The Dark Side of the Mind: True Stories from My Life as a Forensic Psychologist (Kerry Daynes’ True Stories of Forensic Psychology)
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‘Enthralling and terrifying. The Dark Side of the Mind is a chilling glimpse into a world of miscreants, monsters and the misunderstood.’ Professor Dame Sue Black, author of the Sunday Times bestseller All That Remains
‘A stunning, insightful, provocative piece of work. Wonderfully written and full of honesty. A powerful excavation of the world of a forensic psychologist.’ Barbara Machin, creator and writer of Waking The Dead
‘Kerry Daynes delves into the minds of psychopaths in a fascinating memoir.’ Katya Edwards, Daily Mail
‘Daynes offers fascinating insights into what makes criminals tick and how they might be more effectively treated. Her book is funny, wise and thoroughly gripping.’ Jake Kerridge, writer and critic
‘Grimly fascinating – a timely and gripping exploration of mental health issues in the criminal justice system from an author intimately acquainted with its dark heart.’ Harriet Tyce, author of Blood Orange
‘Kerry Daynes writes with knowledgeable insight on a side of people – and the criminal system that purports to treat them – that many would prefer to leave alone. The humour and psychological skills that have enabled her survival shine through.’ Jessica Fellowes, author of The Mitford Murders
Welcome to the world of the forensic psychologist, where the people you meet are wildly unpredictable and often frightening.
The job: to delve into the psyche of convicted men and women to try to understand what lies behind their often brutal actions.
Follow in the footsteps of Kerry Daynes, one of the most sought-after forensic psychologists in the business and consultant on major police investigations.
Kerry’s job has taken her to the cells of maximum-security prisons, police interview rooms, the wards of secure hospitals and the witness box of the court room.
Her work has helped solve a cold case, convict the guilty and prevent a vicious attack.
Spending every moment of your life staring into the darker side of life comes with a price. Kerry’s frank memoir gives an unforgettable insight into the personal and professional dangers in store for a female psychologist working with some of the most disturbing men and women.
If you enjoyed Unnatural Causes, When the Dogs Don’t Bark andPrison Doctor you’ll love Kerry’s gripping account of her experience as a forensic psychologist.
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Additional information
| Publisher | 1st edition (20 Feb. 2020), Endeavour |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 304 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1788402170 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1788402170 |
| Dimensions | 12.4 x 3 x 19.8 cm |
by Emmy
Would recommend
by Sandy Martin
I came across Kerry’s books by chance and wasn’t aware of who she was, despite being aware of some of the most infamous cases mentioned. I read the book during a weekend and then had to get the 2 others. I found Kerry such a caring, and kind person despite her professionalism. I think people sometimes think that to be professional you have to distance yourself entirely from patients, when in reality we are all one step away from needing help.
by Bluecashmere.
This is a most refreshing book. That probably seems an odd thing to say about a book that is so much concerned with the perpetrators and victims of some of the most serious crimes. What for me gives “The Dark Side of the Mind” such a positive quality is the personal tone and lucidity with which particularised accounts are written. Kerry Daynes interweaves her own personal story, told with an engaging frankness, alongside detailed presentation and examination of her work as a forensic psychologist, working mainly in prisons, prison hospitals and refuges of different kinds.
The author is not an academic; she does not explore scientific theory in detail, though she shows an intelligent working understanding of ideas behind practice in this field. She is not afraid to call upon common sense, intuition and personal feeling, when established theories and practice strike her as wrong. From the opening line of the Prologue she stresses that working one-to one with criminals and victims is a two-way process; there has to be giving and taking; there has to be learning on both sides.
Her writing captures well the innocence and awkwardness that accompanied her early first steps into her chosen field. She is not afraid to allude to the cynical and often brutish attitudes of prison personnel, their patronising and sexist attitudes towards her, their contempt for any serios hopes of rehabilitation of hardened criminals. Daynes’ personal discomfort comes to the surface again when she is, herself, the victim of a stalker and finds herself having to defend her conduct and principles in court. From the outset, we see someone, however raw and out of her depth, hanging in, loyal to her beliefs but actively learning all the time.
She speaks of the seemingly unquenchable appetite in the public at large for stories, both fact and fiction, of the most violent and horrendous nature. There is no simple division between those who commit the atrocities and those who feed on them for some deep needs within themselves. We are fed an unending diet of sensation and horror through newspapers in particular, but there is a whole industry cashing in on the thirst for this material. As she matures in age and experience, her confidence grows and this is reflected in the way that she writes. Around every corner, there are setbacks and Daynes shows remarkable resilience in staying the pace as long as she does.
We are introduced to a variety of cases: those who have rarely if ever left prison, those who are long-standing victims of domestic violence, those who try to manipulate the system for their own ends, those who fake illness and those who won’t admit it. Perhaps, because it stands apart from any of the other cases, Maya’s erotomania is of special interest. Daynes establishes a strong professional relationship with someone who has become psychologically institutionalised. The deeply felt account of this woman’s inner world casts light back on many of the very different cases encountered earlier.
There is no simple happy ending to this book, either for the writer or for those who cross her path. There is a great deal more, changing attitudes, often slowly changing and patchily. The prison service, the police, as well as social workers, forensic psychologists and others all suffer from harsh restraints on resources as need and the prison population grows. Huge challenges remain, but here Ms. Daynes sets down and tries to live by vital ethical principles. The book is in one sense “an easy read”, but there is no lack of substance.
by Amazon Customer
I really enjoyed reading this book. Kerry Daynes has been in some very fascinating situations, and the book provides an insight into the knowledge she has gained from these encounters. Her writing was brilliant and despite the often harrowing offences and differing personalities she has met with, she layers in some wit with these experiences to keep her encounters moving and the reader engaged.
The format of the book was also great and was easily accessible on kindle.
by La
A very interesting book, well-written and with many interesting thoughts on the human mind and the system. Varied caseload presented.
by MrsB
“Prevention is always better than a cure. By looking deeper at the root causes of extreme behaviour, we can start to write new beginnings.”
This, for me, is by far the most poignant line in Kerry Daynes’ superb memoir. Throughout this candid and no holds barred look into her experiences as a Forensic Psychologist, Kerry breaches the dam between the psychological aspects of behaviours and the very broken system which tries it’s best to help those who need it most.
Kerry is Frank and honest about her own experience of the effects of untreated psychological disturbance, and how, ultimately, these experiences led to the demise of her time in the professional spotlight.
If you have an interest in how Forensic Psychologists fit into the process of criminal justice and health, this is definitely a great read!
by Harriet
Very easy to read, and food for thought. In my career as a probation officer , I could relate to a lot of this. Thinking out of the box.
Looks as if Kerry has done some excellent work in her profession as a forensic psychologist.