What do you think?
Rate this book
No Comment: What I Wish I'd Known About Becoming A Detective
'Probably the most important book on the state of British policing you'll ever read' Graham Bartlett
Jess McDonald was a true crime junkie and Line of Duty sofa sleuth with a strong sense of justice. Under a year later, thanks to a controversial new initiative, she was a detective in the London
Metropolitan Police Service.
The Met Police's Direct Entry Detective scheme was aimed at turning people with no experience
of the police into detectives.
When it was launched, to tackle an unprecedented recruitment crisis, over 4,500 people, Jess
included, applied.
But why, within just a year of qualifying, had the majority of Jess' cohort resigned?
No Comment is Jess' candid, eye-opening and often shocking account, exploring the reality of being a detective in the Met and responsible for 'keeping London safe for everyone'. In her incisive book she explores the challenges of life on the front line, dealing almost exclusively with serious crimes against women, and what that reveals about the Met Police now.
Jess McDonald was a true crime junkie and Line of Duty sofa sleuth with a strong sense of justice. Under a year later, thanks to a controversial new initiative, she was a detective in the London
Metropolitan Police Service.
The Met Police's Direct Entry Detective scheme was aimed at turning people with no experience
of the police into detectives.
When it was launched, to tackle an unprecedented recruitment crisis, over 4,500 people, Jess
included, applied.
But why, within just a year of qualifying, had the majority of Jess' cohort resigned?
No Comment is Jess' candid, eye-opening and often shocking account, exploring the reality of being a detective in the Met and responsible for 'keeping London safe for everyone'. In her incisive book she explores the challenges of life on the front line, dealing almost exclusively with serious crimes against women, and what that reveals about the Met Police now.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 25, 2023
27 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
Currently reading
June 20, 2023The author was in her early 30s, couchsurfing, failed relationship and directionless. She had drifted from job to job, eventually being fired when she thought she should have been promoted leaving her with a burning sense of injustice. So, when she heard of the Direct Entry Detective Scheme in to the Metropolitan Police (London), she thought she had a burning sense of wanting justice for all (amazing what tricks our minds can play on us) and applied. Normally, being a detective meant a couple of years pounding the beat in uniform, but this was an eight-month fairly brutal course designed to turn bright young things into detectives.
So far I've only read the first five months training. There was an incident which made me laugh. The man training them in the physical course of Officer Safety Training has delusions that these would-be detectives are teenagers just signed up to be soldiers and he can shout at them and bully them into frightened submission.
He takes exception to one person because their t-shirt isn't ironed, like anyone has ironed their t-shirt! Next he gets upset with woman's long nails. Each time he tries to get the crowd behind him to condemn the person, but fails. Then he gets really angry, 'spoiling for a fight' with the author because she is wearing grey socks. He fumes at her, he jumps around, she just apologises and apologises, but he won't have it, she should be wearing white socks! He screams at the class "PUT YOUR HANDS UP IF YOU ARE EMBARRASSED AT THE STATE YOUR COLLEAGUES HAVE SHOWN UP IN." No one does, these aren't kids, solidarity rules and he leaves the gym, tail between his legs.
The author though is quick to spot that there are bad apples in the group. One of her cohort doodled willies and swastikas on people's notepads and other items. He owned up to the willies but said it must have been someone else inscribing swastikas on people's property. She wondered if he was still with the police force. The damage a bad, prejudiced detective can do is clear for us all to see.
Enjoying the book. It's a light read but about an area of law enforcement I know nothing about, and so interesting.
So far I've only read the first five months training. There was an incident which made me laugh. The man training them in the physical course of Officer Safety Training has delusions that these would-be detectives are teenagers just signed up to be soldiers and he can shout at them and bully them into frightened submission.
He takes exception to one person because their t-shirt isn't ironed, like anyone has ironed their t-shirt! Next he gets upset with woman's long nails. Each time he tries to get the crowd behind him to condemn the person, but fails. Then he gets really angry, 'spoiling for a fight' with the author because she is wearing grey socks. He fumes at her, he jumps around, she just apologises and apologises, but he won't have it, she should be wearing white socks! He screams at the class "PUT YOUR HANDS UP IF YOU ARE EMBARRASSED AT THE STATE YOUR COLLEAGUES HAVE SHOWN UP IN." No one does, these aren't kids, solidarity rules and he leaves the gym, tail between his legs.
The author though is quick to spot that there are bad apples in the group. One of her cohort doodled willies and swastikas on people's notepads and other items. He owned up to the willies but said it must have been someone else inscribing swastikas on people's property. She wondered if he was still with the police force. The damage a bad, prejudiced detective can do is clear for us all to see.
Enjoying the book. It's a light read but about an area of law enforcement I know nothing about, and so interesting.
November 14, 2023
Buckle up because this is going to be a douzie...
I think I must first put out my opinion of the direct entry scheme, and to put it bluntly I have little to no opinion on it, other than to say that the NIE is extremely hard, I have known officers with years of experience fail it. So, putting fresh recruits through it seems like throwing them to the wolves. So, to be clear, what I have to say is not because I disagree with her job role.
As soon as I began this *audiobook*, I knew I was going to have a strong opinion, and so I kept notes in my phone to give an accurate and informed review. Suffice to say, the job isn't for everyone, and it is clear in the first paragraph that the author is not cut out for it. When she talks of CS gassing being "voluntary" and her choice to abstain from it, I knew immediately. Officers are asked in training to do these things so they know how they will react when out on the street. The likeihood is that officers will deploy CS or PAVA operationally, and you need to know how to deal with it. This is speaking as someone who has PAVA'd herself accidentally on occasion.
At some point, the author goes on giving detailed CPR instructions, I can't understand why? This isn't what this book is about, and although helpful, I'm sure, it felt like unnecessary filler.
She keeps referring to "Police School", this is not a thing? Police Training: Yes, but we're not in America at the Academy. It seems a bizarre phrase, but I'm nit picking here.
The author stated that she hopes she doesn't go to any sudden deaths when she has a shift on response and certainly no hangings. Why? As a police officer, regardless of role, you are exposed to this and need to be. In my force, even detectives come out to hangings as they tend to deal with potentially suspicious deaths.
There is a moment where the author says she doesn't want Murder as her first arrest. I cannot see why, is it because she's afraid. I do get these vibes when she states that she hoped a wanted male wasn't in. The whole role as a police officer is putting yourself in danger, and I think this is lost because she's going to be a "detective."" I'm sorry to say it, but detectives are warranted police officers too.
The author gets the definition of job pissed completely wrong, it is when someone absolutely loves the job. Not when they hate it. This makes me question her as an author because she goes on to say her Sgt bullied her for the mistakes. Perhaps she was making mistakes and didn't want to admit it, because it's a bloody hard job so it's understandable.
