A very powerful and gripping story that is difficult to read in some parts but worth sticking with. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

This is a no holds barred kind of book. Absolutely fascinating reading about the experiences of a prison psychologist, working with some of the worst offenders in the country. In parts it was pretty upsetting reading about what the victims had been put through or even prison officers etc. being taken hostage. I didn’t want to put it down, because even though the subject matter was graphic the book is fascinating.
I have to stand up and take my hat off to the people who worked in this environment; putting their lives at risk on a daily basis and all because they wanted to help offenders admit that what they did was wrong and maybe find a way to cope with their anger, outbursts etc. Not always possible but the author and her colleagues did try.
Definitely one to read but maybe during the day.

If you like detective thrillers, sometimes it's good to be brought down to earth by learning about the inmates at a real top security prison. The inmates discussed in this book are sex offenders, rapists and murderers. It is extremely grim and Dr Rebecca Myers attempts to bring these criminals to acknowledge their crimes in a structured programme called SOTP, with a view to rehabilitation. Some of these prisoners had a childhood from hell and one cannot help thinking what if they were brought up in a loving family instead? I am sure their life outcomes would have been different. Not all offenders could blame it on their upbringing and many things can conspire to turn a reasonable human being into a monster..The most interesting aspect of the book was how the programme caused Rebecca to rethink her own life. Frankly, I think she was very naive when she first crossed the entrance to HMP Graymoor and fell prey to one of the more experienced prison officers, something which her psychologist training should have rang alarm bells over. With just one exception in the book we see that everyone is a shade of grey, including prison staff, inmates and psychologists.
I tried to get my daughter to choose forensic psychology but she chose something different. After reading this book I am glad she did. Some things cannot be un-seen or un-heard and frankly I do not know how people like Rebecca manage to live a normal life.

It seems wrong to call this book interesting given that it centres around the psychology and treatment of sex offenders, but that’s exactly how i found it. A fascinating and somewhat educational read following Dr Rebecca Myers first treatment groups while also reflecting on her own situation at the time.
I admit some parts were more disturbing and difficult to read than others- specifically the slightly more detailed accounts along with majority of the offender’s stories being against children.
I always wonder how people can do a job like this and not be madly affected- Myers includes sections of this in her writing and I am amazed at the ways her work affected her life and the other’s she worked alongside in the forensic psychology field.

Thanks Netgalley, HarperCollins UK, and Dr Rebecca Myers for the ARC.

It feels strange to say I enjoyed this book as it is a difficult subject but I found it very intriguing. Some parts of the book were very sad and make you think about things that are upsetting. I normally read fiction so it was different but very well written and thought provoking. It’s not a job I’ve ever thought about before and it definitely seems like a tough one, I hope it is rewarding as it sounds otherwise why would anyone put themselves through it. Overall it was an interesting, educational and emotional book to read which I would recommend. I’ve just re read my review and wanted to point out that the bits before the buts are not what it said in the book haha.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for my advanced reading copy.

An interesting insight into the pyscology of sex offenders and murderers and the way in which they try to confront their crimes. After a while it became rather repetitive and I am not sure that this process really works. We can all make excuses for our choices.

This book gripped me from the first page. I was expecting it to be interesting, but it was so well-written that I couldn't put it down. It is a fascinating look at the treatment of sex offenders, which is a must-read for anyone who has ever given an opinion on how these people should be dealt with. Some of the details of the offences committed by the prisoners are disturbing and horrific, but this is an intelligent look at treatment rather than a shock-fest. I will definitely be recommending this book.

‘Inside Job’ is a fascinating read for anybody interested in the academics of psychology - Dr. Rebecca Myers describes her lifes work as a psychologist in one of Britain’s top psychiatric prisons, where those deemed too mentally unwell are sent after committing some of the most horrific crimes.

It was interesting and it was educational - it took you through the implementation of the sex offender rehabilitation program, and how taxing it is on those who carry out. It was well written for somebody who is not an author by trade and tackled with the appropriate level of sensitivity for such graphic and hard hitting topics.

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My one criticism is not with the content of this book but its marketing.

It needs to be made clearer that this is an incredibly graphic and disturbing read - going into detail about each of the man’s crimes. I understand the requirement from an academic perspective BUT this is not made clear in any synopsis I can find online, you do not want somebody who is triggered by mentions of sexual assault including pedophilia to be reading this.

I really enjoyed this title, the author really takes you on the journey of her experience and you feel that you are learning with her. I admire the fact that the author does not spare details from her own life and how they affected her work. With a background in psychology I was aware of some of the concepts behind the rehabilitation treatment however I did not know that much about it in practice. The author leads the reader though the process, and meeting the participants and getting to know them along the way. The author is honest about how she feels and the weaknesses in her practice and this is really refreshing. I would certainly recommend this book to those interested in psychology and prisons, but also lay readers as it is a motivating and interesting story. Thoroughly recommended and look forward to other titles by this author.

A really insightful read following psychologist Dr Rebecca Myers through the process of attempted rehabilitation of a small group of sex offenders and murderers. I became really invested in each of the offenders journeys and have the upmost respect for the work put into a mostly thankless task of offender rehabilitation.

