A review by karlamcclatchey
Inside Broadmoor: Up Close and Personal with Britain's Most Dangerous Criminals by Jonathan Levi, Emma French

3.0

An interesting read, but heavily sensationalised and a little misleading in its premise. The researchers were indeed up close and personal with the most dangerous residents, but this is less a reveal about the residents and their psychology, rather than a history of the hospital itself. There are many interesting snippets of facts regarding the changes in the hospital and residents and their treatments over the years, as well as the workers, however, it can be dry in areas and the book then throws out some information on infamous inmates to jazz it up. Some of this can be repetitive and a little sensationalist. Repeating bits about Jimmy Saville or The Yorkshire Ripper felt more like a big sell rather than adding to the inner workings of Broadmoor and their practices. I do finding psychology interesting and hoped for a little more detail on cases even in a manner that protects individual identities. While a little disappointing, it is hard not to be drawn to a book that allows a glimpse into one of the world's most famous hospitals.