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Unnatural Causes cover art

Unnatural Causes

By: Dr Richard Shepherd
Narrated by: Dr Richard Shepherd
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Summary

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.

©2018 Dr Richard Shepherd (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"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

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A rollercoaster ride

The best book that I have encountered in years; it was narrated with ease by Dr Shepherd. I couldn't stop listening and continued through the night. It recounts the ups, downs, twists and turns of this leading Home Office pathologists life within forensic & legal medicine. It's a biography carefully threaded through his most memorable cases; it is not intended to be a treatise on forensic medicine. Shepherd exposes how such a demanding role can impact so many lives and how the freedom or confinement of the individual can depend so much on the attentiveness, honesty and impartiality of the forensic professionals. Moreover, if you're interested in how the authorities handle the aftermath of mass disasters, this is a 'must read'. The mental health crisis that the Shepherd suffered in the latter part of his career was no surprise and highlights the sacrifices made by the few who do this job (there's only a small number of Home Office pathologists in the British Isles). Listeners should be aware that it may leave a dark cloud hanging over ones head for a while afterwards. There are many tragic recollections -- the most tragic from my viewpoint were the 'hide and die' and SUDEP cases. The high profile cases affected me much less. Two of the high profile cases that Shepherd was involved with are constantly in the media, even now, over 20 years later; the constant ruminations by the media on these two cases have bored me rigid. It was the anonymous, unheard of cases that made me feel melancholic. The 'spy in the bag' death and Jo Cox murder were not covered; I was disappointed about that, but I'm sure that there was a reason. A wonderful read offered up by a very colourful, clever and candid character. As a side note: Dr Shepherd also appears in the TV series 'Mummies Alive' (brilliant!), 'Autopsy' and Michael Portillo's 'Hidden Britain - Royal London Hospital'. All available on the web and worth watching if you have the opportunity.

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128 people found this helpful

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WARNING: Say bye bye to the next 11hrs and 46mins

This book was by far the most compelling listen so far in my 4 years of grinding my way through audiobooks on Audible. Absolute honesty mixed with fascinating and detailed stories from the frontline of criminal forensic pathology which references cases anyone from the UK or Ireland who was born in the last 50 years will remember. Shepherd brings humanity to his description of a job that many people don't even want to think about. There is interesting caselaw that features fascinating insights into complex legal issues that revolve around his findings in the PM room but explained with a brevity and focus that make it simple for a lay person like me to understand. There is the non-gruesome yet frank explanation of causes of death (definite and suspected) and a very interesting look at the tapestry of relationships that a forensic pathologist is involved in which I never thought about before (doctors, other pathologists, academics, consultant, law enforcement, solicitors, barristers, judges etc). Top all of this off with a general underlying feeling that this man just comes across as a bloody (excuse the pun) nice chap with very simple and altruistic goals underpinning his career and you get what is a book that I must have listened to in two days which for juts under 12 hours is a record for me. Wholeheartedly recommended.

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67 people found this helpful

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Authoritative, Authentic and Utterly Fascinating

This review is an absolute honour to write as I have rarely read or listened to a book so richly deserving 5 stars across the board. The story, such as it can be called a story, is incredibly interesting. I am quite squeamish and this book certainly does not hold back but the material is so interesting and so well recounted that I hung on every word. Dr Shepherd can really write and his narration was pitch perfect - better than many voice actors I have listened to. His searing honesty, self - doubt, compassion and humanity really helped to humanise the medical aspects of the book. This is not just a great memoir, it is an outstanding work of literature and I thoroughly recommend it to all listeners and readers.

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38 people found this helpful

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Bringing life to death

Really loved this book. I've always found the idea of forensic pathology fascinating. This was not only an excellent insight into the work, and touched on lots of high profile cases, but had personal stories describing the impact of such a career on the mental health of the pathologist. Was also very insightful on the changes in the profession over time, and the influence of public perceptions and trends in thinking. Great that it was naratted by the author too, adding additional personal touches. Highly recommend.

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Absolutely fascinating, unexpectedly gripping.

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.

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So Human

A humble, compassionate and beautiful, wise book, brilliant. Thank you for the careful work you have done. I wish this
book hadn’t ended it’s so good.

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wow

I heard Dr Shepherd on Jeremy Vines radio 2 programme. I thought at the time this sounds interesting. Not my normal listen, but I'd give it a go. I never realised what a forensic pathologist did. oh I have seen tv shows, but this book takes it to a new level

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Fascinating, humble and honest

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.

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Brilliant

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.

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What an amazing human

One of the most interesting biographies I have ever read
Thank you for looking out for all those people after their deaths

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