What do you think?
Rate this book
Sleeping with a Psychopath
THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER
A Divorced Woman. A Dangerous Man. A Devastating Affair.
‘You’re right. It is totally extraordinary. My life is like a film; you couldn’t make it up … But there’s something I have to tell you,’ he confided, as he leaned across the table towards me. ‘I’m not normal.’
Carolyn Woods was living happily in a quiet Cotswolds village when an attractive stranger abruptly arrived in her life.
Introducing himself as Mark Conway, he exuded confidence and to her surprise Carolyn quickly became captivated by this mysterious man. A rich Swiss banker (who later confessed to being a spy), he offered Carolyn companionship and introduced her to an exciting, glamorous world.
In fact, some things were so astonishing she began to question her new lover. Was all as it seemed?
The truth was even harder to believe. For a start, his real name was Mark Acklom, he was wanted by Interpol, and he was rich but for one reason only…
A true-crime story that reads like a thriller, Sleeping with a Psychopath is a blow-by-blow account of the power of manipulation and a testament to the human will to survive.
A Divorced Woman. A Dangerous Man. A Devastating Affair.
‘You’re right. It is totally extraordinary. My life is like a film; you couldn’t make it up … But there’s something I have to tell you,’ he confided, as he leaned across the table towards me. ‘I’m not normal.’
Carolyn Woods was living happily in a quiet Cotswolds village when an attractive stranger abruptly arrived in her life.
Introducing himself as Mark Conway, he exuded confidence and to her surprise Carolyn quickly became captivated by this mysterious man. A rich Swiss banker (who later confessed to being a spy), he offered Carolyn companionship and introduced her to an exciting, glamorous world.
In fact, some things were so astonishing she began to question her new lover. Was all as it seemed?
The truth was even harder to believe. For a start, his real name was Mark Acklom, he was wanted by Interpol, and he was rich but for one reason only…
A true-crime story that reads like a thriller, Sleeping with a Psychopath is a blow-by-blow account of the power of manipulation and a testament to the human will to survive.
336 pages, Paperback
First published April 29, 2021
457 people are currently reading
2230 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Woods
1 book13 followersCarolyn Woods was making a new life for herself in the Cotswolds when she had the misfortune to meet one of Britain’s most notorious conmen. The man she fell in love with, and made plans to marry, she knew as Mark Conway. But in fact he was convicted fraudster Mark Acklom, and over the course of their eighteen-month relationship he would take from her £850,000 of her savings; her dignity and sense of self; and nearly her sanity.
Carolyn studied Comparative Literature and French at the University of East Anglia. She lives in the country with a beautiful ginger cat and finds that life in the slow lane has plenty to recommend it.
Carolyn studied Comparative Literature and French at the University of East Anglia. She lives in the country with a beautiful ginger cat and finds that life in the slow lane has plenty to recommend it.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 441 reviews
June 12, 2021
Twitter |
Goodreads |
Blog |
Instagram |
I will tell you why this deserves 5*
A lot of people will gasp and say “unbelievable, this woman is stupid”.
I would have said the same around two years ago before my middle aged daughter was scammed, scammed online out of a lot of money, through her trust, her big heart and the cleverness of that other terrible person. Romance scam.
So when I read this, I did believe that a grown woman with her own home, money in the bank, independent and strong willed woman could be wooed by this psychopath.
Yes indeed!
Everyone has a chink in their armour, be it greed, be it love, be it loneliness for example.
And that “baddie” will find it and worm its way in.
It was interesting how the author told the story.
I listened to this on audio, the narrator was very good I thought.
As this woman is being reeled in ....time goes by and then you get a slant at her looking back on just what she ‘should” have seen. Signs she should have picked up.
I enjoyed (if that’s the right context) seeing the workings of this played out.
I would have said....that’s so far fetched! But not any more.
A very well written thriller with a very clever manipulative psychopath.
May 8, 2021
I really struggled to feel any sympathy with Carolyn. She comes across as quite an arrogant, vain and at times snobby woman.
Of course what happened to her is inexcusable, and the fault lies solely at Mark's feet.
I just struggled reading the book as I didn't have any loyalty to her, she just seemed like quite an unpleasant person. She mentions at least once in every chapter how attractive she is, she condemns anti depressants, saying she is 'dead against them', when they have literally saved countless lives, and even makes a weird dig at the #MeToo movement after a doctor hugged her, saying she was glad he did. Urrr....Consensual hugs are not what the MeToo movement is about Cazza hun.
All in all I just really didn't like Carolyn and that sullied the whole book for me.
Of course what happened to her is inexcusable, and the fault lies solely at Mark's feet.
I just struggled reading the book as I didn't have any loyalty to her, she just seemed like quite an unpleasant person. She mentions at least once in every chapter how attractive she is, she condemns anti depressants, saying she is 'dead against them', when they have literally saved countless lives, and even makes a weird dig at the #MeToo movement after a doctor hugged her, saying she was glad he did. Urrr....Consensual hugs are not what the MeToo movement is about Cazza hun.
All in all I just really didn't like Carolyn and that sullied the whole book for me.
July 8, 2021
Rounded up from around 3.5 stars ⭐️
Sleeping with a psychopath is a true crime story. Carolyn Woods meets and falls for a man named Mark Conway. But soon her world is turned upside-down by his lies and betrayals.
Through my work and studies I have a particular interest in true crime. Many true crime media representations focus on the perpetrator, with only a brief mention of the victim(s). I love that this book was written by the victim themselves, it adds a personal touch that can often be missing. It can be easy to forget the wide-reaching and prolonged impact that crime has, both on the victims themselves and their loved ones.
I have so much respect for the strength Carolyn has shown in writing and publishing this account. At times I found myself loosing focus whilst I was reading and I found parts a little repetitive. There will be many people who question how she believed such outlandish lies, but her honesty and strength stand out to me. I felt both gripped and haunted by this read, I almost feel like I cannot trust anyone. There are many chilling but important messages within this book.
I want to thank Readers First, the publishers and author for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts. I would recommend this to any true crime fans!
Sleeping with a psychopath is a true crime story. Carolyn Woods meets and falls for a man named Mark Conway. But soon her world is turned upside-down by his lies and betrayals.