Now to the bullying, which I sympathise with her entirely on. As someone who has had trouble with supervision, I understand how hard it is and frustrating and upsetting. However, she says there is no protocol to report. This organisation is a ranked structure. She can and should have gone overhead to her inspector or higher or the PSD. My own force has an anonymous reporting system, I can't comment on the MET as I've never worked for them, but if that isn't in place, I'd hope it is implemented. She never seems to challenge the behaviour of the Sgts until she is Reg 13'd. I ask the question why? I'm sure she has her reasons but the book doesn't tell us them.
Being Reg 13'd actually isn't as uncommon as you would think. I've seen good officers be served with these papers and then work with actions plans to get better. On the other hand, I've seen terrible bobbies be served with with as a means to be sacked.
The author mentions illegal stop searching. This was a big red flag as to her not being cut out for the job. If they were searching known drug addicts, the likelihood is they were being stop searched under s.23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act or had the author forgotten that piece of legislation existed. You do not need to search just for prohibited or stolen goods.
Now, there are somethings we absolutely agree on, like that Postive Action arrests are hard work but they are getting utilise more and more due to the backlash police receive if something happened that "could" have been prevented. As someone who has been subject to a PIP (post incident procedure) where something went wrong after police contact, I understand entirely why officers are having to take positive action. This is a problem with the system. More and more officers being investigated for things that are out of their control.
Similarly, we agree that the police take a bashing for what are failings of the CPS. Sadly, this is due to misinformation and not understanding the criminal justice system.
Overall, this book feels like its been written by an amateur not a want to be detective. Is this a love letter to Josh, who's name comes up in every chapter; given the supposed nature of the book its entirely unhinged and unnecessary. I'm genuinely confused as to why there are so many 4/5 star reviews. This woman was never cut out to be a police officer, she clearly doesn't like conflict and being a fan of true crime does not a detective make I'm afraid.
I think I must first put out my opinion of the direct entry scheme, and to put it bluntly I have little to no opinion on it, other than to say that the NIE is extremely hard, I have known officers with years of experience fail it. So, putting fresh recruits through it seems like throwing them to the wolves. So, to be clear, what I have to say is not because I disagree with her job role.
As soon as I began this *audiobook*, I knew I was going to have a strong opinion, and so I kept notes in my phone to give an accurate and informed review. Suffice to say, the job isn't for everyone, and it is clear in the first paragraph that the author is not cut out for it. When she talks of CS gassing being "voluntary" and her choice to abstain from it, I knew immediately. Officers are asked in training to do these things so they know how they will react when out on the street. The likeihood is that officers will deploy CS or PAVA operationally, and you need to know how to deal with it. This is speaking as someone who has PAVA'd herself accidentally on occasion.
At some point, the author goes on giving detailed CPR instructions, I can't understand why? This isn't what this book is about, and although helpful, I'm sure, it felt like unnecessary filler.
She keeps referring to "Police School", this is not a thing? Police Training: Yes, but we're not in America at the Academy. It seems a bizarre phrase, but I'm nit picking here.
The author stated that she hopes she doesn't go to any sudden deaths when she has a shift on response and certainly no hangings. Why? As a police officer, regardless of role, you are exposed to this and need to be. In my force, even detectives come out to hangings as they tend to deal with potentially suspicious deaths.
There is a moment where the author says she doesn't want Murder as her first arrest. I cannot see why, is it because she's afraid. I do get these vibes when she states that she hoped a wanted male wasn't in. The whole role as a police officer is putting yourself in danger, and I think this is lost because she's going to be a "detective."" I'm sorry to say it, but detectives are warranted police officers too.
The author gets the definition of job pissed completely wrong, it is when someone absolutely loves the job. Not when they hate it. This makes me question her as an author because she goes on to say her Sgt bullied her for the mistakes. Perhaps she was making mistakes and didn't want to admit it, because it's a bloody hard job so it's understandable.
Now to the bullying, which I sympathise with her entirely on. As someone who has had trouble with supervision, I understand how hard it is and frustrating and upsetting. However, she says there is no protocol to report. This organisation is a ranked structure. She can and should have gone overhead to her inspector or higher or the PSD. My own force has an anonymous reporting system, I can't comment on the MET as I've never worked for them, but if that isn't in place, I'd hope it is implemented. She never seems to challenge the behaviour of the Sgts until she is Reg 13'd. I ask the question why? I'm sure she has her reasons but the book doesn't tell us them.
Being Reg 13'd actually isn't as uncommon as you would think. I've seen good officers be served with these papers and then work with actions plans to get better. On the other hand, I've seen terrible bobbies be served with with as a means to be sacked.
The author mentions illegal stop searching. This was a big red flag as to her not being cut out for the job. If they were searching known drug addicts, the likelihood is they were being stop searched under s.23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act or had the author forgotten that piece of legislation existed. You do not need to search just for prohibited or stolen goods.
Now, there are somethings we absolutely agree on, like that Postive Action arrests are hard work but they are getting utilise more and more due to the backlash police receive if something happened that "could" have been prevented. As someone who has been subject to a PIP (post incident procedure) where something went wrong after police contact, I understand entirely why officers are having to take positive action. This is a problem with the system. More and more officers being investigated for things that are out of their control.
Similarly, we agree that the police take a bashing for what are failings of the CPS. Sadly, this is due to misinformation and not understanding the criminal justice system.
Overall, this book feels like its been written by an amateur not a want to be detective. Is this a love letter to Josh, who's name comes up in every chapter; given the supposed nature of the book its entirely unhinged and unnecessary. I'm genuinely confused as to why there are so many 4/5 star reviews. This woman was never cut out to be a police officer, she clearly doesn't like conflict and being a fan of true crime does not a detective make I'm afraid.
May 24, 2023
A staffing crisis in the British Metropolitan Police Service led to the introduction of a controversial initiative called the Direct Entry Detective Scheme in 2017. Jess McDonald was one of 4,500 applicants, and underwent a rigorous vetting process to become accepted into the programme.
“The book I intended to write was one that bridged the gap between people’s fascination with true crime and their lack of insight about what it actually is to be a detective. The one I’ve written turns out to be far more significant.”
For thirty-something Jess, the programme had immediate appeal, not only because of her love of true crime podcasts, but because she felt strongly about justice, in part triggered by civil case she had brought against her former employer.
In No Comment Jess describes the multi-step interview process and her excitement at being one of just 30 scheme candidates to begin training in the Spring of 2018, before sharing her experience as a probationary detective in the CSU. It’s a fascinating, surprising, and sometimes harrowing glimpse into the world of modern police investigation, particularly in relation to domestic violence. As a ‘Direct Entry’ Jess faces some unique challenges, including disapproval from colleagues who don’t support the scheme, and while for months she remains motivated and determined to succeed, the excessive workload, the punishing shifts, and the erosion of her ideals wears her down.
Details of Jess’s personal life are interspersed among the narrative, and I understood why these intimate elements were included though I found them a bit uncomfortable at times.
