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The Criminal Mind
The harrowing memoir of forensic psychiatrist Dr Duncan Harding
As a forensic psychiatrist, Duncan Harding has worked on some of the most harrowing cases one can imagine. spending time in the prison service, the Old Bailey and at Broadmoor psychiatric hospital. His is a life spent working with serial killers, psychopaths, children who kill their family and friends. From notorious cases of gang violence and repeated domestic abuse, to a twelve year old boy who set fire to his classmate's face, Harding reckons daily with humankind's unspeakable capacity for sadistic violence.
Yet it is the humanity of these perpetrators that is the most shocking - how, with the wrong push at the wrong time, so many people are mere inches away from similar brutality. The people Harding has met and the stories they tell paint a chilling picture of modern Britain, and the paths our society leads people down towards the most horrific of acts.
As a forensic psychiatrist, Duncan Harding has worked on some of the most harrowing cases one can imagine. spending time in the prison service, the Old Bailey and at Broadmoor psychiatric hospital. His is a life spent working with serial killers, psychopaths, children who kill their family and friends. From notorious cases of gang violence and repeated domestic abuse, to a twelve year old boy who set fire to his classmate's face, Harding reckons daily with humankind's unspeakable capacity for sadistic violence.
Yet it is the humanity of these perpetrators that is the most shocking - how, with the wrong push at the wrong time, so many people are mere inches away from similar brutality. The people Harding has met and the stories they tell paint a chilling picture of modern Britain, and the paths our society leads people down towards the most horrific of acts.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2024
171 people are currently reading
1095 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
March 24, 2026
Incredibly well written for a book of its kind. Similar information might be available but the perspective and how it's contoured makes all the difference.
September 21, 2024
A really enjoyable insight in to both the life of the writer and the parents he encounters. Full of human emotion this was disturbing in places as these were true cases. It gave a great window into the mind . I found this fascinating and a real worthwhile read.
Thank you so much to netgallery and publisher and author for this highly recommended 5 star read. Perfect for anyone who likes true crime and wants to understand the unseen complexity of the human mind
Thank you so much to netgallery and publisher and author for this highly recommended 5 star read. Perfect for anyone who likes true crime and wants to understand the unseen complexity of the human mind
August 6, 2025
This is a thoughtful memoir by a British forensic child psychiatrist. Much of it is horrifying, especially because children are held criminally responsible from the age of 10, much much younger than in the Nordics where I live. It was a slow burn at first, but many of the cases had me at the edge of my seat. Such as the case of the 13-year old girls who burned down her family home, or the distressing case of the 12-year old girl accused of possessing child pornography.
June 7, 2025
I am TOTALLY fascinated by forensic psychiatry!
May 20, 2025
I listened to this on audiobook on Spotify, read by the author.
I thought this book was just okay. I thought the pacing between the biographical aspects and clinical aspects was fine, but starting in medias res and then focusing wholly on the biographical aspects made it a slow book to get into.
The stories of the children that Dr Harding saw were interesting, but I thought the cases lacked a clinical expertise. It felt like talking to mate after work about a dreadful case they had worked on, and less about an insight into criminal psychiatry.
It’s a fine read, and may shock or interest a reader by its subject matter, but I don’t think I’d go out of my way to recommend it.
I thought this book was just okay. I thought the pacing between the biographical aspects and clinical aspects was fine, but starting in medias res and then focusing wholly on the biographical aspects made it a slow book to get into.
The stories of the children that Dr Harding saw were interesting, but I thought the cases lacked a clinical expertise. It felt like talking to mate after work about a dreadful case they had worked on, and less about an insight into criminal psychiatry.
It’s a fine read, and may shock or interest a reader by its subject matter, but I don’t think I’d go out of my way to recommend it.
December 30, 2025
Frittered out somewhat, but it was fine
August 18, 2025
3.4 stars
July 18, 2025
insanely interesting read !!
July 16, 2025
A very very interesting read! I was fascinated!
October 18, 2025
this was an absolutely fascinating and insightful read. reading this whilst being a secondary school teacher made me almost uncomfortable because no amount of prevent training or safeguarding training could prepare you for such cases.
lots to think about and discuss. it really does make you question all of society’s structures and why children are the way they are and why they do the things they do
lots to think about and discuss. it really does make you question all of society’s structures and why children are the way they are and why they do the things they do
January 18, 2025
I kind of want to go into forensic psychiatry now.
