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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
emotional
informative
fast-paced
I was very gripped by this book from the second chapter in, but then I am fascinated by this kind of thing anyway. The descriptions of forensics pathology are very graphic, and Dr Shepherd has been present at most of the major disasters in the UK and some internationally over the past three decades. I was fascinated to learn about how the field is changing and becoming bureaucratised and privatised along with everything else at the moment. it’s such a shame that they have been pushed out of universities by the new research framework. How can that happen to such a profession? It was also useful to hear Dr Shepherd to talk about the long-term emotional impact of his work, and the complex PTSD he now lives with. The only things I didn’t enjoy so much about this book were the details of his marriage breakdown, which just didn’t feel (to me) like they needed to be there and felt a bit intrusive to me as a reader. I’m certain from the tone that Dr Shepherd had discussed all of this with his ex wife before publishing, it just didn’t feel like it fitted with the rest of the book to me. A minor thing though overall which didn’t spoil my enjoyment of this book (if enjoyment is quite the right word for the subject matter).
This isn't a book about forensic pathology, it is a book about a man with an amazing passion for his job as a forensic pathologist. Don't get me wrong, forensic pathology is there, on almost every page but, in the foreground is Richard Shepherd, a young man with an aspiration of his dream job which he was able to achieve after long years of study.
An honest and moving story of his life, both professional and personal with all its ups and downs.
An uplifting book in so far as the dedication and respect he brings to all his cases, yet sad because of the lives lost, some under terrible circumstances. The book tells us how thin the line can sometimes be between natural and unnatural causes which can have the effect of imprisonment or freedom for a possible suspect.
Flaws in the system, the need for laws to be changed and sometimes human mistakes luckily did not outweigh Shepherd's passion for finding answers enabling closure for relatives and helping to re-educate those in the flawed system.
He was involved in many of the notorious pathology cases in recent years.
He writes about how bodies have changed over the years since he first started; size due to diet, piercings, tattoos.
In particular, it made me sad to read:
"self-harm was almost unknown then and now I am amazed at the number of bodies, particularly the young, which arrived in the mortuary with old, self-inflicted cuts and lacerations."
An honest and moving story of his life, both professional and personal with all its ups and downs.
An uplifting book in so far as the dedication and respect he brings to all his cases, yet sad because of the lives lost, some under terrible circumstances. The book tells us how thin the line can sometimes be between natural and unnatural causes which can have the effect of imprisonment or freedom for a possible suspect.
Flaws in the system, the need for laws to be changed and sometimes human mistakes luckily did not outweigh Shepherd's passion for finding answers enabling closure for relatives and helping to re-educate those in the flawed system.
He was involved in many of the notorious pathology cases in recent years.
He writes about how bodies have changed over the years since he first started; size due to diet, piercings, tattoos.
In particular, it made me sad to read:
"self-harm was almost unknown then and now I am amazed at the number of bodies, particularly the young, which arrived in the mortuary with old, self-inflicted cuts and lacerations."
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma
Minor: Cancer, Drug use, Rape, Self harm
As a fan of true crime series I thought I would adore this book, but I was wrong. It took longer to get into the flow and I was never desperate to pick it up again. I feel I expected this book to be like “This Is Going To Hurt” by Adam Kay and in comparison it left me underwhelmed. Probably my own fault for comparing it then, I know!
I enjoyed the book more from Chapter 24 onwards (there’s 34 Chapters, so quite a chunk was a slog to get through) but when the book discusses more well-known named events it intrigued me. I’m glad I’ve read this book but not one I’d read again or recommend.
I enjoyed the book more from Chapter 24 onwards (there’s 34 Chapters, so quite a chunk was a slog to get through) but when the book discusses more well-known named events it intrigued me. I’m glad I’ve read this book but not one I’d read again or recommend.
informative
slow-paced
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
A wonderful insight into the world of forensic pathologist and the toll it can take on the living. Dr Shepherd is a beautiful writer, balancing the medical technicalities with an empathy that hits deep.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Medical content, Medical trauma
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault
emotional
informative
medium-paced
brilliantly written book which is part personal biography and part professional memoirs. Forensic sciences have always intrigued me, although pathology of any kind has never been a profession I took much notice of beyond watching CSI. Dr. Shepherd has been involved with cases ranging from mundane ilness to devastating terrorism, and they are fascinating to read about. He writes about them in an informative way, explaining the post-mortem process in detail, expanding on definitions which really help to understand medical and scientific terms you often hear without knowing what they mean. Although he goes into great detail about many cases, he also treats them with a sensitivity that is respectful of the victim and their families (names have been changed in all but the most notorious and well-known cases). He is honest about his personal flaws and the emotional distance which caused difficulties in his private life, and the crossover between home and work. An informative and interesting read that explores a part of life many of us choose to ignore - death.