The Dark Side of the Mind cover art

The Dark Side of the Mind

True Stories from My Life as a Forensic Psychologist

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The Dark Side of the Mind

By: Kerry Daynes
Narrated by: Sara Poyzer
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About this listen

THE SUNDAY TIMES BEST SELLER

OUT NOW: WHAT LIES BURIED. THE SENSATIONAL NEW BOOK BY KERRY DAYNES

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 and My Life With Murderers, you'll love Kerry's gripping account of her experience as a forensic psychologist.

©2019 Kerry Daynes (P)2019 Octopus Publishing Group Criminal & Forensic Psychology Psychology Psychology & Mental Health True Crime Crime Forensics Mental Health Murder Scary Health

Critic Reviews

"Enthralling and terrifying in equal amounts. A chilling glimpse into a world unseen by so many and perhaps for very good reasons. Kerry guides us gently, but firmly, through her incredible world of miscreants, monsters and the misunderstood." (Professor Dame Sue Black, Britain's leading forensic anthropologist and author of the Sunday Times best seller All That Remains)

"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)
All stars
Most relevant  
The courage, strength and confidence that Kerry has to do this job amazes me, great insight into a much needed profession, Thank you Kerry.

Great Insight

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Excellent book. I loved the formula the author used to position us to relate to victims and perpetrators alike. By humanising them, drawing attention to how we're the same, explaining the factors that contribute to them becoming victims and/or perpetrators; she breaks down the barriers between "us and them" and illuminates how fragile and fine the line is between being able to live "normal" life, and living a life of chaos and pain. Unpleasantly, I've now quite an aversion to the word metaphor, due solely to the constant mispronounciation of it as "meh-tuh-fah" by the narrator, but I guess if this is my biggest worry today, my life exists on the privileged side of the fragile line.

Excellent

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I loved this book. Great storytelling. I really engaged with her empathy and loved how she was unapologetic about her lack of judgement. She is a strong and incredible woman. One of the best of this kind of book!

Beautiful despite the subject

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A remarkable book that challenges us, through case studies and personal experiences, to reconsider how we treat and think about people with mental illnesses. With insight and compassion, Kerry Daynes encourages us to ask not “what is wrong with them?” But “What has happened to them.” A thought provoking and extremely well-written book.

A remarkable book

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The reason this book has lost a star might be my own fault. Every time I delve into books like this, I always expect it to feature more of the occupation and experiences, less the author's own thoughts and opinions. I fall for it every time... Maybe one day I will learn.
I did find the story interesting, especially the change in her during her occupational journey. Worth a listen.

Very interesting

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yes I went to sleep during reading..boring
the narrator was fine it was the story

boring

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I really wanted to listen to this book, it was very interesting, but OMG the narrator !
Sara Poyzer ....could .....only say.....two or three ........words at a time,..... pausing when..... there was ....no reason. Jerking the.....narration and really ....ruined an interesting book......it was like..... she was .......driving a car .......with ....her foot ........on the .....break!
Speaking like an American Politician pausing every couple of words for effect? Kerry Daynes, you ruined your chance at a great audio book... why oh why did you chose Sara Poyzer ?

So annoyed - I couldn't stand the narrator

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Did she use an instrument to Murder Gary?

The neuro-surgeon was her weapon (instrument to inflict pain and suffering). She got Gary and mum on the bird seed, like the criminal sadists lure in the pigeons. Earn the pigeons trust then broke its head. She then threw dead Gary at the prison guard and the reader.

I feel sorry for Gary, the medical trauma he received as a child with that head brain radiation. He then put his trust in what could be a psychologist who could have a cluster b personality disorder.

If she had knocked over Levi Bellfield no one would care. However vulnerable Gary - it is sad.

He needs to be home with his Mother. He was raised to be an honest man, so sad he was abused and murdered by the medical devil and his flying monkey.

Did she Murder low iq disabled Gary

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.