Decoding Madness

A Forensic Psychologist Explores the Criminal Mind

By: Richard Lettieri

Narrated by: David Mack

Dealing with some of the most heinous crimes imaginable, forensic neuropsychologist and psychoanalyst Dr. Richard Lettieri gives a behind-the-scenes look at criminal psychology through case studies from his over 30 years of experience as a court-appointed and privately retained psychologist.

With cases like Michael, who stabbed his mother in the back believing she was the evil force causing the sun to descend upon the earth and gobble him up, and Tina, who seriously injured her boyfriend and stabbed his son to death, Decoding Madness is filled with gripping stories and forensic analysis. Through psychological examination, it is the author’s job to conclude whether these individuals are truly guilty and understand their actions are wrong, or if these individuals are not guilty by reason of insanity and instead require treatment.

Decoding Madness offers a nuanced psychological understanding of defendants and their personal complexities beyond the usual clinical accounts. The book introduces the novel idea of the daimonic as a basic force of human nature that is the source of our constructive and destructive capacities and argues for an update to the criminal justice system’s perspective on rationality and conscious thinking.

Featuring new findings and personal insights, Dr. Lettieri presents an engrossing view of the psychology of defendants accused of committing heinous crimes and the insight that they provide towards the human mind.

©2021 Richard Lettieri (P)2022 Rowman & Littlefield

Incredible Listen! Very inciteful and informative!

This is one of the few audible experiences I have had where I truly was not ready for the book to end. The narration was so enjoyable, great narrative performance!!!

The perspectives provided on the case studies were riveting, thought provoking, and easy to appreciate. Lettieri's use of descriptors was nothing less than perfection!!!

I will definitely be giving this another listen in the future!!!

Worth every penny!!!

If only the narrator learned to pronounce ‘Daimon’!

Compelling series of cases that the author effectively used to illustrate very interesting principles of abnormal psychology. Informative and insightful. Surprisingly rewarding for an obscure title. Just wish someone had helped the narrator with that critical pronunciation - found it really distracting to hear “day-mon” instead of “die-mon”.

Love, Love, Love!

Really great book! Told several short stories that were interesting and kept my attention, so good

well presented

I already wrote a review on this book but then I saw another review saying the book sounds robotic. This could not be further from the truth. It was one of the best narrators I have listened to. Most books do sound robotic, but this one sounds like you're listening to someone sitting in front of you and listeners to the stories as if he really was the criminal pathologist.

I recommend this book to anyone, I could not stop listening.

The level of expertise, depth and thoughtfulness that this writer put into his forensic evaluations is inspiring.

I've read a lot of forensic reports throughout my career, both in a clinical setting, and in an emergency room crisis capacity. This book made me realize how lacking many of those evaluations were. I found the level of expertise, depth and thoughtfulness that this writer put into his reports so inspiring. i also appreciated his ability to acknowledge and explore his own possible biases when evaluating a person. I feel like I learned a lot from reading this book.

Very thoughtful and smart

Liked the detailed look at each person interviewed and the special attention to untangle the complexity of each persons criminal action. There’s no use of the word “monster” about those that commit crime but a level headed understanding that given the right circumstances we are all capable of terrible things.

Great insight

I really enjoyed the author’s insight to these cases and his empathy for those with mental disorders. I liked this book a lot.

Insight and style

This author uses a more sophisticated literary style than most profiling authors who lean toward a more cut and dried style! Insightful at a general level! 10/10

Deep Exploration of Complex Minds

This is a new favorite. He meticulously invites the reader to explore the many variables that make up a criminal mind. He also wisely explains why we are all capable of violence under the right circumstances.

Fascinating Listen

When I listen to books of this nature, it becomes more and more apparent how difficult it is to separate the truly insane (persons not responsible for their crimes) as opposed to the ones who have brain or personality disorders where there is little chance of successfully treating, whether they acknowledge their crimes or not. I just don't know. A greater understanding of brain function is clearly indicated, and I was happy to hear of the various tests that are now available for therapists to diagnose these conditions. So where to go from there?
I have to admit, I have had little experience with people with personality disorders, but the ones I have known, (mainly those categorized in the Cluster B personality disorders, the cluster where sociopathy resides) are not capable of self reflection. They generally blame others for whatever they have done- nothing is ever their fault. They don't take responsibility for their actions. How can these people be helped if they feel no remorse?
Perhaps (not perhaps, surely) more intervention needs to executed by social services before these personality disorders can solidify. In almost all of these cases, severe, ongoing abuse or neglect has been present from early childhood. How can we, as a society, prevent this? Clearly early intervention is needed. Easy to say, not so easy to execute. Sadly.