Unnatural Causes: The Life and Many Deaths of Britain's… (2024)

Because of the blurb and publicity, I expected a book about Dr. Richard Shepherd's career as the leading forensic pathologist in the UK. So naturally when I get lyrical passages about soaring in a Cesna over Hungerfood I'm thinking this book isn't for me. When the author writes in detail about his childhood and the women in his father's life, I'm thinking I didn't sign up for this, but it's an easy read and the writing improves after the initial overly-descriptive prose. Then - just like that - everything makes sense, why the Cesna, why the family, so I'm really into it. I've never had a book take so long to explain itself before.

The book is an autobiography with a dual concentration of the author's home life and his professional life. In both real life and the book, he devotes far too much time and energy to his professional life. He gets told so too, but he can't get a grip on that. I think a lot of men are like that and it's the women that hold the marriage and family together, until eventually the children leave home and it all falls apart.

Dr. Shepherd's case file as a forensic pathologist is very interesting. Sometimes though he gets a bee in his bonnet, as in a court case, and it's a 'he said, she said', for many, many pages, it's a bit tedious, but like everything else in the book, you wait a while and you see why he's written it like that. It's a very unusual way to put a book together.

I was most interested in his work after the Al Qaeda terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. He went to New York and worked there. He said that one of the prime motivations to identify all the bodies/parts was that even though it would have been easier to have a mass grave, they knew that the families of the victims could not bear the idea of these loved ones being buried along with the terrorists who'd murdered them.

He flew out to Bali for the night club massacre, also funded by Al Qaeda and the difference between the quiet dignity of the US with the bodies in refrigerated trucks, neatly lined up the US flag and flowers at the entrance and Bali, a single refrigerated truck and all the bodies bundled into bags and laid in the shade with ice from the supermarkets keeping them cool.

He also wrote about Princess Diana's death. I didn't know she didn't look very badly injured and was talking until she passed out and later died from a very, very small rip in a vein in a lung that bled out inside her.

So it was interesting. And when he got PTSD from the massacres, from being accused himself of not being diligent over a baby's death (he had been), charges that hung over him for a long time before being dismissed, I could see how his mental issues went right back to his childhood.

So, all in all it the sum of its parts is 3 stars. But, taken as a whole, it is an enjoyable and enlightening 5 star read, and Dick Shepherd is a really nice guy and those who have him as a friend are really lucky.

Tea - why the book cannot be Americanised. Every discussion with the detectives or lawyers starts off with them all sitting down for a cup of tea. If there is a break, they have tea. And afterwards they either have another cup of tea or go down to the pub for a pint. You couldn't swap tea for coffee for a US market, as they'd all be buzzing on caffeine so much did they drink.

Notes on reading the book 2.
I'm a little over half-way now and an event has occurred which makes the whole (boring) beginning of the book make sense. It isn't even boring in retrospect. And it no longer seems over-written. I sthink it was weird to have the book put together like this but I do understand why. However, the explanation for putting in the non-maternal stepmother and her issues is being gone into like a small nail being pounded by a big hammer. I want to say 'I get it, I get it'.
In the words of the Beatles,

"I've got to admit it's getting better (Better)
A little better all the time (It can't get no worse)"

Dr Richard Shepherd writes a fascinating and riveting blend of autobiography and memoir about his time as a top forensic pathologist in Britain. He has been involved in too many to count headlining criminal cases, disasters, and terrorist incidents in recent British history. He has carried out almost 25,000 post mortems, a head spinning number, in his search to determine the truth of how a person died. The nature of truth itself is a complex and complicated beast that he has to tussle with. Given the nature of his profession, it is inevitable there are plenty of grisly aspects to his job, and to be honest, I completely respect Shepherd, he does a job I could not ever imagine wanting to do, I just would not be able to handle it, particularly given the close encounters with the dead on almost a every day basis, through all those years. And he himself is not left untouched as he provides insights into his personal life, the emotional wear and tear, and the toll it takes on his mental health and the impact on his family.

I was surprised just how wide ranging aspects of his work are, including the need to be so well acquainted with extensive parts of the law. This is an insightful book, I was hugely impressed with Dr Richard Shepherd, his compassion, his dedication, determination, and using his expertise to act as a advocate for the dead. This is for true crime aficionados and crime fiction fans alike, its eye opening and knowledgeable about forensic pathology, providing real life clarity and written in a easy to read style. Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC.

Dr Richard Shepherd wrote a most honest book about his profession and his personal life. I am truly touched by his honesty, but first and foremost, by the respect he shows to all victims on whom he performed post mortem. Each victim received Dr Shepherd's full attention, and was treated with the utmost reverence. All stories are sad, the saddest are those of children who suffered abuse on the part of their parents ....
Honesty which I mentioned refers also to the stress induced by his unique profession that put a strain on his own health and family life.
This memoir is not an easy read but allowed me for the first time to learn about forensic pathology from a professional who is sincere and direct in a most respectful way.
I listened to an audiobook read by the Author whose perfect diction and steady reading pace added to the delicate and difficult subject of the book.
Five stars to the Author for the courage to write about his ups and downs, and for the respect which I felt throughout whole book.
A thank-you to my GR Friends whose reviews encouraged me to read this book.