Through my work and studies I have a particular interest in true crime. Many true crime media representations focus on the perpetrator, with only a brief mention of the victim(s). I love that this book was written by the victim themselves, it adds a personal touch that can often be missing. It can be easy to forget the wide-reaching and prolonged impact that crime has, both on the victims themselves and their loved ones.
I have so much respect for the strength Carolyn has shown in writing and publishing this account. At times I found myself loosing focus whilst I was reading and I found parts a little repetitive. There will be many people who question how she believed such outlandish lies, but her honesty and strength stand out to me. I felt both gripped and haunted by this read, I almost feel like I cannot trust anyone. There are many chilling but important messages within this book.
I want to thank Readers First, the publishers and author for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts. I would recommend this to any true crime fans!
July 8, 2021
I love true crime stories and I often binge watch crime documentaries on Netflix. So naturally, I was drawn to this audiobook.
Sleeping with a Psychopath is split into two parts, the first describing how Carolyn Woods met Mark Conway who swept her off her feet in 2012 and pretended to be MI6 spy and a rich Swiss banker leading an extraordinary and extravagant life. I couldn't stop listening to this part and found it utterly horrifying how Mark Conway whose real name is Mark Acklom fraudulently took £850k from Carolyn and left her penniless with mounting credit card debts.
The second part of the book focuses on the police investigation of the crime and the court trial. While I was eager to find out whether the police managed to catch the conman and what happenedto him, I found the second half of the book a bit too drawn out with a lot of criticism directed at the police from Carolyn's side, even if justly so.
I'd 100% recommend listening to Sleeping with a Psychopath as I bet that throughout the book most readers will be asking themselves whether they could fall victim to a similar crime.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Sleeping with a Psychopath is split into two parts, the first describing how Carolyn Woods met Mark Conway who swept her off her feet in 2012 and pretended to be MI6 spy and a rich Swiss banker leading an extraordinary and extravagant life. I couldn't stop listening to this part and found it utterly horrifying how Mark Conway whose real name is Mark Acklom fraudulently took £850k from Carolyn and left her penniless with mounting credit card debts.
The second part of the book focuses on the police investigation of the crime and the court trial. While I was eager to find out whether the police managed to catch the conman and what happenedto him, I found the second half of the book a bit too drawn out with a lot of criticism directed at the police from Carolyn's side, even if justly so.
I'd 100% recommend listening to Sleeping with a Psychopath as I bet that throughout the book most readers will be asking themselves whether they could fall victim to a similar crime.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
May 13, 2021
Given the extensive media coverage of Carolyn Woods involvement with conman Mark Acklom, including a newspaper serialisation, I am really not sure that the book offers much value to anyone who had kept even half an eye on the tabloids or daytime television.
The initial chapters of the book are a comprehensive account and timeline of Carolyn Woods meeting and romantic involvement with a man who walks into the shop where she is working following her recent relocation to the Cotswold village of Tetbury. Living in a rented cottage whilst looking for a property to purchase, Woods had a healthy chunk of money sitting in her bank account and asserts on numerous occasions how she valued her privacy and independence. This is hard to rationalise given that on her first meeting in the shop with a man who she believed to be Mark Conway she gave him her phone number, two days later her address and within months remote access to her computer and emails! The romance that ensued and the stories that Woods was fed by Conway, and believed, are laughably outlandish and come thick and fast. Choice highlights include that he worked for MI6, had infiltrated and been tortured by the IRA, was the illegitimate son of George Soros, with him even telling Woods on one occasion that “he was off to Whitehall to stop a war’. Within a week they were saying they loved each other and in less than a month Woods transferred £26,000 to Conway, a figure that steadily rose to £750,000 over the following months.
At the end of each chapter Woods provides a cursory paragraph or two on psychopathic traits and how the man she knew as Conway fulfilled the criteria but it’s hardly revelatory and most are very widely known (love-bombing, the intense psychopathic stare, making the victim feel guilty for their behaviour in an assault on their self-worth). Extensive reference is made to ‘Without Conscience’ by Robert Hare but given Woods was a woman of fifty-four and had plenty of time apart from Conway (not even spending a single night together) it is difficult to comprehend that she was so disorientated by everything that was happening. When Woods finally learns that Mark Conway is actually Mark Acklom and reports to the police on 16th June 2013 how he defrauded her, it is the start of an investigation that covers six years in total. The details of the police investigation make for very dry reading and are rather long-winded and would have benefited from being summarised, as my interest in the book fell off a cliff at this point. Much of the later stages of the book are spent griping about the apathy of the police, the failure of their investigation and the hostile attitude of many of the detectives involved in her case. I found it nigh on impossible to warm to Carolyn or feel much sympathy for her hideous experience at the hands of Mark Acklom and felt that demonstrating a little humility and gratitude would have gone a long way to helping me empathise with what she went through. At one point she even takes aim when she is reduced to claiming Job Seekers’ Allowance, “which turned out to be another lesson in frustration, incompetence and never-ending bureaucracy”, and I found her superior attitude offensive, especially given the willful ignorance she demonstrated to get herself into such a state.
The initial chapters of the book are a comprehensive account and timeline of Carolyn Woods meeting and romantic involvement with a man who walks into the shop where she is working following her recent relocation to the Cotswold village of Tetbury. Living in a rented cottage whilst looking for a property to purchase, Woods had a healthy chunk of money sitting in her bank account and asserts on numerous occasions how she valued her privacy and independence. This is hard to rationalise given that on her first meeting in the shop with a man who she believed to be Mark Conway she gave him her phone number, two days later her address and within months remote access to her computer and emails! The romance that ensued and the stories that Woods was fed by Conway, and believed, are laughably outlandish and come thick and fast. Choice highlights include that he worked for MI6, had infiltrated and been tortured by the IRA, was the illegitimate son of George Soros, with him even telling Woods on one occasion that “he was off to Whitehall to stop a war’. Within a week they were saying they loved each other and in less than a month Woods transferred £26,000 to Conway, a figure that steadily rose to £750,000 over the following months.
