Most books intended for the popular True Crime market tend to fall into two camps. Either they focus exclusively on one particular crime (or criminal) or they give brief thumbnail sketches of a whole series. Richard Gallagher's book I'll be watching you falls somewhere between the two.
It is an in-depth study of Stalking, a particularly disturbing crime that is on the increase. More and more men and women, celebrities and ordinary people alike, are becoming the targets for obsessed individuals, sometimes with fatal consequences. More and more people every day are being harassed by irrational criminals, prevented from leading a normal life and constantly looking over their shoulders in fear.
Author Gallagher has taken a disturbing subject and looked into its every aspect. The book features detailed case histories, not only of the likes of John Lennon, Jill Dando and Jodie Foster, but of other victims whose names the reader won't be familiar with. A nurse, a civilian working for the navy, a classical violinist and a college lecturer have all found themselves the subject of unwanted and unwarranted attentions from delusional men and women. (On one occasion, a stalker disinterred the remains of his victims dead husband and left them on her doorstep with the message "What has he got that I haven't?")
I'll be watching you covers a whole range of bizarre and disturbing behaviours, but it goes beyond mere case histories. Gallagher takes an in-depth look at the latest research into stalking, interviews victims, psychologists and police officers, outlines the laws pertaining to stalking and highlights their flaws. He includes a chapter giving advice to victims, with a list of organisations able to offer help and support, plus a bibliography for those readers who wish to learn more. (Of particular interest to parents is a short section of advice on the safety of children on the internet.)
I found I'll be watching you to be a well written, meticulously researched expose of stalkers and their victims, one which goes well beyond the normal range of True Crime without ever becoming too academic. Both interesting and informative, it contains masses of useful advice that is imparted in a way that, while comprehensive, is easy to understand and even implement. After reading it, I found myself making a few subtle changes in my every day behaviour for my own personal safety.
We all think that crimes such as stalking will never happen to us - Richard Gallagher's book not only shows that they do but also goes a very long way in helping us to learn how to avoid becoming a victim.
Publisher: Virgin Books
ISBN: 0 7535 0696 3
Price: £6.99
Date Reviewed: July 2002
My Rating: 5/5