“My PTSD is not caused by any particular one of the 23,000 bodies on which I have performed post-mortems. And it is not caused by all of them. It is not caused by any particular disaster I have been involved in clearing up. And it is not caused by all of them. It is caused, in its entirety, by a lifetime of bearing first-hand witness to, on behalf of everyone–courts, relatives, public, society–man’s inhumanity to man.”

This is a brilliant memoir from the UK's leading forensic pathologist, Dr Richard Shepherd, seamslessly weaving together case studies from his work and details of his life story.

Dr Shepherd has worked on some of the most high profile cases during the course of his career, in the UK and internationally including:

• The Hungerford Massacre (1987) - his first unsupervised major case and the one that left the first scar on his psyche.
• The death of Princess Diana (1997)
• The Clapham Rail Disaster (1998)
• 9-11 (2001)
• Bali bombing (2002)
• 7/7 London bombings (2005)

His writing is both clinical and warm, he shows his humanity in the face of the horrors he confronts in his work. He discusses candidly the PTSD that threatened to consume him. Having worked in vet medicine, there are cases that haunt me. I still dream about the third animal I ever euthanized (out of hundreds) and am obsessive about always checking the bodies of animals hit by cars in case they are still alive and suffering. I cannot imagine the impact of years of dealing with cases on the scale Dr Shepherd has. Honestly, I would be worried if it did not impact him.

He discusses the reality of his profession being unlike TV where the forensic teams sweep in to find the critical evidence and save the day. Dr Shepherd describes police who sometimes view forensics with annoyance, particularly when the evidence does not fit their narrative. Dr Shepherd also covers his experiences as an expert witness.

I enjoyed reading the medical bits - I laughed at some paragraphs about the beauty of the internal organs and structures of bodies. I feel the same but always felt slightly Jeffrey Dahmer-esque trying to explain to friends the beauty of smooth, pearly cartilage or the iridescent shimmer of the inside of an eyeball. Dr Shepherd writes:

" But I still had time to experience that sense of wonder at the body: its intricate systems, its colours and, yes, its beauty. For blood is not just red - it is bright red. The gallbladder is not just green, it is the green of jungle foliage. The brain is white and grey - and that is not the grey of a November sky - it is the silver-grey of darting fish. The liver is not a dull school-uniform brown, it is the sharp red-brown of a freshly ploughed field."(p48)

In detailing the putrefaction of bodies he describes: "...the extraordinary and beautiful fern-like patterns of the veins closest to the surface" as bacteria spreads through the blood vessels.(p101)

If you are currently feeling queasy, this is where you should stop reading because the book also contains some interesting facts:

• A person can die of bruising alone - rarely, but he describes the case of a 19 year old male sex worker who sustained 105 bruises and died of the resulting disseminated intravascular coagulation.

• Adipose is the third stage of decomposition wherein the body's saturated fat undergoes a chemical change, turning it into a waxy, soap-like substance, preserving that part of the body like a waxwork. As the process progresses, it will turn grey and firm and, it can sometimes reveal the cause of death by preserving a bullet hole.

• A drowned body will develop opaque, wrinkly skin often called "washerwoman's hands". After a few days left in the water the macerated skin will separate and peel off - a process known as "de-gloving".

Dr Shepherd notes: "This is no David Attenborough documentary". He is not kidding. But it is fascinating and brilliant.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When I saw this on Netgalley, I was intrigued. I was already reading a book on the concept of death and what comes after for bodies (Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers) so I was fascinated to read about the work of a pathologist in a world that still feels very inaccessible to the general public. The book encompasses many famous cases that Richard Shepherd has been directly involved with during what could be called the ‘golden age’ of pathology, as well as examining the personal troubles pathologists may face in the course of their career.

My first thought while reading was just how ‘human’ Richard Shepherd came across in his writing. He treats his patients with obvious care, and has a great passion for the profession and with passing that knowledge on. It was lovely to read about an individual who actively seeks to improve their profession, not only for their own benefit, but for the greater good. His writing certainly made the concept of post mortem more acceptable and less ‘scary’ or morbid.

I found the content itself rather mixed. I think this is a result of the fact it was written over a long period of time, and is full of information, but unfortunately not all of it is that compelling. I loved the chapters based around his work and cases, which ranged from mass disasters like the Marchioness sinking to famous cases such as the Stephen Lawrence murder and Princess Diana. These cases are often described quite clinically, with a detached scientific approach, of how the autopsies are carried out and the processes and agencies involved. It’s empathetic and to the point but without getting too personal. The earlier sections also include some almost ‘Sherlock Holmes’ style deductions to cases that helped determine what happened to the deceased, which I really enjoyed. However, these become less frequent as the book progresses due to the changing nature of pathology as a profession and the introduction of DNA evidence.

