Cause of Death

by Geoffrey Garrett, Andrew Nott

Dr Geoffrey Garrett was for over 30 years a Home Office pathologist. This is his personal memoir, in conjunction with crime journalist Andrew Nott, of many infamous, unusual and heartbreaking cases and a fascinating history of his professional life, giving a unique insight into a pathologist's work.

Beginning with a no-holds-barred account of the basic methodology of a post-mortem examination, the book chronicles many memorable cases,

The discovery of a preserved body on the Yorkshire moors later identified as the first victim of the Moors Murderers
The murders of three policemen plus the apprehension of a murderer who turned out to be a policeman's son
An examination of sex crimes
The a seminal piece on Manchester's 'Bronx' - Dr Garrett reveals life in the ghetto, the drug gangs and how they operate
How a man's face, burned beyond recognition, was reconstructed to help solve a murder

Plus examples of many other baffling crimes which were resolved on the pathologist's table.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Medical, Crime, Death, Memoir, Science

384 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2001

About the author

Geoffrey Garrett is Dean, Reliance Professor of Management and Private Enterprise, and Professor of Management at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He became Dean of the Wharton School in 2014, having been a member of the Wharton faculty in the Management Department from 1995 to 1997. Prior to his return to Penn, Dr Garrett was dean of the business schools at both the University of Sydney and UNSW in his native Australia.

A distinguished international political economist, Garrett served as President of the Pacific Council on International Policy in Los Angeles and Dean of the UCLA International Institute before his return to Australia in 2008. Earlier in his career, Garrett held appointments at Oxford, Stanford and Yale universities. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Social Sciences, a Trustee of the Asia Foundation in San Francisco, a Member of the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations, and he serves on the Advisory Board of Global Policy.

Dr. Garrett is a well-respected commentator on global business, economics and politics in major media outlets, such as the Los Angeles Times, China’s Global Times, Le Monde, The Times of India, and South China Morning Post. Additionally, he was a speaker at TEDx Sydney, has contributed to Foreign Affairs, writes frequent blog posts on LinkedIn and is active on Twitter.

His academic publications include “Partisan Politics in the Global Economy,” “The Global Diffusion of Markets and Democracy,” and “The Encyclopedia of Political Science.” Dr. Garrett has led C-suite executive education programs on the global economy for Columbia, Stanford, UCLA and Wharton, and in Australia he developed thought-leadership collaborations with companies, including Chevron, Dow Chemical, GE, News Corporation and Northrup Grumman.

Dr. Garrett holds a BA (Honors) from the Australian National University, and an MA and PhD from Duke University where he was a Fulbright Scholar.

Reviews

[Petra X · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review I learned something very gruesome from this book: "When there are a number of bullet holes in a body, the most effective if apparently crude method of matching entry and exit wounds is to run wires through and see where they come out." They don't show that on CSI or any of the crime shows on tv! The author, a pathologist, made me laugh with his pragmatic view of life, "The argument for banning guns is simple and unequivocal. They have no place in civilized society. On the other hand, for several years they kept me in work." The author talks quite a lot about guns, and about violent death and racism. I think all of those things can be summed up by this quote:

Man likes to have an enemy because he enjoys victory. Without an enemy, and opponent, it is impossible to demonstrate superiority. Armed with victory, he can display his supremacy to others and expects as a consequence to be held in higher esteem. This battle can take place anywhere, at any time, between any number of individuals and in many different forms, some harmless, others not so.

That reads like a description of classic machismo.
____________________

Notes on reading This book is not a straight memoir-of-a-pathologist book although it is that as well, and interesting where he discusses his more famous cases like Brady & Hindley (he says that a woman murdering for sexual pleasure is almost unique). Where it is a bit different is that he turn cases into essays to discuss subjects such as the police (not many get killed in the line of duty because criminals realise that the police have better arms and are better trained than they are. This does not apply the US where it seems guns are pulled for every and no reason at all).