May 29, 2025
A really gripping and insightful read, I enjoyed not only hearing about the cases Dr Duncan Harding was involved in but also his life running alongside.
The book was very well written, very much like a novel and I was gripped from the beginning.
The book was very well written, very much like a novel and I was gripped from the beginning.
February 11, 2026
Took me a while to finish this one as the pace and themes of the book really slow down or become faded towards the middle. However, the book really picks up the pace following this ‘uphill’ at halfway. Many incredible stories intertwined using psychoanalytical breakdowns of patients and the author’s own life.
July 5, 2025
"Training in psychiatry is training to live with uncertainty, often without resolution, and always with a sense of wonder at the human mind" (p.160).
As a psychology graduate, I have long been fascinated by people and the human mind. During my studies, although I found the subject fascinating, I also began to feel that psychology seemed to be about our need to reduce people and their behaviours down to labels, to fit them into neat little boxes. But I felt that people were more complicated than this. For instance, if two people have the same diagnosis, they won't necessarily experience whatever ails them in the exact same way. Now, although my time as a psychology student was a long time ago, I have often turned to books similar to The Criminal Mind, to feed my fascination. And this one was particularly good, especially at highlighting the grey areas that exist.
Dr Duncan Harding writes very well about his time training in psychiatry, leading to forensic psychiatry. Through his career, he worked with adults and children, meaning that courts would call on him to provide assessments for people who had been charged with committing serious crimes. Harding is able to present his case studies in a compassionate, respectful way, which is always engaging. Some of the cases are truly sad, as I felt that various systems or agencies had let down the individuals. The way that Harding discusses the way in which courts often consider if a defendant is either "mad, or bad" is also very well done:
"I really don't like the way the courts want someone to be mad or bad when we very well know it is possible to be both. Psychiatry is not the black-and-white, open-and-shut science that juries want it to be. [....] The biggest danger of a diagnosis, any diagnosis, is that a mad and bad offender receives treatment for the mad part of them. Problem solved! He's been treated, he must be well now and he won't commit any more crime! As long as he takes his medication, they'll believe they've fixed him. He'll be released, because he's no longer mad. But guess what? He's still bad! He buys another screwdriver and he's off again!" (pp. 228-229).
Whilst this was a fascinating read, it was also quite depressing at times. It truly does show that, when courts include evidence from a forensic psychiatrist, very often it really comes down to which psychiatrist the jury finds more compelling.
If this is a subject which interests you, I would definitely recommend this book. From all the cases which are covered in this book, the cases of Layla and Amelia will possibly stay with me the most. Are you wondering why? Then maybe you should read the book to find out.
As a psychology graduate, I have long been fascinated by people and the human mind. During my studies, although I found the subject fascinating, I also began to feel that psychology seemed to be about our need to reduce people and their behaviours down to labels, to fit them into neat little boxes. But I felt that people were more complicated than this. For instance, if two people have the same diagnosis, they won't necessarily experience whatever ails them in the exact same way. Now, although my time as a psychology student was a long time ago, I have often turned to books similar to The Criminal Mind, to feed my fascination. And this one was particularly good, especially at highlighting the grey areas that exist.
Dr Duncan Harding writes very well about his time training in psychiatry, leading to forensic psychiatry. Through his career, he worked with adults and children, meaning that courts would call on him to provide assessments for people who had been charged with committing serious crimes. Harding is able to present his case studies in a compassionate, respectful way, which is always engaging. Some of the cases are truly sad, as I felt that various systems or agencies had let down the individuals. The way that Harding discusses the way in which courts often consider if a defendant is either "mad, or bad" is also very well done:
"I really don't like the way the courts want someone to be mad or bad when we very well know it is possible to be both. Psychiatry is not the black-and-white, open-and-shut science that juries want it to be. [....] The biggest danger of a diagnosis, any diagnosis, is that a mad and bad offender receives treatment for the mad part of them. Problem solved! He's been treated, he must be well now and he won't commit any more crime! As long as he takes his medication, they'll believe they've fixed him. He'll be released, because he's no longer mad. But guess what? He's still bad! He buys another screwdriver and he's off again!" (pp. 228-229).
Whilst this was a fascinating read, it was also quite depressing at times. It truly does show that, when courts include evidence from a forensic psychiatrist, very often it really comes down to which psychiatrist the jury finds more compelling.
