Evil at Our Table

Written from a never-before-seen perspective, a real-life Mindhunter’s provocative true crime memoir takes readers inside the prison interview room—and the minds—of serious sex offenders, as she assesses the fates of those charged with the most disturbing acts imaginable.

Once inside the prison system, how can a pathological, sexual sadist who needs to be confined to a mental institution, be distinguished from the perpetrator of a sexual crime who is unlikely to ever transgress again? And who can say?

Working under California's Sexually Violent Predator Law, Samantha Stein, PsyD, faces such offenders alone, one by one, in a prison interview room. As a forensic psychologist, her high-stakes decisions can determine the difference between a life lived back in society or one condemned to indefinite incarceration. For Dr. Stein, despite the science she relies on, it’s a profound responsibility that comes with a prayer: “Please don’t let me have been wrong.”

Confronting evil, yet never approaching an evaluation with damning preconceptions, Dr. Stein opens her mind to her subjects’ life stories—their crimes, their grim pathologies, their frustrations and demons, their childhoods, their sociopathic reasoning, and often, too, their genuine and civilized regret. She doesn’t hesitate to hold them accountable, but she acknowledges their humanity. She studies the face, eyes, posture, and the lies, yet admits that predicting human behavior can be dicey.

Part forensics, part exploration of human nature, Evil at Our Table is the first in-depth account by a treatment provider and evaluator in the field. Here, Dr. Stein not only reveals the details of specific cases—and the outcomes—but also delves into the sometimes-overwhelming impact on her personal life.

Told with empathy, uncompromising honesty, and insight from a unique and experienced perspective, in this important book, Dr. Stein investigates salient issues of our time: the intersection of good and evil, crime, punishment, law, and psychology, and our very humanity, as well as how to achieve a sane balance between community safety and civil liberties—all the while facing the monsters among us.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs