Crisis: True Stories of My Life as a Hostage Negotiator

by Nicky Perfect

We had been there for over 12 hours. The man was still 30 feet up a tree, balancing on a branch directly over one of the main railway lines out of one of the busiest train stations in the country. He refused to talk to us, threatening to jump if we came too close. To him, we were the enemy. My job was to preserve his life.

The most dangerous time in any negotiation is when you think you’re winning.

From kidnappings to terrorist incidents, violent armed stand-offs to talking someone back from the ledge: all these make up the day-to-day life of Nicky Perfect’s job as a crisis and hostage negotiator.

One of the first on the scene in situations that most would run from, Nicky is deployed to defuse the most volatile and fraught situations imaginable.

After a decade on the frontlines, confronting the extremes of human behaviour, these are the stories and cases that have shaped a career spent on high alert, where life often hangs in the balance. It’s about finding yourself and following your passion, and of a life lived to help others.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Crime, True Crime

320 pages, Paperback

Published August 31, 2023

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had to be good! The title itself was enough to know there would be a lot of stories and tales to fill a book
The first part is all about Nicky’s early career and life and how she aspires and has to be said succeeds into being the top of her game as a hostage negotiator
The book takes in many world events we all know including 7/7, The Paris Terror attacks and the Mumbai shopping centre attacks as well as lesser known events here at home, some very moving and I think the way the author tells these stories has a lot to do with this, at all times she shows compassion and an understanding and not a bullish ‘right let’s get it over’ but especially with the domestic incidents ( terror ones are very different ) and tries to help and negotiate to a satisfying outcome and a safe one for everyone
It is a fascinating read that takes you all over the world and yet very personal showing the inner thoughts of this remarkable lady
Thoroughly enjoyable

[Kerryrosalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book written by an ex negotiator in the police. She has some fascinating stories about the things she encountered and it was really enjoyable as an audio book!

[Nat Eveleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

This was an excellent memoir from a crisis negotiator. I’ve read many memoirs from people who work in emergency services, but none like this. And it was brilliant.

I’ve never really thought of the need for crisis negotiators in the U.K. but this book really altered my thinking, especially as it made me realise that many situations/crimes involving a crisis negotiator go under the radar and aren’t widely spoken about in the media.

The writing was excellent, and I couldn’t stop reading. It was so fascinating and eye opening. The author completely got the balance right of how much of her personal life and career were intertwined within the pages to keep the reader engaged. I really found the whole book fascinating, and was wholly disappointed when I finished. The stories she retold were jaw dropping and excellently recounted.

Highly recommended!!

[Effy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a super interesting autobiography of Nicky’s time in the police, and her main role of hostage + crisis negotiator. It perfectly balanced stories of her personal life with her work life, and it was an emotional and powerful read. Nicky’s compassion shone through in her writing and I really admired her determination to get to where she wanted, despite the difficulties she faced being a woman in policing. This also related to my own career, which was an added bonus!

— 𝑬𝒇𝒇𝒚 @𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍 🦇

[Kirsty Darr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just brilliant 🫶🏼

[Matt Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Book! I booked?

[Louise Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Thrilling Memoir and True Story of a Crisis Negotiator's Time in the Met.

We had been there for nearly twelve hours. The man was still thirty feet up a tree, balancing on a branch directly over one of the main railway lines out of one of the busiest train stations in the country. He refused to talk to us, threatening to jump is we came to close. To him, we were the enemy. My job was to preserve his life. The most dangerous time in any negotiation is when you think you're winning. From kidnappings to terrorist incidents, violent armed stand offs to talking someone back, all these make up the day-to-day life of Nicky Perfect's job as a crisis and hostage negotiator.

I'm always intrigued by these types of books and this one did not disappoint. The emotional and physical strength required by the people who take on this job is exceptional. There are lots of jobs crisis negotiators do that go unspoken about. We get a mixture of the authors personal life and her career. Some of the stories she told us were shocking. She has travelled all over the world as a crisis negotiator, helping out at the Mumbi Shopping Centre, The Paris Bombings. 7/7 in London, and many more dangerous situations. This is an absolutely fabulous read.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HQ and the author #NickyPerfect for my ARC of #Crisis in exchange for an honest review.

[Charlotte · Rating 1 out of 5]

Finally noping out at 3 hr 44 min/43% of the audiobook after want to quit almost since the beginning.

It starts out with what I suppose is meant to be a captivating story, but I found it mostly pathetic and sad and, well, kinda boring. A little frustrating maybe?

But fair enough, let's see what's up next.

Oh. An hour on her realization that she's "the puzzle piece that doesn't quite fit" (repeated 1-3 x chapter) and lesbian after marrying a very nice guy. Fair enough, but I came for the juicy details of a rare and interesting job.

