The Seven Ages of Death

Dr Richard Shepherd, a medical detective and Britain's top forensic pathologist, shares twenty-four of his most intriguing, enlightening and never-before-told cases.

These autopsies, spanning the seven ages of human existence, uncover the secrets not only of how a person died, but also of how they lived.

From old to young, murder to misadventure, and illness to accidental death, each body has something to reveal — about its owner's life story, how we age, justice, society, the certainty of death.

And, above all, the wonderful marvel of life itself.

The heart-wrenchingly honest book about life and death from forensic pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd.

Endorsements

A Times and Sunday Times Book of the Year.

'Deeply insightful. Unflinching' — The Times

'A finely-crafted detective story' — Daily Telegraph

'Enlightening, strangely uplifting' — Daily Mail

'Fascinating' — Daily Express

'Gripping, grimly fascinating, and I suspect I'll read it at least twice' — Evening Standard

'A deeply mesmerising memoir of forensic pathology. Human and fascinating' — Nigella Lawson

'An absolutely brilliant book. I really recommend it, I don't often say that but it's fascinating' — Jeremy Vine, BBC Radio 2

'Puts the reader at his elbow as he wields the scalpel' — The Guardian

'Fascinating, gruesome yet engrossing' — Richard and Judy, Daily Express

'Fascinating, insightful, candid, compassionate' — The Observer