At the end of each chapter Woods provides a cursory paragraph or two on psychopathic traits and how the man she knew as Conway fulfilled the criteria but it’s hardly revelatory and most are very widely known (love-bombing, the intense psychopathic stare, making the victim feel guilty for their behaviour in an assault on their self-worth). Extensive reference is made to ‘Without Conscience’ by Robert Hare but given Woods was a woman of fifty-four and had plenty of time apart from Conway (not even spending a single night together) it is difficult to comprehend that she was so disorientated by everything that was happening. When Woods finally learns that Mark Conway is actually Mark Acklom and reports to the police on 16th June 2013 how he defrauded her, it is the start of an investigation that covers six years in total. The details of the police investigation make for very dry reading and are rather long-winded and would have benefited from being summarised, as my interest in the book fell off a cliff at this point. Much of the later stages of the book are spent griping about the apathy of the police, the failure of their investigation and the hostile attitude of many of the detectives involved in her case. I found it nigh on impossible to warm to Carolyn or feel much sympathy for her hideous experience at the hands of Mark Acklom and felt that demonstrating a little humility and gratitude would have gone a long way to helping me empathise with what she went through. At one point she even takes aim when she is reduced to claiming Job Seekers’ Allowance, “which turned out to be another lesson in frustration, incompetence and never-ending bureaucracy”, and I found her superior attitude offensive, especially given the willful ignorance she demonstrated to get herself into such a state.
May 13, 2021
This was the most awful book I've read so far.
By my review all blame does lay on Mark and not Carolyn in anyway way but the writing was awful and how many times does the word "bubba" have to be mentioned it drove me insane!
I completely get that you can easily believe anything especially blinded by love but most of the things Mark lied about were so obviously unreal i mean come on!
Also Carolyn stated how the relstionship developed so fast etc and after everything that happened she jumps head first into another relationship with James, did she not lesrn the first time?
Like i said the blame is all on Mark but i found this book could of been ALOT shorter as many parts kept getting repeated.
Also it seemed Carolyn wasn't happy with anything anyone did, the doctor wasn't good enough, none of the detectives etc weren't good enough.
Im sorry Carolyn went through that but this was just a poorly written boom.
Half a star from me.
By my review all blame does lay on Mark and not Carolyn in anyway way but the writing was awful and how many times does the word "bubba" have to be mentioned it drove me insane!
I completely get that you can easily believe anything especially blinded by love but most of the things Mark lied about were so obviously unreal i mean come on!
Also Carolyn stated how the relstionship developed so fast etc and after everything that happened she jumps head first into another relationship with James, did she not lesrn the first time?
Like i said the blame is all on Mark but i found this book could of been ALOT shorter as many parts kept getting repeated.
Also it seemed Carolyn wasn't happy with anything anyone did, the doctor wasn't good enough, none of the detectives etc weren't good enough.
Im sorry Carolyn went through that but this was just a poorly written boom.
Half a star from me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2022
She’s too much, quiet literally the most annoying and stupid woman ever - firstly views herself as too good for antidepressants and also somehow connects a friendly supportive hug (okay slightly inappropriate but not to this extent) between and doctor and patient to the MeToo movement in which women were literally sexual assault. This women is so god damn annoying. Rant over… for now.
May 24, 2021
I admit it… I am obsessed by psychopaths. I love reading books with narcissistic, psychopathic characters and the more ruthless the better, however this is in the fictional books I read. Reading about psychopaths in a true crime, non-fiction account is absolutely TERRIFYING.
Sleeping with a Psychopath by Carolyn Woods is the true story of her life when she met the charismatic, wealthy and handsome Mark Conway and within a matter of weeks Carolyn, a divorcee living in a quiet village, happy with her single life and her friends, finds herself falling head over heels with a stranger and slowly being alienated from everyone and becoming completely dependant both emotionally and financially on Mark.
Now I think I am a reasonably intelligent person, a good judge of character and a shrewd person when it comes to business and from listening to Carolyn’s book, so did she. So how did this loving, outgoing, independent women get hoodwinked into giving him her life savings and becoming a shadow of her former self?
It’s so easy to say “I wouldn’t do that” or “couldn’t she see what was happening” but I was able to understand why Carolyn did allow herself to be dragged down this murky path. Simply put, she fell head over heels in love with a professional conman. A man who had spent most of his life honing his craft, learning how to read people and press the right buttons to get exactly what he wanted and to make his victims fall for his lies.
I listened to this sad and scary tale over the space of a couple of days and my heart goes out to Carolyn and all of the other victims of Mark Acklom and hope that they find the love and happiness they truly deserve.
Sleeping with a Psychopath by Carolyn Woods is the true story of her life when she met the charismatic, wealthy and handsome Mark Conway and within a matter of weeks Carolyn, a divorcee living in a quiet village, happy with her single life and her friends, finds herself falling head over heels with a stranger and slowly being alienated from everyone and becoming completely dependant both emotionally and financially on Mark.
Now I think I am a reasonably intelligent person, a good judge of character and a shrewd person when it comes to business and from listening to Carolyn’s book, so did she. So how did this loving, outgoing, independent women get hoodwinked into giving him her life savings and becoming a shadow of her former self?
It’s so easy to say “I wouldn’t do that” or “couldn’t she see what was happening” but I was able to understand why Carolyn did allow herself to be dragged down this murky path. Simply put, she fell head over heels in love with a professional conman. A man who had spent most of his life honing his craft, learning how to read people and press the right buttons to get exactly what he wanted and to make his victims fall for his lies.
I listened to this sad and scary tale over the space of a couple of days and my heart goes out to Carolyn and all of the other victims of Mark Acklom and hope that they find the love and happiness they truly deserve.
May 7, 2021
a truly bananas story told in a pretty mediocre way. it was utterly bizarre and told with sad banality. how did this woman not question anything early on? why was so much time devoted to the far less interesting experience of the investigation? why the weird and sad references to the me too movement? why didn't she get a job or sell her designer crap?
get that coin, though.
get that coin, though.
May 7, 2022
2.0 Stars
The title of this book is misleading. Was this man a psychopath? Maybe? Maybe Not. This man was a conman. The author fails to make herself sympathetic in this memoir as she attempts to explain how she fell for this abusive man. It's hard to be myself into her shoes because she comes across as frustratingly naive. The book is also poorly written, often told through messages, rather than a more cohesive narrative. Needless to say, I found this book very disappointing.
