Surviving a Psychopath: In Court. In Life. In "Love."

Droban provides an escape route for those trapped in toxic relationships with people exhibiting psychopathic behavior.

If readers know who Edmund Kemper, Jodi Arias, or Robert Shinn are without Googling, chances are that they thrive on a diet of true-crime books and TV documentaries. Psychopaths are calculating and compelling characters, and it’s satisfying to see these evildoers being held accountable for their actions. But not all psychopaths are remorseless serial killers like Ted Bundy or Hannibal Lecter—they are (mostly) normal-seeming people who cunningly and manipulatively trap their victims and control their lives. The author, a lawyer, former prosecutor, and capital defense attorney (and true crime author herself) here presents what might be thought of as a field guide to psychopaths. Designed to educate, the book provides real-world examples of psychopathic behavior and “practical tools for litigating against manipulative, calculating adversaries.” A chilling prologue that takes the form of a Hannibal Lecter/Clarice Starling-type interview attempts to peek under the psychopath’s mask: “Guilt is for people who want to play by someone else’s rules. I make my own,” the subject proclaims. Through interviews, shared text messages, and cautionary tales, Droban cuts through therapy-speak to accessibly identify telling traits (lack of guilt, fearlessness, insensitivity to punishment), define psychopath-speak (“You’re overreacting” means they’re invalidating your feelings to gain control), and offer intervention and coping strategies, such as “set and enforce clear boundaries,” “manage emotional reactions,” and “document everything.” Seven appendices include resources for victims in and out of courtrooms: “Recognizing and Documenting Psychological Abuse” includes a red-flag checklist for relationships, workplace and professional settings, and legal proceedings. Journal prompts help to identify manipulative behavior, emotional and behavioral changes, and control and isolation tactics. While the layout of the book is somewhat cluttered, the information here is revelatory and may be lifesaving—just don’t let the possible psychopath in your life catch you reading it.

An essential and empowering resource.