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RedHanded: An Exploration of Criminals, Cannibals, Cults, and What Makes a Killer Tick
2021 Listeners' Choice British Podcast Awards WinnerWhat is it about killers, cult leaders, cannibals, cults, and criminals that capture our imaginations even as they terrify and disturb us?How do we responsibly consume these kinds of stories as entertainment, and more importantly, what can we learn from them? RedHanded rejects the narrative of killers as monsters and that a victim "was in the wrong place at the wrong time," and instead tells the stories we want to hear in a way that challenges perceptions and asks the hard questions about society, gender, poverty, culture, and even our politics.After meeting at a party in London where they both discovered they listened to the same murder podcasts, Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala drunkenly promised to one day start their own true crime podcast together and the rest is history. From the hosts of the hit true crime podcast RedHanded (dubbed by Rick & Morty creator Dan Harmon as the "best true crime podcast I've heard, ever"), Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala have amassed a cult following of "spooky bitches" amounting to an incredibly strong 63k downloads per episode and 728k backlist downloads every month in the US alone.With candor, humor, interviews with experts, research on real-life cases, and an unflinching dissection of what makes a killer tick, Bala and Maguire take us through the societal, behavioral, and cultural phenomena that make victims -- and their murderers -- our collective responsibility and to find out once and for what makes a killer tick?
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2021
298 people are currently reading
2416 people want to read
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August 1, 2023One of the things I like about this book is that the authors give detailed explanations for things that are 'common knowledge' but really aren't. Two examples: what the differences really are between sociopaths and psychopaths, and why lie detectors don't work and you should never, ever take one because, in the US at least, the police will definitely use it against you if they can.
Lie detector tests can be passed easily by a psychopath, but the more inclined to stress you are, the less likely you are to pass it apparently.
Good book, enjoying it.
Sociopaths are generally considered to be created through abuse and trauma, unlike the genetic psychopath, and while many of us confuse the two terms given some similar behaviors—such as a lack of empathy, dishonesty, and shallow emotions—they are two very different constructs.That perfectly describes the two women, a neighbour and an employee who were psychopaths from several sociopathic boyfriends I had in recent years. I have consciously stopped going out with them (something about them always attracted me) and now have a very empathetic, boyfriend who is a law professor who teaches Emotional Intelligence for Lawyers (as well as Taxation) so he's definitely not one of them.
Not just in terms of how they are formed in a person, but also because the sociopath, unlike the psychopath, is actually highly emotional (when it comes to negative emotions like rage) and likely to be very reckless. The best way to differentiate the two is to think of a cold, calculated, in control psychopath versus a hot-headed, volatile, impulsive sociopath.
Lie detector tests can be passed easily by a psychopath, but the more inclined to stress you are, the less likely you are to pass it apparently.
The lie detector does not measure deception, which is the core problem. Polygraphs look out for increased sweating, an elevated heart rate, and erratic breathing, but none of these responses are indicative only of lying; there could be so many other reasons for them.I can't imagine anything more stressful than having the police accuse you, totally innocent, of a major crime and then subjecting you to a polygraph test. I'm freaking out just thinking of a situation like that.
Rather than being signs of deception, these responses are usually just signs of stress. So giving someone who has just been through a stressful or traumatic experience a polygraph is pointless. Finally, some people aren’t stressed by lying, even if they have done something horrific and are being questioned by the police. Someone with psychopathic tendencies, for example, is very unlikely to have a stress-related physical response when lying or deceiving.
Good book, enjoying it.
September 23, 2021
Not at all surprised that my favourite true crime podcast would produce such an entertaining, well-written and thoroughly-researched book. This spooky bitch is very impressed!!
October 19, 2021
Having never listened to the podcast of the same name by these authors, I had no real idea of what to expect from this book going in to it beyond their take on what makes a killer. And that's pretty much what I got.
As someone who watches and reads a fair bit of true crime, I didn't get anything new here. I had heard of most of the cases and the information, although presented in an easy to read way, does sometimes come off as a bit dry at times - especially in the beginning. It also doesn't really delve that deep, giving only one or two examples of killers that support their information. It's a bit superficial. However, that said I really enjoyed the chapter on bigotry, and the information about sex workers, racial minorities and trans individuals. The high murder rate of black trans women in the USA is appalling, and incredibly under reported, and I really liked that they're represented here. It was also refreshing to see this sort of stuff discussed and analysed from a female perspective in general, as most popular true crime books I've read have been predominantly from a male gaze.
I think perhaps this would have worked better if I'd listened to it audibly, as I can see that the authors do try to inject some personality and charisma into their text, but it doesn't really come across on the page. I might try the podcast though, where the authors probably have more time and text to really go into detail about different cases.
