You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
1.56k reviews for:
Holtak vallatója: Nagy-Britannia első számú törvényszéki kórboncnokának emlékei – avagy élet a halál közelében
Richard Shepherd
4.22 AVERAGE
1.56k reviews for:
Holtak vallatója: Nagy-Britannia első számú törvényszéki kórboncnokának emlékei – avagy élet a halál közelében
Richard Shepherd
4.22 AVERAGE
informative
medium-paced
To be completely honest when I started this book I thought that it would end up being a ‘did not finish’. It starts with a weird, super-descriptive prose that made me double check I was actually reading the book I thought I was. The narrative was also strange (I actually made a note of how self-centred the author seemed). But just like that it changed and I was suddenly drawn in to page after page.
Unnatural Causes is a mix between a memoir and an autobiography that documents not just Dr Shepherds work life, but also the challenges of a home life as well. It’s written in such a way that you really see Shepherds enthusiasm for his line of work, and his deep need to uncover the truth in the bodies he find before him. But while enthusiastic he displays such respect for not only the victims, but the families of the victims and anyone else connected, and you really begin to see how much he cares for individuals and society.
As one of the top forensic pathologists, Dr Shepard has attended some of the most high profile cases including the Hungerford massacre and Marchioness disaster. But it was Shepherds recount of his experience with 9/11 and Harold Shipman that really got me, and I mean my stomach dropped, flipped and twisted. You feel the anguish and pain that Shepherd himself felt, and his retelling of the atmosphere after 9/11 is heart-wrenching.
This currently sits at the best non-fiction book I’ve read in 2020, and it’s one that will stick with me for a while. It is incredibly intriguing, however I would issue a trigger warning as it does mention sexual assault, murder and self-harm as well as mental health disorders (particularity PTSD).
Unnatural Causes is a mix between a memoir and an autobiography that documents not just Dr Shepherds work life, but also the challenges of a home life as well. It’s written in such a way that you really see Shepherds enthusiasm for his line of work, and his deep need to uncover the truth in the bodies he find before him. But while enthusiastic he displays such respect for not only the victims, but the families of the victims and anyone else connected, and you really begin to see how much he cares for individuals and society.
As one of the top forensic pathologists, Dr Shepard has attended some of the most high profile cases including the Hungerford massacre and Marchioness disaster. But it was Shepherds recount of his experience with 9/11 and Harold Shipman that really got me, and I mean my stomach dropped, flipped and twisted. You feel the anguish and pain that Shepherd himself felt, and his retelling of the atmosphere after 9/11 is heart-wrenching.
This currently sits at the best non-fiction book I’ve read in 2020, and it’s one that will stick with me for a while. It is incredibly intriguing, however I would issue a trigger warning as it does mention sexual assault, murder and self-harm as well as mental health disorders (particularity PTSD).
This book was ok. That’s the best way to describe it. It was definitely interesting but I feel I was spoilt by Adam Kay’ ‘this is going to hurt’. That was the first non-fiction book of this style that I read and I loved it. This is my 3rd or 4th book of a similar style that I’ve tried since and none of these have captured me the same way. Once again I felt that I didn’t get gripped into it as there was no follow through with what happened with each case which felt unsatisfying for me.
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
I loved this. It was so interesting and insightful to see the flip side of a profession you only really see in TV shows and movies. I'm definitely in need of more books like this now.
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Here continues my morbid obsession with hospitals, crime and death (who doesn’t love a good murder mystery!!).
Reviews raved about this book, and I must say they were right! After being a massive fan of Silent Witness I was prepared for the gory details that would be described in the book - but was impressed with the sensitivity and realness Dr Shepherd gave to each individual case he described in the book.
At times, it was incredibly heavy (what else do you expect from a pathologist's life story though!), and it took a good 100 pages for me to get stuck in. A quick moving, case filled with gory murder details? No, but an depth and substantial knowledge and education of pathology and the science behind it was fascinating.
The descriptions of the 9/11 site, the Bali bombings and the death of Princess Diana really stuck with me. Here is someone with first hand experience of these events and how the aftermath was handled. The book is well and truly fascinating.
Reviews raved about this book, and I must say they were right! After being a massive fan of Silent Witness I was prepared for the gory details that would be described in the book - but was impressed with the sensitivity and realness Dr Shepherd gave to each individual case he described in the book.
At times, it was incredibly heavy (what else do you expect from a pathologist's life story though!), and it took a good 100 pages for me to get stuck in. A quick moving, case filled with gory murder details? No, but an depth and substantial knowledge and education of pathology and the science behind it was fascinating.
The descriptions of the 9/11 site, the Bali bombings and the death of Princess Diana really stuck with me. Here is someone with first hand experience of these events and how the aftermath was handled. The book is well and truly fascinating.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
informative
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Gore
An outstanding book that has you gripped from the first page to the last. Not for everyone - there are some scenes that some may describe as gruesome - but the care and dedication that Shepherd puts into his work from day 1 is incomparable. A must-read for anyone with any remote interest in the medical, pathology, or forensics field.