There are also some truly heartbreaking chapters dedicated to the difficult, and often controversial, subject of child autopsies. The subject is dealt with delicately, with a range of cases explored, while still managing to convey the emotional difficulties encountered by all involved.

I would say that the book does tend to jump from case to case quite rapidly, sometimes disrupting the overall flow of the book. As it progresses these examples of cases also become less frequent, which was a shame as I found them so interesting. However, the latter half is compelling on a more personal level, as we see the harsher realities of experiencing so much death, as well as the often unnerving cross examinations in court which can lead to self doubt and PTSD. I personally would have preferred less focus on the author’s private life as I was less interested in it, however it does make him feel more approachable.

A thoughtful insight into a closeted world that’s told with obvious passion and extensive knowledge of the subject.

This book was so fascinating! Part autobiography, part memoir, Unnatural causes is about Dr Shepard’s life and his work including high profile criminal cases and mass disasters. The writing was excellent, Dr Shepard describes everything in detail in a way that everyone can understand and not just in medical jargon.
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I loved this book. I’ll admit I didn’t really much about what forensic pathologists do so this work was a real eye opener into all that they do, it’s a lot more than just autopsies!
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I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys doctor memoirs, this one is just of a slightly different kind. 👨🏻‍⚕️🕵🏻‍♂️

There's something indescribably fascinating about what comes after death. And I don't mean the whole heaven/hell scenario, but what happens during the inevitable breakdown of our bodies, the processed falling apart of that place we inhabit before some event, some failure, or some person takes it from us. As a forensic pathologist, Dr Richard Shepherd has dealt with death of all types, from everyday, natural passing to murder sprees like that at Hungerford. Sounds good, right?

However, this suffers on two fronts. The first being that it's not enough about the cases. I find the dead interesting, the drama of the doctor's life much less so, and there's far too much of the latter. My fault for not checking the focus, but honestly his struggles with his private life were not what I wanted to read about. The book sets a very emotional tone and it was hard going. Pretty quickly I decided to skip anything personal and just read about his work. However, this leads to the second problem- the basic and uninspiring nature of the storytelling. The book has no flow, it's stilted and manages to make even the sections dealing with murder a little bit tedious. Sadly, he is not one of those people who can transfer their exceptional talent into an engaging tale.

So, if you want a medical memoir with a strong dose of personal reflection and emotional contemplation, this may be for you, but my recommendation would be to read All That Remains: A Life in Death.

Unfortunately, this one is not nearly as interesting as it sounds.

ARC via Netgalley

It's pretty rare in the current climate that I give out five stars. In fact, it's near enough unheard of. One could even say I'm stingy, but of course, I entirely disagree. This book was so, so interesting, and quite frankly, I didn't want it to end.

This is an excellent memoir from the outset written by one of the UK's top forensic pathologists, Dr Richard Shepherd. In this memoir he includes his personal life, and the events that he believes shaped it, and his work life, which consist of many fascinating case studies.

I've long had an interest in this area of work, although, I'd not persue this career personally, I do love learning about those that do. Morbidly engaging stuff.

Dr Shepherd has worked on many notable and memorable cases including;

The Princess Diana crash
9/11
The Clapham rail disaster
7/7 bombings in London

The writing in this memoir is honest, and thoroughly engaging, and I enjoyed how he spoke of his personal life at home, and how his profession had an impact on that home life. Shepherd obviously has a great deal of empathy for the job he is in involved in, and over the years, detached himself from it. The battle he had with PTSD was also riveting, but also rather expected.

There were a couple of paragraphs I especially enjoyed;

"Adipose is the third stage of decomposition wherein the body's saturated fat undergoes a chemical change, turning it into a waxy, soap-like substance, preserving that part of the body like a waxwork. As the process progresses, it will turn grey and firm and, it can sometimes reveal the cause of death by preserving a bullet hole."

"A person can die of bruising alone - rarely, but he describes the case of a 19 year old male sex worker who sustained 105 bruises and died of the resulting disseminated intravascular coagulation."

Now, that had never really crossed my mind.

This was excellent and engrossing book, and it has made me hungry for more texts on forensic pathology.

Reading about Dr. Richard Shepard (UK Pathologist) was not banal. Truly adored his utterly vivid description of the 911/Twin Towers trailers filled with body parts and his flair for recognizing the distinct smell of burned bodies. His cases are told to us rather void of emotion and in a style lacking melancholic variation in tone.