If this is a subject which interests you, I would definitely recommend this book. From all the cases which are covered in this book, the cases of Layla and Amelia will possibly stay with me the most. Are you wondering why? Then maybe you should read the book to find out.
March 24, 2026
I found this incredibly interesting, especially the way Dr Harding’s personal life intersects with his career in criminal psychiatry. The real-life case studies were particularly compelling, especially those involving children, which really highlighted how complex and fragile the human mind can be.
The case of the boy who developed ‘blindness’ as a psychological response was fascinating, and the story of the girl who was groomed online was deeply upsetting—particularly because she was ultimately prosecuted as a perpetrator when she was, in reality, a victim.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was both thought-provoking and enlightening.
The case of the boy who developed ‘blindness’ as a psychological response was fascinating, and the story of the girl who was groomed online was deeply upsetting—particularly because she was ultimately prosecuted as a perpetrator when she was, in reality, a victim.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was both thought-provoking and enlightening.
January 3, 2025
Excellently raw and harrowing account of a forensic psychiatrist, detailing not only the cases he dealt with in his career but also insight into his personal life and how his life trajectory took him on a different path. I really enjoy works of this nature and this didn’t disappoint, really recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me access to an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me access to an ARC in exchange for an honest review
March 19, 2025
A valuable insight into the world of forensic psychiatry with a special focus on children and teenagers. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by the author.
Dr Harding eloquently discusses patients from his case files, and how he trained to specialise in forensics. His own background and childhood experiences lead him to hone in on the plight of children and young people affected by mental health issues. There were many intriguing cases, including some which were quite disturbing. The author narrates his book well overall, although in some parts I felt he was trying to hard to emphasise emotion and it came across as a little soap opera. However, I still enjoyed the book and would definitely continue reading his stories should he publish more.
Dr Harding eloquently discusses patients from his case files, and how he trained to specialise in forensics. His own background and childhood experiences lead him to hone in on the plight of children and young people affected by mental health issues. There were many intriguing cases, including some which were quite disturbing. The author narrates his book well overall, although in some parts I felt he was trying to hard to emphasise emotion and it came across as a little soap opera. However, I still enjoyed the book and would definitely continue reading his stories should he publish more.
January 25, 2026
This book is a really interesting look into both the author’s life and the lives of some of the people he has met over the years in his job as a forensic psychologist. I really enjoyed learning about all these people and their cases. I was very invested in each of them and wanted to see what was going to happen next. I think if anything I’m just sad this book wasn’t longer but overall it was really good and truly fascinating.
September 22, 2025
An easy 5 star. This book is fascinating, shocking and at times- angry making. It is also inspiring and engaging.
Would definitely recommend to anyone interested in forensic psychology or child mental health.
Would definitely recommend to anyone interested in forensic psychology or child mental health.
November 17, 2025
Loved it!!
As someone doing mental health nursing and having had a placement in a forensic hospital, this book confirmed for me this is the field i want to go into, especially to be working with children:)
So insightful in how we care for people who have mental health illnesses, and work with those, who on top of that, have committed crimes.
As someone doing mental health nursing and having had a placement in a forensic hospital, this book confirmed for me this is the field i want to go into, especially to be working with children:)
So insightful in how we care for people who have mental health illnesses, and work with those, who on top of that, have committed crimes.
January 8, 2026
A really interesting read that keeps you gripped and is an insight into his mad and wonderful world of forensic psychiatry. It’s amazing how we put everything down to mental illness but I do agree some kids need to be taught right from wrong.
February 2, 2025
A really interesting look into the life of a forensic psychiatrist, his work with criminal children and whether they are mentally unsound or just evil. Enjoyed the audiobook thoroughly.
October 18, 2025
4.5⭐️ listened to this on audio. Found it really interesting 🤔
November 10, 2025
(4.5 stars) For some reason a psychology book will always get me out of a reading slump. I loved this because it feeds into that morbid fascination I think everyone has about how can people be driven to do evil things. This was gripping, fast paced and well written.
May 24, 2025
Wow! Really enjoyed this book. Very interesting and well written and it's always good to see an empathetic and compassionate doctor.
October 29, 2024
Reading about children who commit crime is hard, dealing with those children must have been so much harder. Fascinating read, and couldn't agree more about the need for boundaries, consistent clear boundaries.
January 12, 2025
Great insight into the wonderful work of a psychiatric doctor
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews