My Life with Murderers: Behind Bars with the World’s Most Violent Men

Product Information

With experiences unlike any other and an unparalleled knowledge of murder, David will discuss his fascinating and compelling study of human nature, delving into infamous as well as lesser-known true crime cases in an attempt to make sense out of the senseless. Wilson writes well, smooth simple prose that aids in eliminating any pretension whatsoever and yet carries a rather nuanced but striking knowledge base that’s undoubtedly dripping with murderous intrigue. Some of the sections were interesting. His description of the rehab techniques some of the prisons use was intriguing. And his comparison of US and UK interview techniques was unsurprising but interesting anyway. I know I'm not the only one who spends their time watching YouTube videos about serial killers. This book is the ideal companion to that pastime. Hugely insightful and thought provoking . . . I read it from cover to cover in one go' - Emilia Fox

Goodreads Loading interface - Goodreads

I also thoroughly enjoyed the little titbits into prison life with Charles Manson (I laughed out loud at the, in all honestly, bizarre scenario of Manson threatening to stab the prison guards with his moustache while stark naked and covered in shoe polish) and a ‘Furries’ convention that Wilson inadvertently ended up getting in the mix with. I would have enjoyed some more of these personal insights, as they added some much needed light relief to a heavy topic. David Wilson has become quite a celebrity in the UK. Those of us who enjoy watching his programmes on cold cases are fascinated by his expertise; by his careful fitting together of all the pieces of evidence available to expose those who are guilty of heinous crimes.Wilson takes the reader on a ride through the penal system in the UK, the psychological bounds of many criminal misfits & finally to the deep-end of the horrible human swimming pool. The best section was toward the end when he discussed the making of the documentary 'Interview with a Murderer'. He spends some time discussing the murder of a teenage paper boy with the convicted Murderer Bert Spencer, who was suspected of killing the boy. I have watched David Wilson give interviews on a wide array of cases in the past, I've watched his documentaries and read some of his books.

Professor David Wilson - Talks and Special Events at the Glee

Interesting - yes, detailed - very, all the different sorts of murder, eg. domestic, contract etc with their own chapters, well-written - definitely and seeded with famous murders that saturated the media at the time, but..... although it was very comprehensive and research-based, it didn't really tell me any more than any other similar book about murderers. And it wasn't very memorable. David has advised on live police investigations related to a linked series of murders and has provided training to new Senior Investigating Officers who will take charge of murder inquiries. The issue however is that there is practically nothing in the book that describes how life in prison is. The book is more about describing stories of murderers.

Open Library

One of those books I could just couldn’t put down. I have watched several documentaries featuring the author as an expert commentator, so I knew I would enjoy his writing as he discusses his career working with some of Britains most notorious offenders, from Dennis Neilson through to Charles Bronson. Many other killers and crimes are discussed, including some not widely reported - or at least not for some time.