These personal stressors, combined with the intensity of Jess’s training, induced a bout of depression that alienated her supervisor and led to workplace bullying, which directly precipitated her eventual resignation barely 12 months of graduation. She was not the only Direct Entry to leave, to date only four members of her own class remain in the service, the result, she suggests, of a number of factors.
“It was naive but, before joining the police, I had only ever thought about what I would do and achieve, what I had to give. I hadn’t spared a thought for what it might do to me.”
Written with honesty and self reflection, in a personable tone, No Comment offers interesting insight into the experience of working as a detective attached to CSU in London, albeit under unusual circumstances. I think it would be a valuable read for anyone interested in joining the police force, especially those considering the Direct Entry Scheme.
“The book I intended to write was one that bridged the gap between people’s fascination with true crime and their lack of insight about what it actually is to be a detective. The one I’ve written turns out to be far more significant.”
For thirty-something Jess, the programme had immediate appeal, not only because of her love of true crime podcasts, but because she felt strongly about justice, in part triggered by civil case she had brought against her former employer.
In No Comment Jess describes the multi-step interview process and her excitement at being one of just 30 scheme candidates to begin training in the Spring of 2018, before sharing her experience as a probationary detective in the CSU. It’s a fascinating, surprising, and sometimes harrowing glimpse into the world of modern police investigation, particularly in relation to domestic violence. As a ‘Direct Entry’ Jess faces some unique challenges, including disapproval from colleagues who don’t support the scheme, and while for months she remains motivated and determined to succeed, the excessive workload, the punishing shifts, and the erosion of her ideals wears her down.
Details of Jess’s personal life are interspersed among the narrative, and I understood why these intimate elements were included though I found them a bit uncomfortable at times.
These personal stressors, combined with the intensity of Jess’s training, induced a bout of depression that alienated her supervisor and led to workplace bullying, which directly precipitated her eventual resignation barely 12 months of graduation. She was not the only Direct Entry to leave, to date only four members of her own class remain in the service, the result, she suggests, of a number of factors.
“It was naive but, before joining the police, I had only ever thought about what I would do and achieve, what I had to give. I hadn’t spared a thought for what it might do to me.”
Written with honesty and self reflection, in a personable tone, No Comment offers interesting insight into the experience of working as a detective attached to CSU in London, albeit under unusual circumstances. I think it would be a valuable read for anyone interested in joining the police force, especially those considering the Direct Entry Scheme.
August 16, 2023
I truly hope this book gets picked up by the media and hits the desk of every politician in the country. Jess McDonald's bravely honest account of her time in the Metropolitan Police is timely and desperately needed. The institution is rotten to the core, and needs to be knocked down and rebuilt from scratch. In its current state, the people most suited to the role are being bullied out of post. And that's not the worst of it. What a sorry state to be in, when you can't trust a police officer. Shameful. In addition, all officers need to be better supported to do the job, in order to mitigate burnout and PTSD. Our entire criminal justice system needs an overhaul, as it's not fit for purpose. Thank you, Jess, for writing 'No Comment' and in doing so shining a torch into the darkest corners of the Met. Hopefully someone will do the same for the CPS.
December 30, 2025
I enjoyed this book it touched a lot on topics that are still rife in the Police and nice to read this after I have resigned myself from being a detective. This book has been sat on my shelf for a few years so fitting to read now I have freshly left the force.
June 16, 2025
I’m so disappointed in this book. I was really hoping it would be everything it needed to be but unfortunately, a lot of the time it came across as the bitter ramblings of an entitled and incompetent person.
Over the years we have seen so many issues with the met police and the culture that can be present and this book only lightly touched upon the bullying issue and instead focussed on things that made me feel that the author just wasn’t meant to be a police officer. I really do not know what she thought that job was going to be.
She repeatedly talks about the direct entry scheme and how people look down upon it, then went on to showcase her lack of experience and understanding and her entitlement. For example, putting down the officers who take positive action in domestic incidents as the cases were not going to be prosecuted as victims do not wish to support, however, had she been a front line officer, she may have seen the risk associated with not taking positive action and how split second decisions need to be taken to protect people. She should have had a better foundation to understand that people do not support domestics for a number of reasons and in that moment they just have to do whatever they can to secure the safety of someone, even if only for a night.
The author appeared to have a victim mentality and moaned about being given a workload dealing with safeguarding straight away. But a lot of forces do not have a safeguarding unit and so this is dealt with by the new, front line officers, as well as doing other jobs and so it made her seem very lazy.
She also talked about how she and other probation officers were given the boring work such but I feel like this is the case with most jobs as you need to learn from the bottom up, however, she felt this was an insult and she should be entitled to more as she was a detective.
This was also reflected in the discussion she had regarding pay. Whilst I agree that the pay is shocking, what she failed to recognise is she was brand new and so she should be paid less than the experienced officers - as she would in any other job field - as she was not fully competent.
Overall, it just felt like a lot of putting problems on to everyone else rather than what she could do. When given jobs she would ask “Why me?” Instead of “Why not me?” As someone had to do the work and so it felt as though she was saying she was better than others.
I was so gutted as this could have been a real insight into met but in reality she just did not have the gut instinct or drive to do a good job.
Over the years we have seen so many issues with the met police and the culture that can be present and this book only lightly touched upon the bullying issue and instead focussed on things that made me feel that the author just wasn’t meant to be a police officer. I really do not know what she thought that job was going to be.
She repeatedly talks about the direct entry scheme and how people look down upon it, then went on to showcase her lack of experience and understanding and her entitlement. For example, putting down the officers who take positive action in domestic incidents as the cases were not going to be prosecuted as victims do not wish to support, however, had she been a front line officer, she may have seen the risk associated with not taking positive action and how split second decisions need to be taken to protect people. She should have had a better foundation to understand that people do not support domestics for a number of reasons and in that moment they just have to do whatever they can to secure the safety of someone, even if only for a night.
The author appeared to have a victim mentality and moaned about being given a workload dealing with safeguarding straight away. But a lot of forces do not have a safeguarding unit and so this is dealt with by the new, front line officers, as well as doing other jobs and so it made her seem very lazy.
She also talked about how she and other probation officers were given the boring work such but I feel like this is the case with most jobs as you need to learn from the bottom up, however, she felt this was an insult and she should be entitled to more as she was a detective.
This was also reflected in the discussion she had regarding pay. Whilst I agree that the pay is shocking, what she failed to recognise is she was brand new and so she should be paid less than the experienced officers - as she would in any other job field - as she was not fully competent.
Overall, it just felt like a lot of putting problems on to everyone else rather than what she could do. When given jobs she would ask “Why me?” Instead of “Why not me?” As someone had to do the work and so it felt as though she was saying she was better than others.
I was so gutted as this could have been a real insight into met but in reality she just did not have the gut instinct or drive to do a good job.
May 12, 2024
An interesting book for people who have never worked for the police and who have little knowledge of exactly what is involved in dealing with detained persons. She explains very clearly the pressures of prisoner processing and the workload of being in a Community Safety Unit.
