"No one knows the field of parricide better than Dr. Heide or presents it in such a thoughtful, compelling and comprehensive manner. Combining a no-stone-unturned critical review of the research with a masterful presentation of many cases, including some of Heide's own, Understanding Parricide is clearly the definitive work on parricide." — Charles Patrick Ewing, J.D., Ph.D., SUNY Distinguished Service Professor, University at Buffalo Law School, author of When Children Kill, Kids Who Kill, and Fatal Families
"Having established herself as one of the leading authorities on juvenile homicide, expectations are high for Kathleen Heide's latest volume-specifically, about kids who kill their parents. Clearly, she did not disappoint. Professor Heide has done a masterful job of assembling and interpreting a scattered literature on this troubling topic. I will keep this book close by on my shelf to serve as a solid resource, and I'm sure others who research homicide will do so as well."— James Alan Fox, Ph.D., The Lipman Family Professor of Criminology, Law and Public Policy at Northeastern University, author of The Will to Kill and Extreme Killing
"This fascinating work, weaving together a meticulous literature review, national statistics, and illuminating case reports, covers parricide from stem to stern. Dr. Heide's decades of experience with these offenders shines brightly throughout. In Understanding Parricide, she has unraveled the mystery of parricide as far as modern science will allow." — Wade C. Myers, M.D., Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Director of Forensic Psychiatry, Rhode Island Hospital
"The importance of Professor Heide's book is that it is based on her hands-on professional experience as well as her extensive knowledge of the literature. It will significantly contribute to a better understanding of the problem of parricide and it will be an invaluable asset to mental health professionals, lawyers, judges, and scholars working in this area." —George B. Palermo, M.D., M.Sc.Crim., Ph.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of Nevada School of Medicine and Medical College of Wisconsin, from the Foreword
"The case studies illustrate Dr. Heide's role as a superb clinician as well as a compassionate professional who continued to communicate with the defendants in prison and upon their release, so we could learn about their lives as adults." — Judge Irene Sullivan, Florida circuit court judge (retired), author of Raised by the Courts, from the Afterword
"Understanding Parricide provides a comprehensive and compelling treatment of this complex subject that could become the standard reference in the field. Nothing is lacking in its coverage and presentation of research conclusions about an array of topics, including child maltreatment, matricide, patricide, legal issues in defending, prosecuting, and punishing offenders, forensic assessment, treatment, risk assessment, and prevention. The reader will become acutely aware of the family, societal, and legal circumstances of parricide offenders. Special attention is given to the involvement of females in various types of parricides. The writing is clear, concise, and engaging." — ASC Division on Women and Crime DivisoNews
"Although the methodological rigor may deter some readers, this book providing critical information and perspectives for families is a must for community members and professional social service persons... Outstanding notes, references, and index. Truly a significant contribution to responding to family crisis in the US." — CHOICE
"Heide's volume is a masterpiece of epidemiological, clinical, forensic, and thoughtful policy analysis. I hope that it becomes a standard assignment in graduate schools of criminal justice and also for any mental health professionals wishing to understand and to work with parricides." — Keith E. Davis, Ph. D., Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of South Carolina
"Kathleen Heide is an extraordinarily well qualified person to write an excellent summary and evaluation of knowledge about parricide. [Understanding Parricide: When Sons and Daughters Kill Parents ] is the obvious starting place for any serious student of the issues, and its virtues include excellent case studies as well as careful statistical examination of Federal Bureau of Investigation data sets. Heide's volume is a masterpiece of epidemiological, clinical, forensic, and thoughtful policy analysis. I hope that it becomes a standard assignment in graduate schools of criminal justice and also for any mental health professionals wishing to understand and to work with those who commit parricide." -Keith E. Davis, PsycCRITIQUES
