This book will please many, not be understood by some and displease others. Written by a chartered clinical and forensic psychologist from a psychodynamic viewpoint, consideration is given to three areas of female violence: violence against children, violence against the self, and violence against others. Case illustrations are included throughout and, although some are useful, others are distracting and a small minority misleading. The inclusion of selfharm and anorexia nervosa as forms of violence (albeit self-directed) is controversial and allows for interesting debate. Other important aspects of female violence have been omitted, although the author acknowledges this.

Although reference is made to the literature, Motz does not seek to present a review of current theoretical perspectives. She draws heavily on the work of Estela Welldon, particularly for the first (and longest) section, and the book would be of most benefit to those with an awareness of Welldon's writing. Motz writes with clarity, and I found the book readable, although sometimes frustrating. As a forensic psychiatrist, I was particularly disappointed with the final section, which contained a number of errors and misleading statements in relation to battered women who kill. The perspective offered is narrow in some parts, and the topics covered are limited. Those that are considered, however, are generally explored thoroughly.

Overall, I do not feel that this is a useful book for trainees, unless they have a particular interest in the psychodynamic understanding of violent, disturbed women. Even with that interest, the reader, particularly if a trainee, should be aware of the controversial nature of some of the views presented and the significance of material omitted.

Motz states that her aim had been to present a range of cases of female violence and to offer a model for understanding these cases. I believe that she has achieved this, and, if one is aware of the book's limitations, one will not be disappointed. Issues relating to female violence and allied service developments are extremely topical at this time, and there is increasing interest in the psychopathology of women who offend. To a certain extent, this book has missed the opportunity offered by such interest but it still gives a fascinating, although limited, insight into women's mental health.