POLISH MURDERESSES
Katarzyna Bonda
This book was written to show that the world is not black and white, all of us harbour a degree of aggression, and the dividing line between us and the protagonists is fluid.
The idea to write Polish Murderesses was born several years ago, when Katarzyna Bonda worked as a court correspondent in one of Polish daily newspapers. At that time, several women were on murder trials in Warsaw.
The media created their image: that of evil, degenerate, merciless beasts, often equally beautiful as they were devoid of human feelings. They came from different backgrounds, they killed for various motives, their personalities, age and appearance were not alike.
In a quest to find answers to questions that troubled her – How could it be that these women took part in such brutal murders, either killing the victim themselves or planning everything in detail and using male accessories to commit the actual crime? What are they like? Why? What makes them different to other women? What is the source of their aggression? – the author conducted several interviews, lasting several hours each, with all of the protagonists of this book. The crimes marked dividing lines in their lives. And this is how Bonda intended to show them. She did not want to defend or whitewash them, proving that they’re free from evil. She decided to grant each of them the right to speak for herself. For many of these women, these were the first interviews they gave, having shunned journalists for years. They talk about the different aspects of female life: love, motherhood, money, dreams, death… Their crimes are told to us in chapters written based on court files which the author has read and based on which she attempted to tell each story in an accurate, emotionless manner.
Series: criminal non-fiction
Publisher: MUZA SA
First edition: Videograf
First publication date: 05.02.2013
Number of pages: 400
www.katarzynabonda.pl
An Imperfect Crime
Katarzyna Bonda
An Imperfect Crime is a book based on authentic cases, useful for professionals, but directed at a broader circle of readers.
Criminologists, victimologists, psychologists, police officers, even crime fiction writers have been asking the same question for centuries: Is there such a thing as a perfect crime? Katarzyna Bonda and Bogdan Lach demonstrate that the answer is no. There are just ineffective law enforcement authorities, ineffectual policemen, prosecutors and judges and poorly secured evidence. Each case, even a cold one, may find its conclusion in court. And if a profiler is involved at an early stage of the investigation, the explanation is almost guaranteed. Bogdan Lach is one of the best Polish specialists in this field. Together with journalist Katarzyna Bonda, they have created a fascinating tale about looking for traces of imperfect crimes. Detailed descriptions of cases in which the Polish profiler created psychological portraits of unknown murderers brilliantly illustrate his theoretical knowledge presented in the book. We hope that discovering how a profile is made and following the expert’s train of thought while analysing evidence and leads may interest many readers.
The greatest criminal puzzles of recent years solved by a Polish profiler.
Co-author: Bogdan Lach
Series: criminal non-fiction
Publisher: MUZA SA
First edition: Videograf
First publication date: 10.06.2015
Number of pages: 400
www.katarzynabonda.pl
Hidden Motive
Katarzyna Bonda
Shocking crimes. True stories.
Best-selling crime author Katarzyna Bonda and eminent profiler Bogdan Lach, PhD, present the most interesting cases from the archives of a forensic police psychologist.
The authors lead us step by step through subsequent stages of the quest to find the perpetrators. They find evidence and collect victimological data where, at first sight, there is none, unveiling the mysteries of seemingly ordinary people who turn out to be criminals. Thanks to the profiler’s skills and work, the perpetrators will answer for the crimes they committed.
One of the most intriguing true crime books I’ve ever read.
Michał Fajbusiewicz, TV journalist, author and host of “Magazyn kryminalny 997”
The collaboration between the best Polish profiler, Bogdan Lach, and renowned investigative journalist Katarzyna Bonda has again yielded a bestseller. This is a page-turner one reads with bated breath, because criminal reality really writes the best stories.
Dr Jerzy Pobocha, PhD, Chair of the Polish Forensic Psychiatry Association
The fascinating and terrifying world of crime as seen by a criminal profiler. Hidden Motive is a non-fiction book peppered with unique knowledge from the fields of psychology and criminology. For professionals and lovers of good crime stories.
Prof. Ewa Gruza Professor of legal sciences, Department of Criminology, Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Warsaw
A very important book, thrilling, true and promoting a very important discipline – forensic psychology. The most eminent and experienced profiler in Poland, Dr Lach, decided to not just describe his work, but, most importantly, the data analysis methods required to create criminal profiles. While the cases described may be shocking, the book is thoroughly readable and enjoyable. I recommend it to anyone with an interest in psychology, criminology, criminal psychology, resocialization and sociology.
