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Face to Face with Evil: Conversations with Ian Brady
Ian Brady is one of the most notorious and reviled serial killers in Britain. With his co-conspirator, Myra Hindley, he perpetrated the Moors Murders in which five children were abducted, assaulted, and murdered. Dr. Chris Cowley is a forensic psychologist who is in the unique position of having exclusive access to Brady. For six years, he has been conducting groundbreaking research by corresponding with and visiting him in prison. By gaining his trust, Cowley has been able to take an unrivalled look inside the mind of a serial killer. In this in-depth and revealing book, Dr. Cowley reproduces letters and transcripts of conversations with Brady that have never been published before. Using this fresh perspective and original material, he is able to shed new light on what went wrong in Brady’s formative years to set him on a path of crime, how Hindley became the lethal factor that started Brady’s murder cycle, as well as revealing Brady’s unflinching account of being caught and convicted of serial murder and his thoughts and emotions concerning Hindley as he moves into his eighth year on hunger strike. This important study provides information that will prove essential in our understanding of the psychology of serial killers. By broadening our knowledge of these complex issues, we can increase the likelihood of catching murderers and perhaps even prevent their terrible crimes from taking place.
290 pages, Paperback
First published July 5, 2010
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186 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 18, 2012
Cowley seems a bit too impressed with Ian Brady, in all honesty. I realise he had to make him feel comfortable to get anything out of him, but Brady seems VERY comfortable, while Cowley seems to get little, if anything, new or honest out of him.
November 20, 2011
This is subtitled "Conversations With Ian Brady".......but although he visited him for around 6 years I don't think he ever got a lot out of Brady. He still plays his cards very close to his chest and it seems he only agreed to see this doctor so he'd highlight the appalling conditions at Ashworth Hospital in Liverpool where's he's detained.
He's been forcefed for a decade or more now and apparently you can't forcefeed a prisoner/patient if they're sane, only if they're mad. In all the letters he's written Ian Brady in no way comes across as insane.
What he DID was insane but like many serial killers he's of above intelligence and didn't murder cos' he was bonkers but because he wanted to !!
So it was an OK book but really didn't tell me much more about Ian Brady than I already knew.
He's been forcefed for a decade or more now and apparently you can't forcefeed a prisoner/patient if they're sane, only if they're mad. In all the letters he's written Ian Brady in no way comes across as insane.
What he DID was insane but like many serial killers he's of above intelligence and didn't murder cos' he was bonkers but because he wanted to !!
So it was an OK book but really didn't tell me much more about Ian Brady than I already knew.
May 23, 2017
Really interesting insight into a sick and twisted man!
February 17, 2018
This book wasn't that what I was expecting. I honestly thought there would be more on, or from, Ian but it really was more of a dissertation on how and why serial killers kill. Ian was mentioned a few times, but not enough for him to be on the cover of the book nor mentioned in the title.
August 1, 2022
Very very interesting read, although I'd say the book is incorrectly titled. Very intriguing dive into the minds, psychology, context and criminology of serial killers (plural - the author compares many different cases). Not just a repeat of gory facts - real analysis and exploration from an expert perspective, with details on criminal profiling methods too. Great read for those interested in psychology of serial killers - would definitely recommend.
February 7, 2013
This book doesn't really tell Ian Brady's story as to how and why the author thinks that Ian committed the crimes that he did, but it is more of a textbook introduction to Criminology and where it could lead you.
As a student with a vast interest in Serial Killers, and the Criminological world in general, I found this book to be an interesting read. It may not be very long, but the sections are intriguing and helped me to gain more of an impression of what Criminology and profiling was about.
If you are looking for information on Ian Brady in particular, I would choose a different book focused more on his crimes - but I believe this book should be read by any budding Criminology student as an introduction to the subject.
As a student with a vast interest in Serial Killers, and the Criminological world in general, I found this book to be an interesting read. It may not be very long, but the sections are intriguing and helped me to gain more of an impression of what Criminology and profiling was about.
If you are looking for information on Ian Brady in particular, I would choose a different book focused more on his crimes - but I believe this book should be read by any budding Criminology student as an introduction to the subject.
February 21, 2011
A book about Cowley's conversations and correspondence with the serial killer Ian Brady.
Interesting read for true crime -buffs. Cowley discusses other cases as well as the Moor Murders, which brings depth to the Brady&Hindley case too. Some parts are quite common-sense, but other are more in-depth.
If your knowledge on criminal psychology is vast, there might not be that much new in this book, but worth a try anyway.
Interesting read for true crime -buffs. Cowley discusses other cases as well as the Moor Murders, which brings depth to the Brady&Hindley case too. Some parts are quite common-sense, but other are more in-depth.
