Making a Psychopath: My Journey Into Seven Dangerous Minds - Hardcover

by Mark Freestone (Author)

Find out what truly creates and defines a psychopath, from the leading expert who helped to create Killing Eve's Villanelle.

Dr. Mark Freestone has worked on some of the most interesting, infamous and disturbing cases of psychopathology in recent years. His expertise has led to a consultant role on several TV series, helping them accurately portray their fictional villains. Now, he shares his phenomenal insight into the minds of some of the world's most violent real-life criminals.

Angela "the Remorseless", a rare female psychopath, casually confessed to murder on national television without a hint of regret. Danny "the Borderline" switched from grandiosity to rage to despair within minutes and killed his defenseless friend without explanation. Tony "the Conman" preferred charm, intimidation and sexual abuse over physical violence and once tried to dupe someone into buying the Eiffel Tower. Jason "the Liar" had a fantasy life that led to vicious murders around Europe and preyed on those who see the good in people. Case by fascinating case, get to know seven of the most dangerous minds that Dr. Freestone has encountered over the last 15 years. These are up-close accounts of some of the most psychopathic criminals, and of what can happen if you fall victim to their supreme powers of manipulation.

Exploring the many factors that make a psychopath, the complexities and contradictions of their emotions and behavior, as well as an examination of how the lives of psychopaths develop inside and outside the institutions that are supposed to contain them, Making a Psychopath opens up a window into the world of those who operate in a void of human emotion--and what can be done to control them.

Author Biography

Mark Freestone, PhD is Associate Professor in Mental Health, Queen Mary University of London. He has worked in prisons and forensic mental health services for over 15 years as a researcher and clinician. He is a consultant for several TV shows including BBC America's Killing Eve, an editor of the Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology and advises the government on services for people with a diagnosis of personality disorder. Making a Psychopath is his first book.