However, for me, she didn’t really explore a key question- was it a good idea to introduce Direct Detective entry? Is it better to source your detectives from a pool of experienced uniformed officers, officers who already know how to cope with some of the pressures of police work? If there is a recruitment crisis for detectives, then maybe the MPS should try to improve working conditions? Her focus was only on CSU work because that is the only place she worked…but detectives work in all sort of roles.
I agree with some of the other reviewers that the inclusion of her private life, the discussion about Josh, was a bit distracting and didn’t really form an essential part of the book.
The book does shine a light on practices/attitudes that need changing and which should really have been eradicated by now and I like some of her suggestions at the end of the book.
I think she was not suited to police work. You do have to change a bit in order to cope and you do have to be able to harden yourself to things- if you don’t then , like she says, you end up absorbing all the pain & suffering that you see. Toughening up doesn’t mean you lose your compassion , you become pragmatic and your compassion is rationed out.
Definitely worth a read though and I hope the author has found fulfilment in another job.
However, for me, she didn’t really explore a key question- was it a good idea to introduce Direct Detective entry? Is it better to source your detectives from a pool of experienced uniformed officers, officers who already know how to cope with some of the pressures of police work? If there is a recruitment crisis for detectives, then maybe the MPS should try to improve working conditions? Her focus was only on CSU work because that is the only place she worked…but detectives work in all sort of roles.
I agree with some of the other reviewers that the inclusion of her private life, the discussion about Josh, was a bit distracting and didn’t really form an essential part of the book.
The book does shine a light on practices/attitudes that need changing and which should really have been eradicated by now and I like some of her suggestions at the end of the book.
I think she was not suited to police work. You do have to change a bit in order to cope and you do have to be able to harden yourself to things- if you don’t then , like she says, you end up absorbing all the pain & suffering that you see. Toughening up doesn’t mean you lose your compassion , you become pragmatic and your compassion is rationed out.
Definitely worth a read though and I hope the author has found fulfilment in another job.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2024
From the very first page of this book it was apparent that the author wasn’t suited to life as a Police officer, and it’s a terrible shame that this wasn’t spotted sooner as it would have saved her a lot of pain. While she undoubtedly joined with good intentions, policing does require a sense of teamwork and a work ethic that not everyone has.
While I found this book engaging and interesting, I did find myself frustrated by the author on a number of occasions, and I found there were a lot of inaccuracies, posited as gospel. Considering I’ve never worked for the Met, I wonder how many inaccuracies I missed.
I have since heard from some people who worked with the author, who have suggested there is very much another side to her story, and some who wonder whether she joined with this exposé in mind. I guess we will never know. While this book makes some good points about the workload Police officers face and the cumulative toll of constant exposure to trauma, the overall execution is not the best. It is an interesting and enjoyable book however if taken with a large pinch of salt.
While I found this book engaging and interesting, I did find myself frustrated by the author on a number of occasions, and I found there were a lot of inaccuracies, posited as gospel. Considering I’ve never worked for the Met, I wonder how many inaccuracies I missed.
I have since heard from some people who worked with the author, who have suggested there is very much another side to her story, and some who wonder whether she joined with this exposé in mind. I guess we will never know. While this book makes some good points about the workload Police officers face and the cumulative toll of constant exposure to trauma, the overall execution is not the best. It is an interesting and enjoyable book however if taken with a large pinch of salt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2024
Nothing shocking in this book at all. Policing frontline and in divisional investigations are understaffed and over worked.
I would say that Jess is clearly a drifter who bolted from the job at the first challenging hurdle. As someone who professes to be dedicated to change she didn’t stick to her word. And the undermining factor that she planned to write this book alongside her policing career shows she didn’t really have the legs to stick it out and wanted to just gain a frontline insight to enable her own success.
The heart of why police officers are police officers isn’t captured in this book because side she didn’t last long enough to understand.
A good read for a civy.
I would say that Jess is clearly a drifter who bolted from the job at the first challenging hurdle. As someone who professes to be dedicated to change she didn’t stick to her word. And the undermining factor that she planned to write this book alongside her policing career shows she didn’t really have the legs to stick it out and wanted to just gain a frontline insight to enable her own success.
The heart of why police officers are police officers isn’t captured in this book because side she didn’t last long enough to understand.
A good read for a civy.
June 19, 2023
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
As a serving police officer I found this hard to read at first, then as I read further I started to notice some truth to some of the things that were being mentioned.
There are issued in policing but the services are aware of that and trying to make a change, but change takes time. Hopefully this will open some eyes to some of the trauma that officers see on a daily basis and that most officers are good but get tarred with the same brush as the few rotten eggs.
As a serving police officer I found this hard to read at first, then as I read further I started to notice some truth to some of the things that were being mentioned.
There are issued in policing but the services are aware of that and trying to make a change, but change takes time. Hopefully this will open some eyes to some of the trauma that officers see on a daily basis and that most officers are good but get tarred with the same brush as the few rotten eggs.
June 10, 2024
Gave it an extra star for being accessible (i.e., quick and easy to read). However, I couldn’t get past the author’s naivety and superficial reflections. There’s minimal meaningful introspection with the flaws in the system and her interaction with/contribution to it. There’s random snippets of her personal life but they’re not developed or integrated, so they just appear tokenistic. This book is a strong argument against the Direct Entry Detective scheme but it’s not made by the author, except by her omissions.
March 27, 2025
This book is about someone wholly unsuitable who joins the Met, then doesn't want to be CS gassed, doesn't like arresting people, didn't want to search people or work nights, and sympathised with a man who had beaten his wife. Exactly what the Country doesn't need in it's Police service. She probably would have been quite good for the TIK TOK videos though.
May 19, 2024
I found the author's account of her time in the police force, along with background information about her life, interesting to read. Some have written that she's clearly not cut out to be a detective, honestly I'm on the fence. Clearly, her account is auto-biographical, so details could've been left out intentionally or subconsciously, misleading the reader, but from listening to Jess read her own words, I thought she was incredible. Tenacious, go-get-'em type, and honestly considering her dismissal from two jobs during the course of her account, she didn't whinge about it. I don't think this book should be taken as the be-all-and-end-all account of the police service or the Met in particular, but it should be taken seriously as an individual's honest experience working in the system.
Regarding the structure of the book, I thought it was very well-done. Helpful facts and statistics dotted in here and there when appropriate, a few case examples of victims and suspects of crime McDonald had to deal with during her time in service and the ways in which the system in place failed victims or even obstructed justice. I personally enjoyed hearing about her personal life alongside, especially as it meant her account was more fully extensive of the impact it had on her, so I didn't view this inclusion as irrelevant.
The most disappointing thing about this book is I, and I suspect many others, didn't find it shocking. It wasn't far-fetched to imagine sexism, harassment, and workplace bullying in the Met, it was entirely as I'd expected. The picture McDonald paints of the Met (and by extension, the British police force as a whole) is sad, outdated, underfunded, and ineffective. She does make sure to detail those who encouraged the new recruits, who helped them on their way and gave the best possible chance of success to them, but of course the 'bad apples' remain.
