Prime Suspect: The True Story of John Cannan, the Only Man Police Want to Investigate for the Murder of Suzy Lamplugh

by Christopher Berry-Dee, Robin Odell

Before being sentenced to three life terms for the murder of Bristol newlywed Shirley Banks in April 1989, John Cannan was convicted of the disappearance of Suzy Lamplugh in 1986. After Cannan's conviction, the Lamplugh case was closed. Yet to this day, Cannan denies his involvement in the Lamplugh case and protests his innocence in the murder of Shirley Banks—his appeal has been dismissed. Drawing on the latest psychological profiling knowledge developed in America by the FBI and, most importantly, an intense three-year correspondence with Cannan, this book provides a chillingly personal and comprehensive portrait of a complex and intelligent man.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

356 pages, Hardcover

First published November 19, 1992

About the author

Chris was a former Royal Marine intelligence officer. He is now a criminologist who has interviewed over 30 serial killers.

Reviews

[Gayle (OutsmartYourShelf) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book looks at the life of John Cannan, jailed for increasingly horrific attacks on women culminating in the abduction & murder of Shirley Banks in 1989. One of the things it looks at is whether or not Cannan should be considered a suspect in the disappearance of Suzy Lamplugh. If you are not from the UK let me explain that the disappearance of Suzy Lamplugh was a huge case in the late 1980s - I was only a youngster then & even I remember this case. Suzy was a 25-year-old woman working as an estate agent in Fulham, London. On the day of her disappearance in 1986, she left a note in her office diary that she was meeting a possible client called Mr Kipper at a house-showing that afternoon. She has never been seen or heard from since & no-one has any idea of what happened to her - except her killer (she has been declared dead even in the absence of a body).

This book looks at the fact that Cannan's modus operandi was very similar to what happened to Suzy, he was in the right area at the right time, & at the place he was staying after his recent release from prison, he was known as 'Kipper' due to his habit of wearing of kipper ties. Cannan denies any involvement but this book looks at his personality & is based on Cannan's interviews with the police & his correspondence with the author of the book. It can be a little hard-going at times as Cannan liked to try & play mind games with the police. I much preferred the last few chapters where the author considered the evidence & probability in the light of the behaviour of other serial killers. This year (2023) Cannan was denied parole & remains in prison.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent portrayal - measured, humane, careful - of a twisted, damaged man who did evil things. But, while maintaining that balance, it never lets him off the hook by under-estimating the harm he did to the women he attacked. A model study of its kind.

[Trevor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite an interesting read about the man suspected of abducting and murdering Susie Lamplugh, the estate agent who went missing in the late 1980's and was never found.

John Cannan was convicted of a host of offences and police believe his is responsible for Susie's disappearance. A decent read and a very interesting epilogue.

[Sian · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok read..Read alot better quite dull in parts, not much details in some chapters but way too much in others very unbalances