During his career in the United Kingdom and America performing over 23,000 autopsies (which includes Princess Diana) called in when a suspicious or unexplained death occurred, and then Dr. Richard Shepherd was retained to painstakingly solve the enigma---with eagle-like focus---required to solve a questionable death.

Light reading is not found here. Common questions at the crime scene where, at what range? At what direction and could the wound be self-inflicted? Death or injury by others to gain attention and other “Munchausen” revelations are highlighted as well and old familiar patterns are explained. Mercy too is given by Dr. Shepherd.

“Perhaps I wanted to view that horrifying thing...called death. Pathology was interesting but forensic pathology was medicine and then some. I understood that, unlike other pathologists, the forensic pathologist does have patients...his patients are dead.”
---Richard Shepherd, MD

Unnatural Causes is tear inspiring, shocking and sad. Death and science show/tell all. His own personal sacrifices for his profession: work with knives at the dinner table and almost missing an opera with his wife were just a few. No doubt this British pathologist has flawless record of care/advocacy for those who can no longer ask for justice. Brilliant.

"I left the room with relief, making a mental note to avoid the bereaved at all costs and stick to the safe world inhabited by the dead, with its facts, its measurements, its certainties. In their universe, there was a complete absence of emotion. Not to mention its ugly sister, pain."

Dr Richard Shepherd is the UK's top forensic pathologist, having performed over 23,000 post-mortems. In Unnatural Causes, he examines the cases that have defined his fascinating career.

One of the BEST non-fiction books I've listened to, perfectly combining my love of both true crime and science. The book kicks off with the first major incident he was in charge of, the Hungerford Massacre, and right away I knew I was gonna be hooked! His enthusiasm and passion, as well as his respect for those he works on, shines through for the entirety of this novel.

Not only does Shepherd cover his professional life, but also gives some insight into his personal life in a way that is thankfully always relevant to his career (otherwise I wouldn't care). He covers so many topics and cases that he worked on - 9/11, Princess Diana's death, the Clapham Rail Disaster, 7/7 London bombings, the autopsies of babies...the list goes on. He also openly talks about self doubt and the PTSD that threatened to consume him. I honestly never wanted this one to end. I would recommend this to any true crime fan - especially if you're interested in the science that goes into it as well! 5 stars.

Unnatural Causes suffers from a misleading blurb; this book wasn't written to share some of the science behind forensic pathology, but as a kind of therapy for the author as he nears retirement. That's not what I signed up for and why it gets two stars.

I bought the book because I was interested in learning more about the science behind pathology, and how a corpse can help solve its own murder. Unnatural Causes did deliver this, although on quite a superficial level, but the science was overshadowed by reminiscences of the author's personal life, especially his unhappy marriage to the long-suffering Jen. Mine was the audiobook version, and it took over two hours for Mr Shepherd to finish talking about his childhood and marriage and actually get to some pathology.

Most of the cases he focuses on in the book are interesting, although delivered in a pompous voice lacking in any humour. I wasn't expecting a laugh a minute in a book about dead bodies, but a bit of light relief would have been welcome. It didn't help that I listened to this straight after the excellent This Is Going To Hurt by Adam Kay, which managed to be exceptionally poignant AND make me laugh out loud.

I was also annoyed that, in a book where Mr Shepherd labours the importance of truth and his own dedication to telling the truth at all costs, he constantly points out mistakes other people have made - the police, other pathologists, the courts - but not his own. When he finally does talk about a case where his actions were criticised by several knowledgeable people, he presents it as if he were the victim of a string of other people's errors and did absolutely no wrong. I would have liked to see some humility and acknowledgement that he's as human as the many, many people whose errors he mentions.

I'm sure there are better books on pathology for laymen who want to understand some of the science; I've just ordered Stiff by Mary Roach and I hope it will deliver where Unnatural Causes didn't.

This book details the life and career of Dr. Richard Shepherd. From an early age he was interested in forensic pathology, a profession very few contemplate pursuing. After years of medical study, he achieved his goal of becoming a renowned UK pathologist. He conducted postmortems while always treating the deceased with utmost reverence and compassion, and spoke to the bereaved families with sympathy and sincerity.

During his career, he was involved in some of the most sensational mass murders, terrorist attacks, and horrifying accidents. His expertise was often needed to determine if individual deaths were the result of murder, accidental, or natural causes. His conclusions were often different from those of detectives and disputed by lawyers and other pathologists when he testified in court as an expert witness. He felt the stress of possibly making a mistake but prevailed in the accuracy of his conclusions.

He explains forensic pathology in a direct, none-sensational manner making the grim subject more palatable for the reader. I wished he had gone into more detail and given more information on solving the puzzles surrounding the cause of deaths. The narration was detached and dull when describing the most sensational and fascinating cases. He was always determined to find the truth and be an advocate for the deceased.