There seems to be the idea that, if joining the police force, you need to be entirely self-sufficient and self-aware, a ready-made superstar. Perhaps that is testament to the failure of the fast-track recruitment scheme, that new recruits simply weren't given the time to learn on the job as they would through traditional means, but there didn't seem to me any innate reason why Jess should've failed. The fact that such a large proportion of her class who went through the same programme failed too, seems to indicate the system was at fault, not the candidates. If even those hand-picked by the Met to work FOR the Met don't stand a chance, who does?
A thoughtful account, provoking discussion and highlighting the need for change.
Regarding the structure of the book, I thought it was very well-done. Helpful facts and statistics dotted in here and there when appropriate, a few case examples of victims and suspects of crime McDonald had to deal with during her time in service and the ways in which the system in place failed victims or even obstructed justice. I personally enjoyed hearing about her personal life alongside, especially as it meant her account was more fully extensive of the impact it had on her, so I didn't view this inclusion as irrelevant.
The most disappointing thing about this book is I, and I suspect many others, didn't find it shocking. It wasn't far-fetched to imagine sexism, harassment, and workplace bullying in the Met, it was entirely as I'd expected. The picture McDonald paints of the Met (and by extension, the British police force as a whole) is sad, outdated, underfunded, and ineffective. She does make sure to detail those who encouraged the new recruits, who helped them on their way and gave the best possible chance of success to them, but of course the 'bad apples' remain.
There seems to be the idea that, if joining the police force, you need to be entirely self-sufficient and self-aware, a ready-made superstar. Perhaps that is testament to the failure of the fast-track recruitment scheme, that new recruits simply weren't given the time to learn on the job as they would through traditional means, but there didn't seem to me any innate reason why Jess should've failed. The fact that such a large proportion of her class who went through the same programme failed too, seems to indicate the system was at fault, not the candidates. If even those hand-picked by the Met to work FOR the Met don't stand a chance, who does?
A thoughtful account, provoking discussion and highlighting the need for change.
October 30, 2025
Very disappointed with this book, it's defeatist, gloomy and bleak about the Metropolitan Police. The author, Jess, joined via a new initiative called the Direct Entry Detective Scheme which was a first of it's kind, allowing Joe public to join the force immediately as a detective constable and not have to complete years as a response or area constable beforehand. The scheme was an "experiment" and this was the inception, seriously what did Jess expect? She wasn't straight from school, she was out of her twenties, so she did have some life experience.
Jess and the other recruits had five months of training and then were in the role of a "live" detective. I don't know what she really thought was going to be different to that? Perhaps she could have had more training, or maybe done more shadowing, but realistically, how long is the Met going to pay someone to actually not carry out the role they were hired to do? Any detective, in any force, is going to be, these days, swamped with work and majorly under-staffed, so anyone with any brain power, who seriously wanted to do this role, would have known to some degree what they were getting into! To write a book detailing the training and the recruits, and then month by month who leaves from the original class is pure negativity. I'm not qualified to say whether the scheme worked or not, but policing generally is trying to attract people from all walks of life and probably the majority of people joining know roughly what they're getting into, or they leave soon after!
Personally, I do think it's good to have had at least a couple of years out "on the streets" to get a basic understanding of the real issues in that area, but compare it to corporate society, and many people join at high levels into a sector they've never worked in before and would be thrilled to have two months pay where all they're doing is training before being let loose, let alone five months!!
For the quote on the cover to be "Probabaly the most important book on the state of British policing you'll ever read ... brilliant" is mind-boggling to me! It's a very biased, gloomy book written by someone truly clueless and naive about policing when she joined the Met; brilliant is by far not the adjective I would use!
Jess and the other recruits had five months of training and then were in the role of a "live" detective. I don't know what she really thought was going to be different to that? Perhaps she could have had more training, or maybe done more shadowing, but realistically, how long is the Met going to pay someone to actually not carry out the role they were hired to do? Any detective, in any force, is going to be, these days, swamped with work and majorly under-staffed, so anyone with any brain power, who seriously wanted to do this role, would have known to some degree what they were getting into! To write a book detailing the training and the recruits, and then month by month who leaves from the original class is pure negativity. I'm not qualified to say whether the scheme worked or not, but policing generally is trying to attract people from all walks of life and probably the majority of people joining know roughly what they're getting into, or they leave soon after!
Personally, I do think it's good to have had at least a couple of years out "on the streets" to get a basic understanding of the real issues in that area, but compare it to corporate society, and many people join at high levels into a sector they've never worked in before and would be thrilled to have two months pay where all they're doing is training before being let loose, let alone five months!!
For the quote on the cover to be "Probabaly the most important book on the state of British policing you'll ever read ... brilliant" is mind-boggling to me! It's a very biased, gloomy book written by someone truly clueless and naive about policing when she joined the Met; brilliant is by far not the adjective I would use!
June 21, 2024
Excellent insight into life in the MET and the struggles of front line working, the stigma of bullying in the workplace, being a woman in a male dominated environment and the detriment of it all on mental health.
January 5, 2026
This was a cool look behind the curtain at the MET. There were some bits that weren't surprising - corruption, sexism, and bullying in the workplace to name a few - but it also highlighted how many people are doing the job for all the right reasons, and the burnout and challenges they face. Not the happiest of reads but very interesting.
November 18, 2023
This book was really insightful. Always wondered if the police was a missed career opportunity for me; this book tells me it was not. A sad state of affairs and some major reform needed.
June 10, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I love anything to do with police procedural, and especially when it's from a female perspective.
This is Jess' story of applying to become a plain clothes detective, and actually getting the job which was a surprise to her.
It was a great insight into her career, and had a sad ending when she left the police force, as she felt she was forced to. I didn't expect that to have been the case but sadly it was, and I felt sorry for her as I read the last chapter. I really enjoyed reading her stories of her arrests, and the day to day life events happening in this job.
This is Jess' story of applying to become a plain clothes detective, and actually getting the job which was a surprise to her.
It was a great insight into her career, and had a sad ending when she left the police force, as she felt she was forced to. I didn't expect that to have been the case but sadly it was, and I felt sorry for her as I read the last chapter. I really enjoyed reading her stories of her arrests, and the day to day life events happening in this job.
March 26, 2025
Such a gripping book and extremely interesting. From the perspective of a bar student it’s really interesting to see the police Code from the perspective of the officers in case. As someone hoping to work in criminal justice it’s disheartening at times, but it’s best to know what the reality of the situation is
May 24, 2023
I don’t often read non-fiction but when I do, I usually choose memoirs which have a link to crime. Prison psychologists, prisoners, police officers all tie into my interest in true-crime and link to the crime thriller fiction books I love to read. No Comment is the story of Jess McDonald, also a true-crime junkie who joins the ranks of Met Detectives on the brand-new Direct Entry Scheme. This scheme was open for anyone to apply and would entail skipping the years of ‘on-the-beat’ experience usually needed for a Detective and offer more streamlined training. This scheme was supposed to help not only bolster an over-worked workforce but also encourage diversity by giving the opportunity to people from all walks of life.
