The Devil You Know

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER



From the 2024 BBC Reith Lecturer



'Compassionate and fascinating.' GUARDIAN

'Extraordinary.' THE TIMES

'Recalibrated my empathy dial.' NEW STATESMAN

'Fascinating.' SUNDAY TIMES

'Deeply humane.' IRISH TIMES

'Exceptional.' VAL McDERMID



'Extraordinary.' SEBASTIAN FAULKS



'Enlightening.' PHILIPPE SANDS

'Beautifully written.' CHRISTIE WATSON



A perspective-shattering work into the minds of violent criminals that reveals profound consequences for human nature and society at large.





Dr Gwen Adshead is one of Britain's leading forensic psychiatrists. She treats serial killers, arsonists, stalkers, gang members and other individuals who are usually labelled 'monsters'. Whatever their crime, she listens to their stories and helps them to better understand their terrible acts of violence. Here Adshead invites the reader to step with her into the room to meet twelve patients and discover how minds can change. These men and women are revealed in all their complexity and shared humanity. Their stories make a powerful case for rehabilitation over revenge, compassion over condemnation. The Devil You Know will challenge everything you thought you knew about human nature.



Readers are saying:



'Remarkable and humane . . . compassionate and full of wisdom.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



'Empathy and understanding shine through . . . not just informative but also deeply moving.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



'Shows us how to be human, how to be empathetic in the most challenging of circumstances . . . essential reading.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



'Can't really think of a downside at the moment . . . a gem of a read.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



'I was gripped . . . I am left full of admiration.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



'Thoughtful, thought-provoking and challenging . . . I really enjoyed this.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



'Personal and candid . . . This will stay with me for a long time.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐







Gwen Adshead and Eileen Horne's book The Devil You Know was a Sunday Times Bestseller w/c 02-07-2022



Gwen Adshead and Eileen Horne's book The Devil You Know was a Sunday Times Bestseller w/c 09-07-2022



Dr Gwen Adshead has worked as a forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist in the NHS for three decades, including within prisons and secure hospitals. She has published over one hundred academic works; holds an MA in Medical Law and Ethics and an honorary doctorate from St George's Hospital Medical School and has lectured widely, including the BBC Reith Lectures in 2024. She is the co-author of the Sunday Times bestseller The Devil You Know.





Eileen Horne is a writer and dramatist. She worked for twenty years as a television drama producer and has been an editor, media lecturer and translator. She is the author of three non-fiction books and the scriptwriter of numerous BBC radio dramas. She is the co-author of The Devil You Know.



A perspective-shattering work into the minds of violent criminals that reveals profound consequences for human nature and society at large.