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Unnatural Causes

The Life and Many Deaths of Britain's Top Forensic Pathologist

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About this listen

Meet the forensic pathologist, Dr Richard Shepherd, in the true crime book of the year - brought to you by Penguin.

'The dead do not hide the truth and they never lie. Through me the dead can speak . . .'

He solves the mysteries of unexplained or sudden death.
He has performed over 23,000 autopsies, including investigating some of the most high-profile cases of recent times; the Hungerford Massacre, the Princess Diana inquiry, and 9/11.
He has faced serial killers, natural disasters, 'perfect murders' and freak accidents.
His evidence has put killers behind bars, freed the innocent, and turned open-and-shut cases on their heads.
Yet all this has come at a huge personal cost.

Written and narrated by Dr Richard Shepherd, Unnatural Causes tells the story of not only the cases and bodies that have haunted him the most, but also how to live a life steeped in death.

'Puts the reader at his elbow as he wields the scalpel' Guardian

'Fascinating, gruesome yet engrossing' Richard and Judy, Daily Express

'Fascinating, insightful, candid, compassionate' Obersver

 Crime Medical Professionals & Academics True Crime Murder Forensics Nonfiction Law Inspiring Thought-Provoking Exciting Funny Scary

Critic reviews

Unnatural Causes gives a sense of the toll that dealing with so many dead bodies takes. It's a very human book that looks at the cases he has been involved with, from the Hungerford massacre to the murder of Stephen Lawrence
An unputdownable record of an extraordinary life
One of the most fascinating books I have read in a long time. Engrossing, a haunting page-turner. A book I could not put down
Fabulous . . . The UK's top pathologist investigating high-profile deaths such as that of Diana, Princess of Wales
Puts the reader at his elbow as he wields the scalpel
Insightful, candid and compassionate
Fascinating, gruesome yet engrossing
Heart-wrenchingly honest
Darkly fascinating
A deeply mesmerising memoir of forensic pathology. Human and fascinating
All stars
Most relevant
I found I was compelled to keep listening, and went through from start to finish in a little over 24 hours. At times the detail can be very full on, these were after all most of the major incidents within the last 30 years, and he was a very senior pathologist, so be warned.

The book is candid, meticulous and nothing is held back. His thoughts and feelings are laid out like one of his patients and are scrutinised and dissected with the same clinical rigor. He finds himself unexpectedly as human as any of us, yet with deep pockets of care and empathy and compassion. This truly is an insightful and fascinating autobiography of an exceptional man.

Absolutely fascinating, unexpectedly gripping.

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An absolutely fascinating account of Richard Shepherd's career. He mixes the chronological story of his professional life with really interesting technical insight as well as philosophical discussion on the moral topics that he feels strongly about. Accompanying this is real, admirable honesty about his feelings, his family and the effects that his work had on it. Dr Shepherd, you have my deepest respect.

Fascinating, humble and honest

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Great book which gives a fascinating insight into this highly skilled but often overlooked and underappreciated profession. Hearing of how Richard's career over the years caused issues with family, children and even his own mental health was really moving at times. The descriptions of the disaster scenes and effects of working within them are very tastefully done. It would have been easy to turn this into a blood, guts and gore shocker book but it's really not like that at all. Thanks for sharing your story Richard.

Brilliant

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Very interested well most off it didnt like some details but its his job he sounds so young at 72 sad story about loesing his kids miscarriage great man

Outstanding couldent stop listening

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This is a fantastic book. It is extremely well written and well read by Dr Richard Shepherd, who in my opinion deserves an OBE. You feel you just want to say a massive thank you and give him a really big hug. A man anyone would be proud to meet and be acquainted with.

Simply brilliant

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