Title: THE MIND OF A MURDERER
Author: Michael Wood
ISBN: 9780008618865
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 432
Source: Private Copy
A DARK PAST
Dr Olivia Winter is a forensic psychologist whose job is to understand the minds of serial killers. There’s only one monster she can’t understand, her father.
A NEW IDENTITY
Notorious and brutal, he held a reign of terror until he was caught. His nine-year-old daughter was supposed to be his last victim, but she survived.
A SERIAL KILLER WHO WILL STOP AT NOTHING
Now, a serial killer is stalking the streets of London. As the body count rises, the police need Olivia’s help to profile him before he can strike again. But to do so, she will need to confront her own demons…
Official Summary
21 October 2025
I’m new to Michael Wood’s work, so I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book. I love diving into a story blind, and that’s exactly what I did here. By chance, I actually began with book one in the series — and I’m glad I did. I was drawn in almost immediately and raced through the story in just two days.
Michael Wood introduces a protagonist who is not only broken, but also scared and deeply vulnerable — and that made me like her right away. The writing keeps you curious, and the pacing is spot-on, propelling you through the pages as each new clue unfolds.
Dr Olivia Winter is a forensic psychologist whose job is to understand the minds of serial killers — and she’s very good at it. Normally, Olivia avoids active police cases, preferring to study criminals who are already behind bars. But when a close friend becomes the next victim, she’s pulled into an ongoing investigation. The resulting media attention is the last thing she wants, especially with a dark past she’s desperate to keep hidden.
While there are plenty of serial killer thrillers out there, this one stands out because of its protagonist’s firsthand experience. Wood breathes life into Olivia by slowly revealing her tragic history — something she works hard to escape. Her vulnerability and self-imposed isolation give the story a sense of realism that makes it even more compelling.
Although Olivia takes centre stage, readers also get unsettling glimpses of her father — the one serial killer she can’t quite understand. His presence adds a chilling edge that lingers throughout the book.
I did have a few small niggles along the way. For instance, Olivia repeatedly insists she’s not a profiler, yet she delivers what can only be described as a profile. But these are minor details in an otherwise gripping read, and the story is strong enough that you’ll hardly notice them once you’re caught up in the momentum.
If you enjoy fast-paced serial killer thrillers with complex, layered characters, The Mind of a Murderer will hit all the right notes. This was a solid four-star read for me, and I’m more than happy to recommend it to fellow thriller lovers.
Also By Michael Wood
FOR REASONS UNKNOWN – DCI Matilda Drake #1
Two murders. Twenty years. Now the killer is back for more…
DCI Matilda Darke has returned to work after a nine month absence. A shadow of her former self, she is tasked with re-opening a cold case: the terrifyingly brutal murders of Miranda and Stefan Harkness. The only witness was their eleven-year-old son, Jonathan, who was too deeply traumatized to speak a word.
Then a dead body is discovered, and the investigation leads back to Matilda’s case. Suddenly, the past and present converge, and it seems a killer may have come back for more…
I have added this series to my TBR – I cannot wait to start it!
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
“I am a crime fiction writer born and raised in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, where my detective series featuring DCI Matilda Darke is set. I have worked as a journalist and proofreader, but I am now a full-time author, currently living in Newcastle in the Northeast of England. I am also the author of the Dr Olivia Winter series of psychological thrillers, as well as several standalone books. When I’m not trying to think up ingenious ways of murdering people, I’m reading books about ingenious ways of murdering people while drinking incredibly strong black coffee and biting the heads off a Freddo.”
I am just starting to make a dent in my TBR, and now I have added another series to the pile…. How will I ever catch up? I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. While writing this review, I discovered book two in this series, and I love the cover….. I need to find a copy! Until next time…. Happy Reading!
Pingback: October in a Nutshell – Featz Reviews