Crazy crazy story that just blows your mind that this could’ve actually happened! It’s awful the things and lengths this man went to and it makes you so angry as a reader feeling like your going through it yourself but also trying to put it in perspective by putting yourself in her shoes.

Good story, reads like a thriller despite being true crime. I did however have an issue with the narrator, not their fault, totally mine.

Really enjoyed this audiobook. One of my first audiobooks and was pleased to have chosen this one. An exciting gripping listen that was terrifying and addictive.

A Divorced Woman. A Dangerous Man. A Devastating Affair.

‘You’re right. It is totally extraordinary. My life is like a film; you couldn’t make it up … But there’s something I have to tell you,’ he confided, as he leaned across the table towards me. ‘I’m not normal.’

Carolyn Woods was living happily in a quiet Cotswolds village when an attractive stranger abruptly arrived in her life.

Introducing himself as Mark Conway, he exuded confidence and to her surprise Carolyn quickly became captivated by this mysterious man. A rich Swiss banker (who later confessed to being a spy), he offered Carolyn companionship and introduced her to an exciting, glamorous world.

In fact, some things were so astonishing she began to question her new lover. Was all as it seemed?

The truth was even harder to believe. For a start, his real name was Mark Acklom, he was wanted by Interpol, and he was rich but for one reason only…

A true-crime story that reads like a thriller, Sleeping with a Psychopath is a blow-by-blow account of the power of manipulation and a testament to the human will to survive.

Thank you NetGalley for the audio version of this book, excellently narrated by Jan Cramer. I did not look at the reviews before reading this book and it wasn’t until I finished that I realised that it was, in fact, a true story. I really feel for Carolyn, an obviously intelligent woman who fell for the charms of a con-man. It would be very difficult to lose £800,000 and not feel bitter but after losing all this, she rebuilds her life, finding solace in her family, nature and photography. I was hooked from the start so I give a 5* rating.

Reviewed on Goodreads and Amazon

A great audiobook! A spooky thriller that will have you looking over your shoulder for days afterwards. Don't listen at night!

I couldn’t put this book down, I’m actually gobsmacked this intelligent woman fell for all his lies and actually believed he worked undercover , I hope she finds some peace in her life, poor lady

I couldn't get on with the narator in this audiobook, so sadly had to dnf. I think the book itself may have interest to me, but I couldn't make it through.

It takes great courage to write about a painful, personal experience. Carolyn Woods provides an incendiary account of her traumatic experience at the hands of a conman. In "Sleeping with a Psychopath", Woods illustrates the insidious nature of coercive control and surreptitious abuse, often leading to loss of identity. The police response and handling of reports is questionable at best. Woods also references Robert Hare's book on psychopathy which sounds like excellent further reading. Carolyn Woods's account is honest and brave, and I hope she finds peace and joy in her life going forward. I listened to the audiobook which was well narrated by Jan Cramer.

True crime written from the victims perspective. I have read many true crime but its mostly been from the offenders perspective and rarely from the victims.

Hearing what Carolyn went through during her time with the perpetrator, the web of lies she found herself caught in unknowingly. But what shocked me the most was what she went through when trying to report the crime, and then the process to have the perpetrator convicted.
You don't often get to know what a victim or their family goes through and in this book no only do you see, but you feel. It must have taken a lot of strength to relive the ordeal especially when writing this book, but does make you question trust, gut and also those love beer googles.

There was parts that i lost interest due to repetitiveness, and thats what let this book down.

The narration was good and did help me focus a bit more than i would if i had read the book especially on the repetitive parts of the book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me with the audiobook to provide an honest review.

Based on the real life story of British woman Carolyn Woods who meets and falls in love with conman Mark Conway. Written by Carolyn it tells all the details, the lies and outlandish stories.
I was amazed at some of the lies he told her and she believed. Some of them seemed so outrageous that you wonder how she did believe them and him - he was a spy and a Swiss banker.
She ended up giving him £750k over the subsequent months - which seems unreal and almost unbelievable but who knows what they would do if they were overwhelmed by a clever conman.
Carolyn doesn’t help herself in the book by the way she comes across and I wonder if this was part of the problem- she seems to think she knows better than everyone else and is quite arrogant which may be why she thinks no one could con her.
I do feel sorry for her and his other victims. The police came across as pretty useless and I can understand why she is so mad at them.
3.5 Stars ⭐️
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for a fair review.

I love true crime documentaries and thrillers so thought I'd love this book. That was not quite how this went, however, Sleeping with a Psychopath by Carolyn Woods was an interesting read. I had a whole host of emotions whilst reading this one. It wasn't quite what I was expecting and even by the end I wouldn't have described Aklom as a Psychopath. A career con-man yes, but a psychopath felt far fetched. Though I have no doubt he met the manipulative side of psychopathic behaviour.