His work was all-consuming, and his detached manner took a toll on his home life and outside activities. Repressed feelings, stemming from his professional, objective manner from the 20,000 autopsies he conducted, finally led to panic attacks, and flashbacks the result of PTSD. I felt the narration switching back and forth between his medical work and his homelife interfered with the pace and flow of the book.

I would have liked to read more about his involvement, theories and conclusions in some of his best-known cases; the death of Princess Diana, the Hungerford mass murder, the Clapham Train disaster, the Bali night club bombing, and the WTC 9/11 attack.

I had not anticipated so much autobiography, which is not my favourite type of reading. It puts his dedication and long hours of work in the context of his personal life. I believe it serves as a cautionary warning for people contemplating this type of profession.

Fascinating, accessible and a little grim.

Кажется, я не совсем ясно выразилась: книга британского патологоанатома реально одна из лучших, прочитанных в этом году, да и вообще прекрасный образец того, как надо писать научно-популярную литературу. Более того, в аудиоверсии ее читает сам автор, и по его выговору можно подумать, что читает член королевской семьи или как минимум Алан Рикман, настолько профессионально он это делает.

Автор, обладая колоссальными знаниями (23 тысячи вскрытий за карьеру), не кичится ими, но и не драматизирует, чем часто грешат так популярные сейчас мемуары врачей. Рассказывает, как пришел в профессию: мальчишка притащил в школу книгу известного патологоанатома, чтобы попугать одноклассников, а он не испугался, а приворожился. Как учился: как первый раз студентом пришел в морг и увидел кучу тел людей, завещавших себя науке (и еще парочку обезьяньих, но не известно, завещали они или их против воли затащили), как провел первую операцию в жизни, как благодаря отпуску главного специалиста он еще совсем молодым был вызван на место массовых расстрелов и какая там стояла гробовая тишина.

Эта книга — об уважении к человеку, его жизни и смерти. В морге, пишет доктор Шеперд, нет места шуточкам, и к мертвым относятся с почтением, кем бы они ни были в жизни. Мы узнаем, почему раньше отчет патологоанатома занимал три странички, а процедура - 15 минут, то сейчас это не меньше 10 страниц и минимум полтора часа. Я ужасно далека от медицины и естественных наук вообще, но, слушая эту книгу, я по-настоящему осознала, каким громадным объемом знаний должны обладать врачи, особенно широкого профиля, и как круто хоть немножко разбираться в устройстве сложнейшего механизма под названием человеческое тело.

Если вы любите процедуралы или детективные романы, то лучше чтения тоже не найти. Доктор Шеперд участвовал в установлении причин смерти принцессы Дианы, ездил на место взрыва в ночном клубе на Бали и в США, когда произошли теракты 11 сентября. Он помогал в расследовании смертей наркодилеров и проституток, а также младенцев из неблагополучных и наоборот, очень благополучных семей. Он вылавливал из Темзы тела золотой молодежи, приехавшей на вечеринку какого-то богатого наследника; на затонувшем корабле не было списка присутствующих, и в морг неделями приходили родители в истерике разной степени, чтобы опознать ребенка или выдохнуть с облегчением. Что сложнее — опознать утопленника или собрать по кусочкам жертв терактов? Одна британская коллега доктора Шеперда после работы в Нью-Йорке получила посттравматический шок, на всю жизнь приобрела страх перед полетами и, летя домой в Лондон, на каждой части тела написала несмываемым маркером свое имя.

На самом деле, я хотела бы цитировать каждую главу этой книги, но не хочу портить вам удовольствие узнать все из первых рук. Это маст-рид, я серьезно.

Absolutely excellent. A fascinating read about the life of a forensic pathologist, full of not just intriguing details about bodies and what we do to them, but also a lot of honesty about the emotional toll on the pathologist and the bereaved. Really compelling and extremely well and fluently written.

Unnatural Causes: The Life & Many Deaths Of Britain’s Top Forensic Pathologist is an excellent, insightful, look into this field of work. Dr Richard Shepherd has spent a lifetime uncovering the secrets of the dead. He has been involved in some of the most high-profile cases of modern times - from the death of Princess Diana to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. These were the most interesting parts of the books for me - finding out extra details from a forensic pathologist who examined the bodies.

Parts of this are more of an autobiographical account of Dr Shepherd’s life; family and marriages. What this all leads up to makes sense of why he added all these extra details. It ends up being an honest and open account of his experience suffering with PTSD.