A little lacklustre, this could have done with an extra 200 pages of information to really get the point across.
As someone who watches and reads a fair bit of true crime, I didn't get anything new here. I had heard of most of the cases and the information, although presented in an easy to read way, does sometimes come off as a bit dry at times - especially in the beginning. It also doesn't really delve that deep, giving only one or two examples of killers that support their information. It's a bit superficial. However, that said I really enjoyed the chapter on bigotry, and the information about sex workers, racial minorities and trans individuals. The high murder rate of black trans women in the USA is appalling, and incredibly under reported, and I really liked that they're represented here. It was also refreshing to see this sort of stuff discussed and analysed from a female perspective in general, as most popular true crime books I've read have been predominantly from a male gaze.
I think perhaps this would have worked better if I'd listened to it audibly, as I can see that the authors do try to inject some personality and charisma into their text, but it doesn't really come across on the page. I might try the podcast though, where the authors probably have more time and text to really go into detail about different cases.
A little lacklustre, this could have done with an extra 200 pages of information to really get the point across.
September 8, 2021
I am obsessed with Hannah and Suruthi. Everything I was hoping for. Definitely order this book! Full review to come.
July 21, 2023
4.5 stars
This book is based of the authors' podcast. Although I have never listened to it, I felt an attraction to the book when I first saw it. After reading it, I now feel an attraction to listen to the podcast.
I was pleasantly surprised on how well the book flowed and kept me entertained. It did not get bogged down and dry. I wouldn't say that I am an expert on the subject but have read about a lot on this type of subject. Yet, they were still able to throw a couple things in there that I had never heard about. One was about the Incels. I didn't even know that they existed. My mind was totally blown. On top of that, the science that they covered was very interesting and it was nice to get their thoughts on the matter. Even better was the humor that they injected through the book. Such a horrific and scary subject, yet you find yourself chuckling throughout the read.
Very enjoyable book. Looking forward to checking out the podcast.
This book is based of the authors' podcast. Although I have never listened to it, I felt an attraction to the book when I first saw it. After reading it, I now feel an attraction to listen to the podcast.
I was pleasantly surprised on how well the book flowed and kept me entertained. It did not get bogged down and dry. I wouldn't say that I am an expert on the subject but have read about a lot on this type of subject. Yet, they were still able to throw a couple things in there that I had never heard about. One was about the Incels. I didn't even know that they existed. My mind was totally blown. On top of that, the science that they covered was very interesting and it was nice to get their thoughts on the matter. Even better was the humor that they injected through the book. Such a horrific and scary subject, yet you find yourself chuckling throughout the read.
Very enjoyable book. Looking forward to checking out the podcast.
October 9, 2021
Couldn’t resist my two favorite podcasters’ debut read. But I wish the wit and humor of RedHanded translated into written form a bit more seamlessly. Definitely had some research paper vibes, which brought me back to college reading assignments and all the trauma associated. Their story telling is what makes the podcast so compelling, and those were few and far between.
Totally worth a read for all my fellow Spooky Bitches dying for a little more Hannah and Suruthi. I’m all about supporting those “top tier” women in every new endeavor. Go, girls.
Totally worth a read for all my fellow Spooky Bitches dying for a little more Hannah and Suruthi. I’m all about supporting those “top tier” women in every new endeavor. Go, girls.
February 3, 2022
My experience reading this book was largely me thinking "maybe I would be enjoying this more if..."
I'm a casual listener of the podcast and enjoy the two author's narrative styles, so I figured I should give the book a go. I listened to it, and it felt like listening to a special podcast series. It was fine, in that sense, but not remarkable. The book lacked cohesion and depth. Each chapters was a self contained case study that wasn't necessarily related to other chapters or even demonstrated its point beyond providing anecdotal evidence. I found myself frustrated really often (and not only with some of the inaccurate neuroscience), hence the two star rating.
I wasn't quite sure who the intended audience of this book was - if it's for true crime fans, why focus almost exclusively on famous and well-covered cases? If it's for people dipping their toes into the genre, won't many of these passages be confusing and disjointed? In short, this book did not read like a book but read like a podcast series. I'd recommend it if you're casually into true crime, but I seem to have had my fill.
I'm a casual listener of the podcast and enjoy the two author's narrative styles, so I figured I should give the book a go. I listened to it, and it felt like listening to a special podcast series. It was fine, in that sense, but not remarkable. The book lacked cohesion and depth. Each chapters was a self contained case study that wasn't necessarily related to other chapters or even demonstrated its point beyond providing anecdotal evidence. I found myself frustrated really often (and not only with some of the inaccurate neuroscience), hence the two star rating.