Prof. Daniel Boduszek Criminal psychologist, University of Huddersfield & SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities
It’s not just about chasing the perpetrator, but getting to know the motive. Especially in cases of disappearances and those that never went beyond the first version of what may have taken place. A brilliantly written book, with a fast-paced plot and intriguing criminal cases!
Dr Joanna Stojer-Polańska Doctor of Law, lecturer at SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities and State Higher Vocational School in Racibórz
“Captivating from the very first sentences! And better than many crime fiction books, because it describes stories that really took place! This is a must-read for all fans of solving crime stories.”
Monika Prześlakowska, Author of the “Kryminalne historie” podcast
“I’ve waited many years for this book. Following ‘Imperfect Crime’ and ‘Polish Murderesses’, I was eager to get my hands on another true crime book by Katarzyna Bonda – and my patience has finally been rewarded. With this one, we have the opportunity to look at crimes from close-up, see their context and discover that their origins are sometimes rooted in distant past. ‘Hidden Motive’ lays bare the true face of crime: senseless, brutal, atrocious, and drastic, while answering the question of just what it is that has to happen for a person to be able to take someone else’s life.”
Justyna Mazur, Author of “Piąte: nie zabijaj” podcast
The book’s formula allows us to feel like we’re part of the investigative team – we get a solid portion of valuable knowledge on profiling and participate in authentic cases. Katarzyna Bonda and Bogdan Lach create a perfectly balanced team (we’d know a thing or two about that!)
Grzegorz and Kamil, Authors of „No nie gadaj” podcast
What drives people to commit murder? What turns others into victims? If you’re asking yourselves these questions, this book will help you find the answers. In my opinion, this is obligatory reading for anyone interested in criminal cases.
Anna Hojnacka, Author of „historiekryminalne.pl” blog and podcast
„Hidden Motive” is yet another book written on the basis of the accomplishments of contemporary forensic psychology. Experienced profiler and psychologist Dr Bogdan Lach shares his vast knowledge in violent crimes with the readers, while Katarzyna Bonda’s lucid, vivid language allows us to enter the future victims’ everyday lives. We get to know their joys, plans and problems and observe the behaviour of potential perpetrators, their habits, daily routine, family, neighbours and friends. We hypothesize about the possible motives behind the actions of people taking part in the event. We participate in the victim’s last days and hours. At the same time, both authors introduce us to methods employed by forensic psychologists in their work. In order to answer questions about the perpetrator – what kind of a person are they, what values do they follow, what personality traits were revealed in their behaviour, finally: what was their motive – the profiler requires an integrated skillset spanning various disciplines of psychology and criminal psychology, not to mention a separate, rich methodology.
The narrative proposed by the authors is rather original: a dry, matter-of-fact description of events and behavioural analysis of actors of the case is interlaced with the profiler’s thoughts that one can treat as a personal journal written while he was working on the case.
Readers interested in the subject, yet with little expertise in psychology or criminology, can accompany the expert as he tries to get into the mind of the criminal and his victim – and can also look for solutions to subsequent cases. The forensic psychologist introduces us to his working method with passion. At the same time, we realise that this job requires more than just engagement, time and patience. Perhaps more than anything else, it rests on solid diagnostic skills: from analysing case files and biographies, to diagnosing individual, circumstantial and situational determinants.
“ (…) The murderer knew the area well. He was also perfectly familiar with the victim’s personality. She was completely dependent on him and easily agreed to anything he proposed (…) the hypothetical attack would have been made out of the blue as a result of situational and emotional determinants (…) It would have been enough to make up any excuse to convince the girl to take a spin in his car, commit the crime and hide the body (…)”.
The thoughts of a specialist, who – like a contemporary Sherlock Holmes – solves crimes using not just deduction, but the most recent accomplishments of modern science, make for a really page-turning read.
Dr Maria Kujawa, Chair of the Association of Polish Court Psychologists in Poland
Series: true crime
Publisher: MUZA SA
First publication date: 20.05.2020
Number of pages: 448
www.katarzynabonda.pl
