The Shifting Narratives of Violent Offenders

Sole authored chapter based on analysis of empirical data collected during in-depth interviews with violent offenders. Presents detailed narrative analysis of three case studies. Findings contribute to theory (I propose a distinction between 'action' and 'reflection' narratives), and have implications for understanding past and future violent offending. The chapter also contributes to methodological developments within narrative criminology by proposing techniques that help to illuminate interdiscursivity (narrative shifts). The book as a whole is the first of its kind and is edited by two eminent scholars who have developed narrative criminology and is published by the prestigious New York University Press. As Shadd Maruna, in the Foreword to the text puts it "The movement toward narrative criminology is radical in its insights and implications. As a genuine departure from and viable alternative to mainstream criminology, the work showcased in this remarkable collection is likely to create serious waves in criminology that will be unruly and difficult to contain".