I wasn't quite sure who the intended audience of this book was - if it's for true crime fans, why focus almost exclusively on famous and well-covered cases? If it's for people dipping their toes into the genre, won't many of these passages be confusing and disjointed? In short, this book did not read like a book but read like a podcast series. I'd recommend it if you're casually into true crime, but I seem to have had my fill.
September 29, 2021
So for my second book written by beloved true crime podcasters, I have good feelings. The problem with the medium of transferring from podcast to book is it is generally more formal (so no outraged protestations of, Suruthi or Hannah saying something like, "Of course they didn't, you giant piece of trash!" and less of the back-and-forth between the authors that we get from them as podcasters). But at the same time, being forced to be more serious gives them a chance to deep dive into concepts they don't really get to explore with the podcast.
That said, with the exception of the Toy Box Killer, which is one serial killer I've run across that I absolutely cannot listen to stories about and had to skip over somewhat, the whole book was excellent and I liked their take on the podcast-to-book format. Every chapter covered more of a psychological pathology, with a story/serial killer to illustrate, instead of every chapter covering a different killer/crime and just being a more formal rehash than you'd get in an episode of the podcast (sorry LPOTL boys, the girls outdid you there). Their chapter on race and bigotry was by far... well to call it my favorite is to minimalize what it was about, but it did catch my interest the most of all the subjects they covered. But I felt like I actually learned something, which was a nice surprise. The other chapter that gave me something that felt new was the one that touched on childhood psychopathy, which was both interesting and kind of frightening (because I have a 10 year old nephew who ticks every childhood serial killer box -- don't get me started there, Goodreads -- and they included a few I didn't know about, like the ADHD connection).
As far as getting the audio vs. the book is concerned, without having purchased the physical book, I can't say for sure (for all I know there could have been pictures or graphs which were glossed over in the audio version) but with the knowledge I currently have, I would fully recommend the audiobook, which, as I'd expect, was read by the authors. 5/5 stars for performance on both Hannah and Suruthi. Plus, if you get the audiobook, there's a bonus interview at the end. I didn't feel it added much to the book itself and could have been featured on their Patreon, but I'm all about bonus material.
That said, with the exception of the Toy Box Killer, which is one serial killer I've run across that I absolutely cannot listen to stories about and had to skip over somewhat, the whole book was excellent and I liked their take on the podcast-to-book format. Every chapter covered more of a psychological pathology, with a story/serial killer to illustrate, instead of every chapter covering a different killer/crime and just being a more formal rehash than you'd get in an episode of the podcast (sorry LPOTL boys, the girls outdid you there). Their chapter on race and bigotry was by far... well to call it my favorite is to minimalize what it was about, but it did catch my interest the most of all the subjects they covered. But I felt like I actually learned something, which was a nice surprise. The other chapter that gave me something that felt new was the one that touched on childhood psychopathy, which was both interesting and kind of frightening (because I have a 10 year old nephew who ticks every childhood serial killer box -- don't get me started there, Goodreads -- and they included a few I didn't know about, like the ADHD connection).
As far as getting the audio vs. the book is concerned, without having purchased the physical book, I can't say for sure (for all I know there could have been pictures or graphs which were glossed over in the audio version) but with the knowledge I currently have, I would fully recommend the audiobook, which, as I'd expect, was read by the authors. 5/5 stars for performance on both Hannah and Suruthi. Plus, if you get the audiobook, there's a bonus interview at the end. I didn't feel it added much to the book itself and could have been featured on their Patreon, but I'm all about bonus material.
April 9, 2022
I guess I have nobody else to blame but myself for this embarrassing experience. I should have known that people who unironically call themselves and others Spooky Bitches weren’t going to produce anything of value. This book is what’s the worst about the podcast culture in the nutshell: arrogance mixed with painful mediocrity that desperately tries to be hilarious.
There is no normal sentence in this book. We are bombarded by one unfunny comment and metaphor after another, in that cringeworthy, pseudo-cutesy style of people who think they are-not-like-other-girls. We are so crazyyyyyy and quirkyyyyyy, nudge nudge, wink wink. The level of maturity matches the writing: the language, style, and composition match high-school essays. Outline-topic-thesis statement-intro-body-conclusion. And now next bullet point. Examples and the depth of research are consistent with writing. The self-proclaimed experts mention only the well known cases and don’t bother to provide more information than what can be found in Wikipedia.
True crime is one of the most popular genres, from movies, to books, to the dreadful podcasts. The literature is broad and rich; much of it top-notch, written by forensic anthropologists, profilers, detectives, in other words, people who know what they’re talking about and also respect their readers. This book doesn’t bring anything new to the table, besides second-hand embarrassment.
