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“But - and this now seems perverse and scarcely believable to me - those pleasures could not compete with the possible intellectual engagement of an interesting post-mortem”

A forensic pathologist's memoir about his own life, his career and his most interesting and intriguing cases.
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
#dogsoflitsy #medicine #pathology #truecrime

An interesting read, although I didn‘t realize it was a memoir. It‘s also definitely not for the faint of heart. I am not squeamish in the slightest having grown up in a medical family, but the graphic descriptions of murder victims and mass disaster scenes was a little much at points…

An interesting peek into a British forensic pathologist's typical day at work: the cutting open and examination of bodies that have expired due to natural causes, freak accidents, mass disasters, homicides, drug overdoses, you name it. The not-so-interesting part was the author's rambling about his personal life but perhaps that's because I'm one of those cold, unfeeling readers that prefers the macabre and grisly over the warm and sentimental. :)

Has been waiting patiently in my TBR corner heap. A recommendation from a nursing pal. Can't wait to dive in!

This was my #DoubleSpin and upcoming IRL bookclub choice/ I really enjoyed learning about the skill, dedication, sensitivity and iron stomach it takes to be a forensic pathologist. The writing was very engaging and Dr. Shepherd did a great job of blending his personal story with his victims stories. If you are from the UK you might recall some of the more high profile cases including Princess Diana 💜Great read

Starting my IRL bookclub pick for February. #NonFictionChallenge21 #HelpingOthers (?) The bookclub ladies seem to all be fascinated with this one💕

Interesting facts without being too gruesome, a glimpse into cases from the past and how things need to happen in the world of death... by disaster and murder. I was amazed how a few simple errors by a colleague brought a distinguished career to a crashing halt,, luckily not permanently.

I love memoirs by pathologists, and this one was no exception. Dr Sheppard‘s career has certainly been interesting, and the perspective of him performing the job in the UK added an extra element. He touched on random cases, many well known, such as the Marchioness Disaster (which I didn‘t know about), to 9/11 (I never considered how it affected other countries), and the death of Princess Di. #booked2021 #doctorornurseMC

A worthwhile read which I pickrd up cheap. The author was one of top forensic scientists in the UK with a 30+ year year career touching upon incidents of international and domestic terrorism, mass murder and natural disaster. But equally as appropriate for memoirs the author discusses the impact that his career has had upon his life and the life of his family and friends eventually resulting in a diagnosis of PTSD.

So excited my 2 upcoming IRL bookclub picks have arrived from #BookDepository 💜📚It seems they have halted shipments to several countries due to the new strain of coronavirus. Happy Holidays to all♥️🎁🎉‼️

11 hours long but I got through it.
I did love the medical side of it and learning about the body. I couldn't care less about his kids and disastrous relationship I think he spoke about it too much, I loved that he talked about getting sectioned and therapy he went to.

#currentlyreading #audiobook #readingthelibrary #librarybook #truecrime #truestory

“Unnatural Causes” is a fascinating read. Dr Richard Shepard tells the story of his life and career working as a forensic pathologist. This is an interesting, honest and human look at his role and the events that required his involvement. I really enjoyed this – 5 stars!

My full review is up on my blog now 📚

A fascinating blend of memoir and some of Dr Shepherd's most interesting cases. A must read for anyone with an interest in autopsies and and the life of one of Britain's most leading forensic pathologists. #unnaturalcauses #drrichardshepherd #tea_sipping_bookworm #bookstagram #bookqueen #amazon#kindle #litsy #greatreads

Fascinating read that manages to discuss the emotive subject of death and post mortems without being sensational or gratuitous. It is harrowing at times - the sections on Hungerford, the Clapham rail disaster, the sinking of the Marchioness and the Bali bombings are not easy reading - but it is done with sensitivity; the author's respect for the dead is evident. I also enjoyed his ruminations on the nature of truth. Insightful & fascinating.

Interesting . Conversational tone to his writing. When I Googled him I saw he has done a TV series. Maybe watching those might make me like him more . #2020joybooks @MrsMalaprop

Finished this today, what a fascinating book! And this guy has been involved in so many famous cases throughout his career. Interesting to read more about things you know a bit about and also to read about someone brave enough to do a job I could never do!!

The true story of a pathologist. A few well known British crime stories included in this book. A fascinating read.