In his essay on abortion, he is pleased they are legal so young women don't die, but appears to go along with the Catholic stance that the moment an ovum and sperm have merged, life exists and none can take it away but God. This is at odds with both the medical (and Jewish) point of view which is that the mother's life takes precedence over the foetus in her womb.

I'm enjoying the book. I thought it might be a bit dated since it came out in 2001, but it isn't and being well-written is a good read (or listen as I'm still not 100% with my eye issue).

[Flapper72 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts of the book I loved - others I hated and nearly stopped reading because I was so offended. I'm a doctor (sorry, I think it's relevant) so enjoyed the straight forward statement of facts enlightening - I think that some of the information may not go down quite so well with all readers. The other thing I had to keep reminding myself is that this is, really, a historical book. Home office pathologists aren't employed in the same way; they don't go out to the scene of the crime in all cases so we probably wouldn't hear all the back story about people (how they'd lived their lives etc). It did actually made me reflect on consent - complete revelation of stories, crimes and, in great details, the state of the body. I don't think I'd want the wold to read that about a relative of mine who had been murdered. Anyway, lots of it was very interesting. And then the reason I nearly stopped reading - sexism, racism, classism (if there's such a word). He described the PM of a woman who had died after a back street abortion. Heart breaking. And then went on to rant about how abortion is always wrong yet he understood why that woman did what did. Immigrant population and the violence they've been subject too; very uncomfortable read. I know this was written by a man who was at his peak in the 1970s but the 'I say, therefore, it is' approach to some of his statements was uncomfortable, dated and just wrong. Yes, it's an interesting read about some of the awful this pathologists have to do (I liked the way he referred to bodies as patients) but felt horribly dated.

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of some of the cases of a medical examiner from the northwest of England. There's a lot I like about it. So many books like these have authors trying to be ultra-clinical and detached, but Garrett talks about how his work affects him emotionally, describing for instance the eerie feeling he got at the scene of a disaster that killed 50 people. He's not afraid to make sweeping statements like "boxing has no place in a civilized society," and he openly uses his cases to back up his political opinions. He boldly says things like "surely nobody can argue about that" when talking about issues, like abortion, that people argue about constantly. Thus we get a sense of who he is, not just what he does for a living. The writing is good; my only quibble is that he says "inflammable" when he means "flammable."

[Brian Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is interesting enough, a series of vignettes showcasing strange, famous and unusual cases that the author was involved in over the years in his role as a pathologist.

The writing is fairly clunky and, in this day and age, bordering on racist and sexist. I am sure that Geoffrey Garrett is more a product of his age than an out and out racist and misogynist but the more sensitive reader should be aware of the style.

Some of the cases are just outrageous, the phallis put through a letterbox is particularly up there on the bizarre scale.

A decent enough read and contains some very interesting material but, be wary of the outdated language.

[Jasmin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was sorely disappointed with Cause of Death. It starts off promisingly enough, giving readers a fascinating glimpse into the Moors Murders case, but with each passing chapter, author Geoffrey Garrett strays further and further away from the book’s topic. While discussing the heart-breaking epidemic of deaths brought on by home abortions in the 50s and 60s, he launches into what is essentially a multi page sermon on the apparent wrongs of abortion. I cannot stress how sick and tired I am of people trying to lecture women on what they should and shouldn’t be doing with their bodies, especially when that person is, as it is in Geoffrey Garrett’s case, a man.

Furthermore, a lot of the language Garrett uses is really dated. Granted, Cause of Death was published 20 years ago, but just because offensive terminology was more widely accepted in decades past doesn’t mean that it was right to use it. Additionally, I noticed he has an annoying habit of referring to grown women as ‘girls’. Calling a woman a ‘girl’ when talking about her brutal murder is demeaning and it was but one of the many reasons I was pleased to reach the end of this book.