There is no normal sentence in this book. We are bombarded by one unfunny comment and metaphor after another, in that cringeworthy, pseudo-cutesy style of people who think they are-not-like-other-girls. We are so crazyyyyyy and quirkyyyyyy, nudge nudge, wink wink. The level of maturity matches the writing: the language, style, and composition match high-school essays. Outline-topic-thesis statement-intro-body-conclusion. And now next bullet point. Examples and the depth of research are consistent with writing. The self-proclaimed experts mention only the well known cases and don’t bother to provide more information than what can be found in Wikipedia.
True crime is one of the most popular genres, from movies, to books, to the dreadful podcasts. The literature is broad and rich; much of it top-notch, written by forensic anthropologists, profilers, detectives, in other words, people who know what they’re talking about and also respect their readers. This book doesn’t bring anything new to the table, besides second-hand embarrassment.
September 17, 2021
Redhanded is the only true crime podcast I listen to. I usually can't stand them; I don't particularly like hearing all the lurid details, nor do I feel comfortable with the sensationalization of violence and the criminal justice system. This book is an example of what the girls do best — providing thoughtful, down to earth analysis that talks about the social context of crime as much as they do a killer's childhood.
In the podcast, Hannah nd Suruthi make a point of talking about the "heavy hitters" such as Ted Bundy. They claim not to have much to say about them, so it's odd that those are the cases they cover in the book. While the analysis is interesting, the examples they use are well-worn cases. Why provide a wider variety in the podcast but not the book? I found it an odd choice.
In the podcast, Hannah nd Suruthi make a point of talking about the "heavy hitters" such as Ted Bundy. They claim not to have much to say about them, so it's odd that those are the cases they cover in the book. While the analysis is interesting, the examples they use are well-worn cases. Why provide a wider variety in the podcast but not the book? I found it an odd choice.
January 17, 2022
Poorly researched trash by two privileged little girls who think violence against women is hilarious (they also think sex trafficking doesn't really exist, but is just a lie to persecute elite men who buy little girls of color).
Hard pass on this book and their cold blooded podcast.
Sick.
Hard pass on this book and their cold blooded podcast.
Sick.
October 13, 2021
Ok, the authors know what they're talking about. They dove into several not as known cases, and into psychology of serial killers.
BUT
They lost me a bit at the end with 2 hours of interviews. I blanked out after the first one.
BUT
They lost me a bit at the end with 2 hours of interviews. I blanked out after the first one.
September 13, 2021
#RedHanded:
“Get ready, because we’re about to take you on a magic school bus journey of science, junk science, and everything in between.”
It was such a fascinating read and it was backed up by facts. That’s what I’m here for. Give me the studies if we’re going to talk about the brain, give me the Dr.’s clinical trial info. The book flowed so well and the snark that added was done at the most perfect times. I didn’t feel like I was a reading a book, but a transcript of their podcast. The true crime examples were woven masterfully into the topics being discussed with lots of sidebars. If you know me, I’m a sidebar queen, so this was much appreciated.
Listen, if Ms. Frizzle moonlighted on the side as a crime podcaster, I am backing it. That’s why I enjoy RedHanded. It’s not just the facts about a case, it gives a deeper why or how. I get to understand the root cause like an episode of magic school bus. The only difference is we’d be going inside DNA for genes or someone’s brain every episode.
I learned a lot, I laughed even more, and I might have shed a tear or two. I think their personal touch of snark was added well to the book and came across as the perfect time to have a laugh during a serious topic. If you’re a podcast person, you need to listen to RedHanded. Need. Thank you Kaye Publicity for the gifted copy. RedHanded is out 9/14! 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️.5/5
“Get ready, because we’re about to take you on a magic school bus journey of science, junk science, and everything in between.”
It was such a fascinating read and it was backed up by facts. That’s what I’m here for. Give me the studies if we’re going to talk about the brain, give me the Dr.’s clinical trial info. The book flowed so well and the snark that added was done at the most perfect times. I didn’t feel like I was a reading a book, but a transcript of their podcast. The true crime examples were woven masterfully into the topics being discussed with lots of sidebars. If you know me, I’m a sidebar queen, so this was much appreciated.
Listen, if Ms. Frizzle moonlighted on the side as a crime podcaster, I am backing it. That’s why I enjoy RedHanded. It’s not just the facts about a case, it gives a deeper why or how. I get to understand the root cause like an episode of magic school bus. The only difference is we’d be going inside DNA for genes or someone’s brain every episode.
I learned a lot, I laughed even more, and I might have shed a tear or two. I think their personal touch of snark was added well to the book and came across as the perfect time to have a laugh during a serious topic. If you’re a podcast person, you need to listen to RedHanded. Need. Thank you Kaye Publicity for the gifted copy. RedHanded is out 9/14! 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️.5/5
September 18, 2022
I don’t think these podcasters, talented though they are, are qualified to write a book like this. Figures and statistics spewed forth and available anywhere, and their attempts at analyses; Jim Clemente these girls are not. wishing they could’ve used lesser known cases as examples, the world of true crime is wider and more cruel than we could know.
