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Hunting Killers
___
Death has a unique smell. I've been in the presence of people who have killed; I've been in rooms where people have been killed. I've seen the unspeakable things human beings are capable of. None of that puts me off my aim; I want to see those people caught, convicted and sent to jail.
Mark Williams-Thomas is a former police detective and multi-award-winning investigative journalist. He has been at the centre of some of the most high-profile investigations of recent years involving killers and paedophiles.
In this gripping and unflinching book, Mark reveals how he has pieced together these complex cases. Through tireless research and perseverance, Mark takes us on a journey of discovery gathering and pursuing new evidence, earning the trust of silent witnesses and sharing the personal toll this extraordinary job takes on him.
Mark's story is a relentless and inspiring one; it is the story of a life dedicated to justice.
Death has a unique smell. I've been in the presence of people who have killed; I've been in rooms where people have been killed. I've seen the unspeakable things human beings are capable of. None of that puts me off my aim; I want to see those people caught, convicted and sent to jail.
Mark Williams-Thomas is a former police detective and multi-award-winning investigative journalist. He has been at the centre of some of the most high-profile investigations of recent years involving killers and paedophiles.
In this gripping and unflinching book, Mark reveals how he has pieced together these complex cases. Through tireless research and perseverance, Mark takes us on a journey of discovery gathering and pursuing new evidence, earning the trust of silent witnesses and sharing the personal toll this extraordinary job takes on him.
Mark's story is a relentless and inspiring one; it is the story of a life dedicated to justice.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published June 27, 2019
32 people are currently reading
234 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 7, 2021
A problem I have with many True Crime books - and especially those written by criminal investigators, forensic scientists, and the like - is that there's a tendency for the author to come across as superior to the rest of us. Ironically, the more they proclaim to be ordinary, normal people doing an extraordinary job, the more superior sounding they often become.
And, just because someone has an incredible story to tell doesn't mean they're a great storyteller.
Mark Williams-Thomas just about gets things right. That he takes on investigations after the police have failed tells us quite a lot already (we're not dealing with a shrinking violet here), but he's not overly egotistical either.
Despite him being reasonably humble, there's a nagging frustration between the lines; he's always got a secret contact, works on 'the edge of the law' and knows more than he's letting on.
All that said, this is a decent read. His favourite cases involve missing persons and murders, but not exclusively; the author is the man who revealed Jimmy Savile's crimes to the public, so there's quite a lot about that too.
Interesting, but not world changing.
And, just because someone has an incredible story to tell doesn't mean they're a great storyteller.
Mark Williams-Thomas just about gets things right. That he takes on investigations after the police have failed tells us quite a lot already (we're not dealing with a shrinking violet here), but he's not overly egotistical either.
Despite him being reasonably humble, there's a nagging frustration between the lines; he's always got a secret contact, works on 'the edge of the law' and knows more than he's letting on.
All that said, this is a decent read. His favourite cases involve missing persons and murders, but not exclusively; the author is the man who revealed Jimmy Savile's crimes to the public, so there's quite a lot about that too.
Interesting, but not world changing.
March 23, 2021
This was a really interesting true crime book from a really unique perspective.
I've previously watched some of his documentaries but I had no idea he had made so many or was involved in so many cases.
This perspective and the work he has done to try and provide justice for families of unsolved murder or missing person cases was admirable.
Mark has also been involved in lots of famous cases including Jimmy savile, which was very interesting to read.
I've never read a true crime book like this book but I highly recommend it, as it was fresh and different from lots of the other books in this genre I read. Very interesting!
TW: real life cases of murder, violence, rape, child sexual abuse, sexual assault and torture
I've previously watched some of his documentaries but I had no idea he had made so many or was involved in so many cases.
This perspective and the work he has done to try and provide justice for families of unsolved murder or missing person cases was admirable.
Mark has also been involved in lots of famous cases including Jimmy savile, which was very interesting to read.
I've never read a true crime book like this book but I highly recommend it, as it was fresh and different from lots of the other books in this genre I read. Very interesting!
