GETTING INSIDE THE MIND OF A KILLER

Psychotherapist turned crime writer Lesley McEvoy encountered some of Britain's most evil people during two decades working in top-security prisons. As she publishes her fifth novel, she opens up about profiling murderers, CEOs... and even the Gallagher brothers

- By Karen Rockett

IF ANYONE knows exactly how the twisted mind of a serial killer works it is Lesley McEvoy and her alter ego, fictional forensic psychologist, Jo McCready. The behavioural analyst, profiler and psychotherapist turned crime author spent 25 years analysing human behaviour patterns.

Her work brought her into contact with some of Britain's most deranged and dangerous killers in some of the UK's most notorious prisons.

Among the real-life killers she profiled for the Once Upon A True Crime TV series (in which crime authors investigate the real-life murders that inspired their novels) was Babes in the Wood murderer Russell Bishop, convicted of killing nine-year-old schoolgirls Karen Hadaway and Nicola Fellows in 1986 near Brighton.

Lesley's fifth novel, The Corpse Light, published today, follows her main character, forensic psychologist Jo McCready as she unravels another disturbing case.

Once again the story is set in Lesley's beloved native Yorkshire; her crime thrillers are much-loved by northern booksellers and customers alike.

Based in a fictional city modelled on Bradford, much of McCready comes from Lesley's own experiences.

"I like to think of her as a younger, smarter, fitter avatar of me", she laughs. "I am not a forensic psychologist like her and it is important to make that distinction but I had to make her that in order for her to have access to that criminal world.

"I am a behavioural analyst and psychotherapist, but like her I was freelance with my own therapy practice, but much of my work has been in the corporate world.

"I do always say though there are as many psychopaths in big business as there are in prisons."

Forensic psychologists are generally involved with the assessment and treatment of criminal behaviour. They work with prisoners and offenders, as well as police and other professionals involved in the judicial and penal systems.