How prevalent is copycat crime Can we accurately identify it What role does the media play in encouraging it These are among the questions that Ray Surette addresses in his comprehensive study of the nature of copycat crime both past and present and the forces that drive it Surette goes beyond prevalent myths and anecdotal evidence to rigorously define copycat crime and to place it in theoretical context He also thoroughly explores how the changing nature of the media especially the evolution of social media has had an impact on copycat crime and criminals His book brings together insights from a range of disciplines and a wealth of examples successfully countering misconceptions and making evidence based recommendations for social policies and practices