The title of this book is misleading. Was this man a psychopath? Maybe? Maybe Not. This man was a conman. The author fails to make herself sympathetic in this memoir as she attempts to explain how she fell for this abusive man. It's hard to be myself into her shoes because she comes across as frustratingly naive. The book is also poorly written, often told through messages, rather than a more cohesive narrative. Needless to say, I found this book very disappointing.
June 1, 2021
I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher, in return for an honest review. This review is based entirely on my own thoughts and feelings.
Overall rating : 3*
Writing skill : 4*
Shock Factor: 10
Pace: 3*
Now on paper this is absolutely my kind of book, true crime- CHECK, Psychotic weirdo -CHECK, completely unbelievable storyline - CHECK! However and I'm sad to say it this was just so unbelievably far fetched I couldn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped. I know this is true crime, and it actually happened, I'm not going to say she's lying, I just cannot believe people fall for these scams. And the way in which she fell (HARD!!) I'm still shocked a few days later. I think were supposed to feel sorry for her but I just couldn't. However, I did like the way after a chapter she would reflect on how she now feels about the situation she found herself in, it was really insightful. Overall it was okay but bloody frustrating.
Overall rating : 3*
Writing skill : 4*
Shock Factor: 10
Pace: 3*
Now on paper this is absolutely my kind of book, true crime- CHECK, Psychotic weirdo -CHECK, completely unbelievable storyline - CHECK! However and I'm sad to say it this was just so unbelievably far fetched I couldn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped. I know this is true crime, and it actually happened, I'm not going to say she's lying, I just cannot believe people fall for these scams. And the way in which she fell (HARD!!) I'm still shocked a few days later. I think were supposed to feel sorry for her but I just couldn't. However, I did like the way after a chapter she would reflect on how she now feels about the situation she found herself in, it was really insightful. Overall it was okay but bloody frustrating.
Read
July 7, 2022▪️„Sypiając z psychopatą” - Carolyn Woods▪️
Czasami chyba po prostu nie wychodzi. Wszystko wskazuje na to, że będzie idealnie. Są dwie osoby, jest odpowiednie miejsce i nawet czas. A potem bum, coś się rozjeżdża. Mężczyzna wymyka się z kadru, pokazuje drugą twarz. To właśnie spotkało Carolyn. Naprawdę zatrważająca historia. Mark miał dwie osobowości, a może nawet więcej. Jedną z nich przedstawił właśnie jej. Wyobraźcie sobie takiego człowieka: Czarujący 46 latek, zadbany, elegancki, zabawny i bezpośredni, człowiek z klasą, o wielkim sercu i w dodatku zakochany - właśnie w niej. Kobiecie, która uwierzyła. Musiała być w tamtej chwili najszczęśliwszą osobą na świecie. Gdy wszedł do butiku i wyraźnie zainteresował się właśnie nią. I nic nie wydawało jej się w tym podejrzane, spytacie? Nie zaświeciła jej się żadna czerwona lampka? Spadł jej z nieba i po chwili proponował ślub i wspólne mieszkanie i to jej nie zaniepokoiło? Wiem. To wydaje się nieprawdopodobne. Ale Carolyn nie była głupia. Została wykorzystana. Jest ofiarą. Wszystko od samego początku było przebiegłą grą. Mark stosował sztuczki psychologiczne, którym działaniu nie sposób było się oprzeć. To patologiczny kłamca, ale tak przekonujący… Podobno nawet komuś, kto zna się na psychice, trudno byłoby nie dać się przyłapać na tym, że mu wierzy. A co dopiero zakochanej kobiecie. Szczerze oddanej i niczego nieświadomej. Nie czytałam wcześniej czegoś takiego. Opis związku tych dwojga, a później całego śledztwa… to było tak szalenie ciekawe! I przerażajace, bo prawdziwe. Gdy tylko skończyłam czytać, zaczęłam szukać artykułów w sieci. Czytałam dalej i dalej… Znalazłam nawet film! Znam teraz tę sprawę na wylot. Myślę sobie, że jeśli Mark był chociaż w połowie tak interesujący, jak ta książka, to to, że można było dla niego stracić głowę, jest więcej niż pewne. Czy to w miłości, czy w interesach. Ja dla książki - straciłam.
Zaczytana Querida
Czasami chyba po prostu nie wychodzi. Wszystko wskazuje na to, że będzie idealnie. Są dwie osoby, jest odpowiednie miejsce i nawet czas. A potem bum, coś się rozjeżdża. Mężczyzna wymyka się z kadru, pokazuje drugą twarz. To właśnie spotkało Carolyn. Naprawdę zatrważająca historia. Mark miał dwie osobowości, a może nawet więcej. Jedną z nich przedstawił właśnie jej. Wyobraźcie sobie takiego człowieka: Czarujący 46 latek, zadbany, elegancki, zabawny i bezpośredni, człowiek z klasą, o wielkim sercu i w dodatku zakochany - właśnie w niej. Kobiecie, która uwierzyła. Musiała być w tamtej chwili najszczęśliwszą osobą na świecie. Gdy wszedł do butiku i wyraźnie zainteresował się właśnie nią. I nic nie wydawało jej się w tym podejrzane, spytacie? Nie zaświeciła jej się żadna czerwona lampka? Spadł jej z nieba i po chwili proponował ślub i wspólne mieszkanie i to jej nie zaniepokoiło? Wiem. To wydaje się nieprawdopodobne. Ale Carolyn nie była głupia. Została wykorzystana. Jest ofiarą. Wszystko od samego początku było przebiegłą grą. Mark stosował sztuczki psychologiczne, którym działaniu nie sposób było się oprzeć. To patologiczny kłamca, ale tak przekonujący… Podobno nawet komuś, kto zna się na psychice, trudno byłoby nie dać się przyłapać na tym, że mu wierzy. A co dopiero zakochanej kobiecie. Szczerze oddanej i niczego nieświadomej. Nie czytałam wcześniej czegoś takiego. Opis związku tych dwojga, a później całego śledztwa… to było tak szalenie ciekawe! I przerażajace, bo prawdziwe. Gdy tylko skończyłam czytać, zaczęłam szukać artykułów w sieci. Czytałam dalej i dalej… Znalazłam nawet film! Znam teraz tę sprawę na wylot. Myślę sobie, że jeśli Mark był chociaż w połowie tak interesujący, jak ta książka, to to, że można było dla niego stracić głowę, jest więcej niż pewne. Czy to w miłości, czy w interesach. Ja dla książki - straciłam.
