The Seven Ages of Death: ‘Every chapter is like a detective story’ Telegraph

The Seven Ages of Death: ‘Every chapter is like a detective story’ Telegraph

by Dr Richard Shepherd

4.6 (3,150)

4.6 stars from 3,150 reviews. Top 69% of Nonfiction books we track.


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Perfect for you if...

  • You're drawn to true crime that goes deeper than the surface, wanting to understand motive and meaning alongside the facts.
  • You appreciate memoirs by experts who've spent decades observing human nature from an unusual vantage point.
  • You're curious about the intersection of medicine, mortality, and what a body can tell us about a life lived.

Maybe not for you if...

  • You need plot-driven narrative with clear protagonists and resolutions. these are real cases with messy, ambiguous endings.
  • You're squeamish about medical details or autopsy procedures, even when handled with sensitivity and purpose.
  • You prefer fiction to non-fiction, or want to be entertained rather than made to think about death and ageing.

About this book

The heart-wrenchingly honest new book about life and death from forensic pathologist and bestselling author of UNNATURAL CAUSES, Dr Richard ShepherdA 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_________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._________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 Read more

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Free$8.99$17.99Apr '22Jun '22Dec '24Jul '26
$0.99$17.99

Currently on sale at $0.99 — 94% off peak. Price has dropped 3 times over the last 4 years. Goes on sale roughly every 745 days.

Sales Rank

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#761#430,262#859,762Apr '22Nov '23Jan '26Jul '26

Currently around #24K in the Kindle store — a steady mid-list seller.

Rating & Reviews

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4.0★4.5★5.0★Jul '23Mar '24Apr '25May '25RatingReviews

Currently 4.6★ from 3,150 reviews

Gaining approximately 35 new reviews per month. Steady word of mouth growth. Rating has dipped slightly from 4.7 to 4.6.

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Free$8.99$17.99Apr '22Jun '22Dec '24Jul '26PredictedJul '26

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Dr Richard Shepherd

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