In a riveting discussion, Jennifer Fleetwood, a Senior Lecturer in Criminology, and Louise Wattis, an Assistant Professor focusing on true crime narratives, dive into our obsession with crime stories. They explore how personal accounts from criminals are reshaping the public’s understanding of crime, raising questions about the reliability of these narratives. They also examine the allure of 'hard man' biographies, particularly among men, and dissect the ethical complexities of portraying violence and masculinity in modern media.
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insights INSIGHT
Rise of Crime Narratives
Crime stories are increasingly prevalent, from books to podcasts and social media.
This raises questions about the motivations and consequences of this "confessional outburst."
question_answer ANECDOTE
Howard Marks and Mr. Nice
Howard Marks, an unrepentant drug trafficker, wrote a popular autobiography, "Mr. Nice."
The book offers insights into his motivations and success, highlighting the role of storytelling in his criminal career.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Mo Farah's Story
Mo Farah's documentary, "The Real Mo Farah," revealed his experience as a victim of trafficking.
This powerful narrative allowed him to reclaim his identity and sparked a significant public and governmental response.
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This autobiography by Jimmy Boyle chronicles his life from his harsh upbringing in Glasgow’s Gorbals to his career in crime and subsequent imprisonment. In 1967, Boyle was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of another gangland figure, a crime he denies committing. The book details his experiences in prison, including the brutal conditions and his eventual rehabilitation through art therapy in the Barlinnie Special Unit. Boyle's story is a powerful critique of the prison system and a testament to his personal transformation from a hardened gangster to a sculptor and community worker.
Mr Nice
Howard Marks
In this autobiography, Howard Marks recounts his extraordinary life, from his days as a student at Oxford University studying nuclear physics and philosophy to becoming one of the world's largest hashish smugglers. Marks describes his involvement with the CIA, MI6, the IRA, and the Mafia, as well as his elaborate network of aliases, phone lines, and front companies. The book details his rise to prominence in the drug trade, his eventual arrest and imprisonment, and his subsequent release and transition into a career as a writer and comedian.
Laurie Taylor explores the fascination for true crime stories. He's joined by Jennifer Fleetwood, Senior Lecturer in Criminology at City, University of London, whose latest work considers the remarkable rise in the number of people who speak publicly about their experience of crime. Personal accounts used to be confined to the police station and the courtroom, but today bookshops heave with autobiographies by prisoners, criminals, police and barristers while streaming platforms host hours of interviews so how easy is it for the 'truth' to come out?
Louise Wattis, Assistant Professor in the Department: Social Sciences ·at Northumbria University, Newcastle looks at the skyrocketing interest in true crime as a form of popular entertainment. What do we know about the appeal of 'Hardman' biographies of violent criminals, a hugely popular subgenre, particularly for male readers?
Thinking Allowed 