Zaczytana Querida
May 24, 2021
Have you ever fallen for someone that you really didn’t know? They said all the right things. Made you feel so special. Really special. Have you met any conmen? It’s one of the most shocking, and completely terrible life altering things that can happen to someone. And most of the time a person is to embarrassed to tell anyone. I know because it happened to me. I wasn’t free from them until they went to prison. I was one of the lucky ones.
I knew very little about this Mark Richard George Acklom. I am obsessed with true crime and I started listening to this right away. The narrator Jan Cramer was great and I thought the author did a good job taking me through this heinous crime. At times its laughable how crazy it got and he always knew what to say. But I feel like we can learn from this. And I don’t think we should be so critical of her decisions. And I commend her for going after him! Shame on you Mark, it’s awful what you’ve done. I really enjoyed this and recommend it.
Thanks HarperCollins via Netgalley.
I knew very little about this Mark Richard George Acklom. I am obsessed with true crime and I started listening to this right away. The narrator Jan Cramer was great and I thought the author did a good job taking me through this heinous crime. At times its laughable how crazy it got and he always knew what to say. But I feel like we can learn from this. And I don’t think we should be so critical of her decisions. And I commend her for going after him! Shame on you Mark, it’s awful what you’ve done. I really enjoyed this and recommend it.
Thanks HarperCollins via Netgalley.
June 7, 2021
Nothing New Here - Don't Waste Your Time
This book purports to be a real-life crime thriller; but given that the story has been all over the media, there is nothing new or revelatory here.
In the first part of the book we are provided with a detailed timeline of how Carolyn Woods met and fell for Mark Conway. Recently relocating to a quiet Cotswold village, Carolyn rents a cottage whilst looking for a place to buy in the area. Carolyn gets herself a job in a local shop, which is where she meets Mark Conway when he drops in as a customer - she dishes out her private details so quickly that Mark must have rubbed his hands together with glee...
A whirlwind romance ensues - although they are apart often, as Mark has to go away on 'business' - the reason for this being that Mark claims he is a spy, which Carolyn believes unquestioningly - she gives him access to her property, computer, emails and cash without so much as a 'Why?' or 'What exactly do you need that for?'
The second part of the book is a monotonous description of the police investigation - really it is just Carolyn complaining about how the police handled the case.
I didn't really warm to Carolyn at all during this book, and I found it difficult to feel sorry for her - mainly because of her tone. I wouldn't waste your time with this one.
This book purports to be a real-life crime thriller; but given that the story has been all over the media, there is nothing new or revelatory here.
In the first part of the book we are provided with a detailed timeline of how Carolyn Woods met and fell for Mark Conway. Recently relocating to a quiet Cotswold village, Carolyn rents a cottage whilst looking for a place to buy in the area. Carolyn gets herself a job in a local shop, which is where she meets Mark Conway when he drops in as a customer - she dishes out her private details so quickly that Mark must have rubbed his hands together with glee...
A whirlwind romance ensues - although they are apart often, as Mark has to go away on 'business' - the reason for this being that Mark claims he is a spy, which Carolyn believes unquestioningly - she gives him access to her property, computer, emails and cash without so much as a 'Why?' or 'What exactly do you need that for?'
The second part of the book is a monotonous description of the police investigation - really it is just Carolyn complaining about how the police handled the case.
I didn't really warm to Carolyn at all during this book, and I found it difficult to feel sorry for her - mainly because of her tone. I wouldn't waste your time with this one.
June 14, 2021
I wanted to like this book. I'm a fan of thrillers and true crime podcasts and things but this was quite a struggle to get through.
I felt that Carolyn didn't come across as a particularly likeable character - often stating her (perceived) personality traits for the reader. I.e. "I am a very strong/positive person", which were often at odds with the way she was behaving - she spent most of the book in a state of deep depression and despair, long after Mark was out of her life.
One of the main reasons Mark got away with the extent of the fraud he did was due to his charismatic character. From the very first meeting it was clear that he was a bit of a creep and she'd have been best off staying well away from him. I felt those parts were written with the benefit of hindsight and she really failed in her quest to make the reader truly understand what it was that had drawn her to him in the first place - and what made her stay.
There were also some quite frustrating aspects of the book too. She makes a really big deal about how she doesn't want to be painted as the 'divorced woman' as this comes with some negative connotations - yet it's the beginning of the strap-line in the front of the book - which I presume she signed off on. She also expresses her frustration with the GPs she saw who insisted she needed antidepressants and therapy because she didn't want either. I really don't understand what else she wanted from them, what else could they offer?
The second part of the book which covered the investigation was easier to get through and a bit more interesting - perhaps because it was less about her. All in all, I won't be recommending this to anyone unfortunately.
*I was given a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I felt that Carolyn didn't come across as a particularly likeable character - often stating her (perceived) personality traits for the reader. I.e. "I am a very strong/positive person", which were often at odds with the way she was behaving - she spent most of the book in a state of deep depression and despair, long after Mark was out of her life.
One of the main reasons Mark got away with the extent of the fraud he did was due to his charismatic character. From the very first meeting it was clear that he was a bit of a creep and she'd have been best off staying well away from him. I felt those parts were written with the benefit of hindsight and she really failed in her quest to make the reader truly understand what it was that had drawn her to him in the first place - and what made her stay.
There were also some quite frustrating aspects of the book too. She makes a really big deal about how she doesn't want to be painted as the 'divorced woman' as this comes with some negative connotations - yet it's the beginning of the strap-line in the front of the book - which I presume she signed off on. She also expresses her frustration with the GPs she saw who insisted she needed antidepressants and therapy because she didn't want either. I really don't understand what else she wanted from them, what else could they offer?
The second part of the book which covered the investigation was easier to get through and a bit more interesting - perhaps because it was less about her. All in all, I won't be recommending this to anyone unfortunately.