An incredibly insightful and honest journey into the world of a brand new psychologist in the dark world of Prisons holding some of the most depraved sexual offenders.
I felt a real sense of empathy for the author as she openly admitted how she felt out of her depth and vulnerable in her position as prison psychologist and also at some of the situations she found herself in, alone with known murderers / rapists etc. She also shared her own self doubts and journey to becoming a respected and successful member of the team. Her own shock at some of the crimes and revelations about how some of the cases stayed with her was also very poignant and showed her human side and made her very real and relatable.
The honest and scrutiny of the successes an failings of rehabilitation were also food for thought and recognition that every programme is an experiment and yet to be proved effective or otherwise.
All in all an excellent and thought provoking read.

This is a very difficult book for me to review because it is so good in so many different ways. My stumbling review should in no way detract from the 5 Star rating it so richly deserves.

So what can I say? Dr Rebecca Myers does an exemplary job of walking us through the stresses and strains of what is involved in being a female prison psychologist in a "worst of the worst" male prison. She not only manages to show us that some of the "worst of the worst" are actually human and able to learn that what they did was wrong, even though they were almost entirely a product of their familial environment from a very young age. Others of the "worst of the worst" cannot or refuse to acknowledge that their behaviour had been wrong and abhorrent. Showing that even in that environment identical crimes are not perpetrated by stereotypes.

Fascinating too were the parallels between her various behavioural traits and those of the "worst of the worst".

This is really an eye-opener of a book if you approach it with both eyes open and an open mind too. As far as I am concerned this is a must read and I commend it to you and your reading list - very close to the top please!

This book explores the job of a psychologist in a high security prison in the 90's. It details the psychological treatments of sexual offenders and also the impact on the psychologist's personal life
It's such an interesting read and surprised me with how it made me feel and the approaches to therapy I learnt
Well worth the read

What a fascinating insight into the work of a psychologist in a maximum security prison.
Dr Rebecca Myers is working with sex offenders for the first time and implementing sex offender treatment programmes.
These encourage men to revisit and understand their offending.
The descriptions are often graphic but it’s fascinating to see how the prisoners learn to hold each other to account as well as themselves.
Dr Myers is an interesting and insightful writer and is open about her relationships and her own psychological struggles as well as those of the prisoners.
Recommended for those who have a strong stomach as well as an interest in what makes the most heinous of sexual offenders tick.

This book makes for a fascinating read.

Dr Rebecca Myers was just 22 when she entered a men's prison as one of the few female members of staff in the 1990s. She was there to implement a programme for prisoners who had committed sexual crimes with the aim being to lower the rate of reoffending.

In order to give real insight into her work we follow her through the various steps of the programme with her first group of men. Unlike so many books written by professionals within the police or prison service, the author's internal monologue focusses on those aspects that didn't go so well. She treats us to some self-analysis as well as being very open about her own background, and mistakes in her personal life.

This is a dark read, some of the participants of the group's crimes were truly horrific. Despite being a keen reader of crime fiction as well as some true crime, these more anonymous tales of deviancy have made a real impact , perhaps because, like the author, the back stories of some of the men were truly horrific.

A truly insightful book which I'd highly recommend to those who are prepared to peek behind the cell doors.

Whilst you read about some seriously disturbing crimes in this book I couldn’t help finding the work Dr Rebecca Myers does fascinating. It was interesting to learn about the treatments that happen within the prison, and how these men view themselves and their crimes also.

A very different part of prison life. Working with small groups of convicted sex offenders to look at their motivations and reasonings for committing horrendous crimes.
An honest and unvarnished look at the valuable work that is carried out. The prison service and in particular this branch are often overlooked.
I can't say it was an enjoyable read but it is excellent in showing the work carried out and making it relevant to everyone's life's.

Thank you Net Galley for this arc. I really ejoyed this book. This is the type of non-fiction book I enjoy. Delving deep into the work of a person who has worked in prison or with prisoners. Its real life stories that we think we can imagine when in reality we are far from the truth about what these men have actually put their vivtims through.

The book was fantastc. I think there was the right amount of information regarding the stories of the inmates. Too little and you feel like you have been left wanting more but too much and you are left thinking about the victims of these men and their privacy.

I went into this book thinking Dr Rebecca's stories would span her career but it is actually about the Sex Offenders Treament Programme the Dr was a huge part of. Something that has now been scrapped in the prison service. Some of the prisoners crimes were hard to stomach and I feel for all those involved. The depravity of the acts committed were truly awful and I wish the survivors have recovered enough to enjoy their lives now.

I hope we get to hear more from Dr Rebecca myers, i feel she has a lot more to tell.

Very different book than I normally read but what a powerful read. Same as the author I am fascinated with the minds of these dangerous men and I was fascinated seeing the treatment that goes into trying to cure them . The dangerous situations the psychologists are in and the problems separating work from their home life . When the book got to the part of the schemas I found myself relating to why I do things myself. I definitely recommend reading this book , very interesting and insightful read

What a very interesting book this was to read and tried to let you get a bit of an insight over what happens to sex offenders inside. A very intestine group the author worked with and how they worked through their hideous crimes… or not.