4.6 Stars

2.5/5

Tikėjausi, kad tai bus įdomiausių teismo medicinos patologo bylų rinkinys. Gavau tokį, tik kiek per dosniai praskiestą gyvenimiškais pamąstymais, seksizmu, santuokos niuansais, labai daug pasiteisinimų, labai stipriu susižavėjimu savimi ir (truputį) savo vaikais. Tikiu, kad tai – vienas atvejų, kuomet kur kas maloniau knyga skaitytųsi, jei tik ją būtų rašęs kas nors kitas. O dabar truputį per daug save mėgstantis autorius į tarpus tarp visokių bylų ir true crime įdomybių, labai specifinio darbo užkulisių, aiškina va tokius dalykus: „Niekas manęs nespaudė, o aš niekada nesistengiau niekam įtikti“; „Jis niekada nenusižengtų gyvenimo principams ir nesutiktų falsifikuoti skrodimo rezultatų (kaip, beje, ir aš)“. Autorius sugeba kalbėti apie save net tada, kai kalba apie mirusius kūdikius, gyvenimus sugriovusias bylas ir kitas baisybes. Na ir aišku, kaip be buitekinio seksizmo – ne tik daug atvirauja apie santuoką, bet ir poros psichologei paklausus, ką turi padaryti jo žmona, dviejų vaikų motina, juos augindama tapusi gydytoja, skelia „Pagaminti man vakarienę“. Nu tai aišku.

Ten, kur autorius kalba apie savo darbą, įdomu iki pasičepsėjimo, jei tik nebijote detalių, smulkmeniškų, kraujingų aprašymų. Tačiau vos prasimuša tikrasis Shepherdo charakteris, skaityti nebesmagu – dažnai atrodo, kad jis suvedinėja asmenines sąskaitas, jaučiasi nepakankamai svarbus ir įvertintas, nori išsipasakoti visokius skaudulius ir pasirodyti geresnis, nei kad yra ar buvo. Labai žmogiška, tačiau šioje knygoje absoliučiai nereikalinga. Todėl ji galėjo būti perpus trumpesnė, nes nelabai man rūpi nei jo vaikų susidomėjimas veterinarija, nei santuokinės peripetijos. Vietomis trūko ir profesinio objektyvumo – jis gina kitus patologus ir koronerius, kartais ir policininkus, todėl klausimas – kiek nutyli, kiek pagražina, kiek faktų patogiai prisimena šiek tiek ne taip. Nesiimu spręsti, kiek šiuose memuaruose tiesos, tik rekomenduoju tai, kas autoriaus pateikiama kaip faktai, priimti labiau kaip vyresnio žmogaus norą išsipasakoti, nei kaip tyrimą apie patologo darbo niuansus.

Після книг британського нейрохірурга Генрі Марша у мене особливе ставлення до медичного наукпопу: я його скуповую))) Ось вона - можливість побувати в шкурі, чи то пак халаті будь-якого лікаря. Що це дає? На мою думку, таке читання скидає лікаря з п’єдесталу Бога чи, навпаки, підносить його у ваших очах як людину і фахівця (залежить від вашого ставлення до професії), дає розуміння, що лікарі роблять помилки, хоча вони і дорого коштуватимуть пацієнтам, знайомить з тим, якими очима дивиться лікар на цих пацієнтів і, можливо, позбавляє вас страху опинитися в його кабінеті. Звісно, читай-не-читай, навряд чи останнє стосується професії судмедексперта, адже на його столі вам точно ніколи не захочеться опинитися: це свідчитиме про вашу неприродну смерть.

Судмедексперт – це та професія, де відмовляють в праві на помилку, бо це може призвести до ув’язнення невинної людини.

👉Автор розказує про свою роботу як вона є:

- поділиться хвилюванням під час першого в житті розтину (хах, судмедексперти теж можуть бояться, що тіло зненацька оживе);
- звинувачуватиме детективні серіали ( як думаєте, у чому саме?);
- розкаже, на що схоже сімейне життя двох медиків;
- дасть можливість порозмірковувати над моральними змінами сьогодення ("Статтю про дітовбивство було введено у 1922 році для матерів, які вбили немовлят віком до 35 днів. Це кваліфікувалося як ненавмисне вбивство, тому покарання було набагато м'якшим. Тоді вважалося, що вбити немовля - це не так жахливо, як убити дорослого");
- з жахом згадає роботу під час великих катастроф, і якщо зіткнення потягів чи затоплення суден в Британії 80-90-х рр. не викликає у мене жодних спогадів, то згадка про 11 вересня вкотре змушує здригнутися (від десятків до тисяч жертв за декількасот сторінок);
- визначить, що обвинувачений не тільки винний у вбивстві, а й наніс собі травми самостійно, аби це приховати, але присяжних це не переконає, бо ж дуже милий;
- змусить читача провести паралелі між сьогоденням і 90-ми роками ("Відтоді мене хвилювали методи, якими іноді користуються охоронці закону: було очевидно, що деякі з них просто не знали, як безпечно стримувати людей");
- розкаже про екстремальні способи ідентифікації тіл в часи, коли ще не було аналізів ДНК;
- зізнається у тому, що може викликати панічні атаки у людини, що за життя зробила тисячі й тисячі розтинів і ще багато-багато іншого.

