn * Observer, Book of the Week *An astonishing tale of profound love and grief . . . The facts tell nothing of the staggering emotional heft held within its 272 pages, as this singular blend of memoir, reportage and true crime investigation enmesh the reader in a tale of profound love, towering grief and intense indignation at a justice system that let down the Hehirs . . . . Exceptional . . . as much as it is about his death, it is also a tribute to who Morgan Hehir was, and the memory of his life will live long inside anyone who reads it * The i *A feat of creative non-fiction. A mix of true crime and memoir, it's a book that pays tribute to Morgan as a young man whose life was suddenly cut short, while also being a book about Nuneaton itself, capturing the grit and tragedy beneath the surface of the town, as well as a sense of community and openness. Whitehouse's writing is brilliant and devastating * The Skinny *A book of love and grief, and about what justice can and cannot deliver. I shall always remember Morgan and his family * Sunjeev Sahota, author of The Year of The Runaways *A work of such staggering beauty, such sheer, abject dread. My heart ached, and still does, but I'm so glad I read ABOUT A SON. I'm so glad David Whitehouse wrote this book. It's profoundly intimate and despairingly universal. It's a story of life and loss, and grief and love. It's remarkable. * Chris Whitaker, bestselling author of We Begin at the End *About A Son is a story of grief and the urgent all consuming need for closure when truth and justice are denied. Told with such skill, almost like a letter to the grieving father, a gift that honours the details of the crime and its aftermath, while transforming them into art. Both forensic and compassionate, it asks how do we come to terms with the tragic loss of a beloved son, failed by the system and taken far too early. This is an enthralling and beautiful book that stands as a lasting testament to the power and pain of familial love * Lily Dunn, author of Sins of My Father *This book! It's about being a father and losing a son. It's about trying to make sense of a senseless thing. It is tender and beautiful, and it is an angry book, a book whose anger is balanced and honed, anger as a tool, slicing through systemic indifference and obfuscation to what is true and right. Yes it's about a murder, about the loss of a life and future. But there is so much love here, and pride and even hope; Whitehouse takes you right to the heart of what it is to be human * Marianne Levy, author of Don't Forget to Scream *You absolutely must not miss this extraordinarily compelling work of creative non-fiction that is both deeply respectful and superbly crafted. It's one of those works that excels by defying categorisation, and yet if ever a book brought home the stark human reality that lies behind the words 'True' and 'Crime' it is this one * Caroline Sanderson, The Bookseller *David Whitehouse's account of the senseless, preventable murder of a much-loved son, brother and friend, and the unfathomable grief that fuelled his father's quest for the truth, is an astonishing achievement. About A Son is a book that will stay with you for a long, long time. A memorial to Morgan Hehir, the love he gave and the love that surrounded him in his all too short life, it is as beautiful and brilliant as it is heart-breaking * Dan Davies, author of In Plain Sight, winner of the Gordon Burn Prize *David Whitehouse has taken a father's 'unique record of grief' and turned it into a poetic indictment of policing in austerity Britain. About A Son is an original true crime masterpiece and a tribute to human resilience over official intransigence * Michael Gillard, author of Untouchables and Legacy *About A Son is a remarkable work of narrative nonfiction that invites us into a private universe of extraordinarily deep love and loss. It is a beautiful book that should be read by all * Francisco Garcia, author of If You Were There *A devastating book. With great empathy, perceptiveness, and skill, Whitehouse reframes the scenes of a senseless tragedy, giving voice to the untold sorrow of a bereft father, and somehow-don't ask me how-manages to return you to the edge of hope. It's insightful, profoundly moving, and big-hearted. Read it * Benjamin Wood, author of The Bellwether Revivals *A vivid portrait of grief from the frontline of loss. But this is no ordinary grief memoir . . . this is a confronting book. It brings the victim to the fore in a way that the courts struggle to do, and it shows what can go wrong when the victim is forgotten or sidelined. About a Son is an extraordinary work. Whitehouse's writing is beautiful, his storytelling deft . . . the book and its search for truth are propelled by Hehir's anger. While that anger is unfiltered, uncompromising and, for the reader, hard to look at straight in the eye, there is also a huge amount of love in this book . . . It is Hehir's love in the face of unimaginable trauma that elevates About a Son into something courageous, something inexplicably hopeful' * Olivia Potts, TLS *

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Book SynopsisFirst time in paperback The first biography of the serial killer featured in Devil in the White City Trade Review“Adam Selzer’s masterful sleuthing, proves to us, `the Devil IS in the details.” Impeccably researched, the author has wiped away the nineteenth-century cobwebs spun by an ineffective police investigation and a hyperbolic press. What is left? The real life story of H. H. Holmes: The True History of the White City Devil. Highly recommended. Read it!” —Steve Hodel, New York Times-bestselling author of Black Dahlia Avenger “One after another, young women visited the Chicago’s World Fair in 1893 and met and fell in love with a mesmerizing entrepreneur. Then they disappeared. H. H. Holmes is the chilling true story of a grave robber, bigamist and serial killer, and his homemade torture chamber.” —Rebecca Morris, New York Times-bestselling author of If I Can’t Have You and A Killing in Amish Country (with Gregg Olsen) and Ted and Ann “Not another cut and paste crime biography. H.H.Holmes is one of America’s super-villains. Or was he? Not one hundred, not two hundred victims, as the legends would have us believe, but only one person murdered and, even then, the evidence was circumstantial! Evidence suggests another possible four murders and five might-have-beens but that’s the grand total. Nor was he Jack the Ripper! Selzer takes apart the dove-tailed pieces of fact and legend to show the myth-making behind one of America’s most infamous bogey-men. A highly readable and exciting piece of original research, not to be missed by any crime enthusiast. —Donald Rumbelow, author of The Complete History of Jack the Ripper “A masterful dissection of false news creation at the source. Selzer persuasively shows that, from the Victorian era to now, how people get their information really does matter.” —Judy Nickels, author of A Competent Witness: Georgiana Yoke and the Trial of H.H. Holmes “You know you’ve encountered a great book when you get lost in the world the author has created. Adam Selzer’s fascinating, exhaustively researched, highly readable book H. H. Holmes is all of that—a creepy take on America’s original serial psychopath. From the opening pages to its riveting conclusion, you’re drawn into this narrative as though reading a Caleb Carr novel. . . . Engrossing, totally engaging, all at once thrilling and chilling. A fresh, new take on what is an old story. Just what the doctor himself—oh, snap!—would have ordered.” —M. William Phelps,New York Times-bestselling author, Dangerous Ground: My Friendship with a Serial Killer “History is so often compromised by myth-making, exaggerations and half-truths, when the real facts reveal a much more compelling story. Adam Selzer has fleshed out a fascinating and eminently readable portrait of the real H. H. Holmes, the fiendish killer popularly known as the `Devil in the White City.’ Mr. Selzer had dug deep to strip away the fiction in order to give us the accurate and true facts of this shadowy figure’s life. The book is an important contribution to our understanding of American criminal history.” —Richard C. Lindberg, author of Heartland Serial Killers: Belle Gunness, Johann Hoch and Murder for Profit in Gaslight Era Chicago, and sixteen other books. “Erik Larson brought the serial killer H. H. Holmes to the general reading public’s attention in The Devil in the White City. But where Larson leaves off, Adam Selzer picks up, filling in gaps, replacing legend with fact, and debunking myths. From Philadelphia to Chicago, and even down to Texas, Holmes roamed the country in the late Nineteenth Century, leaving behind buried bodies, missing persons, and unanswered questions, in a trail that ultimately led to the gallows. With meticulous research, Selzer digs deep into Holmes’s story to tell us not only the “how” but the “why,” and he reveals a somewhat unorthodox serial killer by today’s standards: a bigamist, a con man, and a swindler who killed indiscriminately, not merely to satisfy some bloodlust but, more practically, to conceal his larceny and deceit. A fascinating read!” —Mike Farris, author of A Death in the Islands: The Unwritten Law and the Last Trial of Clarence Darrow “When legend becomes fact, print the legend, the saying goes. A case in point is the story of Dr. Herman Webster Mudgett, who became infamous as H.H. Holmes, the depraved supervillain celebrated as the Devil in the White City. If you want the straight dope, and not just the legend about Mudgett/Holmes, read Adam Selzer’s H. H. Holmes—the True History of the White City Devil. You won't put it down.” —Dennis L. Breo, co-author of The Crime of the Century—Richard Speck and the Murders that Shocked a Nation “Selzer has made a career of fact-checking the most sordid details of Chicago history, disseminating the weird and gritty true history of the city and its most unsavory people through popular mystery tours, a podcast, and books. When the unprecedented success of Erik Larson’s Devil in The White City (2003) stirred up renewed interest in serial killer H.H. Holmes, Selzer made it his mission to painstakingly research Holmes’ life, family, and crimes with intense determination and doggedness. The result is this comprehensive, compelling, and surprising biography of Holmes, written in a conversational style, as if we are passengers on one of Selzer’s tours. The book follows every move Holmes ever made, dragging readers all over the country, breathlessly following his trail of deceit and lies. Using thousands of primary sources to draw the most accurate picture of this American villain yet, Selzer keeps the delicate balance of salacious (and mundane) details maintained with solid facts. What emerges is a picture of a terrible but intriguing man, one who continues to capture our imagination over a century later, and one whose story leaps off the page in Selzer’s uniquely suited hands. A must-read for fans of The Devil in The White City, of course, but this biography will also hold its own independently in true-crime collections.” —Booklist*starred* review “In this … thrilling new biography of H.H. Holmes (1861-1896), who received renewed attention in 2003 when Erik Larson published The Devil in the White City, Mysterious Chicago tour guide and author Selzer (Just Kill Me, 2016, etc.) recharacterizes Holmes as a small-time con man who was likely guilty of a series of murders in Chicago…. A passion for Holmes lore will lead to appreciation for the depth of background and lesser criminal exploits described in great detail.” —Kirkus Reviews “Was late 19th-century mass murderer H.H. Holmes motivated more by psychological compulsions than practical concerns? Selzer (Ghost of Chicago) suggests the latter, diverging from the perspective put forth in Erik Larson’s The Devil in the White City. He works hard to assemble historical evidence that strays from accounts by Larson, and others, but he never loses sight of the fact that Holmes “almost certainly killed at least nine people, ruined the lives of numerous others, and seemed to feel very little guilt about it.” This highly readable account of the case walks readers through Holmes’s nonviolent crimes before getting to his first murder. Selzer believes that Holmes’s 1891 killing of Julia Conner, a woman he had sued for nonpayment of a loan, was, like his others, committed, not out of bloodlust, but as a “necessary part of furthering his swindling operations and protecting his lifestyle.” He makes a convincing argument that current perceptions of Holmes are not always solidly grounded, even as he concedes that there’s “a lot of mystery left to be solved” about the case, a concession that will lead many aficionados of quality true-crime narrative to monitor his Mysterious Chicago blog for updates.” —Publishers Weekly

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