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Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Harper
The day before Halloween 2004 was the last day on Earth for respected, well-liked college professor Fred Jablin. That morning, a neighbor discovered his body lying in a pool of blood in the driveway of Jablin's Virginia home. Police immediately turned their attentions to the victim's ex-wife, Piper, a petite, pretty Texas lawyer who had lost a bitter custody battle and would do anything to get her kids back. But Piper was in Houston, one thousand miles away, at the time of the slaying and couldn't possibly have been the killer . . . could she? So began an investigation into one of the most bizarre cases Virginia and Texas law enforcement agencies had ever encountered: a twisted conspiracy of lies, rage, paranoia, manipulation, and savage murder that would ensnare an entire family—including two lethally close look-alike sisters—and reveal the shocking depravities possible when a dangerously disordered mind slips into madness.
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| not destined to be a classic in the true crime genre |
| Customer Rating: 3 out of 5 |
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The subject matter is interesting and this nonfiction book is well researched. Beyond that the style is not engaging and plan on the predictable excessive pages devoted to the tedious non-drama in the courtroom we find in many true crime publications. The victim is almost eulogized leading the reader to wonder if anyone really knew him. The story is readable, but this will not be on my list of exceptionally good books.
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| Well-written |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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This story moved along at an even pace up until the investigational phase of the murder when things really started moving along. I had to actually make myself put the book down and go to sleep. Some books drag with courtroom drama but in this one, there was just enough to keep the story interesting even during that phase.
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| Paying the Piper |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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The true crime genre has many hacks, several reliable practitioners and a few greats. Kathryn Casey is becoming one of the great ones. Die, My Love by Kathryn Casey would be perfect if it weren't for the awful title. But that's the only bad thing I can say about this entertaining book. This is the story of one very odd woman, her nearly equally odd sister and the murder of her husband. How odd? Well, would you want a self-proclaimed "druid" and "bard" as your lawyer? If the answer is yes, then Piper Rountree is the lawyer for you.
Piper Rountree Jablin is batty on her best days and for some reason the men around her routinely find this charming. Her family, especially her sister Tina, coddle if not encourage Piper's permanent residence in La-La land. It's one thing for Piper to think she possesses magical powers, it's something else altogether for Tina to agree. Another friend praises Piper's "live for today" attitude, apparently unaware that Piper suffers from ADD. This book is full of those "are these people for real" moments so dear to the heart of true crime fans. Piper thinks nothing of urging a fellow lawyer to lie on an affidavit or designing the most unintentionally hilarious business cards ever.
When her husband finally has enough - after 20 years - and sues for divorce and joint custody, Piper takes her commitment to nutty behavior up several notches. Her sister Tina joins in on the hi-jinks. Tina Rountree is worth a book herself. Like Piper, she fancies herself a protector of women. Also like Piper, she barely has to wave her hand for half a dozen men to throw themselves at her feet. They're attractive women but the sheer volume of men willing to do their bidding made me wonder if there was something in the water in Houston. Most women are happy if their significant other takes out the garbage, these two have men all but hiding bodies for them.
It's an entertaining story on its own but Casey makes it better. She adds dimension to all the characters. She's done the sort of hands on reporting that is essential to making a true crime book more than a rehash of news reports. Casey writes in a clear, almost matter-of-fact manner that propels the book along. At one point Casey delivers one of the most chilling, devastating details (about Tina Rountree) I've read in a long, long time. She makes it all the more stunning by telling this detail straight out without adornment or overheated prose. That's the mark of a true master.
Kathryn Casey delivers on every level in this book. This is the second of her books I've read. After two excellent reads, she joins my short list of true crime authors whose work I'll pre-order as soon as I hear they have a new book coming out.
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| A new writer I can trust. |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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After reading some other true crime stories by various authors I learned to stick to the writings of Ann Rule...until now. Ann is the best ever, but Kathryn Casey is also an excellent true crime writer. I look forward to reading more of her books. I've gladly added her name to authors I trust to do a story justice. No pun intended. In this case the criminal isn't really very bright, but Kathryn Casey makes it into an interesting read.
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| Excellent book! |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Could not put this book down. Loved it! Only thing I didnt like was the cover--- It's weird looking; while I was reading it everywhere I went I would put the book face down.
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