*I was given a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
August 10, 2021
This has to be one of the worst books I have ever tried to read. Tried because I’m definitely leaving this one as a DNF. It is terribly written, extremely boring and Carolyn is totally unlikeable. It is hard to feel any sympathy for her as she appears extremely arrogant, self-centred and materialistic (and that is by her own accounts). Even by her own depiction, Mark does not come across as charming and irresistible but as equally arrogant and materialistic. While what Mark did was terrible, again sympathy is difficult for me because she gave money not to help him but to secure the rich and extravagant lifestyle that he showed and promised. So disappointed… why would anyone say “reads like a thriller”…. Could not be more inaccurate.
May 15, 2021
Not sure where to begin with this book. To start with, Carolyn Woods comes across as quite an unpleasant, very vain woman. She blames every one else for every single thing that happened to her, when, basically she was silly enough to fall for the most ridiculous pile of lies I’ve ever heard.
This was in 2012, when there was already so much publicity about conmen and scammers! Yet she actually believed he worked for M16, was friends with every famous person you can think of, was rich enough to buy several airports and fleets of vintage aeroplanes, one day was in Spain, later that day was in Syria, received phone calls from the king of Spain. Come on!
So many red flags. He told her he’d just been shot in the arm, then in the leg. Did she not notice he had no wounds when they were being intimate? The rudeness he showed towards her family would have made most women run for the hills, but she stayed. I think because she, right from the day she met him, loved the luxury champagne and limo lifestyle.
When it all went haywire, she blamed everyone else, falling out with her whole family and best friends.
I started skimming at 75% when we were informed in great detail about how badly the police handled everything. Again, always someone elses fault.
Basically, he did not blackmail her or hold a gun to her head. She offered him 26k, and ended up giving him 850k. Mind boggling.
Mark Acklom is a vile conman but as long as there are women like her around they will continue to play their nasty games.
As for her falling in to a relationship with his friend, James, a few weeks after this all blew up? Words fail me!
This was in 2012, when there was already so much publicity about conmen and scammers! Yet she actually believed he worked for M16, was friends with every famous person you can think of, was rich enough to buy several airports and fleets of vintage aeroplanes, one day was in Spain, later that day was in Syria, received phone calls from the king of Spain. Come on!
So many red flags. He told her he’d just been shot in the arm, then in the leg. Did she not notice he had no wounds when they were being intimate? The rudeness he showed towards her family would have made most women run for the hills, but she stayed. I think because she, right from the day she met him, loved the luxury champagne and limo lifestyle.
When it all went haywire, she blamed everyone else, falling out with her whole family and best friends.
I started skimming at 75% when we were informed in great detail about how badly the police handled everything. Again, always someone elses fault.
Basically, he did not blackmail her or hold a gun to her head. She offered him 26k, and ended up giving him 850k. Mind boggling.
Mark Acklom is a vile conman but as long as there are women like her around they will continue to play their nasty games.
As for her falling in to a relationship with his friend, James, a few weeks after this all blew up? Words fail me!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
March 19, 2025DNF- I tried, I really really tried. Some people just are not meant to write books and Carolyn Woods is one of them. Her writing was about as chaotic as Mark’s mind. Honestly her editor really did her dirty.
July 19, 2021
It’s important to preface this review by stating that I do not believe that anyone chooses to be victimized. Predators are the worst kind of human being possible, and the extensive harm that they cause to individuals and society is of their making and no one asks for it. Please keep this in mind.
Carolyn Woods describes being conned out of her life savings by a career con artist in her memoir Sleeping with a Psychopath. What happened to her is awful and no one should have to go through that. HOWEVER, the reason that I HATED this book is that I found her insincere. It appears to me that she is telling her story to paint herself in the best possible light. She claims that she was not attracted to his immense wealth that he gloated about when they first met, but I can’t see what else she could have been attracted to. She explains how he aggressively put his hand up her skirt without her consent at the end of their first date (where he, according to her, spent the entire time bragging about himself) and has to convince him stop, yet she looks past this and agrees to see him again. She stands by idly when he goes on a disgusting, racist diatribe when first introduced to her friends and family as her fiancé. She describes a boorish, arrogant, elitist man who tells her immediately upon meeting that he will let her down a million times, and then proceeds to do so. The only time she speaks positively of him is when he takes her shopping at Chanel or takes her for a ride on one of his private planes. Based on her account, he has nothing going for him except for a promise of a life of luxury and riches. But she is adamant that she loved him for him and not for his money. Fans of true crime should stay clear of this book; I read it so that you don’t have to.
Carolyn Woods describes being conned out of her life savings by a career con artist in her memoir Sleeping with a Psychopath. What happened to her is awful and no one should have to go through that. HOWEVER, the reason that I HATED this book is that I found her insincere. It appears to me that she is telling her story to paint herself in the best possible light. She claims that she was not attracted to his immense wealth that he gloated about when they first met, but I can’t see what else she could have been attracted to. She explains how he aggressively put his hand up her skirt without her consent at the end of their first date (where he, according to her, spent the entire time bragging about himself) and has to convince him stop, yet she looks past this and agrees to see him again. She stands by idly when he goes on a disgusting, racist diatribe when first introduced to her friends and family as her fiancé. She describes a boorish, arrogant, elitist man who tells her immediately upon meeting that he will let her down a million times, and then proceeds to do so. The only time she speaks positively of him is when he takes her shopping at Chanel or takes her for a ride on one of his private planes. Based on her account, he has nothing going for him except for a promise of a life of luxury and riches. But she is adamant that she loved him for him and not for his money. Fans of true crime should stay clear of this book; I read it so that you don’t have to.
May 17, 2021
What an incredible story this is! Carolyn Woods was a confident 54-year-old woman, divorced and financially well off until she met the man that nightmares is made from. Mark Conway as he introduced himself to Carolyn, was a confident, charismatic conman that walked into her life one day and ruined her financially and emotionally.
Conway, an alias, wasn’t new to this way of life and came across like a serpent that had hypnotised his prey into doing whatever he wanted. He was good at this and knew how to isolate, manipulate and devastate his victims. Anything he said, Carolyn believed. He staged elaborate scenarios that she could witness. I know it sounds incredible, but he was backing everything up with solid evidence.