If your knowledge on criminal psychology is vast, there might not be that much new in this book, but worth a try anyway.
February 1, 2017
Cowley seemed to become attached to Brady, almost forgetting where he was and why he was there. I find it fascinating to learn about the ins and outs of a serial killers mind, but I would find it hard to believe they feel remorse or guilt.
October 9, 2016
Super interesting book but it was just so repetitive that it took away from what was being said.
May 27, 2020
This book contains the research of Dr Chris Cowley, who has a PhD in Cognitive Psychology and in Forensic Criminology. His research is based around the serial killer Ian Brady (Moors Murders) as he was given access to Brady through letters and interviews which is not usually easily obtained.
His research looks at the actual psychology of serial killers generally but continuously links back to Brady.
Cowley also explores the possibility of catching a murderer before the actual crimes are committed - which I found most interesting!
Positives:
- the book as a whole is conducted in a professional yet readable manner, making it accessible to everybody who reads it.
- Cowley regularly explains words and phrases so you get a better understanding of the subject matter.
- Cowley uses other cases and individuals as examples which, again, further expands your knowledge and over all allows you to learn.
- I loved the references to social experiments conducted to support his hypothesis and theories (eg: Milgram experiment). I just found that these added more substance and meaning to his explanations to show exactly why he thinks certain factors lead to certain results.
Negatives:
- The only problem I found when reading Cowley’s work is that some of his sentences are way too long, without the necessary punctuation. Sometimes I found some sentences hard to read grammar wise; however this was rare!
Overall, I truly believe that if you are interested in criminology and are maybe looking into a career into investigation, this piece of work will benefit you greatly and make you more aware of strategies of investigation.
His research looks at the actual psychology of serial killers generally but continuously links back to Brady.
Cowley also explores the possibility of catching a murderer before the actual crimes are committed - which I found most interesting!
Positives:
- the book as a whole is conducted in a professional yet readable manner, making it accessible to everybody who reads it.
- Cowley regularly explains words and phrases so you get a better understanding of the subject matter.
- Cowley uses other cases and individuals as examples which, again, further expands your knowledge and over all allows you to learn.
- I loved the references to social experiments conducted to support his hypothesis and theories (eg: Milgram experiment). I just found that these added more substance and meaning to his explanations to show exactly why he thinks certain factors lead to certain results.
Negatives:
- The only problem I found when reading Cowley’s work is that some of his sentences are way too long, without the necessary punctuation. Sometimes I found some sentences hard to read grammar wise; however this was rare!
Overall, I truly believe that if you are interested in criminology and are maybe looking into a career into investigation, this piece of work will benefit you greatly and make you more aware of strategies of investigation.
March 16, 2019
I wouldn’t say this was a book really based on Ian Brady as there are components of other killers commented on through out the whole book. However if you are a true crime reader and enthusiast like me then this is a book for you. It details the compete saga of start to finish of capturing a killer from the moment a body is found. I absolutely loved how they told you all about the victimology,profiles of the killers and capturing a killer to the court hearing. It was a very insightful book to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2021
Very all over book. Jumps around, and doesn’t really contain all that much information about Brady. For a psychologist- he refers to his ‘research’ but is lacking in any sort of scientific structure. Disappointing chapters which contain victim blaming information at the back. ‘How to not get murdered’.
February 12, 2020
Kind of a weird book. The writer spends a lot of time talking about how manipulative serial killers are but you get the idea that Brady successfully conned him in his own way.
March 26, 2021
Having come from this area I love learning about the Moors Murders and this book gives amazing insight into Ian's life and during his prison times.
June 24, 2022
This book is very interesting and gives insight into criminology and how criminal profiling works, which can be beneficial for anyone who either wants to get into the industry or further their knowledge.
Whilst I enjoyed learning about other serial killers, their motives etc, I wanted this book to delve more into Ian Brady's life, psychology and why he did what he did. The latter is difficult since Brady was notorious for keeping quiet about his crimes, personal life and pretty much everything else! Not to mention the impossibility of identifying the exact moment/event or reason that changed an offenders life forever. There are just too many factors that contribute to the why element. The only thing Brady really seemed interested in talking about was the appaling conditions of Ashworth and wrongfully being declared as insane (I too believe he wasn't). I believe this was in part due to his desire to be seen as important by the public and retain his notority.
It does seem that Cowell didn't gain as much as he thought he did from Brady, but I commend his efforts in trying to gage some sort of understanding into the mind of one of Britain's most twisted serial killers. I can't imagine it's an easy thing to try and converse with someone like Brady and go out of your way to make them feel comfortable enough to talk, when in reality you are horrified by that person's crimes. Brady was a pyschopath and suffered from a grandiose view of himself, which is nothing new, and is unsurprising to hear he dominated the conversations and presented a distorted version of reality. So, if you want to read this book or are reading, don't be surprised by Brady's lack of remorse and irrational logic.