Just a tip: if you decide to read this book, jump for the audiobook. At least there you’ll be able to appreciate Hannah’s and Suruthi’s unique personalities.
Just a tip: if you decide to read this book, jump for the audiobook. At least there you’ll be able to appreciate Hannah’s and Suruthi’s unique personalities.
February 27, 2024
5+++ fascinating stars !!!!
After having recently discovered the podcast, I thought I would attempt this book. Initially, I expected it would be a hard slog through an interesting subject but I was delighted to find that the easy conversational style, made famous by the 'award-winning-3-years-in-a-row-podcast' is not lost at all, and Hannah and Suruthi brilliantly deliver a deep-dive into...well, exactly what the title says they will.
An absolute MUST for True Crime fans
After having recently discovered the podcast, I thought I would attempt this book. Initially, I expected it would be a hard slog through an interesting subject but I was delighted to find that the easy conversational style, made famous by the 'award-winning-3-years-in-a-row-podcast' is not lost at all, and Hannah and Suruthi brilliantly deliver a deep-dive into...well, exactly what the title says they will.
An absolute MUST for True Crime fans
July 16, 2022
I’ve been listening to Redhanded (the podcast) for a few months and this book just solidified my intense love for Hannah & Suruthi! This was so enjoyable and I annotated so much. 10/10 recommend if you’re interested in true crime and always want to learn more!
October 17, 2021
I'm a fan of the Redhanded podcast, so of course I wanted to pick up their book!
The book goes over the various types of killers, why they do what they do, and summaries of scientific findings. A lot of it was stories I'd read up on before, and I didn't fully agree with their analysis of the Jonestown murders, but overall it was a fun read, especially for October.
The book goes over the various types of killers, why they do what they do, and summaries of scientific findings. A lot of it was stories I'd read up on before, and I didn't fully agree with their analysis of the Jonestown murders, but overall it was a fun read, especially for October.
March 3, 2023
3.75/5
Thâm nhập vào đầu kẻ sát nhân mới thấy nó điên loạn và man rợ khủng khiếp
Thâm nhập vào đầu kẻ sát nhân mới thấy nó điên loạn và man rợ khủng khiếp
September 30, 2021
Very addictive and easy read. Great if you like the podcast, and great if you just like true crime.
April 17, 2024
Huge fan of the podcast so was always going to love it. But their chosen focus points were informative and engaging as well as interesting comments on society as a whole & our obsession with true crime. Easy read with playful tone of podcast packed with intellectual back up.
August 14, 2022
This was definitely a highly detailed thrilling read!
January 29, 2022
Of the books I've read so far from eminent true crime/history podcasters, RedHanded is the one I've enjoyed the most. Whereas the podcast tackles true crime on a case-by-case basis, generally emphasizing the humanity of both perpetrators and victims, the book focuses on what might be called "the origins of evil", using a few famous cases as reference points. Suruthi Bala and Hannah Maguire don't subscribe to the "born evil" tropes that have long been a mainstay of TV crime documentaries and reactionary law & order types. Instead they emphasize the dual role of nature and nurture -- as well as various traumas -- that lead to the creation of unhinged sex maniacs like David Parker Ray, Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka, and Gary Heidnik. Rich in citations from articles and books written by criminologists and medical professionals, the book is saved from dryness by the peppy, humorous tone that Bala and Maguire bring with them. The book isn't as good as the "RedHanded" podcast, but anything that describes Catholic boarding schools as "God-sponsored abuse pits" has to be worth a read, right?
Side-note: I noticed a lot of references to the work of Michael Stone, whose name I recognised as the host of the short-lived true crime series "Most Evil". I'm now binge-watching the series I first discovered during my many days off school. Thanks for the nostalgia hit, ladies!
Side-note: I noticed a lot of references to the work of Michael Stone, whose name I recognised as the host of the short-lived true crime series "Most Evil". I'm now binge-watching the series I first discovered during my many days off school. Thanks for the nostalgia hit, ladies!
October 17, 2021
I just found the Redhanded podcast a month or so ago and have binged literally all 200+ episodes of it in that time. And it's maybe (probably) because I've listened to them all so recently that I feel like there's not much new in this book. There were so many mentions of "saving that for the book" in the podcast that I thought there would be new cases talked about, but they had already done most of the cases in the book in the podcast. I saw another review that said this would be a good book for someone new to true crime and I agree - but most people who have been into it for years won't find much new here. Still, I'm proud of the girls for publishing a book and I wish them continued success.