It must take some doing to tell the world how she was coned, and it would be so easy to stand on the outside and say how could she not realise what he was? He had the gift of the gab, the manipulation to turn everything back on her. If someone is so defensive and hurt, you think that you must be wrong.
I don’t want to go into detail, about the lengths he went, you should read that yourself. I read so much with a dropped jaw. I liked the quotes at the start of each chapter that related to what had happened. I have to agree with Carolyn that there is something much deeper with this man. I don’t think there is a cure. It is who he is.
This book has shown tremendous courage from Carolyn. I hope she has found peace in her life.
I wish to thank Net Galley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
Conway, an alias, wasn’t new to this way of life and came across like a serpent that had hypnotised his prey into doing whatever he wanted. He was good at this and knew how to isolate, manipulate and devastate his victims. Anything he said, Carolyn believed. He staged elaborate scenarios that she could witness. I know it sounds incredible, but he was backing everything up with solid evidence.
It must take some doing to tell the world how she was coned, and it would be so easy to stand on the outside and say how could she not realise what he was? He had the gift of the gab, the manipulation to turn everything back on her. If someone is so defensive and hurt, you think that you must be wrong.
I don’t want to go into detail, about the lengths he went, you should read that yourself. I read so much with a dropped jaw. I liked the quotes at the start of each chapter that related to what had happened. I have to agree with Carolyn that there is something much deeper with this man. I don’t think there is a cure. It is who he is.
This book has shown tremendous courage from Carolyn. I hope she has found peace in her life.
I wish to thank Net Galley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
June 15, 2021
I was really looking forward to this story which promised to be “a real-life thriller”. It turned out to be a fairly tedious and repetitive tale of how a well off, naïve divorcee got duped by a manipulative egomaniac.
I could never really feel any sympathy towards Carolyn Woods, who despite her age and life experiences seemed to live totally in a “Mills and Boon” type world. We all like a bit of romance and hopefully most people have experienced the heady thrill of falling in love but reading this I felt quite sick at the gushiness of it all. I cannot believe that she fell for all the lies and deception.
At times it all seemed so farfetched that I struggled to believe it was a true story and that perhaps I was being a little unfair to Ms Woods and Mark Conway/Acklom really was that much of a master of deception. I suppose it could be argued that she got herself n so deep that she didn’t know how to get out, particularly on the financial front, but I really had to question her mental state. She seemed very open to flattery and very eager to grab the good life. I can only imagine that a lot of her wealth that she so readily handed over was the result of her divorce.
I am very surprised it is a best seller. It is a vaguely entertaining read if that’s your sort of thing but to me it was more of a long and painfully extended version of something you would find in a woman’s magazine.
I could never really feel any sympathy towards Carolyn Woods, who despite her age and life experiences seemed to live totally in a “Mills and Boon” type world. We all like a bit of romance and hopefully most people have experienced the heady thrill of falling in love but reading this I felt quite sick at the gushiness of it all. I cannot believe that she fell for all the lies and deception.
At times it all seemed so farfetched that I struggled to believe it was a true story and that perhaps I was being a little unfair to Ms Woods and Mark Conway/Acklom really was that much of a master of deception. I suppose it could be argued that she got herself n so deep that she didn’t know how to get out, particularly on the financial front, but I really had to question her mental state. She seemed very open to flattery and very eager to grab the good life. I can only imagine that a lot of her wealth that she so readily handed over was the result of her divorce.
I am very surprised it is a best seller. It is a vaguely entertaining read if that’s your sort of thing but to me it was more of a long and painfully extended version of something you would find in a woman’s magazine.
May 8, 2021
Mark Acklom is a fraudster but Carolyn Woods did not know that when she met him in the shop where she worked in January 2012. Despite instantly falling in love with him she was still trying to find out his surname 4 weeks later, and then the one given wasn't Acklom it was Conway.
This is a fascinating tale as well as a warning to unsuspecting women of how easily life can come unravelled. Now that's not to say I didn't approach the read with a certain amount of scepticism, after all I'm really not sure I'd hand over vast sums of money to someone I'd not long met even though I have to take Carolyn's assertions that it was different if you were there.
Interestingly the book doesn't stop at the fraud played upon this poor woman, it covers the later police investigation which took far longer than seems reasonable.
A well written story that really conveys the depths that this man led the author to whilst he was having fun! I hope Carolyn makes some money from this book as a small recompense.
This is a fascinating tale as well as a warning to unsuspecting women of how easily life can come unravelled. Now that's not to say I didn't approach the read with a certain amount of scepticism, after all I'm really not sure I'd hand over vast sums of money to someone I'd not long met even though I have to take Carolyn's assertions that it was different if you were there.
Interestingly the book doesn't stop at the fraud played upon this poor woman, it covers the later police investigation which took far longer than seems reasonable.
A well written story that really conveys the depths that this man led the author to whilst he was having fun! I hope Carolyn makes some money from this book as a small recompense.
February 9, 2022
I found this true story astonishing and I highly recommend for anyone who was fascinated and horrified by The Tinder Swindler on Netflix. Also, as the cover states, for those interested in the ‘Dirty John’ case (Debra Newell also has written her own book.)
Not long after starting over; a new life in a quiet English country town, Carolyn met a dashing stranger who swept into her life like a hurricane. Against her better judgement, she threw caution to the wind and found herself falling head-over-heels with this romantic, charming, and charismatic man. She embraced this new uncertain but exhilarating chapter of her life with gusto, looking ahead to a future filled with romance, adventures, financial security, and good times with the man she loved. She believed in love at first sight and they were such a perfect match. He was unlike anyone she’s ever known, and she was hooked…
I found Sleeping with a Psychopath to be a brave and shocking account of the ultimate bad romance, written by a woman who has told her incredibly painful story with courage, intelligence and honesty. I have been unable to put it down. 5 stars.
Not long after starting over; a new life in a quiet English country town, Carolyn met a dashing stranger who swept into her life like a hurricane. Against her better judgement, she threw caution to the wind and found herself falling head-over-heels with this romantic, charming, and charismatic man. She embraced this new uncertain but exhilarating chapter of her life with gusto, looking ahead to a future filled with romance, adventures, financial security, and good times with the man she loved. She believed in love at first sight and they were such a perfect match. He was unlike anyone she’s ever known, and she was hooked…
I found Sleeping with a Psychopath to be a brave and shocking account of the ultimate bad romance, written by a woman who has told her incredibly painful story with courage, intelligence and honesty. I have been unable to put it down. 5 stars.