[Gavin Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should have been a 5 star but it gets docked one for an uncalled for and completely out of place rang about the author’s stance on abortion - his opinion is valid of course but totally out of context for the book. It Mars the next few chapters as your always questioning the writers point of view when he starts to drift off the subject at hand to broader issues that circle around why he finds the people he does becoming clients. Some would dock it even further, and maybe I should have but I’m feeling generous as the rest of the book is genuinely good and it was my patch too, if only for a year

[Chaitalee Ghosalkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full marks to the author for the detailing on the autopsies carried out by him. The language is lucid, the explanation such that it never falls into being patronizing, and the overall effect...well, you are left irretrievable disturbed

Some of the cases that Garrett describes are accidental, that of people being in the wrong place at the wrong time, some others are victims of unhinged people in the same family. You can't help but pause at places, unease taking over the quest for medical literature; and that is the only fallacy of this book

[Mark Brandon · Rating 2 out of 5]

As is often the case with these types of book, the author often takes an "I am better than you" tone when discussing things and has a very subjective view on a lot of topics.

Also falls off a cliff after the first chapter about the Moors Murder and 80% of the details after that are relatively unknown cases.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fascinating memoir which left little to the imagination. What ruined it for me was the dramatic interference of the ghost writer Andrew Nott. Honestly, some of the narrative reads like a Sherlock Holmes novel. This undermines the value of a first hand account.

[Harriet Nicola Lucas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good. However, in some chapters I drifted off and wasn’t as hooked as I had previously been. This may also be due to me re starting uni and not having the time to properly sit down with the book. But as previously stated I wasn’t as hooked on this booked as I have been with previous.

[Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

me: oh boy! i sure hope this forensic science memoir doesnt feature any slurs or weirdly racist moments :3

geoffrey garrett: who wants to hear my opinions on pakistani people

[Nadia Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good at first , repetitive towards the middle and end. DNF.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 'Cause of Death' Geoffrey Garrett gives a powerful,moving account of his work as a home office pathologist working in the Manchester area. The quality of his writing in conveying the emotional intensity of some of the scenes he witnessed is remarkable:

‘The tragedy was so enormous that it somehow had a presence, a genuine substance that touched us all with a clammy finger. Each noise in the hangar echoed from ground to roof and back, the piercing cry of angry souls clamouring in the eaves like whirling birds, demanding answers, accusing everyone, forgiving no one….For the one and only time in my career I had felt almost nervous among the dead, sensitive to their former being. Their lives were clearly gone, but the questions over their deaths lingered in the atmosphere in an unnervingly, almost tangible fashion.'

He talks candidly about how detached he can be when doing his job:
‘…….Each disfiguring mark, while far from attractive, provides a piece of information that I regard, not with distaste, but with professional interest. ……………the shocking part is never the body itself. What shocks me is the thought of the terrible rage that can make one human being do such things to another, particularly to one they professed to love.’

And speculates about what make a person kill another:
‘From those depths of self-loathing and despair grow cruel spiritual tentacles. Each in turn chokes a portion of what had previously made up a normal, everyday personality and sets in its place a fearsome readiness to commit an act of vengeance, to rail against the unfairness of it all �� to strike out….. In most cases the lethal assault comes suddenly, like an ugly jack-in-the-box springing up when the emotional trigger is finally pulled by any small thing: a chance remark, a casual rebuke. A simple glance can be enough to release wild, unstoppable fury. The deterioration from unremarkable neighbour to foul murderer may take years but rarely reveals itself publicly until the final, dreadful moment of truth.’

This is a beautifully-written memoir and a tour de force in its genre.

[Ape · Rating 3 out of 5]

2010 bookcrossing: This is the memoir of Dr Geoffrey Garrett's professional life as a home office pathologist. He was based in the north west of England, so this is mostly about crime committed around Manchester and Lancaster way, and looks at several of the cases he worked on, not in any chronological order. So in a lot of ways, it's just a true crime book, although there are sections on his opinions on various issues such as racism, slums in Manchester (Moss side sounded like a scary place), police killings and abortions (which I can't say I agreed with entirely and put him across as an old fashioned, tunnel-vision man who can't accept that people sometimes make mistakes!). In a couple of chapters it also felt as though he had a couple of axes to grind and he was defending himself professionally against comments and criticisms he had suffered from. One was about a man convicted of murdering a child, which was then overturned as it was decided the pathological evidence was wrongly interpreted. And the other was that he felt the police blamed him for a man getting off from murder because he hadn't been prepared to say in court that the physical evidence provded more than it actually did. There's probably more of this kind of stuff in the book, that I just missed.

