Psychic Detectives

Cara Dobbing

The Mysterious Use of Paranormal Phenomena in Solving True Crimes

Jenny Randles & Peter Hough

Amber Books 2021

Hb, 256pp, £19.99, ISBN 9781838861551

This revised edition of the original 2001 publication of Psychic Detectives takes real life criminal cases and frames them in terms of the supernatural. The authors explore the widespread fascination with some of the grimmest serial murders in history and examine the role “psychic detectives” have had in solving the highest profile cases.

For those with an interest in true crime, this book presents the “other” side of the criminal investigation: psychics assisting police forces in solving crimes. One instance was in the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper, with one individual claiming to have had a vision of the killer, which turned out to be eerily similar to Peter Sutcliffe. However, numerous other mediums came forward, fuelled by the media storm at the time, with incorrect descriptions such as the killer’s occupation, name and location.

This updated edition includes some more recent cases that involve a supernatural element. For instance, the cargo ship that blocked the Suez Canal, the Ever Given, has been included with an explanation as to the possible role that famous spoon-bender Uri Geller, along with an army of global fans, had in freeing the vessel.

With lots of fascinating colour photographs, illustrations and short summarised cases, this is an eye-catching volume that makes an intriguing coffee table read. The snappy sections and famous events discussed will help conversation flow among like-minded curiosity hunters. The book will also appeal to horror fans, as there are links to classic cinematic and literary depictions of poltergeists, spirits and mystic phenomena. Definitely worth a read for both believers and non-believers.

★★★★