What 40 Years of Investigating Murder Teaches You: An Interview with True Crime Writer Tom Wood

What does nearly 40 years of investigating serious crime teach you about murder? Tom Wood has spent almost four decades on the inside of Scottish policing, working as a detective on some of the country's most notorious cases before eventually becoming a senior-ranking police officer. Now a bestselling true crime writer, Tom joins me on British Murders to talk about the investigations, people and experiences that have shaped his extraordinary career.

We discuss Tom's involvement in the hunt for serial child killer Robert Black, including the huge investigation that spanned multiple police forces and eventually became the subject of his new book, Sex, Spies and Bloody Murder. We also talk about the murders of Helen Scott and Christine Eadie, better known as the World's End murders, and what happens when an investigation continues for decades as forensic science and investigative techniques evolve. Along the way, Tom offers a fascinating insight into what really happens behind the scenes of a major murder investigation, and how the reality of police work differs from the version we often see in books, television and true crime documentaries.

We also discuss Tom's transition from detective and senior police officer to bestselling true crime author, his approach to telling the stories of real victims and their families, and some of the remarkable characters and cases featured in Sex, Spies and Bloody Murder, including triple murderer and soldier Andrew Walker. It's a fascinating conversation with someone who hasn't simply researched the history of crime, but spent decades actually investigating it.

Tom Wood's website: tomwoodwriter.co.uk

Buy a copy of Tom's new book Sex, Spies and Bloody Murder here: Sex, Spies and Bloody Murder | Ringwood Publishing

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Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by my guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast or its host. This episode is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only.

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