( 15 reviews )
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( 1 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: Aug 13 2009
This is the story of a disturbed woman, Liysa Northon who, through pure greed, self-interest, and an inflated sense of self, premeditatedly killed her husband, Chris, whom she no longer loved. She then claimed to have been a battered woman who killed her husband in self-defense. Unfortunately for her, as the evidence showed, nothing could have been further from the truth. Liysa Northon began laying the groundwork for her husband's murder well in advance of its actual commission. While she was successful in killing her husband, she ultimately was not successful in beating the rap. Liysa Northon simply was not as smart as she thought she was. Compelling forensic evidence and the massive amount of lies that she told came back to bite her on the butt. She was, however, fortunate to have been offered a remarkably favorable plea bargain during the course of her trial, which plea deal, not surprisingly, she took. Ultimately, she was hoisted by her own petard. As a career prosecutor, I applaud the investigators and the prosecutor in this case for their efforts in unraveling the web of lies with which Liysa Northon hoped to ensnare the gullible and go on her merry way. My heart goes out to the family of Chris Northon and to the children involved for what this unprincipled, selfish, and possibly mentally ill woman has put them through. As for Ms. Northon, I hope that when she is released from prison, she will not seek to make her children's lives a living hell. Ann Rule is truly the doyenne of the true crime genre. Once again, she has taken a true crime and brought it vividly to life for the reader. In order to do so, the author interviewed many of those named in the book. It should be noted, however, that Liysa Northon declined to be interviewed. So, her friends and family really should not complain about her portrayal in the book. Moreover, the author's analysis of the people and events in the book is interesting and well-thought out. All in all, this is a well-researched, well-written true crime book. Those who enjoy this genre will like this book a great deal.
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Posted: Jan 30 2009
Admittedly, I have never read crime novels, but last week from Goodwill, I picked up Grisham's " The Innocent Man," and Ann Rule's book on Liysa Northom, both for sixty-five cents each. Grisham's book bothered me since the "innocent man" had over six different psychiatric diagnoses, when it appeared quite obvious he was simply a severe alcoholic, nonetheless, I admired Grisham since it was obvious that the subject of the book was indeed "innocent." Ann Rule's book was deeply disturbing. How could anyone read this book and not see the black and white, borderline presentation, with Liysa all bad, and Chris, all-good, and not question the psychological well-being of the writer? The book was bizarre in its presentation of this wonderful husband and the conniving wife. Ann Rule refused to classify Liysa as attractive, even though in pictures she was lovely. I had never heard of Liysa or this case prior to this book, but looking at the photos included, I could not help but notice the envy and jealousy exhibited by the overweight, plain, overly made-up, Ann Rule for her subject. "Why does a wife murder her husband?" For Insurance? Ann Rule thinks so, but does that say more about Ann Rule than anyone else? Afterall, she had written by her own acknowledgement over twenty-three books with the great help of others in as many years. Who loves money? Projection? This book was disturbing on so many levels. First it never made sense. It did not flow. Rule admits that Liysa was a good writer yet she only includes the barest snippets of her writing to present Rule's point of view. Why not include Liysa's writing? Let us judge. It was poorly written, pitiful, actually. I will admit that I do not know if this is what American considers good writing since this was my first foray in crime. I had read both novels simply because I have become concerned about Psychiatry's claim to be scientific. I am a psychiatrist, and I will be the first to admit it is an art, an inexact one, to be sure. With Grisham's patient, it was laughable to consider all the diagnoses he was given. For instance he was both schizophrenic and manic-depressive, two entirely different disorders, both thought to be hereditary, yet he had no family history. It was clear that he was cursively examined and given diagnoses, that sounded good but had no basis in fact. I cried as I kept reading, how wronged this man had been treated by both the medical profession and the law. We should all be ashamed. This was the first novel I had ever read by Grisham, yet I admired him, knew I would read more, and felt chastized, like I needed to be more involved in my community. Then I read Ann Rule. Besides the poor writing, it was so biased, and left so many unanswered quetions, that after the first few chapters I found myself insensed. This appeared to be a commercial enterprize to make Ann Rule money, otherwise it was useless. The junk science psychiatry make me laugh, at first, and then I was angry. She states that most people have more tham one personality disorder, and then goes on to claim Liysa has several. Does the public accept this? From the reviews I have read, apparently so, but then the public is as deluded as Ann Rule. Let's face it, Ann Rule wrote this book in a hurry to make money. Is it true? Of course it isn't! I have no idea what happened. I do not know anything about the two people in the book, Chris or Liysa, but what I do know is that this book was absurdly ridiculous on so many levels. All of us who care about justice should rail against someone like Ann Rule who is simply out to enhance herself, something that she accuses Liysa of, yet projection is a powerful thing.
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( 0 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: Sep 22 2008
Well constructed tick tock of a husband murder that built up over several years and culminated in a planned shooting that left a few too many questions. The wife was bipolar and that explains a lot. She still has her defenders, remarkably. The husband comes off as the true victim. If you like true crime, this one is well worth the time. Ann Rule is top notch in the genre.
