I’m currently reading a crime fiction book about a serial killer who chops up their victims and keeps souvenirs. Ears, tongues and hands are kept as trophies. It’s a grisly read. But it’s a story, and I know (hope) in the end the good cop will catch the baddie.
Listening to David Swindle, the detective who brought serial killer Peter Tobin to justice, I was unnerved to realise just how true, my story book was.
The true crime scene has exploded in recent years. The evil amongst us has always been a source of fascination, and with so many podcasts and programmes to choose from, it’s amazing that the Adelphi theatre was packed out to listen to The Scottish Detective.
In a whistle-stop tour of the most notorious murders and investigations, Swindle does well to remind us of the victims and their suffering and tries to veer away from glamourising the killers. Albeit, he does show how clever, careful, cunning and conniving these people are to not get caught. What was of more concern, was how most of these murderers were discovered on the ‘off-chance’. A silly mistake. A routine police stop and check.
As police methods for investigation get better, so too does the criminals’ ability to hide. Always staying one step ahead is the name of the game, which sounds bad, but that’s how these bad people think. There’s plenty of them on display – from Jack the Ripper and Harold Shipman to Fred and Rose West and The Moors Murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley.
Swindle does an excellent job in taking you into the mind of a killer. He shows how early warning signs were there in many cases. How victims are targeted – and how they can also be shamed. He’s frank about the police not having joined up thinking, of how cases can be thrown out of court on technicalities. He uses videos and interviews with forensic biologists and shows photos of crime scenes and audio recordings which will send a chill through your body.
With more than 34 years’ experience as a senior detective, it’s obvious Swindle is still as passionate now about understanding the mind of murderers. This night offers the audience his unique insight. If you’re a fan of true crime, this is definitely one to go and see. But I would also caution, you’ll want to make sure you’re not walking home alone!
The Makings of a Murderer is on tour at various venues throughout the UK. http://www.davidswindle.com/david-on-tour/
Reviewer: Samantha Collett
Reviewed: 18th April 2023
North West End UK Rating: ★★★★
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