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Unnatural Causes

The Life and Many Deaths of Britain's Top Forensic Pathologist

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Unnatural Causes

By: Richard Shepherd
Narrated by: Richard Shepherd
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About this listen

Meet the forensic pathologist, Dr Richard Shepherd, in the true crime book of the year - brought to you by Penguin.

'The dead do not hide the truth and they never lie. Through me the dead can speak . . .'

He solves the mysteries of unexplained or sudden death.
He has performed over 23,000 autopsies, including investigating some of the most high-profile cases of recent times; the Hungerford Massacre, the Princess Diana inquiry, and 9/11.
He has faced serial killers, natural disasters, 'perfect murders' and freak accidents.
His evidence has put killers behind bars, freed the innocent, and turned open-and-shut cases on their heads.
Yet all this has come at a huge personal cost.

Written and narrated by Dr Richard Shepherd, Unnatural Causes tells the story of not only the cases and bodies that have haunted him the most, but also how to live a life steeped in death.

'Puts the reader at his elbow as he wields the scalpel' Guardian

'Fascinating, gruesome yet engrossing' Richard and Judy, Daily Express

'Fascinating, insightful, candid, compassionate' Obersver

 Crime Criminal & Forensic Psychology Medical Murder Professionals & Academics Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science & Technology Nonfiction Forensics Law Heartfelt Thought-Provoking

Critic Reviews

Unnatural Causes gives a sense of the toll that dealing with so many dead bodies takes. It's a very human book that looks at the cases he has been involved with, from the Hungerford massacre to the murder of Stephen Lawrence
An unputdownable record of an extraordinary life
One of the most fascinating books I have read in a long time. Engrossing, a haunting page-turner. A book I could not put down
Fabulous . . . The UK's top pathologist investigating high-profile deaths such as that of Diana, Princess of Wales
Puts the reader at his elbow as he wields the scalpel
Insightful, candid and compassionate
Fascinating, gruesome yet engrossing
Heart-wrenchingly honest
Darkly fascinating
A deeply mesmerising memoir of forensic pathology. Human and fascinating
All stars
Most relevant
This is the best forensic book I have had the pleasure to listen to. Stories are fascinating, well written and well read. I liked the personal side as well. I recommend to anyone interested in forensics.

Fascinating wonderful

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Dr Shepherd takes you on an amazing journey that is pathology, and goes into depth on some pretty intense cases of his career. At times I felt like I was there in the exam room with him. Really moving, especially towards the end. Thank you for sharing your life’s work with us all, Richard.

Incredible insight

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It’s amazing that people want to be forensic pathologists. I am so grateful that they do. THANK YOU for sharing your life’s work. I admire your dedication, in a dark world that few see. I loved Dr. Shepherd’s constant search for ‘the truth’. Some details are gruesome - but they tell a story. The author is the narrator - it wouldn’t work otherwise - his transparency about his work & personal life is touching & sensitive. An unusual book, but I’m really glad I found it and I keep thinking about it!

Sensitive & amazing

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An excellent read. Enjoyed both the detail and the context of the pathology work in relation to a full life lived. Having myself lived 12 years in London through the 80's/90's, each job the author describes I recall the headlines related to them. A walk down memory lane from an entirely unique perspective. Fascinating.

Very informative

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It made me google how to become a forensic pathologist

Extremely interesting

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