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The Dark Side of the Mind: True Stories from My Life as a Forensic Psychologist
by
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
...moreKindle Edition, 304 pages
Published
May 30th 2019
by Cassell Illustrated
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Start your review of The Dark Side of the Mind: True Stories from My Life as a Forensic Psychologist
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I love forensic books. Always have and also always looking for new ones to add to my reading list. The Dark Side of the Mind is a memoir that follows Kerry Daynes and her working career as a forensic psychologist in secure hospitals and even in criminal cases, as well as some traumatising personal events that happen to her such as being harassed and stalked. The overall tone and mood were creepy and very dark. The parts about her psychologist work were the ...more
I love forensic books. Always have and also always looking for new ones to add to my reading list. The Dark Side of the Mind is a memoir that follows Kerry Daynes and her working career as a forensic psychologist in secure hospitals and even in criminal cases, as well as some traumatising personal events that happen to her such as being harassed and stalked. The overall tone and mood were creepy and very dark. The parts about her psychologist work were the ...more
This book has been described as ‘enthralling and terrifying’ - I would have to agree.
A very well written and fascinating account of extremely interesting and sometimes harrowing cases.
A must read for anyone with an interest in Psychology and True crime.
A very well written and fascinating account of extremely interesting and sometimes harrowing cases.
A must read for anyone with an interest in Psychology and True crime.
Having long been a fan of this author through her work featuring on documentaries as she gives her expert take on horrific crimes, I was excited to get stuck into her memoir. To say I couldn’t put it down was an understatement. Her stories are fascinating, complex, terrifying and more.
The author takes us from her beginnings as a trainee psychologist and through her career working with sex offenders to women in secure units who have escaped violence and abuse. The author eloquently discusses the ...more
The author takes us from her beginnings as a trainee psychologist and through her career working with sex offenders to women in secure units who have escaped violence and abuse. The author eloquently discusses the ...more
The Dark Side of the Mind is an absolutely fascinating book. Part memoir, part true-crime non-fiction, it provides a gripping insight into the human mind in some of its darkest moments.
I have always been fascinated by how the mind works (I have a career in psychology and did consider specialising in the forensic field at one point). So I already had a good feeling about this book before I even opened it. But Daynes’ writing was superb so I loved it even more than I thought I would. I often strug ...more
I have always been fascinated by how the mind works (I have a career in psychology and did consider specialising in the forensic field at one point). So I already had a good feeling about this book before I even opened it. But Daynes’ writing was superb so I loved it even more than I thought I would. I often strug ...more
Ahhh, Love this book ! It talks about Kerry Daynes, a psychologist forensic who portraits about a few chapters of her professional life dealing with some “clients” (murderes to stalkers), in a variety of procedures that would determine how dangerous is to the public, her experience in the courts as an expert in the victim’s or accusers behaviours and some personal views as a victim herself...inside and outside in her work environment.
If you like the book / tv serie “Mindhunter”, it’s the neares ...more
If you like the book / tv serie “Mindhunter”, it’s the neares ...more
Ooh, I liked this one a lot. I love to read about psychology and I watch a lot of crime shows, so when we chose this for book club, I was very intrigued - how would it be to read these stories when I'm used to watching them?
Let me just say that the experience was similar, if not better to crime shows - albeit with a more human touch. Daynes is an intelligent and witty forensic psychologist who has learned, through experience, how to see the human in monsters and the misunderstood. Reading how sh ...more
Let me just say that the experience was similar, if not better to crime shows - albeit with a more human touch. Daynes is an intelligent and witty forensic psychologist who has learned, through experience, how to see the human in monsters and the misunderstood. Reading how sh ...more
For 99 euro cents this is my best buy so far. The Dark Side of Mind, written by a bright (side of) mind. I wasn't so sure about it beforehand, but what a compelling and interesting read. A writer with humor and self-reflection. I easily felt connected to this woman and her book. Despite moments of horror and utter sadness, my curiosity in how the mind works made it an easy read. I got so many new insights as a natural human observer myself. If it was 99 euro, i would have bought it.
I adore Kerr ...more
I adore Kerr ...more
Not the kitty :(
This book is absolutely incredible; professional, personal, clinical in places, informative and has some humour too keep the 'light' in the words to go with the sad parts. The information, statistics wise, that this author has included is inciteful and definitely hair-raising to say the least. If you are going into Psychology or Forensic Psychology, you HAVE to read this book! I will be buying a physical copy to highlight patches for my own degree.
Kerry Daynes is definitely a professional but sh ...more
Kerry Daynes is definitely a professional but sh ...more
As an avid watcher of true crime documentaries, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Daynes has met an array of patients throughout the spectrum of perpetrators and victims and she tells each story so well. I especially enjoyed her making it clear that the way people involved in crimes are often mislabeled as having brought it upon themselves, while disregarding the environmental factors that impacted them.