TW: real life cases of murder, violence, rape, child sexual abuse, sexual assault and torture
April 25, 2021
interesting book looking at looking for killers and other criminals through DNA and other techniques
December 20, 2019
The author began his career as a police detective but became disillusioned so switched to become an investigative journalist. He spends his time working on crimes where the police couldn't help, either through lack of resources or time. This was an intriguing look at some of the cases he's worked on and the way he tackles them. It was a quick read and written in a way to make the job he does more transparent.
August 20, 2019
This book is really interesting. It involves criminal cases including those perpetrated by Peter Tobin, Jimmy Savile and Stuart Hazell, amongst many others. It is difficult to use the word 'great' given the subject matter but, nevertheless, this was definitely an interesting and insightful read. I would recommend this book if you're interested in true crime books!
August 14, 2021
Bang average true crime bragging. An investigator and an investigative journalist are not interchangeable terms. Lots of talk about helping families, but Williams-Thomas is not a private detective paid for by families, which means he's reliant on media "if it bleeds, it leads" money. The lack of clarity harms the credibility of the book and the lack of modesty harms the readability.
February 23, 2021
“Death has a unique smell. I’ve been in the presence of people who have killed; I’ve been in rooms where people have been killed. I’ve seen the unspeakable things human beings are capable of. None of that puts me off my aim; I want to see those people caught, convicted and sent to jail.”
Mark Williams-Thomas is a former police detective and multi-award winning investigative journalist. He has been at the centre of some of the most highly profile investigations of recent years involving killers and paedophiles.
In this gripping and unflinching book, Mark reveals how he has pieces together these complex cases. Through tireless research and perseverance, Mark takes us on a journey of discovery, gathering and pursuing new evidence, earning the trust of silent witnesses and sharing the personal toll this extraordinary job takes on him.
Mark’s story is a relentless and interesting one, it is the story of a life dedicated to justice.
I found this an interesting read as Mark narrated his work. I found it fascinating how he explained the processes he uses. He shares examples of how he has been able to use these processes to solve cases he has worked on.
Mark tends to pick up unsolved cases or missing people. Hearing him narrate his work and finding out the outcome of these cases is so fascinating. When he solves a cases that was previously unsolved is great to hear. In some cases it has even been his role as a journalist that helped solve a case.
If you’re interested in true crime I’d recommend this book. Being a big fan of true crime and crime shows/books I thought most of the processes Mark would talk about I’d have heard about from these but the covers processes I had not previously heard about and I found this very interesting.
Bonus that I recognised some of the cases from news coverage.
Mark Williams-Thomas is a former police detective and multi-award winning investigative journalist. He has been at the centre of some of the most highly profile investigations of recent years involving killers and paedophiles.
In this gripping and unflinching book, Mark reveals how he has pieces together these complex cases. Through tireless research and perseverance, Mark takes us on a journey of discovery, gathering and pursuing new evidence, earning the trust of silent witnesses and sharing the personal toll this extraordinary job takes on him.
Mark’s story is a relentless and interesting one, it is the story of a life dedicated to justice.
I found this an interesting read as Mark narrated his work. I found it fascinating how he explained the processes he uses. He shares examples of how he has been able to use these processes to solve cases he has worked on.
Mark tends to pick up unsolved cases or missing people. Hearing him narrate his work and finding out the outcome of these cases is so fascinating. When he solves a cases that was previously unsolved is great to hear. In some cases it has even been his role as a journalist that helped solve a case.
If you’re interested in true crime I’d recommend this book. Being a big fan of true crime and crime shows/books I thought most of the processes Mark would talk about I’d have heard about from these but the covers processes I had not previously heard about and I found this very interesting.
Bonus that I recognised some of the cases from news coverage.
April 27, 2020
Mark Williams-Thomas has written a very good book and is honest in his thoughts and how he works towards a result, if he is able to. Very few murderers are mentioned and the book is mainly geared towards victims and their families.
He also talks about his time in the police force and how this has helped him progress in investigations. Of course, he mentions the Jimmy Savile case as that is how he came to public attention.
