“Mary Ellen O’Toole is my hero! In Dangerous Instincts she offers sound advice and fascinating examples gleaned from her long career in the Behavioral Analysis Unit of the FBI. This book will save many lives—including, quite possibly, your own. Whether the knowledge you find herein saves you from a con man, a rapist, a thief, a killer, or just a miserable marriage, this is a classic, valuable book. I recommend it highly to all my family, friends, and readers.”
—Ann Rule, author of The Stranger Beside Me and Don’t Look Behind You
“A masterful and compelling primer on survival in a world in which people are not always what we think them to be. Dr. O’Toole’s deep understanding of the nature and implications of psychopathy. . . is particularly impressive, and shared by only a few other criminal investigators. This is an important and well-written book on topics of concern to everyone. A great read, highly recommended.”
—Robert Hare, Ph.D., author of Without Conscience
“A mash-up between a self-help manual and a Thomas Harris novel….”
—The Washington Post
“[A] beneficial though chilling course in personal safety….”
—Kirkus Reviews
“In this absorbing read, [O’Toole] discusses why people trusted Bernie Madoff and Ted Bundy and dissects online dating responses and typical blind spots. The author helps readers analyze their decision-making patterns and provides a guide for helping them to assess and mitigate risk. O’Toole’s book will provide insight to everyone, but it’s particularly helpful for women living alone, parents concerned about their children’s safety, or employers worried about perplexing employee behavior.”
—Library Journal
“…O’Toole’s background as an FBI agent and profiler gives her plenty of insights and concrete examples with which to fill this well-organized and thorough book. [She] even shares secret profiler tricks–readers can learn what an Armani suit, a neat and tidy living room, or a book collection might reveal about [strangers.]
—Publishers Weekly
“An especially useful book for women living alone, parents who are concerned about their children’s safety, and employers worried about employees who might go postal, Dangerous Instincts gives us the tools used by professionals to navigate potentially hazardous waters.”
—Huntington News
“The startling revelation of this book is that almost none of what you think about the potential danger of those around you is correct. Whether you’re a fan of the television profiler, fancy yourself a good judge of character, or just want to protect yourself and your family in the post-9/11 world, Dangerous Instincts will provide the skills you need and should be on the top of your must-read list.”
—Paul Babiak, Ph.D., author of Snakes In Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work
“As a writer of serial killer fiction, I rely on my observations of human behavior to craft my characters. But for Mary Ellen O’Toole, such interpretations are not an offshoot of her talents—they go to the heart of the skillsets she has honed during a long career as an FBI profiler. No one is more qualified to write about personal safety than Agent O’Toole. Dangerous Instincts is not just a must-read book, it’s a bible to keep on your shelf—to be read annually. Its lessons are that important.”
—Alan Jacobson, national bestselling author of Inmate 1577
“The only things to lose by reading the book are naivete and time. The major gain might be living a significantly less threatened life.”
—Jewish Journal
