Always True Crime

What 40 Years of Investigating Murder Teaches You: An Interview with True Crime Writer Tom Wood

Always True Crime

Show Notes

What does nearly 40 years of investigating serious crime teach you about murder? Tom Wood has spent almost four decades on the inside of Scottish policing, working as a detective on some of the country's most notorious cases before eventually becoming a senior-ranking police officer. Now a bestselling true crime writer, Tom joins me on British Murders to talk about the investigations, people and experiences that have shaped his extraordinary career.

We discuss Tom's involvement in the hunt for serial child killer Robert Black, including the huge investigation that spanned multiple police forces and eventually became the subject of his new book, Sex, Spies and Bloody Murder. We also talk about the murders of Helen Scott and Christine Eadie, better known as the World's End murders, and what happens when an investigation continues for decades as forensic science and investigative techniques evolve. Along the way, Tom offers a fascinating insight into what really happens behind the scenes of a major murder investigation, and how the reality of police work differs from the version we often see in books, television and true crime documentaries.

We also discuss Tom's transition from detective and senior police officer to bestselling true crime author, his approach to telling the stories of real victims and their families, and some of the remarkable characters and cases featured in Sex, Spies and Bloody Murder, including triple murderer and soldier Andrew Walker. It's a fascinating conversation with someone who hasn't simply researched the history of crime, but spent decades actually investigating it.

Tom Wood's website: tomwoodwriter.co.uk Buy a copy of Tom's new book Sex, Spies and Bloody Murder here: Sex, Spies and Bloody Murder | Ringwood Publishing

Exclusive content: Patreon - Ad Free, Early Access, Exclusive Episodes

Follow the show: British Murders with Stuart Blues

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by my guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast or its host. This episode is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More from Always True Crime

Oct 22, 2026

Shaun Walmsley was serving a life sentence for the brutal murder of Anthony Duffy when he managed to escape from custody during a hospital visit. In this episode of the UK True Crime Podcast, I look at the murder which led to Walmsley being sent to prison, and the remarkable circumstances surrounding his escape. How did a convicted murderer manage to get out of custody, and what happened next?

Oct 22, 2026

Death can be a very strange thing indeed - from death by doughnut to the bus driver who couldn't tell an antelope from a human being, via ghastly tales of the occult, cannibalism and extreme reasons for murder - from The Cosby Show to using too much toilet roll - for this time around on the Enthusiast, I have curated a good hour plus worth of accounts of these from around this strange globe of ours.

Oct 22, 2026

On the 14th of November 2002. 14-year-old Adam Morrell of Loughborough in Leicestershire told his dad he was going to stay at his friends’ house, something that boys do every day in every city. But with the group growing bored, it said, that his death was decided by a childish game of Rock, Paper, Scissors, and after two days of torture, his body was scattered across the canal and fields, with no all of it found. But what kind of animals would do this to a child? Location: Havelock Street, Charnwood, Loughborough, Leicestershire Date: Thursday 14th to Saturday 16th of November 2002 Victims:Adam Morrell Culprit: Matthew Joseph Welsh, Nathan Luke Barnett, Daniel John Biggs and Sarah Morris (see end of episode for convictions)

Oct 21, 2026

In March 2021, 33-year-old Sarah Everard disappeared while walking home from a friend’s house in south London. Her disappearance sparked a desperate search by her family and friends, as detectives worked to establish what had happened during the short journey she should have been able to make safely. But as the investigation unfolded, it uncovered a deeply disturbing case that would shock the country and raise serious questions about trust, power and the safety of women.

Oct 19, 2026

Two teenage girls were snatched from the roadside in Berkshire. One managed to escape, but the other was subjected to a violent and terrifying attack. The cases remained unsolved, and the man responsible escaped justice. But years later, a horrific murder would reveal a chilling connection and begin to unravel the secrets of a killer. In this episode of the UK True Crime Podcast, I look at the crimes of Ronald Cheshire, the lives he devastated, and how a terrible murder would eventually shed light on attacks that had remained unsolved for years.

See all episodes →