It’s not often I can call a non-fiction book unputdownable, but I loved this so much it was really hard not to race through it in one sitting late into the night. Instead I rationed myself so that I could eke out the pleasure more. I’d normally only do this with a great fiction novel I was enjoying.
Kerry Daynes has approached her subject with exactly the right tone. The book is full of fascinating anecdotes from her career in forensic psychology, all of which reflect different aspects of the hu ...more
Kerry Daynes has approached her subject with exactly the right tone. The book is full of fascinating anecdotes from her career in forensic psychology, all of which reflect different aspects of the hu ...more
Absolutely fascinating. I was truly hooked throughout. Especially learning about Mark Bridger. To make a forensic psychologist feel physically disgusted and repulsed is some "achievement" but wow he is right up there with most notorious criminals. Really sick in the head absolutely beyond repair of any sort. Then there are people like travis. Travis just broke my flipping heart in pieces. That's where the justice system proper sucks.
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I thought the book was very interesting. It combines Daynes' personal story with that of her selected stories. It's interesting to see that (for some of the cases) there are distinct parallels between the patients and us. It begs the question- how thin is the line between sane and insane, or "us and them". Good read and very entertaining.
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An excellent memoir. Despite being qualified myself I still learned a few things. Highly recommended!
This is both absolutely fascinating and totally terrifying in the same measure. Not only because of the terrible crimes that have been committed but also the way people are treated by the prison system too.
Kerry Daynes gives an honest account of her career as a forensic psychologist, her experiences with some of the most dangerous people, regrettably some of those worked for the prison service.
There are some individual case studies, some general observations and background information on what it ...more
Kerry Daynes gives an honest account of her career as a forensic psychologist, her experiences with some of the most dangerous people, regrettably some of those worked for the prison service.
There are some individual case studies, some general observations and background information on what it ...more
Peeking behind the curtain on anyone else's life and career is always fascinating and this memoir provides a rare glimpse into the extraordinary world of forensic psychology. It's gripping and informative but ultimately a sad indictment of society. Some of the stories are desperately moving. The Pollyanna in me kept wishing for happier outcomes but this is non-fiction and well ... c'est la vie. Be prepared.
All that said, whenever I read a book I search for the one thing that changes my perspect ...more
All that said, whenever I read a book I search for the one thing that changes my perspect ...more
This was a really interesting and insightful memoir into what it's like being a forensic psychologist.
I study forensic psychology, but I didn't really know what a forensic psychologist actually does.
I learnt so much from this book. This book is full of really interesting often upsetting stories. I didn't really know the role of a forensic psychologist, but this book highlighted that the role is much more broad and diverse than I previously thought.
I really liked the writing style. It was real ...more
I study forensic psychology, but I didn't really know what a forensic psychologist actually does.
I learnt so much from this book. This book is full of really interesting often upsetting stories. I didn't really know the role of a forensic psychologist, but this book highlighted that the role is much more broad and diverse than I previously thought.
I really liked the writing style. It was real ...more
The title does have a few interesting pieces of information. But beyond these limited positive points...
Arrogant, smarmy, downright annoying.
Kerry Daynes fancies herself the world's most insightful psychologist. Her tale of personal existential pathos is laced with strong currents of androgynist rhetoric. She sends barbs at any male figure, particularly any with prestige and power. Thus, President Trump, Former Prime Minister John Majors, a former Home Secretary are among her targets of snide di ...more
Arrogant, smarmy, downright annoying.
Kerry Daynes fancies herself the world's most insightful psychologist. Her tale of personal existential pathos is laced with strong currents of androgynist rhetoric. She sends barbs at any male figure, particularly any with prestige and power. Thus, President Trump, Former Prime Minister John Majors, a former Home Secretary are among her targets of snide di ...more
I really enjoyed this book. It's a memoir from a forensic psychologist and, from what I've read in her book, a wonderful lady. Quite eye-opening, too, and I like that she didn't shy away from her own life experiences - especially her harrowing ordeal with a stalker.
Kerry Daynes is a successful forensic psychologist who started out in the early 90's. Some men have treated her quite disgustingly just because she's a woman, but thankfully she's been able to rise above this to become one of the top ...more
Kerry Daynes is a successful forensic psychologist who started out in the early 90's. Some men have treated her quite disgustingly just because she's a woman, but thankfully she's been able to rise above this to become one of the top ...more
A brilliant inside story about the world of real-life forensic psychology, what it is and what it's not, intertwined with personal experiences of the author and her viewpoint on the issues that the legal system faces up to these days. I loved that Kerry Daynes does not just propose a manifesto but carefully tells the reader what and why is happening the field, how the minds of prisoners and the staff work just alike, and what challenging questions we need to ask to improve the current state of a
...more
Although easy to read, this book only briefly touches on cases the writer has dealt with and focuses more on hardships that she has experienced in her personal life, these hardships often read as a beg for sympathy and are often followed by comments and story’s of how great and amazing she knows herself to be.