Jess’ account of her experience is fascinating and harrowing in equal measures. There is a good balance of her personal life and backstory fed into the book, but it never felt like it dragged or made you want to skip over it, which has happened in some memoirs I have read. We start by learning about what made Jess want to apply and the training she went through before going into actual cases she dealt with along the way. Jess is also refreshingly honest throughout, talking about her battle with depression which saw her take time off from the Met and how difficult this was to achieve.
There are a few bits of repetition in the book which I think could have been edited a little better, and Jess sometimes comes across as a bit of a martyr. She is the first to refuse the tear gas training, she always tries to stick up for the downtrodden and takes every opportunity to state that she would not do something again that she found to be morally dubious. I’m sure she probably had a fair few faults that she does not disclose in this book but as she has since left the Met she doesn’t need to touch on these!
The book does not paint a particularly good picture of the Met itself, we hear of tales of bullying, disregard for mental health and sexism. We hear of how over-worked the people there are with cases that need so much paperwork and pile up endlessly that the recruits feel that they can’t make a difference. We also hear of how so many of the Direct Entry Scheme graduates ended up leaving, unable to cope with the darker side of the institution. We learn of cases where people are released without conviction, able to offend again when it seemed so simple that they should have been kept away from society from the overview of the case. Jess mainly worked in the Safeguarding unit which deals with Domestic Violence, so take this as a trigger warning.
Overall, No Comment is a fascinating but also tragic peek into the inner workings of the Metropolitan Police Department from an important outside perspective. Thank you to NetGalley & Bloomsbury Publishing – Raven Books for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
For more of my reviews check out www.kindig.co.uk
Jess’ account of her experience is fascinating and harrowing in equal measures. There is a good balance of her personal life and backstory fed into the book, but it never felt like it dragged or made you want to skip over it, which has happened in some memoirs I have read. We start by learning about what made Jess want to apply and the training she went through before going into actual cases she dealt with along the way. Jess is also refreshingly honest throughout, talking about her battle with depression which saw her take time off from the Met and how difficult this was to achieve.
There are a few bits of repetition in the book which I think could have been edited a little better, and Jess sometimes comes across as a bit of a martyr. She is the first to refuse the tear gas training, she always tries to stick up for the downtrodden and takes every opportunity to state that she would not do something again that she found to be morally dubious. I’m sure she probably had a fair few faults that she does not disclose in this book but as she has since left the Met she doesn’t need to touch on these!
The book does not paint a particularly good picture of the Met itself, we hear of tales of bullying, disregard for mental health and sexism. We hear of how over-worked the people there are with cases that need so much paperwork and pile up endlessly that the recruits feel that they can’t make a difference. We also hear of how so many of the Direct Entry Scheme graduates ended up leaving, unable to cope with the darker side of the institution. We learn of cases where people are released without conviction, able to offend again when it seemed so simple that they should have been kept away from society from the overview of the case. Jess mainly worked in the Safeguarding unit which deals with Domestic Violence, so take this as a trigger warning.
Overall, No Comment is a fascinating but also tragic peek into the inner workings of the Metropolitan Police Department from an important outside perspective. Thank you to NetGalley & Bloomsbury Publishing – Raven Books for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
For more of my reviews check out www.kindig.co.uk
May 25, 2023
Problems with the Metropolitan Police in London have been in the news for several months but this book approaches it from a different angle, the view of a woman hired in a pilot programme to fast track new entrants into the role of detective within a year.
Jess Mcdonald is excited at the prospect of joining the police and has an idealised view of the difference she hopes she will make.
After training, which takes place at the state-of=the-art Hendon training college, and at a rundown police station, she is drafted into the CSD, or the "rape squad." She finds it very difficult to make an impact. Resources are spread very thinly - and unlike TV police dramas, the work is solo and lonely. The elephant in the room is always the discrepancy between the objectives of the Crown Prosecution Service (lawyers) and the police, who want to achieve more prosecutions for victims of domestic abuse and rape.
There is also a lot of resentment among police who graduated the "hard way" and had to do two years in uniform before being considered for detective.
Mcdonald is crushed to be bullied by a male manager, whose copious notes on her failings are inherited by his successor who if anything treats her even more badly. She bravely talks to their superiors and her grievances are upheld, but there's no proper investigation. Meanwhile, all the colleagues she trained with and became friends with are, one by one, leaving the Met. As does Mcdonald, who leaves the police exhausted and disillusioned. "I so wanted it to be different., The disconnect between how I thought the role would be and the reality was undeniable."
Essential reading for the new Metropolitan police commissioner Mark Rowley.
Jess Mcdonald is excited at the prospect of joining the police and has an idealised view of the difference she hopes she will make.
After training, which takes place at the state-of=the-art Hendon training college, and at a rundown police station, she is drafted into the CSD, or the "rape squad." She finds it very difficult to make an impact. Resources are spread very thinly - and unlike TV police dramas, the work is solo and lonely. The elephant in the room is always the discrepancy between the objectives of the Crown Prosecution Service (lawyers) and the police, who want to achieve more prosecutions for victims of domestic abuse and rape.
There is also a lot of resentment among police who graduated the "hard way" and had to do two years in uniform before being considered for detective.
Mcdonald is crushed to be bullied by a male manager, whose copious notes on her failings are inherited by his successor who if anything treats her even more badly. She bravely talks to their superiors and her grievances are upheld, but there's no proper investigation. Meanwhile, all the colleagues she trained with and became friends with are, one by one, leaving the Met. As does Mcdonald, who leaves the police exhausted and disillusioned. "I so wanted it to be different., The disconnect between how I thought the role would be and the reality was undeniable."
Essential reading for the new Metropolitan police commissioner Mark Rowley.
August 18, 2023
I would recommend this book to anyone who wanted to dip their toe into non-fiction. This is an accessible, illuminating, shocking and disturbing book which is told with obvious sadness and the desire to help put things right. It was a well-researched insight into the Met that was also very digestible as a reader.
The things I learned about the failings of the prosecution services and the culture within the police left me feeling if not shocked then incredulous and frustrated.
The final section of the book which really summarises and delivers the clearest insight and hope for change makes for powerful reading however throughout the rest of the book it did sometimes suffer an identity crisis. Skipping from accounts of interviews and real cases to more personal reflection to weird occasional insights into the authors love life. Perhaps this is reflective of living your life with an all-consuming career, where background normality is squeezed in around the strange 24hr reality of being a police officer.
Most of us will have a picture of how police forces operate from the many detective programmes on TV and never get an insight into how complex and overwhelming the job is.