Also there is an interview at the end of the book with a fiction writer and it is cringe. It could've used a good bit of editing - way too many "oh yeah" and "uh huh" by Hannah and Suruthi, like they were trying to make sure they were heard without adding anything. I'm guessing it was a last-minute add since they had to chop the other interview?
Also there is an interview at the end of the book with a fiction writer and it is cringe. It could've used a good bit of editing - way too many "oh yeah" and "uh huh" by Hannah and Suruthi, like they were trying to make sure they were heard without adding anything. I'm guessing it was a last-minute add since they had to chop the other interview?
December 13, 2021
Rtc - I would like to read a few more of the papers referenced.
Off first glance well written, good overview with a few niggles.
BPD - you need to meet 5 of the 9 criteria to be diagnosed not 7, as confirmed in the DSM 5 (which has been mentioned as where they are obtaining specific definitions of dx). I found this a little odd because a little before for NPD they rightly say that 5 of dx criteria need to be met for this dx. If they were working off different advice than the DSM 5, such as how medical professionals are currently using information, I wouldve expected to have seen a mention of EUPD, which at least in the south of the UK, is used in replacement of BPD by MH professionals, gp's & charities working in this sector. However NHS website still correlates to DSM 5 with the name BPD.
Sex - Also I found the sex chapter acceptable but within the introductory 2 paragraphs makes some large sweeping statements about humankind & our relationship to sex which erases the existence of Asexuality which is a shame. I wouldve appreciated some awareness and rewording, in this bit.
Off first glance well written, good overview with a few niggles.
BPD - you need to meet 5 of the 9 criteria to be diagnosed not 7, as confirmed in the DSM 5 (which has been mentioned as where they are obtaining specific definitions of dx). I found this a little odd because a little before for NPD they rightly say that 5 of dx criteria need to be met for this dx. If they were working off different advice than the DSM 5, such as how medical professionals are currently using information, I wouldve expected to have seen a mention of EUPD, which at least in the south of the UK, is used in replacement of BPD by MH professionals, gp's & charities working in this sector. However NHS website still correlates to DSM 5 with the name BPD.
Sex - Also I found the sex chapter acceptable but within the introductory 2 paragraphs makes some large sweeping statements about humankind & our relationship to sex which erases the existence of Asexuality which is a shame. I wouldve appreciated some awareness and rewording, in this bit.
October 20, 2021
I love this podcast but reading this their humor does not convey well to written format. If I had listened to the audiobook (not sure if there will be one) I think it would have been a million times better. In written form it just seems extremely cringey.
December 30, 2021
Wow, that got dark real fast. I was pleasantly plodding along through the chapters on incels and Jonestown thinking that the world is a dark place but that these two women are ferreting it out and putting it in a book (like their podcast that I don't listen to) and then the last two chapters, particularly the last chapter titled "Sex: Torture Trailers, Tribal Tats, and Truth or Consequences" just went there in a way that left me a little aghast with humanity-- again, it's all in one place so it feels super dark, however these are the most horrific cases. It was the kind of stuff that by the end you question whether you should be reading -- what is our continued and deep interest in serial killers, disturbing murders, and hardened criminals? And then I feel for the women and men who investigate these crimes.
There is a organization to the chapters that are more essay-like but do have a general arc in that the stories are all deeply disturbing but endlessly fascinating explorations of crime-- is it biological, is it nurture, is there a mental defect, how should they be prosecuted, how do we find them, what does law enforcement need in order to solve these cases better in the future?
I was the most entrenched in their chapter on two mothers who killed their children- Andrea Yates and Susan Smith whose stories I knew, yet in addition to the stories themselves, it was also about their prosecution as killers that the authors dove in to. And I have some new reading material to branch out with which is one of the gems I liked about the book is there reference to other materials.
"'... So the way I like to say it is: your genetics load the gun, your personality aims it, and the events in your life pull the trigger.'"
"It is estimated that around 170,000 Romanian children were abandoned in such institutions, which became known as 'child gulags' or 'the slaughterhouses of the souls'. At the end of 1989 the communist dictatorship finally fell, and Romania's plight would be one of such horror that is would go on to be dubbed 'the shame of the nation.'"
"Things only got worse when Ray's diaries were discovered. It appeared that he kept incredibly detailed and ordered accounts of every single assault he had ever committed (meticulous record-keeping bingo). According to these journals, many of the women he abducted had died as a result of what he had done to them. The problem for investigators was that he never included his victims' names in these torture logs, so tracking them down or matching them to missing persons' accounts would be difficult if not impossible."
There is a organization to the chapters that are more essay-like but do have a general arc in that the stories are all deeply disturbing but endlessly fascinating explorations of crime-- is it biological, is it nurture, is there a mental defect, how should they be prosecuted, how do we find them, what does law enforcement need in order to solve these cases better in the future?