I agree with many others that Cowell shouldn't have taken much of what Brady said at facevalue despite warning readers of the dangers in trusting serial killers (not that many of us would). It was also a little disappointing to see that there wasn't a lot of conversations between Cowell and Brady in this book, especially since it is subtitled 'Conversations with Ian Brady' and his face is on the cover. Nevertheless, I still found it an engaging and insightful read.
If you have read many books on Brady or the Moors Murders then you may not find any new information in this book. However, if you haven't then you may find it really interesting to learn about other serial killers and the world of criminology and what it entails. Overall, a pretty decent albeit slightly misleading book about Ian Brady and his crimes.
Whilst I enjoyed learning about other serial killers, their motives etc, I wanted this book to delve more into Ian Brady's life, psychology and why he did what he did. The latter is difficult since Brady was notorious for keeping quiet about his crimes, personal life and pretty much everything else! Not to mention the impossibility of identifying the exact moment/event or reason that changed an offenders life forever. There are just too many factors that contribute to the why element. The only thing Brady really seemed interested in talking about was the appaling conditions of Ashworth and wrongfully being declared as insane (I too believe he wasn't). I believe this was in part due to his desire to be seen as important by the public and retain his notority.
It does seem that Cowell didn't gain as much as he thought he did from Brady, but I commend his efforts in trying to gage some sort of understanding into the mind of one of Britain's most twisted serial killers. I can't imagine it's an easy thing to try and converse with someone like Brady and go out of your way to make them feel comfortable enough to talk, when in reality you are horrified by that person's crimes. Brady was a pyschopath and suffered from a grandiose view of himself, which is nothing new, and is unsurprising to hear he dominated the conversations and presented a distorted version of reality. So, if you want to read this book or are reading, don't be surprised by Brady's lack of remorse and irrational logic.
I agree with many others that Cowell shouldn't have taken much of what Brady said at facevalue despite warning readers of the dangers in trusting serial killers (not that many of us would). It was also a little disappointing to see that there wasn't a lot of conversations between Cowell and Brady in this book, especially since it is subtitled 'Conversations with Ian Brady' and his face is on the cover. Nevertheless, I still found it an engaging and insightful read.
If you have read many books on Brady or the Moors Murders then you may not find any new information in this book. However, if you haven't then you may find it really interesting to learn about other serial killers and the world of criminology and what it entails. Overall, a pretty decent albeit slightly misleading book about Ian Brady and his crimes.
January 24, 2016
A very interesting read based on a series of face to face interviews with England's Freddy Kreuger -- Ian Brady -- with a psychologist clearly struggling with how to understand serial murder and the logic, if any, behind the punishments it earns. The book is full of factual errors (e.g. he says Ted Bundy murdered women who looked like is ex-fiancee because she dumped him; in fact they were still happily together when he started killing, and she stayed in his life as a support despite numberous breakups, some initiated by Ted) and betrays the author's prejudices and misconceptions pretty clearly, but it is also a worthwhile, thought-provoking read.
September 18, 2012
Found this to be pretty poor. The title is deliberately misleading and chooses to make is as titillating as possible while it's a supposedly clinical study into the mind of serial killers, not just Brady.
It fails there too. It's repetitive and occasionally incorrect.
The conversations with Brady are interesting and I found his level of intellect to be a surprise. He's an incredibly bright man. I wasn't expecting that.
It fails there too. It's repetitive and occasionally incorrect.
The conversations with Brady are interesting and I found his level of intellect to be a surprise. He's an incredibly bright man. I wasn't expecting that.
January 7, 2017
Misleading title. Only occasional details of "Conversations with Ian Brady" and his written correspondence appear. Mostly, it is a light read exploring the basics of serial killers, criminal profiling, and forensics. Nothing goes in depth. If you are well read in serial killers, it is nothing you won't have already heard before. A good start, but goes downhill the more you read. Disappointing, but still glad to have read it.
July 5, 2012
Excellent.
June 5, 2013
Been a couple of months since I read this. Fairly short but a little difficult to get in to at the start. Interesting but reading what he said left me cold.
October 7, 2014
Not much new info on Brady but interesting to read.
March 31, 2015
This is more about the author than Brady his opinions etc still makes a interesting read
August 28, 2016
Face to face
This was a gripping book sad that we still don't now where Keith Bennett is buried and his mum passed away not knowing
This was a gripping book sad that we still don't now where Keith Bennett is buried and his mum passed away not knowing
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews