He intersperses stories of notorious cases - from Denis Nilsen to the murder of James Bulger - to illustrate his themes which include the social nature of crime, and how the murderer is a product of society. David’s recent TV work has included BBC Scotland's David Wilson's Crime Files.He appeared with Emilia Fox in Channel 4's Walking in Killer's Footsteps and also helped to devise and present Radio 4's In The Criminologist’s Chair. This is an excellent book, well deserving of 5 stars. I’m going to hear David Wilson speak at the end of March at Glasgow’s Aye Write book festival. I can’t wait! [He was excellent, as expected]. The best section was toward the end when he discussed the making of the documentary 'Interview with a Murderer'. He spends some time discussing the murder of a teenage paper boy with the convicted Murderer Bert Spencer, who was suspected of killing the boy.

My Life with Murderers by David Wilson | Hachette UK

Join the UK’s leading criminologist Professor David Wilson, author of the fascinating new book Murder At Home as he explores how, for so many victims, their safest space is the place they are most in danger. Delving into infamous as well as lesser-known cases, this examination of how murderers have used different rooms in a house is perfect for fans of The Dark Side of the Mind and The Mind of a Murderer.David Wilson is Emeritus Professor of Criminology and the founding Director of the Centre for Applied Criminology at Birmingham City University. Prior to taking up an academic appointment in 1997, David was a prison governor working at a variety of establishments in a number of different roles. I’m sure I am not on my own in having a fascination when it comes to serial killers and murderers. With so many crime books, shows, films, they make for compelling screen and reading time. For me I suppose it’s the whys. Why would someone murder someone or multiple people? Is it events from their own childhood that has shaped them into who they are today or can you really just be born evil? What goes on in that persons mind? From idealistic prison governor straight out of Cambridge University to expert criminologist and emeritus professor, David has met hitmen, mass, spree and serial killers and those murderers who seem to kill “in five minutes of madness”. Sometimes he meets them in a tense interview in a cell; sometimes to share a cup of tea (or something a little stronger); or sometimes just to look them in the eye as he tells them that, yes, they really are a psychopath. Some of these men became David's friends; others would still love to kill him. With characteristic brilliance and admirable sensitivity, Wilson illuminates the complex causes of their often horrific crimes’– Professor Simon Winlow, Vice President of the British Society of Criminology Overall an interesting book. What stood out for me was the contrast with UK and US police interrogation techniques. One investigatory and the other accusatory. I liked the PEACE mnemonic for investigatory procedures:

My Life with Murderers - Open Library My Life with Murderers - Open Library

In a career spanning 40 years, David has met all sorts of killers: hitmen, mass, spree and serial killers and those murderers who seem to kill “in 5 minutes of madness”. Sometimes he meets them in a tense interview in a cell; sometimes to share a cup of tea (or something a little stronger); or sometimes just to look them in the eye as he tells them that, yes, they really are a psychopath. With experiences unlike any other and an unparalleled knowledge of murder, David will discuss his fascinating and compelling study of human nature, delving into infamous as well as lesser-known true crime cases in an attempt to make sense out of the senseless. His current research interests range from the phenomenon of British serial murder, family annihilation, hitmen and lethal violence within organised crime, to all aspects of prison history and penal reform. Now you have the opportunity to hear David’s story from idealistic prison governor straight out of Cambridge University to expert criminologist and emeritus professor.

Stars — This is exactly what you think it is, and I — For One — Am extremely grateful for that, because David Wilson is perhaps the true Prof of all things murder and crime so hearing his personal journey through the murky depths of psychopathic Rabbit Warrens is one I strapped in for whole-heartedly. The first part of the title is correct. This was Professor David Wilson's professional life dealing with murderers. But the second part only partially so since it is also about his life after he left being a prison governor and went into researching murders "in the field" rather than being involved with individual murderers. One of those books I could just couldn’t put down. I have watched several documentaries featuring the author as an expert commentator, so I knew I would enjoy his writing as he discusses his career working with some of Britains most notorious offenders, from Dennis Neilson through to Charles Bronson. Many other killers and crimes are discussed, including some not widely reported - or at least not for some time.

My Life with Murderers - Google Books My Life with Murderers - Google Books

It’s fascinating stuff: my only criticism would be that it’s not the most linear narrative. Sometimes I felt like I was taking a meandering trip through Wilson’s thought processes! Some of the sections were interesting. His description of the rehab techniques some of the prisons use was intriguing. And his comparison of US and UK interview techniques was unsurprising but interesting anyway. Ashamedly it has taken me sometime to get to it. It has been sat on my bedside table waiting patiently to be read but am glad to say that I have now read it and it was every bit as interesting as I had hoped for and more. I was fortunate enough to see the author at an event in Bloody Scotland in 2019. Having found his talk extremely intriguing as well as spellbinding, I could have happily sat there all day and listened to him talking, I bought a copy of this book after the event where he was signing copies. I know I'm not the only one who spends their time watching YouTube videos about serial killers. This book is the ideal companion to that pastime.This book was very insightful and provided lots of informative on murderers, killers and psychopaths all while being easy to read and understand. It’s clear that Wilson knows his stuff. Without having read any of his previous novels, it’s clear that he has years of experience dealing with various psychopaths and murderers and knows their personalities inside and out. He takes a more scientific approach compared to his American contemporaries too, relying more heavily of the psychology of victims and evidence based practice compared to ‘one off interviews’ and showman ship. It’s a refreshing and more reliable approach to others I’ve read (ie John Douglas, who gets a sound dressing down here). David Wilson is the author of the gripping books My Life with Murderers, A Plot to Kill and new release Murder at Home. Emeritus Professor of Criminology at Birmingham City University and the founding Director of the university’s Centre for Criminal Justice and Research, he is also a respected TV presenter, most recently fronting Channel 4’s In the Footsteps of Killers with Emilia Fox and David Wilson’s Crime Files for BBC Scotland.