📘Незважаючи на те, що це не художня література, ця книга справжній page turner для мене: "як це я читаю вже годину?" або "варто було б вже лягати, але не можу не дочитати до кінця розтину" (угу, замість розділів).

‼️ Не раджу читати цю книгу вразливим людям, які не дивляться трилери, бо там кров і страшне; тим, хто не знає, що стається з тілом після смерті і, головне, не хоче знати. Пан Шеперд нічого від вас не проховуватиме, тож зважте, чи ви до цього готові.

'It had never really occured to me before then that for most people I am the dark figure of death cloaked in Halloween colors who has 'cut up' their loved one.'

Dr. Richard Shepherd is a forensic pathologist who performed thousands of autopsies to determine a cause of death. This book is his life story, his memoir as you will. He talks about personal and professional hardships as well as his honest account of PTSD. The reader's dealing with post-mortem examinations, forensic evidence, homicide investigation, natural, sudden or unexplained deaths, mass disaster events, and suicide because the human body after death is a captivating subject. The cold, putrefying atmosphere of the mortuary creates the prose of death. Dr. Shepherd is the poet of the dead, a writer's quill is the equivalent of the pathologist's scalpel. Both are getting under your skin!

This book is chilling, fascinating, and unputdownable, rigor mortis literally stiffened my limbs. The creepiness of reality is dancing in our blood. I really admire how Dr. Shepherd combines non-fiction and autobiographical elements in such an authentic and unique way that makes this a brilliant book. Highly recommended!

Usually with non fiction I read in dribs and drabs around my other reads – not so with “Unnatural Causes” which I read from cover to cover whilst barely drawing breath.
A fascinating man and a fascinating life – Dr Richard Shepherd tells it how it is and his involvement in so many high profile cases makes this a hugely compelling look behind the scenes, beyond all those news stories and into the true realities. From Hungerford to 9/11 his very honest and genuinely compassionate way of describing events, challenges and difficult truths is endlessly, brilliantly evocative.
What struck me was his way of giving as much to the smaller, everyday tragedies as to the hugely well known ones. Every case he takes on gets the same descriptively emotional resonance and his obviously moral determination that the truth will out, however unpalatable that truth may be.
He is also very open about his own faults and rather than holding himself up as infallible, keeps the fact of his humanity and his own human errors – whether professional or personal – woven into the narrative as seamlessly as his successes. This makes for a genuine understanding of the world of Forensic pathology, a subject I now know more about than I ever thought I would, as well as of the man himself.
I thought it was brilliant. I’m sure that Unnatural Causes barely scratches the surface of a life and career ongoing.
Highly Recommended.

R.Šepards ir viens no britu top top pataloganatomiem, kurš šajā grāmatā apraksta daudzas no savām serežģītākajām lietām, atspēko dažus mītus par nāvi (piemēram, nagi un mati pēc nāves neturpina augt, kā tas savulaik tika uzskatīts). Labs stāstījums un faktu analīze.

this book was PHENOMENAL.

for someone whose #1 profession isn't writing, Richard Shepherd really has a way with words. Unnatural Causes was captivating, fascinating, detailed (but not too detailed) and wonderfully engrossing. it turned me back into the 7 year old version of myself who would watch nature documentaries and then run and tell my parents the animal facts i'd learnt - except instead i was telling them facts about the process of death, infamous historical events and forensic pathology.

i once had a forensic pathology phase (before realising it was 13 years of university) and this book brought me right back to that phase. i was incredibly invested in this book - especially given it's an autobiography - and i loved learning all about forensic pathology, which Shepherd taught brilliantly.

i know it technically took me 4 months to read this, but really i just read 20 pages in july and then proceeded to ignore it until november, when i finally picked this up again and absolutely binged the entirety (minus those 20 pages) of the book. once caught up in this, there was no going back.

fascinating, powerful, properly scintillating. masterful book.

I postponed a lot writing my thoughts on this book.
I loved it so much. Everything about it: the author, the style, the honesty, the openness, the medical and forensic details, the personal stories, the horrors of a system, the change of the system every time something bad happened. I loved it that people learned from their mistakes and took action to make it better, safer, quicker. I loved it when the Marchioness' victims families didn't give up and wanted justice, I absolutely relished all episodes with his children.

Definitely a memoir to read, however be warned that there are a lot of descriptive details, so if you're not prepared for dismemberings, detailed accounts on human organs and crimes, maybe it's not something you'd take pleasure in reading. I am very curious about medicine and the function of the human body, so this book was a treat.

A Forensic Pathologist is one of those jobs that fascinates me but I know I would never be able to do. I can read about it but would have to look away if ever it was on the television or in real life. Hats off to the people who do this for a living because you must be made of stronger stuff than most of us. This is a fascinating read by Dr Richard Shepherd who appears to have been involved in every high profile case from the death of Princess Diana to The World Trade Centre. Thrown into situations most of us would certainly keep well clear of to unravel the truth.