I did really feel for the author and the horrendous experience she suffered at Akloms hands however I couldn't help feel frustrated at her too. Their meeting and fast moving relationship appeared almost far fetched and his stories he weaved her were fantastical. She even said she had previously had a bad experience so I struggle to see how she fell so hard for the fairy tale she was told.

The book is split in two with the first being a blow by blow account of their relationship and the second being, well, what I can only describe as a rant directed at the police force. Which was terribly drawn out and simply made the author seemed arrogant and unwilling to take any responsibility for what had happened to her. She always had someone to blame - her family, her past relationship, her friends, Aklom, the doctor, plus of course every single police officer who dealt with the case etc. In short, I really struggled to find any empathy for Carolyn due to her arrogant manner especially when she mentions her complete disregard for anti-depressants, believing herself beneath even medication. I wonder if she believes the same for countless other medications which have also saved hundreds of lives?

Having said all of that, I do not blame her for what happened to her. That is all Mark Akloms to carry. He committed a truly despicable crime but wow did Carolyn make it easy for him!

Great book telling a sad tale that could happen to anyone! Really interesting and had me engaged all the way through.

Sleeping with a Psychopath by Carolyn Woods is a sad and tragic true crime tale.

I should say that this wasn't exactly what I was expecting. Although Mark Aklom is a despicable excuse for a human being he is not what springs to my mind when I consider a Psychopath. He is , to me, a con man through and through. Nothing more.

What a terrible experience the author went through. I think it would be easy reading this to believe you wouldn't get duped, that you wouldn't fall for his amazingly far fetched and fantastical stories but many were and I think may be again in the future. The timing of this book is particularly spy as his release from prison is imminent, I intend to keep an eye out for future stories in the news of this despicable, pathetic excuse for a man. This is a tragic but cautionary tale which made me angry and frustrated to read but also I feel so bad that the author experienced this. I must admit that I was a little put off by the narrator. Although she read beautifully she came across as rather arrogant which was a shame. This did not, howrver, spoil my listening experience. I definitely recommend this book!

I wouldn't wish what Carolyn went through on anyone.
Her tale of isolation and gaslighting is terrifying and difficult to understand from the outside. For example, I thought that based on her past experience, she'd think twice about rushing into marriage.
And while I can relate to her wanting to help financially, I do wonder if I'd handle it the same way. Like I said, difficult to understand.
The story itself is fascinating. Unfortunately, I found it very difficult to empathise with Carolyn. In my opinion, she doesn't come across as a very likeable person. It might be the way her story is written - it is by no way a judgement on someone I've never met.
In an age of online dating and dating apps, this relationship that started IRL is a cautionary tale of "but for the grace of God, there go I".
I hope that Carolyn has found her way back to love and happiness.

WOW! what a story! i really enjoyed this, i was gripped from the very beginning! I couldnt stop listening! i loved every second of it, i urge others to give it a shot!

This really intrigued me and the first half of the story was very good, I did struggle how she believed the conman but do get that it is possible, and I don't know how I would react in that situation so should not pass judgement.

Now this is where I am struggling and don't want to victim shame so this is difficult to write. When the part of the story which involved the police, I really wanted to throw something at my smart speaker or phone (whatever I was listening to at the time). I do understand that there were mistakes made but it was made to be all their fault when, per the story, she wasn't being honest and transparent with them (perhaps due to the past issues)

I am glad that I listened to the story and it provoked some interesting conversations.

I was given an advance copy by the publishers and netgalley but the review is entirely my own.

I really enjoyed this true crime story and the way it was narrated. It was absolutely fascinating and the way it read like a novel sometime helped getting into it. The first part was the most captivating!

Found the narrator lacked any oomph so found it hard to concentrate on the narrative. Felt as though it just can’t be true, an educated mature woman falling for a mills and boon plot line?? Alas it is most certainly a true and cautionary tale!

Sleeping with a Psychopath is a true crime story, where the author finds the courage to tell her story: Carolyn Woods meets and fell in love with a man called Mark Conway, but soon her whole world is turned upside down by his constant lies and betrayals.

I’ve always been drawn to true crime stories and curious about the dynamics behind it, and definitely this read has given lots of insights on how easy it can be to be “fooled” by someone we think we can trust.
Praise to Carolyn to be able to put into words her story, I think she has shown great courage and I’m sure it wasn’t an easy task especially after being left so shuttered by what happened.

The story was pretty fast paced, maybe just a bit repetitive sometimes, but still gripping and shocking. I was particularly frustrated when I read about the length Carolyn had to go to find closure and have justice. It’s quite shocking that she had to push the police to actually chase Mark, while her whole life was on hold, but I’m happy that eventually she could move forward.

I couldn't engage with this. I found myself zoning out and not caring about the characters. I think it was the narration that put me off but honestly I couldn't tell you anything that happened in the book to know if it was the plot either