May 4, 2021
Psychopathic tendencies include -
🔸socially irresponsible behavior
🔸disregarding or violating the rights of others
🔸inability to distinguish between right and wrong
difficulty with showing remorse or empathy
🔸tendency to lie often
manipulating and hurting others
🔸recurring problems with the law
🔸general disregard towards safety and responsibility
OMFG so so many alarm bells would have been going off in my head & the behaviour he exhibited in those first 24 hours would have had me running for the hills! Or is it just easy for me to say that having never been in this kinda situation before? I didn't realise this was a true story to start with, so I did a little research & read the news reports...what an absolute uncaring bastard (that's me being polite) he was!
I loved Dirty John when it was on Netflix, so if you too were a fan of that you'll find this book fascinating at the depraved lengths these men will stoop to!
I feel so sorry for any woman who finds herself in this situation, thinking she's found 'The one', yet he's just interested in milking her for everything she has, not caring what financial & mental destruction he is causing.
This was an open & honest account of one woman's fight for survival!
And I'm so glad karma finally caught up with him!
Many thanks to Netgalley for my ARC in return for my honest review.
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
🔸socially irresponsible behavior
🔸disregarding or violating the rights of others
🔸inability to distinguish between right and wrong
difficulty with showing remorse or empathy
🔸tendency to lie often
manipulating and hurting others
🔸recurring problems with the law
🔸general disregard towards safety and responsibility
OMFG so so many alarm bells would have been going off in my head & the behaviour he exhibited in those first 24 hours would have had me running for the hills! Or is it just easy for me to say that having never been in this kinda situation before? I didn't realise this was a true story to start with, so I did a little research & read the news reports...what an absolute uncaring bastard (that's me being polite) he was!
I loved Dirty John when it was on Netflix, so if you too were a fan of that you'll find this book fascinating at the depraved lengths these men will stoop to!
I feel so sorry for any woman who finds herself in this situation, thinking she's found 'The one', yet he's just interested in milking her for everything she has, not caring what financial & mental destruction he is causing.
This was an open & honest account of one woman's fight for survival!
And I'm so glad karma finally caught up with him!
Many thanks to Netgalley for my ARC in return for my honest review.
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2024
A truly eye opening read. I don't usually read true crime but this read quite different. Yes, there were times I wanted to scream in frustration and annoyance at the gullibility of Carolyn but honestly I have no right to judge having never been in her shoes. It was a gripping read and the last third of the book was really in depth about how they caught the guy. Will now be doing some searching on whether he is out of jail yet ...
July 30, 2025
3 stars ⭐️
I’ve never been so angry at a book. I was frustrated for her and with her
I’ve never been so angry at a book. I was frustrated for her and with her
March 29, 2024
Too many thoughts about this book and none complimentary.
June 22, 2021
Carolyn Woods accounts of what happened to her well and truly blew my mind away!
The power of manipulation and control and after everything she went through, the will to survive and see justice served made a impact of even when we are at our lowest, darkest and deeply depressed states, the power of oneself, to rise up and heal ourselves is beautiful.
The power of manipulation and control and after everything she went through, the will to survive and see justice served made a impact of even when we are at our lowest, darkest and deeply depressed states, the power of oneself, to rise up and heal ourselves is beautiful.
September 12, 2021
Wow… I felt no sympathy for Carolyn. How she believed everything he said, I’ll never know.
Surely the never spending a night together must have been a dead giveaway?
I almost understood everything until he told her he knew Putin and his dad was the guy that took down the Bank of England. How could she have believed that?!
As for giving all her money up.. well…
Also, there wasn’t a chapter that went by in which she didn’t make a comment on how attractive she was or how independent or strong she was and it just became extremely off putting on her as a person. I also had to DNF after her sly comment about the MeToo movement (a hug from a reassuring doctor is not what the MeToo movement is about Carolyn).
The only thing I did feel for her with was having to tell her family and friends what had happened after they’d tried to warn her. That’s very embarrassing and she probably had to swallow a lot of pride which is never nice.
Surely the never spending a night together must have been a dead giveaway?
I almost understood everything until he told her he knew Putin and his dad was the guy that took down the Bank of England. How could she have believed that?!
As for giving all her money up.. well…
Also, there wasn’t a chapter that went by in which she didn’t make a comment on how attractive she was or how independent or strong she was and it just became extremely off putting on her as a person. I also had to DNF after her sly comment about the MeToo movement (a hug from a reassuring doctor is not what the MeToo movement is about Carolyn).
The only thing I did feel for her with was having to tell her family and friends what had happened after they’d tried to warn her. That’s very embarrassing and she probably had to swallow a lot of pride which is never nice.
June 10, 2021
I have not finished it and I have no intention of even trying.
Don’t judge a book by its cover. This one makes it look mystifying and a good old thriller but I was mistaken.
This is actually a true story about the author and how she was manipulated by a man for all of her life savings. I do have empathy for her but the way this book is written I cannot help but think that there was something fishy from the beginning.
The lovey dovey talk within three days of them meeting and the constant ‘I love you’s, bubba, baby, you were made for me’ as she described the beginnings of their relationship made me want to vom 🤢
Tbh Mark, the man she has fallen for sounded like a complete *enter offensive word here* and I utterly hated him, hence the frustration whilst reading!
I appreciate that this situation can happen to anyone and the feelings of the heart cannot be denied
Don’t judge a book by its cover. This one makes it look mystifying and a good old thriller but I was mistaken.
This is actually a true story about the author and how she was manipulated by a man for all of her life savings. I do have empathy for her but the way this book is written I cannot help but think that there was something fishy from the beginning.
The lovey dovey talk within three days of them meeting and the constant ‘I love you’s, bubba, baby, you were made for me’ as she described the beginnings of their relationship made me want to vom 🤢
Tbh Mark, the man she has fallen for sounded like a complete *enter offensive word here* and I utterly hated him, hence the frustration whilst reading!
I appreciate that this situation can happen to anyone and the feelings of the heart cannot be denied
Displaying 1 - 30 of 441 reviews