Dr Richard Shepherd has carried out over 20,000 autopsies over his career some of whom are household names trying to unravel the causes of their deaths. Fascinating to read the behind the scenes revelations and details we don’t normally hear.

An unusual read but I found it so interesting.

I am shocked to see so many positive reviews of this book. From the very first page to the last get ready to read about Dr Richard Shepherd (not pathology). A better title for this might actually have been ‘Me, me and me some more’

I wouldn’t have minded a glimpse into the life of a successful pathologist. Unfortunately I have rarely had the pleasure of reading the musings of a person so convinced of their superiority over everyone in the human race. The book is so completely full of self congratulation that I am surprised he managed to save any space for content on pathology. When the subject of a chapter does finally include a case or some science, get ready to sit though derogatory comments about his colleagues thinly veiled with half compliments.

If you can ignore all that and still enjoy the interesting content contained within the book (all 2-3 pages of it) then you are in for a treat.

fascynujące. jakkolwiek to nie zabrzmi, trochę chciałbym teraz wziąć udział w jakiejś sekcji zwłok.
momentami przegadane, ale z tego, co zrozumiałem, ta książka to element terapii autora, więc tak widocznie musiało być.

I'm pleased that Unnatural Causes came up available from the library. It was a raw and powerful read, definitely not one to tackle before bedtime due to the subject content. The author Richard has worked as a forensic pathologist for many years and has worked on high-profile cases including Princess Diana and Stephen Lawrence. Some of the chapters of the various cases were truly shocking and eye-opening. Does give you uneasy feels, however, does a good job breaking down what goes into forensics and criminology in general!

I have been trying to write this review for ages because I have warring opinions.

Generally, this book was incredibly interesting and I loved that it was easy to read but still packed with information, facts and real cases. It was quite emotive due to the nature of the cases, despite the actual writing tone being matter of fact and as unemotive as the author.

I did not mind the concurrent chronicles of Shepherd's personal life - mainly because I am a nosy bitch. I thought that seeing the impact on Shepherd personally and on his family life was a consequence that many do not consider when thinking of the life of a pathologist - all glammed up by CSI type shows.

I did not find the chronological approach the easiest to follow. I thought that it would have been better to chapter off the different cases and weave the personal elements into the cases. As it was, the cases stretched over a number of years and I struggled to keep track of where some had finished when they were mentioned later. I also felt that the personal elements were tacked on the end rather clunkily because they fit with the timing.

My biggest issue however was with the tone at times, finding it often arrogant and at times it came.aceoss as biased. I also found the tone infuriating when speaking of women.

The marriage to Jen was written in a way that suggests that Shepherd's life would have been easier if Jen hadn't wanted to further her career and become a Dr. There were times when he really spoke about her as if she should have been willing to sacrifice her life for his career. Then he would tack a sentence on saying, but I was proud of her so I suffered! Heaven forbid that he had to look after his own children to help his wife. There was also this compulsive need to remind us that he was a good father.

Secondly - and I cannot stress how much this pissed me off. We have spent the whole book being told about the careers of the white men folk and how hard they worked and how skilled they were. Then in walks Vesna Djurovic. Dr Djurovic is an eminent pathologist. Yet this is how Shepherd describes her when she starts working at Guys:

'...tall, blonde, leggy woman...who wore a short skirt and a friendly smile.'

Absolutely no indication of her skillset or experience.

He then speaks of her being 'claimed' by his boss Iain. Like she is a goldfish at the fair. Iain eventually marries her, congrats to them. Shepherd seems to give more respect to the dead than a live woman with a sterling career.

Likewise, Jen became a Dr while raising kids with a largely absent husband and later in life. But when asked about the issues in his marriage he doesn't admit that he cannot connect to her emotionally or that the absences of BOTH OF THEIR JOBS are taking a toll, he says that she doesn't make him dinner. That is why their marriage isn't working. That traditional role of the little lady that proves her love for her husband. Dr Jen doesn't make him dinner. Bad woman.

It was clear that Shepherd harboured ill-feeling when he described Iain and Vesna as a star couple of the pathology world. Citing their forays into social life and noting that he couldn't have this role because bloody Jen had decided to better herself and her job as a Dr meant that they didn't have the time to party. Honestly, I really felt for Jen throughout this book.

I genuinely thought that this was going to be a strong 4, if not 5 star review but as the tone of arrogance grew and Shepherd seemed more incapable of taking criticism or admitting to errors, whether personal or professional, I started losing my interest in Shepherd and my rating dwindled

Es entretenido y didáctico pero también decepcionante. Su historia personal, laboral, marital y familiar es la mitad del libro y no me interesaba nada. Además, los casos son bastante simples y con miedo de escandalizar/asustar al lector.
Esperaba otra cosa y no, una vez más, un libro de batallitas de doctor temeroso.