The heart-wrenchingly honest new book about life and death from forensic pathologist and bestselling author of UNNATURAL CAUSES, Dr Richard Shepherd

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

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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.

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Praise for Dr Richard Shepherd

''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'' Guardian

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

''Fascinating, insightful, candid, compassionate'' Observer