An enjoyable, light-hearted read, with some smile-inducing passages about conspiracy theories...the author writes in all seriousness " When Kurt Cobain died in his garage, he was 27. (...) Janis Joplin also died of an overdose at the age of 27. Brian Jones drowned in a backyard pool while under the influence of drugs, aged 27. Jimi Hendrix died at the age of 27 and was born on 27 November. Jim Morrison died , aged 27, in the 27th week of 1971" indeed: a very insightful observation by a well-known psychiatrist. At the same time, I cannot help but feel that the pinnacle of Bandelow's downright fanatical search for celebrities with borderline personality is the passage on the death of Lady Di. In describing the events surrounding the Duchess's death, the author states "interestingly enough, the other passengers in the luxury Mercedes may also have exhibited borderline personality traits" and then goes on to diagnose "If it is true that all three fatal victims suffered from borderline personality, then we are dealing with a collective accident caused by borderline as a consequence of the typical playing with death disorder". And this is where the turning point begins: the book, which is encouraging and has a psychoanalytical bent in its opening chapters, comes dangerously close to the borderline of mixing kitsch with flashy sensationalism, supported by questionable evidence. After reading the book, one is left with the impression that for 215 pages the author consistently, but not necessarily reliably, tries to look for evidence in celebrity biographies that the borderline personality rules show business. Certainly engaging, not always credible.

Bandelow, a respected psychologist and psychotherapist, writes in clear, engaging language, attempting to explain difficult things clearly. In this convention, he shows why so many celebrities, especially musicians and actors, create their lives as one big abuse and choose a self-destructive path from success to excess, from excess to decline. And this is indeed the case: Billie Holiday, Jimmy Hendrix, Elvis Presley, Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Sid Vicious ..... all of these stars, starting a rather long list of celebrities cited by the author, chose this particular path. The theory put forward in the book explains that it was not a life of success that led them to this end and not another, but having a borderline personality that enabled them to rise to fame and glamour. One wonders, however: on the basis of what does the author somehow 'condemn' the above mentioned to a diagnosis of personality disorder. After all, his knowledge of them is exactly the same as ours: second-hand reports.

With almost paternal warmth, Bandelov understands them well, explains their wrongs, their behaviour, the thoughts they were driven by. However, at times it becomes apparent that beneath the mask of an affectionate 'celebrity confessor' lurks an unpleasant critic, not shying away from harsh judgement merely on the basis of certain speculation or press reports: Courtney Love "although completely devoid of talent has even made it to Holywood". A level worthy of poodle.co.uk.

Borwin Bandelow understands everything, scrutinises every biography, and with extraordinary ingenuity searches for those moments in the lives of celebrities which fit his theory of a "murdered show business". This leaves only a slight smile on his face.

So what is left in the final word? Probably the fact that it is not only the borderline personality that is, according to the author, the ticket to fame, but also the public, which is fascinated by disturbed individuals, seeing in them a reflection of their deeply hidden desires and drives.

In the final chapter, Bandelow mentions those unfortunates who, affected by borderline personality, will never know fame and whose lives become a nightmare because of the disorder: "They are the ones we should really feel sorry for" . An endearing appeal that sank into the glitter of stories about the known and the liked.

From a well-meaning popular science publication promising " an even more intriguing journey into the depths of the human mind", it has turned into a gossipy-sensationalist novel with a slight psychoanalytical touch.