I was the most entrenched in their chapter on two mothers who killed their children- Andrea Yates and Susan Smith whose stories I knew, yet in addition to the stories themselves, it was also about their prosecution as killers that the authors dove in to. And I have some new reading material to branch out with which is one of the gems I liked about the book is there reference to other materials.
"'... So the way I like to say it is: your genetics load the gun, your personality aims it, and the events in your life pull the trigger.'"
"It is estimated that around 170,000 Romanian children were abandoned in such institutions, which became known as 'child gulags' or 'the slaughterhouses of the souls'. At the end of 1989 the communist dictatorship finally fell, and Romania's plight would be one of such horror that is would go on to be dubbed 'the shame of the nation.'"
"Things only got worse when Ray's diaries were discovered. It appeared that he kept incredibly detailed and ordered accounts of every single assault he had ever committed (meticulous record-keeping bingo). According to these journals, many of the women he abducted had died as a result of what he had done to them. The problem for investigators was that he never included his victims' names in these torture logs, so tracking them down or matching them to missing persons' accounts would be difficult if not impossible."
December 25, 2021
For those that like their holiday with a side of true crime, if you haven’t read this book then I highly recommend it. If you like audiobooks, then you must read it that way for sure, the authors narrate their own book and it is fantastic.
Do you listen to true crime podcasts? I have gotten away from them as I listen to audiobooks these days, and prior to reading this I had not heard of @redhandedthepod but as soon as I read this book I swiftly looked up and listened to this one and I am now a fan. Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala met at a house party in London and started their true crime podcast after discovering they both had a love for this genre. In their book, Redhanded, they explore real-life true crime cases to try and answer the ages old question of whether a killer is born or is made.
I was captivated from the very first chapter and could not stop listening until this one was over, and will say that while I recommend the audio, the physical book is laid out in a way that is very easy to read and I did follow along using both. Each chapter explores a different concept in answering this question, and I thought these two did such a great job, leaving nothing out. The chapter on cults is not to be missed. This is a short read coming in at 256 pages, but they definitely cover a lot in here and I just could not get enough.
If you need something to use your gift cards on after the presents are opened these next couple of days, add this one to your list, and then go check out their podcast if you want to hear more about specific true crime cases.
A huge thank you to @kayepublicity for the gifted book to review, this was published in September and is available now!
Do you listen to true crime podcasts? I have gotten away from them as I listen to audiobooks these days, and prior to reading this I had not heard of @redhandedthepod but as soon as I read this book I swiftly looked up and listened to this one and I am now a fan. Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala met at a house party in London and started their true crime podcast after discovering they both had a love for this genre. In their book, Redhanded, they explore real-life true crime cases to try and answer the ages old question of whether a killer is born or is made.
I was captivated from the very first chapter and could not stop listening until this one was over, and will say that while I recommend the audio, the physical book is laid out in a way that is very easy to read and I did follow along using both. Each chapter explores a different concept in answering this question, and I thought these two did such a great job, leaving nothing out. The chapter on cults is not to be missed. This is a short read coming in at 256 pages, but they definitely cover a lot in here and I just could not get enough.
If you need something to use your gift cards on after the presents are opened these next couple of days, add this one to your list, and then go check out their podcast if you want to hear more about specific true crime cases.
A huge thank you to @kayepublicity for the gifted book to review, this was published in September and is available now!
September 23, 2021
"Chapter by chapter, we're going to delve into some of the most brutal murders from across the world and ask the obvious question the heart of them all: What makes a killer tick?"
And this is exactly what this book was about! It was one heck of an amazing book and all I can say is READ IT!
Why?
- It is written by the hosts of RedHanded true crime podcast which is one of my favourite podcasts!
- In-depth research on different cases with analysis of these criminals which was really interesting!
- With all the stuff you will learn from this book, you will definitely feel smarter after reading this book. So you may not want to hang out with me as I may secretly diagnose you using the PCR-L test!
- Absolutely engaging writing and was unputdownable!
There are eight chapters in this book that discusses topics from genetics (MAOA gene), cults, relationships to sex and I loved all the extra information on the sidebars! There are some really disturbing cases and they certainly save the worst one for last that talks about torture, BDSM and the notorious Toy Box Killer. So yeah, you do need a strong stomach for some of the cases here.
Did you know that in the 1980s, the city of Philadelphia was the hunting ground for three serial killers - The Frankford Slasher, Gary Heidnik and Harrison Graham?? Eeekk.
So I hope I have convinced you to pick up this book. This was a solid 5-star read for me!
***Thank you Running Press for this gifted copy to read and review. All opinions expressed are my own.***
Why?
- It is written by the hosts of RedHanded true crime podcast which is one of my favourite podcasts!