I was unsure of this at first but what gripped me were the chapters dealing with major UK crimes and disasters through the 80s and 90s. I remember the cases but was too young at the time to understand the bigger picture. More than the pathology I was fascinated by the reactions of those on the front line, the criticisms they faced and the changes that followed (although not always). So many incredibly sad stories told with respect and compassion.

This is a tough but fascinating read looking at a profession I know nothing about because I have chosen to look in the other direction. I found it hard to get through some chapters, trigger warnings for... everything. But still I would recommend.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A little dryer than most books about forensic pathology, however Dr Richard Shepherd has dealt with some of the UK‘s most horrendous murders and massacres. I enjoyed learning more about the relationships between pathologists and the police, CPS and the courts and the toll that such a job can take on personal relationships and mental health.

I loved every page of this book. A very open and candid look into the life of Dr. Shepherd. Fascinating from start to finish.

I started my holiday last week. Usually in the start of my summer holiday I treat myself with a visit to the book store. Here is my summer 2019 pile. Usually during summer I turn to horror/other tough subjects so that's why my reading list looks so dark, deep and interesting. 😍

This was an excellent book. Shepherd writes straightforwardly and candidly about the impact his chosen career has had on him and his family, and how the profession has changed over the decades. Recommended if you like reading about forensics and medicine. Pairs nicely with Judy Melinek's Working Stiff.

I would have liked to ask other men how they managed to make warmth, humour and this love business a part of their everyday married lives, but such a conversation would not have been acceptable in work circles. In fact, it would have been impossible. We talked about homicide, not love. And so I blundered on.

Toxic masculinity.

The detective who was watching me said, ‘So, Doc, what time did he die, exactly?‘ My heart sank. Especially at the word ‘exactly‘. That‘s the question everyone asks first. That‘s the question everyone thinks we can answer. That‘s the question which reveals the huge gap between the public perception of pathologists and the truth. I blame those TV cop shows.

An insightful and at times very distressing account of decades in a forensic pathologist's caseload. Death by SIDS, domestic homicide, poisonings, harrowing sexual murders, racially-biased death at the hands of policemen, large scale disasters, and celebrity death - difficult but interesting, like the author's personal struggles with mental illness and marital failures. An absolutely brilliant and often times incredibly sad read.

Picked this up yesterday...I've seen some of his documentaries and can't wait to get going on this!

I haven't read a Non-Fiction medical science book written by a professional before so I didn't know what to expect. But this blew my mind in many ways. I am heavily ( maybe a little to much) into anything that is a crime, forensic, psychology and anatomy and what hides behind it all.. Full Review www.readingthroughthepain.wordpress.com #bookblogger #bookreview #nonfiction #forensic #booklover #bookcommunity #bookish #read2019 #reviewer #crime

Finally finished this wonder outstanding book. ( takes me awhile to read these days) I have wrote my review notes up and will be writing and posting my review later or tomorrow morning. Wooo! @ReadingThroughThePain #readingthroughthepain #bookreview #bookblogger #unnaturallcauses #read #nonfiction #pathologist #crime #serialkillers #murder #bookish #booklover #crime #crimelover #blog #drrichardshepard #

Such as an interesting book so far. Embarrassment is just the kind of worldly concern which I believe the dying relinquish, often perhaps with relief. #nonfiction #unaturalcauses #richardshepard #pathologist #forensics #murder #serialkillers #bombers #currentlyreading #kindle

This is a book from one of the UK's leading Forensic Pathologists who has performed over 23,000 post mortems in his distinguished career. He has been the lead on sudden deaths, murders, tragic accidents & horrific terrorist attacks yet the compassion he shows for victims & their families never wanes. This is a fascinating read with so many cases that people across the world will remember. Definitely a good read.

#Books #BookNerd #Bookaholic

Unnatural causes is a brilliant book. Grisley at times, but great stuff about knife wounds and the logistics of major catastrophes eg.911/Bali bombings. Along with some personal reflections about himself and his family.

Attempting to fit in reading wherever you can when you have a baby. Shes napping on my knee while I try to read a hardback over the top of her

Having a fascination (& qualification) in forensic science, I loved this book about one of the UK‘s top forensic pathologists.

It was necessarily graphic without being overly gory, whilst the cases were detailed without being sensationalised. Excellent read. Rating: 4 🌟

Thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph, for the opportunity to review an ARC.