Well, what I thought was interesting. Seems like this is mostly a job where you encounter really sad lives and people with severe mental illness.

There was a lot of filler of the many, many courses and extra educational things she went to which led me to wonder how much of her career was composed of that.

I googled her or the book or something which led to her website, and suddenly the book rang even more hollow as she keeps detailing how "this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life" yet five years after she got her dream job she quit to start her own business? Hm.

Anyway, after yet another interlude about her love life I decided to throw in the towel. Not for me. I admire her desire to help people, but I mostly very much did not enjoy this book and its repetitiveness.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a powerful book. An inspiring career path and a look into the work of crisis negotiations . The training, emotional and physical strength that is required is immense. A job that we aren't even aware of till an event hits the headlines. Travelling all over the world to work collaboratively and train other teams. A hidden hero.
Thank you Nicky for your service and this book.
By reading this book I can appreciate a skill set and job that I was previously unaware of.

[Heather Zubek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book after hearing the author speak via zoom during a crime writing session. Her stories made me want to know more. Reading the book took me back to many crisis situations over the last few decades. It was interesting to read of the behind the scenes work done by negotiators. Not only is this book about police work but it also contains the author’s self reflection and stories of her personal life. A great read.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an incredibly eye opening and interesting book. I’m a huge fan of non fiction books on policing and this didn’t disappoint - I was so engrossed.

The thing I loved most about this is Nicky’s determination. Joining the force as a cadet and working through the ranks to get where she wanted to be - incredible. It was so clear through the writing, the compassion and emotion put into each chapter.

I thought it was perfectly balanced on telling her story of policing/being a negotiator and including personal life and the effects it has. It just intertwined brilliantly.

Massively admire the hard work Nicky and her team achieved. Huge dedication to the emergency services.

Fantastic memoir and one I recommend!

4.5 🌟

[Donna M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent account of an extremely challenging role. I've been lucky enough to attend a webinar that Nicky presented at, and she's a fantastic lady, using her years of learning around communication to support others in developing their communication skills. I just had to read her book after the webinar and it certainly didn't disappoint.

[Leanne Tempest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being written by a former negotiator, this book is so good. Nicky tells various stories from her career as a negotiator which illustrate how diverse and difficult this work is. I absolutely loved that she continued the book to include what her life is like after leaving the police force. This book is full of compassion, insight and even a bit of humour.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A riveting look at the world of hostage and crisis negotiation in the UK and abroad. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by the author, and was impressed by her honesty and insight into her life and career. She touches on difficult subjects in both her personal and professional life, discussing both aspects with humility and determination to do better.

Recommended for readers of true life accounts and true crime.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I was really excited for this, I liked the idea that we were getting to hear from someone who had such great experience in the police. However, I felt the book had a lot of filler in it, points that didn’t really add anything. I was hoping for more stories on actual negotiations, rather than the training, travel and brief mentions of outcomes.

[Zoe C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an amazing insight into the job of a negotiatior, I never realised the extent to their job and what an incredible career she has has! I loved it and hearing all the stories but I dread too think how it affects you in the long run

[Adam Sonenfeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fascinating book which dives into the world of police negotiating. The author here talks about her career as a police negotiator working for the Metropolitan Police Service in which she mentions becoming a trainer, travelling the world as part of her job

[Melanie Goode · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, interesting and very well written

The author gets vital, inspiring and fascinating facts, stories and methodology to the reader without overdescription. Weaving her career stories in with her personal life in a way that helps you to engage and understand.

[Alison Swaffield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read.

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating insight into the life of a crisis negotiator. Surprised at how many times I cried through reading it.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

[Lara Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intreaging memoire exploring communication, life of a police officer and how to manage hoastage neggotiations

[Tracey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting at very drawn out

[kellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a fascinating read from a police negotiator, blending both her person life with work life worked well for an over look at the subject. Very caring and thoughtfully written

[Georgia-Louise Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow start, but glad I persevered once I got into it I couldn’t put this book down. Really puts into perspective what is going on in day to day life that we are so completely unaware of.

[Theodora · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

The writing was smooth and the tone was spot on. An entertaining read.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic read, I absolutely loved this book. Nicky is so passionate about the work of negotiators and this shines through in the book. Her experiences are fascinating and thought provoking.

[Alex Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting in parts but some of the writing was sloppy and repetitive. Got from the library as heard her on a podcast and found her fascinating - sadly the book wasn’t quite as engaging!

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fast paced book with a good flow and easy to read. Very interesting to hear all her stories and reflections on all she has experienced.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read however I did get bored near the end and gave up finishing the book as lost complete focus and concentration near the end.