This was exactly what I expected and what I wanted. Dr Daynes know what's she is talking about and knows how to write about it. I didn't lose interest at any point and I was surprised at how compassionate but clear-sighted she was all throughout (I couldn't have been).
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Daynes gives an inside look into forensic psychology in the UK. She builds up to the main stance that the current mental health care practice fails both victims and perpetrators. Her arguments build slowly and are introduced in a more or less chronological fashion. She builds her career working with those in the UK prison system. After an existential crisis, she has the epiphany that she can better help victims then she has another epiphany realizing that she can use her expertise and platform t
...more
One lunchtime, for want of anything better to do to be honest, I ambled into Waterstones looking for something.
Not going to buy anything of course.
No idea what I was looking for either. just something. Had to be non-fiction, though, obviously, because of The List. I had recently got hold of a new fiction book, so non-fiction was needed for balance, state-of-mind, world peace...
No actual plan to purchase anything, you understand. Just looking.
First section to hove into view? True crime. As good a ...more
Not going to buy anything of course.
No idea what I was looking for either. just something. Had to be non-fiction, though, obviously, because of The List. I had recently got hold of a new fiction book, so non-fiction was needed for balance, state-of-mind, world peace...
No actual plan to purchase anything, you understand. Just looking.
First section to hove into view? True crime. As good a ...more
3 stars.
I listened to this book via Audible and I think one of the main reasons for my 3 star rating is the narrator. Her voice was really flat and offered close to no emotion, which made it a little less enjoyable.
The story touches upon Daynes' experience as a forensic psychologist in the UK. Tales of her encounters with prisoners ate interwoven with her own experiences of a woman in a male-dominated profession and industry. At times it was sickening listening to how she was treated by male col ...more
I listened to this book via Audible and I think one of the main reasons for my 3 star rating is the narrator. Her voice was really flat and offered close to no emotion, which made it a little less enjoyable.
The story touches upon Daynes' experience as a forensic psychologist in the UK. Tales of her encounters with prisoners ate interwoven with her own experiences of a woman in a male-dominated profession and industry. At times it was sickening listening to how she was treated by male col ...more
This is an extremely honest and pretty shocking account of her role as a Forensic Psychologist. There are incidencess of the terrible sexism she faced during her time working in HMP Wakefield in the 90’s such as the disgusting reaction to her requesting a rape alarm (which resulted in her leaving without one). I really appreciated her sharing parts of her own story as they affected her outlook both personally and professionally. At the end of the book Kerry says that ‘our criminal justice system
...more
This book is a bit grim so I would be wary if you don't like reading about murders, of both adults and children as well as victims of rape and sexual abuse. There is also other things such as physical and emotional abuse. So I wouldn't pick this book up if you are sensitive to any of these things. I had to put it down a few times and take a 'breather' as some of the content made me so upset. However, I really enjoyed this book and I found it as easy to read as a fiction book. It was really inter
...more
Interesting and educational 🤓
The Dark Side Of The Mind - Kerry Daynes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My true forensic nerd side was completely captured by this book. It’s very well written and a fascinating look into the world of a forensic psychologist. The mix of cases were all completely different varying from the heart wrenching to the outright horrifying and I loved that Daynes related each one to what she had learnt about the world as a whole or her own outlook on life.
This book gives us a real insight into the ...more
The Dark Side Of The Mind - Kerry Daynes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My true forensic nerd side was completely captured by this book. It’s very well written and a fascinating look into the world of a forensic psychologist. The mix of cases were all completely different varying from the heart wrenching to the outright horrifying and I loved that Daynes related each one to what she had learnt about the world as a whole or her own outlook on life.
This book gives us a real insight into the ...more
A very good selection of people to write about! If you’re interested in psychology this book is a definite must read.
Kerry writes about mental health and the individuals in the book with a lot of respect. The reader can enjoy reading about the interesting lives these individuals have led.
The book includes personal elements which allowed myself to understand the author more and relate to her.
Overall a very good book! With the right ratio of humour and sadness.
Kerry writes about mental health and the individuals in the book with a lot of respect. The reader can enjoy reading about the interesting lives these individuals have led.
The book includes personal elements which allowed myself to understand the author more and relate to her.
Overall a very good book! With the right ratio of humour and sadness.
I've seen Kerry on TV as I'm a true crime lover. She's much funnier and more interesting than I expected. Such sad stories. It's all labels. It's all wrong and we live in a broken world. She's at least tried to help your most broken among us instead of looking the other way. Interesting if depressing reading
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