What stands out is the harm done to individuals and their mental health in the process of them trying to help others. Jess McDonald is writing about the Met but these conditions and relationships must exist in all large urban forces. The book leaves one with the sense that this is a problem of almost tragic magnitude within all “blue light” services.”
The things I learned about the failings of the prosecution services and the culture within the police left me feeling if not shocked then incredulous and frustrated.
The final section of the book which really summarises and delivers the clearest insight and hope for change makes for powerful reading however throughout the rest of the book it did sometimes suffer an identity crisis. Skipping from accounts of interviews and real cases to more personal reflection to weird occasional insights into the authors love life. Perhaps this is reflective of living your life with an all-consuming career, where background normality is squeezed in around the strange 24hr reality of being a police officer.
Most of us will have a picture of how police forces operate from the many detective programmes on TV and never get an insight into how complex and overwhelming the job is.
What stands out is the harm done to individuals and their mental health in the process of them trying to help others. Jess McDonald is writing about the Met but these conditions and relationships must exist in all large urban forces. The book leaves one with the sense that this is a problem of almost tragic magnitude within all “blue light” services.”
June 18, 2023
An eye-opening and frank account of the author's experience joining the direct-entry detective recruitment drive that the Met police operated to bring new detectives into the force without having to complete the minimum 2-year probationary period.
From the giddy heights of the excitement at being accepted for the scheme and completing her comprehensive training, its a brutal and rapid descent into the reality of life on the front line. Its not helped by the attitude of existing police officers to the new recruits, they are seen as having an easy ride even though the reality is nothing like that.
Jess McDonald writes openly and brilliantly about what's happening, the challenges of being thrown in with very limited support. For the most part, even when faced with back-breaking shifts and hopeless workloads, she still keeps an optimistic eye on the future for the Met police.
Later in the book we read about the difference between how the Met carry out their investigations with a victim-centred approach; and how the CPS are focussed on successful prosecutions in court, which often means that domestic crimes are dropped before they come to court. I hadnt known about the fundamental disconnect before, but the author calls it out for what it is and the impact that it has on victims' opinions of the justice system.
Really eye-opening reading- I hope that the author keeps writing about her experiences.
From the giddy heights of the excitement at being accepted for the scheme and completing her comprehensive training, its a brutal and rapid descent into the reality of life on the front line. Its not helped by the attitude of existing police officers to the new recruits, they are seen as having an easy ride even though the reality is nothing like that.
Jess McDonald writes openly and brilliantly about what's happening, the challenges of being thrown in with very limited support. For the most part, even when faced with back-breaking shifts and hopeless workloads, she still keeps an optimistic eye on the future for the Met police.
Later in the book we read about the difference between how the Met carry out their investigations with a victim-centred approach; and how the CPS are focussed on successful prosecutions in court, which often means that domestic crimes are dropped before they come to court. I hadnt known about the fundamental disconnect before, but the author calls it out for what it is and the impact that it has on victims' opinions of the justice system.
Really eye-opening reading- I hope that the author keeps writing about her experiences.
November 24, 2023
I originally rated this 4, but have dropped it to 3 having read some other reviews which have made me rethink things. Many reviewers, unlike me, seem to work or have worked for the Met. I'm just rating this from an outsiders point of view.
**SPOILERS AHEAD**
I think it's a well written and interesting book, which on the whole I am glad I listened to, but I can't help but think we're only really getting half the story. A few of the things mentioned make me think perhaps Jess wasn't well suited to the role and perhaps simply wasn't very good? The insta sacking from the start up. Really? I'm sure there must have been a reason? Then, her bosses in the met not taking a liking to her? The only person ever to decline the gas at the start? Her moaning about how tough shift work is?
I don't know, it just made me wonder about some of the pretty useless staff I've managed over the years and how I might, for example, find them working with others in the wrong area and I would tell them to maybe focus on what they should be doing... they probably thought I was a horrible boss... but I have a different view on things. In the book, we only get Jess' side of things.
I'm probably being very mean, it seems like Jess always had the best intentions, she perhaps simply wasn't the right person for the role.
Again, I did enjoy it. Interesting and well written (not sure we needed the personal bits about the b/f, which I wouldn't had said put Jess in a great light either tbh)
**SPOILERS AHEAD**
I think it's a well written and interesting book, which on the whole I am glad I listened to, but I can't help but think we're only really getting half the story. A few of the things mentioned make me think perhaps Jess wasn't well suited to the role and perhaps simply wasn't very good? The insta sacking from the start up. Really? I'm sure there must have been a reason? Then, her bosses in the met not taking a liking to her? The only person ever to decline the gas at the start? Her moaning about how tough shift work is?
I don't know, it just made me wonder about some of the pretty useless staff I've managed over the years and how I might, for example, find them working with others in the wrong area and I would tell them to maybe focus on what they should be doing... they probably thought I was a horrible boss... but I have a different view on things. In the book, we only get Jess' side of things.
I'm probably being very mean, it seems like Jess always had the best intentions, she perhaps simply wasn't the right person for the role.
Again, I did enjoy it. Interesting and well written (not sure we needed the personal bits about the b/f, which I wouldn't had said put Jess in a great light either tbh)
February 5, 2024
This book was an eye opener. I knew nothing of the Met Police direct entrant detective scheme but this personal account of experience joining it was candid and informative. It seems like many other ideas when it comes to labour shortages (e.g. when there was a shortage of teachers or nurses etc) - ill thought out and insufficient as a solution to the problem.
This book also addressed the various biases that still exist in what is a largely male dominated (often misogynistic) organisation. From themes of sexism, racism, power plays and bullying - this book does not shy from addressing the bigger issues which blight the Met. I have great admiration for all emergency services workers, including police, but it is clear that more needs to be done to allow people to get on with actually delivering justice and to weed out those who are hindering that purpose. Or worse still, committing crimes themselves or oppressing vulnerable people through their priviledged role.
The audio book is narrated by the author herself, and while she is not a "natural" narrator, this adds a dimension that helps the reader/listener to connect with the book on a deeper level.
This book also addressed the various biases that still exist in what is a largely male dominated (often misogynistic) organisation. From themes of sexism, racism, power plays and bullying - this book does not shy from addressing the bigger issues which blight the Met. I have great admiration for all emergency services workers, including police, but it is clear that more needs to be done to allow people to get on with actually delivering justice and to weed out those who are hindering that purpose. Or worse still, committing crimes themselves or oppressing vulnerable people through their priviledged role.
The audio book is narrated by the author herself, and while she is not a "natural" narrator, this adds a dimension that helps the reader/listener to connect with the book on a deeper level.
January 20, 2025
( Format : Audiobook )
"So many greys for someone so young."
