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  • Shallow Graves

  • My Life as a Forensic Scientist on Britain's Biggest Cases
  • By: Ray Fysh
  • Narrated by: Michael Chance
  • Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (302 ratings)
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Shallow Graves cover art

Shallow Graves

By: Ray Fysh
Narrated by: Michael Chance
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Summary

Shortlisted for the True Crime Awards 2023 Best New True Crime Author

The murder of Sarah Payne, Adam the Thames Torso, the London bombings, the Night Stalker and the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko... The solving of all these cases can be linked to one man: Ray Fysh, a Charlton Athletic fan from Woolwich, a natural raconteur and also one of the finest forensic detectives the country has ever seen.

Ray began work for the Met Police in the 1970s when forensic investigation was seen as little more than a geeky side show, only in existence to confirm or eliminate evidence. But by the mid 90s Ray and his team had made huge progress in their field, contributing to the UK becoming a world-leading innovator in forensic techniques, with Ray himself being named as Special Adviser to the Forensic Science Service. As the SA, Ray worked alongside Senior Investigating Officers from day one of a case, directing his team to identify forensic opportunities and harvest case-cracking clues.

As Ray looks back over his career at the cases he worked on, the reader is given unparalleled insight into the highs and lows of an astonishing career, the historic classist snobbery of the Met and the stunning realities of crime and forensics
©2022 Ray Fysh (P)2022 Bonnier Books UK

What listeners say about Shallow Graves

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting but…

Great detail and very interesting…. But, it is very me, me, me, me and more of me, me. It does sound if Ray Fysh came up with the new technology or techniques all by himself and it feels he is forcing himself into situations just to explain unimportant information. Quite bitter too.

BUT STILL A VERY, Worthwhile INTERESTING LISTEN.

Familiar DNA search. That was done in USA much earlier apparently to a US documentary.

A couple of cases have collided with other explanations from other team members.

Night stalker -Years later after little progress, DS Morgan was said to be less than impressed when Detective Chief Inspector Colin Sutton joined the team in 2009. But his involvement soon led to the capture of Grant. Sutton took the glory. That was the way ‘The Real Mindhunter’ played it on U.K. National TV.
There is a few more cases with different explanations from other books, News article or TV Documentaries.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating cases but…

…. it’s badly, transparently, ghost written. Because of this, the focus of the book comes across as Ray Fysh, & very rarely as the forensic work or the intricacies of the cases. The way the narrative is done makes the author appear to be self-obsessed and smug, like some cop in a TV crime series. What a shame!

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

This content in regards to the cases is interesting, however, the author's sense of self-importance and "old-school" (not even remotely politically correct) attitude made me stop listening an hour in. He seems to think that 'heavy handedness' is another term for racially aggravated police brutality. Don't bother.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The best

I have read a few books by forensic scientists and this was the best. Ray explained complex science is a very clear and understandable way. His passion for his work and empathy with the victims and their families shone through his writing. It is sad and distressing that the perpetrators he describes and their kind walk among us and some would probably have repeated their crimes but were prevented doing so by Ray, other scientists and the hard work of the police force. The fact that the FSS was closed in 2012 bears witness to the priorities of the government of the time. I strongly recommend this book.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Captivating

Loved all the science, just incredible! Astonishing! Couldn’t stop listening! Highly recommend! An absolute must read!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent and Fascinating

Thoroughly enjoyed hearing all about the science, diligence and sheer labour put into solving some of our well known British crimes. Phew what a work to investigate some of these crimes, amazing detail. Well narrated also. A number of reviews here mentioned the author being rather full of himself, I did not think this, I felt he told it how it was and was a no nonsense sort of chap. Highly recommend.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Superb

Very informative, true crimes I'm sure all remember. Loved the narrative by Ray, told with compassion

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

Just so interesting and the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes of a crime is just incredible. Could have listened to more!!!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great re-telling of the cases. So interesting!

Such a great listen, really enjoyed it. so interesting and respectfully detailed. I was completely hooked.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wow

Horrific crimes but an amazing story - what a man ! Great listen - gripped from the beginning - get this !

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1 person found this helpful