- In-depth research on different cases with analysis of these criminals which was really interesting!
- With all the stuff you will learn from this book, you will definitely feel smarter after reading this book. So you may not want to hang out with me as I may secretly diagnose you using the PCR-L test!
- Absolutely engaging writing and was unputdownable!
There are eight chapters in this book that discusses topics from genetics (MAOA gene), cults, relationships to sex and I loved all the extra information on the sidebars! There are some really disturbing cases and they certainly save the worst one for last that talks about torture, BDSM and the notorious Toy Box Killer. So yeah, you do need a strong stomach for some of the cases here.
Did you know that in the 1980s, the city of Philadelphia was the hunting ground for three serial killers - The Frankford Slasher, Gary Heidnik and Harrison Graham?? Eeekk.
So I hope I have convinced you to pick up this book. This was a solid 5-star read for me!
***Thank you Running Press for this gifted copy to read and review. All opinions expressed are my own.***
September 16, 2021
My Review Of
REDHANDED
By Authors Suruthi Baka & Hannah Macguire
Published by Running Press Adult/ Hachette Books
Gifted by {Partner} Kaye Publicity
On Sale: 9/14/21 - Purchase Link in my Bio
*****
This was a fascinating in depth look and learning experience at possible causes to what can create evil in a person. This evil can turn into many forms from an early age or until a trigger period that sets off a mechanism within their brain that can lead to harming others, killing someone or even becoming a serial killer.
It was studied and found back within a family from the 1800s moving forward a defunct gene that was called MAOA. It linked human behavior to aggression. This became known as the “warrior gene”. So the question of nature versus nurture comes down to that it could be both. And a child’s upbringing with abuse can trigger this gene.
This book goes on with such expansive information and knowledge on other factors that can break a child or human psyche that is only bound to create horrific results if not treated in due time. The stories of true psychopaths were chilling and fed my intrigue into why and how such monsters came to be. This book is a must read, full of everything a thriller lover needs and wants to know; conveniently condensed in a well written and thoroughly researched book. 5 Stars deposited into the bank on this incredible read.
REDHANDED
By Authors Suruthi Baka & Hannah Macguire
Published by Running Press Adult/ Hachette Books
Gifted by {Partner} Kaye Publicity
On Sale: 9/14/21 - Purchase Link in my Bio
*****
This was a fascinating in depth look and learning experience at possible causes to what can create evil in a person. This evil can turn into many forms from an early age or until a trigger period that sets off a mechanism within their brain that can lead to harming others, killing someone or even becoming a serial killer.
It was studied and found back within a family from the 1800s moving forward a defunct gene that was called MAOA. It linked human behavior to aggression. This became known as the “warrior gene”. So the question of nature versus nurture comes down to that it could be both. And a child’s upbringing with abuse can trigger this gene.
This book goes on with such expansive information and knowledge on other factors that can break a child or human psyche that is only bound to create horrific results if not treated in due time. The stories of true psychopaths were chilling and fed my intrigue into why and how such monsters came to be. This book is a must read, full of everything a thriller lover needs and wants to know; conveniently condensed in a well written and thoroughly researched book. 5 Stars deposited into the bank on this incredible read.
July 20, 2022
I discovered this podcast when the authors/hosts were interviewed on another podcast I listened to. I enjoyed it enough that I have binged more than 4 years worth of episodes plus several months of episodes in their second podcast in the last few weeks. Then I remembered they wrote a book, so I ordered it.
The thing that I like about the podcast is the key to the book -- not just discussions of the gritty details of the crimes, but an attempt to figure out the why of the crime and the takeaways for individuals and societies to prevent or mitigate future offenses. In addition, the Spooky Bitches focus on a variety of cases, including serial killers I have never heard of despite being a lawyer, a psychology grad student, and a long-term true crime fanatic. They cover cases around the world and delve into overlooked cases involving marginalized communities. The book is a good accompaniment to the podcast and cites research in the field of Forensic psychology, rather than just pontificating or piling on salacious fact patterns. This will go on my permanent shelf next to textbooks and Robert Ressler.
The thing that I like about the podcast is the key to the book -- not just discussions of the gritty details of the crimes, but an attempt to figure out the why of the crime and the takeaways for individuals and societies to prevent or mitigate future offenses. In addition, the Spooky Bitches focus on a variety of cases, including serial killers I have never heard of despite being a lawyer, a psychology grad student, and a long-term true crime fanatic. They cover cases around the world and delve into overlooked cases involving marginalized communities. The book is a good accompaniment to the podcast and cites research in the field of Forensic psychology, rather than just pontificating or piling on salacious fact patterns. This will go on my permanent shelf next to textbooks and Robert Ressler.
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