Read by the author, my first complaint is that she should have found a sympathetic professional narrator: her own.slightly nasal delivery sounded to this reader dull, a presentation of a tedious document, not an animated reading of a vibrant biography composed to expose a flawed system. And the mixing in of her on off personal relationship with Josh distracted, rather than enhanced her main story: that of her time in the Direct Entry Detective Scheme. Sadly, although agreeing with most of her grievences, I found her frequent whinging irritating. It was the first I had heard of this Met.initiative and it really begs he question - was it a good idea to bypass the hard work put in by the regular entrant and time spent in uniform before being selected to progress to detective, already aware of what they would be taking on? The descriptions of the training sounds like that of snickering school kids.short cutting past the hard graft to a more attractive (as they saw it a the time) future job description.
It was interesting, mostly, however, and I wish the author well in finding a suitable future occupation.
"So many greys for someone so young."
Read by the author, my first complaint is that she should have found a sympathetic professional narrator: her own.slightly nasal delivery sounded to this reader dull, a presentation of a tedious document, not an animated reading of a vibrant biography composed to expose a flawed system. And the mixing in of her on off personal relationship with Josh distracted, rather than enhanced her main story: that of her time in the Direct Entry Detective Scheme. Sadly, although agreeing with most of her grievences, I found her frequent whinging irritating. It was the first I had heard of this Met.initiative and it really begs he question - was it a good idea to bypass the hard work put in by the regular entrant and time spent in uniform before being selected to progress to detective, already aware of what they would be taking on? The descriptions of the training sounds like that of snickering school kids.short cutting past the hard graft to a more attractive (as they saw it a the time) future job description.
It was interesting, mostly, however, and I wish the author well in finding a suitable future occupation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
February 25, 2025No Comment by Jess McDonald is a gripping and eye-opening account of her time as a detective in the London Metropolitan Police Service. The audiobook, narrated by the author herself, this is a candid and often shocking portrayal of the challenges faced by detectives,
The narration is engaging, although perhaps I needed less regarding the author's on/off boyfriend but the insightful content made up for that! Using her first-hand experience and with her strong sense of justice shining through there was something in every chapter to surprise me. Like the author I also am a true-crime documentary and detective drama aficionado and her experience put all of that in a very different box with he reality of being a detective in the Met,
The author spends the latter chapters exploring the institutional issues and the impact of the CPS's decisions on cases involving crimes against women, this was the most shocking thing I learnt, and it makes such sense of the terrible statistics that we have in the UK for prosecuting these crimes.
The audiobook was informative and thought-provoking and definitely worth a listen,
The narration is engaging, although perhaps I needed less regarding the author's on/off boyfriend but the insightful content made up for that! Using her first-hand experience and with her strong sense of justice shining through there was something in every chapter to surprise me. Like the author I also am a true-crime documentary and detective drama aficionado and her experience put all of that in a very different box with he reality of being a detective in the Met,
The author spends the latter chapters exploring the institutional issues and the impact of the CPS's decisions on cases involving crimes against women, this was the most shocking thing I learnt, and it makes such sense of the terrible statistics that we have in the UK for prosecuting these crimes.
The audiobook was informative and thought-provoking and definitely worth a listen,
May 24, 2025
'No Comment: What I Wish I'd Known About Becoming A Detective' by Jess McDonald is a candid and eye-opening memoir of what goes on behind the scenes in the Metropolitan Police, UK. McDonald shares the realities of life for new recruits and officers on the front line, and how serious systemic issues can greatly undermine the experience of both officers and members of the public, particularly women who are the victims of serious crime.
McDonald joined the Met 'Service Direct Entry Detective Scheme' with great hopes of a career as a detective who would make a positive difference, only to have her hopes dashed and trampled over time. This experience left her disillusioned and suffering from ill health.
But McDonald's is a fighter. She has turned a negative into a positive by documenting and sharing her experiences and insights for the benefit of others, bravely sharing the detrimental psychological toll her time in The Met had on her and taking the lessons learnt.
McDonald's writing style is matter-of-fact, humorous, and insightful. 'No Comment' is an essential read for anyone thinking of joining The Met.
McDonald joined the Met 'Service Direct Entry Detective Scheme' with great hopes of a career as a detective who would make a positive difference, only to have her hopes dashed and trampled over time. This experience left her disillusioned and suffering from ill health.
But McDonald's is a fighter. She has turned a negative into a positive by documenting and sharing her experiences and insights for the benefit of others, bravely sharing the detrimental psychological toll her time in The Met had on her and taking the lessons learnt.
McDonald's writing style is matter-of-fact, humorous, and insightful. 'No Comment' is an essential read for anyone thinking of joining The Met.
May 24, 2023
No Comment is a personable and thought-provoking insight into the life of a probationer Met detective, who is thrown in at the deep end after completing the direct entry scheme.
McDonald’s narrative is conversational and easy to read, balancing humour and pathos as she depicts (and unpicks) situations that are often deeply complex. She hadn’t originally known how the book was going to end when she started writing it midway through her Met journey, and I found her reflections at the end particularly interesting and insightful. While none of her findings are surprising revelations, it’s important to see them from this first-person perspective. Having read Helena Kennedy’s Misjustice recently, I found there were plenty of parallels.
Astute, vivid and engaging, No Comment is a very readable memoir of life on the front line.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
McDonald’s narrative is conversational and easy to read, balancing humour and pathos as she depicts (and unpicks) situations that are often deeply complex. She hadn’t originally known how the book was going to end when she started writing it midway through her Met journey, and I found her reflections at the end particularly interesting and insightful. While none of her findings are surprising revelations, it’s important to see them from this first-person perspective. Having read Helena Kennedy’s Misjustice recently, I found there were plenty of parallels.
Astute, vivid and engaging, No Comment is a very readable memoir of life on the front line.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
June 24, 2023
Read this book if you want to be a direct detective. A Real eye opener.
I loved this semi autobiography non fiction book about a lady who applied as a direct entry into becoming a plain clothes detective.
The book is a real eye opener and quite harsh with the reality procedure into becoming a detective. The book is well written and construct with some unexpected twist and turns as you are griped from the first page as the author adjust to her new job environment.
I enjoyed reading this book and I would highly recommended book, and importantly, a must read for any young uni graduate who keen to join or who wants a direct entry to the detective programme.
But I personally speaking preferred the old method of going in at uniform level and do a mimium of three years before deciding on becoming a Detective as they will have vast amoung of experience to hand into becoming a DC.
Best wishes Sean ex RE Sapper
I loved this semi autobiography non fiction book about a lady who applied as a direct entry into becoming a plain clothes detective.
The book is a real eye opener and quite harsh with the reality procedure into becoming a detective. The book is well written and construct with some unexpected twist and turns as you are griped from the first page as the author adjust to her new job environment.
I enjoyed reading this book and I would highly recommended book, and importantly, a must read for any young uni graduate who keen to join or who wants a direct entry to the detective programme.
But I personally speaking preferred the old method of going in at uniform level and do a mimium of three years before deciding on becoming a Detective as they will have vast amoung of experience to hand into becoming a DC.
Best wishes Sean ex RE Sapper
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews