I am interested in Forensic Psychology, and wanted to make it my career, hence I bought the book and have seen Mr Britton speak. I was later surprised when working with other Forensic Psychologists to learn that his input into the cases he cites was not as involved as he claims and his breakthroughs were not soley his own, nor were his ideas. Forensic Psychology is not something that can stand alone like in an Agatha Christie or Jessica Fletcher TV show detective. Evidence analysis is still crutial and there were many other people working on these cases. He didn't solve them! I also find it difficult to read details of the cases in a "pop-psychology" book, which really should not be available to the public in a self serving manner as this book - case in point that of dear Jamie Bulger. The details in the book are graphic, disturbing, and an author should not be making money off them. These are not fictional characters he writes about but real high profile cases about people who deserve some dignity.Those things aside, it was an interesting read... if you "like" that sort of thing, which as it was to be my career I did at the time. I was surprised at other Forensic Psychologists being so vehement in their disrespect of their "colleague" when speaking of Paul Britton's professionalism and self-confessed prowess. It seems his selling out and writing this book was not highly regarded nor were his high claims, which were apparently false. This book is quite egostistical on his part and this self centred style of writing is tiring.He does not have mythic status in his field but was one of the first "Forensic Psychologists" who employed profiling and happened to work on some notable high coverage cases that were solved. It is Psychologists like him that spread that myth that Psychology is hoodoo rather than science. I have often been asked (worryingly not tongue in cheek) when people find out I have a Psychology degree "can you read minds?" and the idea that Forensic Psychologists can get inside criminal's minds and predict all of their moves and that they always follow a pattern (Criminal Minds the TV show is guilty of this too) that is "textbook" is possibly as a result of books like this. Twaddle.If you take what you read at face value and don't know anything about Psychology this book will blow your mind. Ignore the fact it's claims are exaggerated, and it's an interesting book.
One of my favorite books of all time. I read it cover to cover within 24 hours as I couldnt put it down.Id recomend that anyone with a strong interest in crime or psychology to read it and also to anyone else. The coverage of so many prolific crimes that we've seen occur within our country over the last few decades makes it easy to relate to; anyone and everyone (unless youve been living in a cave somewhere!) will have an opinion or memory of the majority of the crimes discussed (Rachel Nickel, Jamie Bulger, The Wests etc) What makes this such an intriguing read for me is to hear about the beginnings of Forensic Psychology, how its applied to these dreadful situations in order to bring those guilty to justice and to see its development through to present day. It also highlites the personal dilemas that Paul Britton experienced alongside his prolific career and how his involvment has shaped this interesting career choice and the use of techniques today. This ones a keeper - Ill be reading it again, Im sure of that.
I was recommended this book,because of my love for crime, murder, and sociology. Overall I found this book fascinating, the different cases that Paul Britton, had been involved in were interesting and kept me gripped throughout the whole novel. The books mature context and graphic descriptive language enhances the shock and horror of the cases he worked on, which forced me to finish this book, and honestly I loved the how novel. I would recommend this novel to anyone. Especially anyone who loves crime, sociology and murder, the gritty and the real traumatic cases keeps the reader hooked, until the last page.
—Chloe Clarke
A really interesting account of the development of offender profiling through the career of one of the first psychologists to enter the field. Some reviewers have commented on a use of 'pop psychology' by Britton. What I'd say is, the book is aimed at readers without a detailed knowledge of psychology; simplification is inevitable. Secondly, it's pop because it's common - only negative if that also makes it inaccurate. The cases are detailed, and I'm sure it would be interesting to read in more depth about that of Stagg/Nickell/Napper - a case some are criticising Britton for. To my mind he has always been open about the limitations of a profile and shouldn't be under critique with the bonus of hindsight.It's not exactly an educational read, but you will get a good understanding of how and why a profile is formed alongside some pretty hideous crime scene accounts.
—Mary Baldwin
I picked this up in the library thinking it would be an interesting read about criminal psychology.I enjoyed the early part of the book as the author Paul Britton was born and brought up in Warwickshire where I grew up and there were a lot of familiar place names and references.However once Britton starts to talk about the various criminal cases he worked on, my interest waned a little. For the most part he references 'headline' crimes such as the Rachel Nickell case or Fred and Rosemary West and he includes not only his own thoughts and case notes but also very detailed descriptions of the investigations including some extremely graphic letters from the infamous Colin Stagg/Lizzie police undercover operation which feels highly inappropriate and distasteful. Britton plays up his part in the investigations he worked on which is only natural as this is his autobiography but despite a few paragraphs about how hard the police worked to resolve each and every case he worked on somehow the reader is left with the impression that Britton feels he and he alone cracked each case with his criminal profiles, especially as he makes a point of underlining how he volunteers to help the police out of the goodness of his heart, with no view to advancing his own career. An interesting read, but ultimately one man's version of some of the UK's most famous criminal cases from the last 40 years
—Vicki
