As engrossing as any fictional whodunit, this uniquely powerful account of the life of a forensic pathologist puts the mystery of unexplained death front and centre. Through notorious and neglected cases that he has worked on, Shepherd reveals the methods of his trade, the emotional toll of his work and the crucial importance of his calling.
The dead do not hide the truth and they never lie. Through me the dead can speak
Meet the forensic pathologist, Dr Richard Shepherd. He solves the mysteries of unexplained or sudden death. He's a detective in his own right. And he has one, ultimate and pressing question to answer: How did this person die?
Unnatural Causes is an unputdownable record of an extraordinary life, a unique insight into a remarkable profession, and above all a powerful and reassuring testament to lives cut short.
Dr Shepherd has faced serial killers, natural disaster, 'perfect murders' and freak accidents, all in the pursuit of the truth. And while he's been involved in some of the most high-profile cases of recent times, it's often the less well-known encounters that prove the most perplexing, intriguing and even bizarre. In or out of the public eye, his evidence has put killers behind bars, freed the innocent and turned open-and-shut cases on their heads. But a life in death, bearing witness to some of humanity's darkest corners, exacts a price and Shepherd doesn't flinch from counting the cost to him and his family.
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
ISBN: 9781405923538
Number of pages: 464
Weight: 317 g
Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 28 mm
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 - The Times (Books of the Year, 2018)
An unputdownable record of an extraordinary life - 100 sizzling summer books, Daily Mail
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 - The Times
Fabulous . . . The UK's top pathologist investigating high-profile deaths such as that of Diana, Princess of Wales - The Sunday Post
Puts the reader at his elbow as he wields the scalpel - Guardian
Insightful, candid and compassionate - Observer
Fascinating, gruesome yet engrossing - Richard and Judy, Daily Express
Heart-wrenchingly honest - Professor Sue Black, author of All That Remains
Darkly fascinating - Daily Mirror
A deeply mesmerising memoir of forensic pathology. Human and fascinating - Nigella Lawson
Partly an autobiography, but also a love letter to pathology. It's dignified and graceful and painfully honest about the human and emotional cost of so much time with the dead. Insightful, moving and mesmerising - Marylebone Journal
This book holds within its pages the story of a life told with honesty, and this is partly why it is such a pleasure to read. A fascinating autobiography. Unputdownable. - Live Ribble Valley
A unique insight into a remarkable profession - The Times
His experiences, from morgue to court, are sometimes gruesome, always gripping - Sunday Mirror
The true crime book of the year; a thoughtful, revealing, chilling and bizarre record of an extraordinary life and profession - Visit Norwich
He recounts experiences in a gripping memoir that melds the personal and professional - The People
Must Read - Daily Mail
A brilliantly written and compelling account of a medical detective who has worked on many appalling crimes and human tragedies - Woman's Weekly
Must read - Daily Mail
Medical science books are rarely as gripping as Unnatural Causes. It's grimly fascinating, and I suspect I'll read it at least twice. - Evening Standard
There are not many times in my life I have been speechless but this book just WOW !!! what can I say what an incredible read. Richard Shepherd has achieved so much in his life and his passion is shown on every page I... More
I couldn’t put this book down, what a fascinating man with remarkable stories to tell.
Before this book i had a very faint and naive idea of what pathologists do and how important there skills are. After reading i have a better appreciation for their courage, skill and determination for the truth at all... More
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