I found a couple of the cases difficult to read and there is a section about a human body disintegrating and what happens in the process. This is written about in a very matter of fact and practical way without being sensationalist or going into lots of detail. If you are looking for a book about murderers and their crimes, maybe this is not for you. However, if you are looking for a book about dealing with crimes in a pragmatic way which is more geared towards sympathy for the victims and talking about policing in general, then is for you.
He also talks about his time in the police force and how this has helped him progress in investigations. Of course, he mentions the Jimmy Savile case as that is how he came to public attention.
I found a couple of the cases difficult to read and there is a section about a human body disintegrating and what happens in the process. This is written about in a very matter of fact and practical way without being sensationalist or going into lots of detail. If you are looking for a book about murderers and their crimes, maybe this is not for you. However, if you are looking for a book about dealing with crimes in a pragmatic way which is more geared towards sympathy for the victims and talking about policing in general, then is for you.
September 26, 2022
3.5
Williams-Thomas is an ex-rozzer who blew the lid on jimmy Savile, so he has greater dispensation than most to be critical of the police. Which he is, in a libel-skirting way,
This is an interesting look at various cases through the eyes of a dedicated investigator. Williams-Thomas makes much of his non-partisanship but he walks the walk, walking through some very dark places with families crazed and worn by grief.
My interest in true crime goes through piques and troughs. An obsession with true crime is one of those unhealthy things I left behind, like smoking. This book is a good leveller: detailed and through without being prurient or sensational.
Williams-Thomas is an ex-rozzer who blew the lid on jimmy Savile, so he has greater dispensation than most to be critical of the police. Which he is, in a libel-skirting way,
This is an interesting look at various cases through the eyes of a dedicated investigator. Williams-Thomas makes much of his non-partisanship but he walks the walk, walking through some very dark places with families crazed and worn by grief.
My interest in true crime goes through piques and troughs. An obsession with true crime is one of those unhealthy things I left behind, like smoking. This book is a good leveller: detailed and through without being prurient or sensational.
September 12, 2019
‘I’ve stood next to, chatted with, even had tea with some of the perpetrators of these terrible crime. There’s nothing to mark out any of these offenders as special. No unusual charisma, no dark aura, nothing to connect then and certainly nothing glamorous. They’re all just people - which is what makes them so hard to catch.’
I admire Mark for what he has done, what he does on a daily basis and what he hopes to achieve in the future.
A very interesting read, perfect for true crime fans.
I admire Mark for what he has done, what he does on a daily basis and what he hopes to achieve in the future.
A very interesting read, perfect for true crime fans.
February 27, 2020
I quite enjoyed this book (on Audio). The crime information was interesting and the cases varied. The author read the audio a tiny bit odd with pauses in the wrong places which became quite obvious as the book went on. It felt a little unsatisfying to hear about cases that were still unsolved and I think that took away from the book a little. Maybe one whole section on those would have been better. The book was a teensy bit repetitive in a couple of places, but I'm glad I got it.
March 29, 2020
Straightforward and raw, no fancy talk here - crime is brutal.
Truthful to his values, Mark Williams-Thomas gives us an extraordinary account of what it really means to be a Criminal Investigator. Brutal at turns and as one would expect, Hunting Killers shows, not only the unglamorous side of crime in UK's history and far beyond, but the damage it inflicts on what is left from it - the suffering of victims and its loved ones.
Truthful to his values, Mark Williams-Thomas gives us an extraordinary account of what it really means to be a Criminal Investigator. Brutal at turns and as one would expect, Hunting Killers shows, not only the unglamorous side of crime in UK's history and far beyond, but the damage it inflicts on what is left from it - the suffering of victims and its loved ones.
March 16, 2021
Опять же, я получила немного не то, что ожидала.
Никаких подробностей поиска убийц или преступников вы тут не найдете. Немного (!) раскрыта тема с ДНК, тем, как оно собирается и изучается. Я ожидала чего-то более интересного, чем рассказы об интервью и съемках. Хотя, надо признать, что написана книга хорошим, живым языком.
Если вы ждете подробностей по расследованиям громких дел - вам точно не сюда.
Если вам интересен взгляд на расследования под углом журналистики - можете рискнуть.
Никаких подробностей поиска убийц или преступников вы тут не найдете. Немного (!) раскрыта тема с ДНК, тем, как оно собирается и изучается. Я ожидала чего-то более интересного, чем рассказы об интервью и съемках. Хотя, надо признать, что написана книга хорошим, живым языком.
Если вы ждете подробностей по расследованиям громких дел - вам точно не сюда.
Если вам интересен взгляд на расследования под углом журналистики - можете рискнуть.
July 9, 2025
I always find books like this one to be so enlightening about the reality of police investigation and the journalism surrounding a case.
Mark writes in a way which is so easy to understand, but also still very technical and accurate. He is a very interesting man who has had the opportunity to speak to a lot of well known British murderers, whether they were known to have committed their crimes yet or not.
Mark writes in a way which is so easy to understand, but also still very technical and accurate. He is a very interesting man who has had the opportunity to speak to a lot of well known British murderers, whether they were known to have committed their crimes yet or not.
June 16, 2021
Mark Williams-Thomas tells his story about hunting down killers and some of the methods used.
This was a really interesting read. Although the details about the cases mentioned is a little sparse, the details about his role is well written and informative. This features many well known cases in England including Jimmy Saville. Its a good read for any true crime fan.
This was a really interesting read. Although the details about the cases mentioned is a little sparse, the details about his role is well written and informative. This features many well known cases in England including Jimmy Saville. Its a good read for any true crime fan.
July 22, 2020
This was an interesting and educational read, however I constantly felt held at arms length by the author. I think this was the authors slightly egotistical and grandiose manner. I would still recommend this but it is not one of the best I’ve read in this genre.
April 25, 2021
really enjoyed reading this not least because I could remember a lot of the sad events in the book. Its good to know someone out there really cares about making sure the victims' (and their families) voices are heard
July 8, 2021
100% brilliantly written book. Very easy to read, sad at times. This man is amazing the job he does, trying to bring closure to families that police have given up on. Cannot praise this autor highly enough. Anyone who fails to read this book is missing out on a fantastic read.
March 16, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this. I was hooked straight away and I found it well written and very interesting.
What really came across was how much the writer cares about the people involved in these cases.
What really came across was how much the writer cares about the people involved in these cases.
August 28, 2025
I enjoyed this, it was quite shallow in terms of information but that's fine, I expected that because it's about many different cases.
some thing(s) I liked:
✅interesting
✅well written
some thing(s), not so much:
⭕could have been more in depth, maybe even a series
some thing(s) I liked:
✅interesting
✅well written
some thing(s), not so much:
⭕could have been more in depth, maybe even a series
August 19, 2019
An account of some criminal investigations.
This book was very jumbled and in places incoherent.
Reading time around three hours.
This book was very jumbled and in places incoherent.
Reading time around three hours.
December 26, 2019
Fascinating subject matter and easy to read but repetitive and incoherent in structure - which is really more bad editing than anything else.
January 20, 2020
Some interesting information about cases and investigations, however a bit confusing and repetitive at times. I also found the author's tone to be a little pompous.
April 10, 2021
Very intense and at times a tough read but very interesting
May 17, 2021
A great and involved read.
Much admiration for this author not only for what he does but for the peace/justice he brings to the world.
Much admiration for this author not only for what he does but for the peace/justice he brings to the world.
June 30, 2021
Really interesting absolutely loved it finished with in a week.
February 19, 2022
1) annoying author
2) unsolved crimes
3) bad editing
2) unsolved crimes
3) bad editing
March 14, 2022
Well worth reading. I enjoyed it immensely.
Well researched and written. One of the most professionally compiled true crime books I've read. And I've read a lot!
Well researched and written. One of the most professionally compiled true crime books I've read. And I've read a lot!
November 7, 2022
Interesting enough book but I found it jumped all over the place and didn't always complete a train of thought.
September 23, 2023
Interesting but couldn’t get along with the style of the narration.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews