Psychic Sleuths: ESP and Sensational Cases

by Joe Nickell (Editor/Contributor), Henry Gordon (Contributor), Stephen Peterson (Contributor)

Do psychics have special powers, allowing them to succeed where ordinary police work fails? How often do the police actually enlist psychics in solving crimes, and what do they really think of these paranormal "experts"? These are just some of the questions discussed in this illuminating study of those who supposedly use extrasensory powers to help solve crimes.

Famed paranormal investigator Joe Nickell assembled a psychic "task force" of experienced researchers - investigative writers, professional magicians, private detectives, and paranormal investigators - and challenged them to examine the claims of a famous paranormal crimebuster. Among the "psychic sleuths" examined are Greta Alexander, Dorothy Allison, Gerard Croiset, Peter Hurkos, Phil Jordan, Rosemarie Kerr, Noreen Reiner, and Bill Ward. Noted psychologist James E. Alcock offers an assessment of the psychics' claims in light of the investigative reports.

Nickell's distinguished team of investigators includes Michael R. Dennett, Professor Kenneth Feder, Henry Gordon, Jim Lippard, Ward Lucas, Professor Michael Park, Stephen Peterson, Dr. Gary Posner, and Professor Lee Roger Taylor.

Psychic Sleuths will excite the curiosity of both skeptics and believers, and all who are puzzled by psychic claims and paranormal mysteries.

Genres: Nonfiction

252 pages, Hardcover

First published March 19, 1994

About the author

Joe Nickell was an American skeptic and investigator of the paranormal.
Nickell was a senior research fellow for the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and wrote regularly for their journal, Skeptical Inquirer. He was also an associate dean of the Center for Inquiry Institute. He was the author or editor of over 30 books.
Among his career highlights, Nickell helped expose the James Maybrick "Jack the Ripper Diary" as a hoax. In 2002, Nickell was one of a number of experts asked by scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. to evaluate the authenticity of the manuscript of Hannah Crafts' The Bondwoman's Narrative (1853–1860), possibly the first novel by an African-American woman. At the request of document dealer and historian Seth Keller, Nickell analyzed documentation in the dispute over the authorship of "The Night Before Christmas", ultimately supporting the Clement Clarke Moore claim.

Reviews

[MKF · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would call this a bit outdated because I've never heard about any these psychics. The lesson is the same though in that psychics should never try and help solve crimes. The major reason of course is that there are no such thing as psychics. Followed by the waste of money and time on vague clues that never helps. I think the emotional distress family's must suffer from the lies and false hope these "readings" cause. Because this book is skeptical of these psychics I would say start with this book if you want to learn more about these con artists.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was not at all what I thought it was going to be. I thought it would be about cases in which psychics have helped police solve crimes. Instead it was mostly about calling them frauds without actually saying that. It was so terrible I couldn't even finish it.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A superb series of skeptical essays about prominent psychic detectives, holding their claims up to the light and finding them uniformly transparent. If I had to choose a favorite it'd be Gary Posner's dissection of the carer of Noreen Renier, but really it's all good -- and all immensely readable.

(Please excuse the skimpiness of this note. I'm on a horrendously tight book deadline!)