The Devil You Know

A fascinating window into criminal minds, suffused with compassion.
A SUNDAY TIMES, NEW STATESMAN & IRISH TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR

Their stories make a powerful case for rehabilitation over revenge, compassion over condemnation. The Devil You Know will challenge everything you thought you knew about human nature.

Readers are saying:
'Remarkable and humane .

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

From the 2024 BBC Reith Lecturer

'Compassionate and fascinating.' GUARDIAN
'Extraordinary.' THE TIMES
'Recalibrated my empathy dial.' NEW STATESMAN
'Fascinating.' SUNDAY TIMES
'Deeply humane.' IRISH TIMES
'Exceptional.' VAL McDERMID
'Extraordinary.' SEBASTIAN FAULKS
'Enlightening.' PHILIPPE SANDS
'Beautifully written.' CHRISTIE WATSON

A perspective-shattering work into the minds of violent criminals that reveals profound consequences for human nature and society at large.

Dr Gwen Adshead is one of Britain's leading forensic psychiatrists. She treats serial killers, arsonists, stalkers, gang members and other individuals who are usually labelled 'monsters'. Whatever their crime, she listens to their stories and helps them to better understand their terrible acts of violence. Here Adshead invites the reader to step with her into the room to meet twelve patients and discover how minds can change. These men and women are revealed in all their complexity and shared humanity. Their stories make a powerful case for rehabilitation over revenge, compassion over condemnation. The Devil You Know will challenge everything you thought you knew about human nature.

Readers are saying:
'Remarkable and humane . . . compassionate and full of wisdom.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Empathy and understanding shine through . . . not just informative but also deeply moving.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Shows us how to be human, how to be empathetic in the most challenging of circumstances . . . essential reading.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Can't really think of a downside at the moment . . . a gem of a read.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I was gripped . . . I am left full of admiration.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Thoughtful, thought-provoking and challenging . . . I really enjoyed this.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Personal and candid . . . This will stay with me for a long time.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Gwen Adshead and Eileen Horne's book The Devil You Know was a Sunday Times Bestseller w/c 02-07-2022
Gwen Adshead and Eileen Horne's book The Devil You Know was a Sunday Times Bestseller w/c 09-07-2022