It does all make you wonder why this book was written in the first place. Another question is: who on earth is Andrew Nott??? He's credited as a co-author, and I can only presume that the photo of the two guys on the back cover is a photo of the two co-authors. But where on earth does Andrew Nott come into all this? He isn't mentioned in this book at all, not even refered to as "my co-authoy". But he must be more than a ghost writer or editor, because he is credited with the book and presumably has his photo on the back (although there is no reference to the photo explaining who it is of).

Interesting to a point, and a reflection of sorts on crime in the north-west of England of the 60s/70s/80s.

[Damaskcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book definitely isn’t for the squeamish but if you are interested in crime or forensic pathology it is essential reading. As well as providing a brief run-down of what happens at a post mortem the book provides fascinating insights into the part played in criminal investigations by a forensic pathologist. In over thirty years of work the author was involved in some high profile cases such as the Moors Murders but much of his work would not have made the headlines except locally.

I found the less well known cases fascinating reading and I liked the way they were grouped under subject headings – such as those involving fire. But it wasn’t just criminal cases which the author was involved in. He gives interesting, if gruesome accounts of his work in connection with fires in an office block and in a department store. There are tragic cases such as fathers killing their children and there are mysterious cases such as the man who was found naked in a wood surrounded by his clothes. The author even found himself having to try and convince the police that one body he examined was actually the victim of murder – they were sure it was an accident or an unexplained death from natural causes.

The author makes it possible for the reader to understand his work and provides information about some interesting cases including those where the victims died of natural causes. I found his thoughts on death and on abortion, both legal and illegal of interest and both those chapters provided me with food for thought. The book has notes on the sources referred to which may provide further reading inspiration for the interested reader.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re not into watching CSI or reading about crime, then this book probably isn’t for you!

“Cause of Death” is an insight into the work of pathologist Geoffrey Garrett, focusing on 30 years that he spent working in the North-West of England as Home Office Forensic Pathologist. The book opens with the infamous Moors Murders case and rarely loses pace. A wide variety of cases are covered as are many different forensic techniques. Garrett does go into great detail as far as there are concerned; so again, those with a weak stomach beware!

All in all, the book is a fascinating look at not only the work of a forensic pathologist, but the darker side of human nature and well worth reading.

[Lindsay King · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cause of Death is the real life accounts of a home office pathologist covering the Manchester area. I was really looking forward to reading this and finding out more about what a pathologist does but have to admit I quickly became disappointed. Although some high profile cases were covered such as the Moors Murders it was actually pretty boring and tame.

I would recommend this book to those who are looking for a "dulled down" account of pathology as I was left feeling somewhat let down.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative book about a job most people know nothing about but would love too ...

All cases mentiond have happened in the UK and have been in the National News .
The book gives you an insight to what people are capable of doing and what monsters we share our world with ..

Some cases where very interesting to read, some where very upsetting. All cases he writes about are very graphic concerning the autopsies he carries out..

[Julie Haigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and informative read.

This book is written by a Medical Examiner who carried out the Post Mortem on Pauline Reade-one of the Moors' murderers' victims. Many other cases from years ago which were in the headlines are detailed and this proves fascinating reading. Photos are included of findings at each crime scene. Highly recommended.

[Nicci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gory read. But really interesting to understand what forensic pathologists do. I think i'd like to watch one at work one day. Very interesting the ways they solved crimes. Amazing and really interesting.

[Sarah Goode · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very very boring. Not worth reading.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that it is an interesting book, but with certain boring parts. I sometimes thought that the author was really offending, but never mind. All in all, an entertaining book, but a bit boring.