Octopus scoops forensic psychologist’s memoir after five-publisher auction

Octopus has bought the memoir of forensic psychologist Kerry Daynes, The Dark Side of the Mind, after a five-publisher auction. 

Claudia Connal, publishing director of narrative non-fiction at Octopus, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) from Jonathan Conway at Jonathan Conway Literary Agency Ltd on behalf of Sylvia Tidy-Harris at Tidy Management, after a five-publisher auction. The Dark Side of the Mind: True Stories from My Life as a Forensic Psychologist will be published in May 2019.

Forensic psychologist Daynes has worked with victims of crime as well as some of the most complex and challenging criminals. She is often consulted in major police investigations and has provided commentary for television networks including BBC International and CBS Reality. 

In The Dark Side of the Mind, Daynes will take readers through her world, where no two days are the same. The book offers insight into the psychological causes of some of the most extreme forms of human behaviour, and what the treatment and incarceration of those who commit such crimes says about society.

“We knew instantly that we had to publish Kerry. As fascinating as any true crime podcast or psychological thriller, Kerry’s work has spanned prisons, hospitals and police investigations. I couldn’t think of a better person to guide us through the darker side of the mind,” said Connal. 

Daynes, who has been in the profession for more than 20 years, said she is “thrilled” to be collaborating with Octopus. 

She said: “Octopus share my vision for a book that goes behind the headline-grabbing crime stories to a frank and very personal account of what I have seen happening in the criminal justice and mental health systems. I am both exhilarated and daunted to be writing this book, which is exactly how I felt walking into the first prison I ever worked in, aged just 21.”