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The Mind of a Murderer
- Narrated by: Richard Taylor
- Length: 11 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, True Crime
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Excellent
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Summary
'Whodunnit' doesn't matter so much, not to a forensic psychiatrist. We're more interested in the 'why'.
In his 26 years in the field, Richard Taylor has worked on well over a hundred murder cases, with victims and perpetrators from all walks of life. In this fascinating memoir, Taylor draws on some of the most tragic, horrific and illuminating of these cases - as well as dark secrets from his own family's past - to explore some of the questions he grapples with every day:
- Why do people kill?
- Does committing a monstrous act make someone a monster?
- Could any of us, in the wrong circumstances, become a killer?
As Taylor helps us understand what lies inside the minds of his patients, using their own words to tell their stories, he presents us with the most important challenge of all: how can we find common humanity, even in the darkest of human deeds - and why it is so vital that we try?
The Mind of a Murderer is a fascinating exploration into the psyche of killers, as well as a unique insight into the life and mind of the doctor who treats them. For fans of Unnatural Causes, The Examined Life and All That Remains.
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What listeners say about The Mind of a Murderer
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Queenie 1949
- 31-01-21
So Informative
This is an excellent book by Richard Taylor. His narration was excellent. So useful to students who want an overview and introduction to the subject and those laymen, like me, who want insight into this area without being overwhelmed in technical jargon. This book would be of interest to those touched by the issues raised and more informed of the treatments used in this troubling and difficult area of phycology.
2 people found this helpful
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- T.
- 26-01-21
Fantastic
Such an interesting and insightful book, couldn't leave it alone! Highly recommend. There needs to be a book two!
1 person found this helpful
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- Sue Burge
- 25-03-22
Absolutely fascinating
Such an interesting listen. Very thoughtfully written. Really fascinating case studies with excellent insight into the work of a forensic psychologist. Would highly recommend
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- Daniel
- 03-02-22
Fascinating
After reading The Devil you know by Dr Gwen Adshead, I had been looking for something similar, and this book was perfect. Dr Richard Taylor provides fascinating insights from what I assume to be a remarkable career in forensic psychiatry, I was not disappointed at all.
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- D. F
- 30-01-22
Fascinating
As a Clinical Psychologist working in forensic mental health settings, I found this both fascinating and informative. The stories as sensitively told with sufficient medical and psychological detail to support understanding, but without being overly complicated and medicalised. My only criticism would be that the author narrates quickly and it can sometimes be difficult to keep up with the discussion while processing the level of detail provided. A slightly slowed down narration with more varied intonation would have improved the listener experience.
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- Connor Shaw
- 01-07-21
Excellent Book, definitely worth a Credit.
During this book you find details of a system that is under stain with professionals doing a job that is demanding emotionally and, mentally. The author gives details that are descriptive of thoughts during and after a interview. The general information relating the court proceedings and, the type paperwork required. Also the Author comes across grounded and, level head in the book.
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- Burnley's
- 22-06-21
Really interesting
Read so well, but I like it when the author reads there own work. the content is well written worth the listen
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- leelee8888
- 11-02-21
Narration ruins what I’m sure is a great book
The books content is great, however, I could not get past the narration and found myself constantly distracted and eventually had to quit listening.
An author should not narrate books , leave that to the people who get paid to read, you write, they read. There are two reasons why an author would attempt to read their own work.
One is they are arrogant enough to think they could read it better and like the sound of their own voice.
The second is they felt they didn’t want to spend the money on something they felt they could do just as good.
Well I have news for ya, big big mistake.
Dnf this book. It’s being returned .
2 people found this helpful
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- M. Quinn
- 27-01-21
Inside Look at the Work and Life of a Forensic Psychiatrist
This book blew me away. Part memoir, part true crime, part inside look at the duties of a forensic psychiatrist. Dr. Taylor expertly weaves these many facets into a compelling narrative. Drawing from his career of conducting forensic assessments of criminals Taylor divides each chapter into subsections of crimes (i.e. Sexual Homicide, Psychotic Homicide, Men Who Kill Their Partners). Each captivating in their own right, it is undoubtedly in the chapter entitled “Women Who Kill Their Children” that Taylor provides the reader with an account from his own life that is surely the most intriguing. Why does someone want to become a forensic psychiatrist? One might wonder what kind of sadistic eccentric would sit through years of medical lectures, training and countless exams (certainly a kind of prison in its own right) only to later routinely allow themselves to be locked inside an actual prison. Dr. Taylor provides us one possible answer. While offering enough details to allow the reader to feel a sense of intimacy into the personal tragedy, a familial infanticide, that would later shape Dr. Taylor’s view of those afflicted with mental illness who commit crimes. He expertly crafts the chapter (and book) without making it feel exploitative and gawky. He offers insight and understanding to the motivations behind horrific crimes that leave many of us bewildered and questioning “How could they do that something like that?” Taylor doesn’t oversimplify the medical explanations for the shocking acts of violence perpetrated by any of the patients he’s examined either. This book educates the reader and instead of wondering why some of the individuals committed their crimes, Dr. Taylor persuasively demands the reader begin asking “Why not?”
2 people found this helpful