Jim Atkinson

Betty and Candy, Candy and Betty-- two versions of womanhood, caught in a tragic collision of insecurities, doubts about themselves, and the awareness, perhaps, that neither one of them had really learned how to love. " (Chapter 27)

Candy was a housewife and mother who was unhappy and wanted more. Put simply, she was bored and wanted some excitement. She thought having an affair was exactly what she needed. When she met Allan Gore, they immediately hit it off. Neither went into the affair show more blindly, but little did they know the affair would be their undoing.

What happened with Bettty Gore following the affair is so bizarre and violent that you would think it was made up, but it is all too real.

This was my first true crime book, other than If You Tell by Gregg Olsen, and I was intrigued the whole time. I could not believe what I was reading at times, and my mind was blown by the verdict. show less

Evidence of Love: A True Story of Passion and Death in the Suburbs by John Bloom is a 2016 Open Road Media publication.(Originally published in 1984)

This is another older true crime story- one that I had forgotten about until I started reading this book. I was about a quarter of the way in when it finally came to me why everything sounded so familiar. In fact, I think I may have even read this book many, many years ago.

Although this case has been out of the spotlight for a good while- my show more understanding is that both Hulu and HBO are planning mini-series about it. The HBO series is based on this book, as it so happens.

Despite the age of the case and this book-it is still an incredible and riveting drama. It’s got all the elements that drive people to commit crimes of passion- but the way this investigation played out was so unusual- I have never heard anything like it since.

The crime takes place in 1980 when Betty Gore was brutally murdered- on Friday the 13th, no less, while her husband was away on a business trip.

One of the last people to see Betty alive was her friend, Candy Montgomery, who had stopped by earlier in the day. As the police begin their investigation, it comes to light that the two church -going families had a few secrets between them- secrets which may have culminated in murder.

The book follows a format common in true crime books of this era. Background is given about the families involved, the reader is walked through how Betty’s body was found, the days following her murder, and the subsequent revelations that eventually led to a shocking outcome, a sensational murder trial, and a stunning jury decision.

Although the story was familiar to me, I had forgotten many of the details. As I re

ad further, I found myself completely engrossed.

So, it might be a good time to brush up on this case before you watch the new series about it. (In the meantime- you can watch 'A Killing in a Small Town on YouTube.)

This book was very well written and organized. The layout is very effective, even now, when we are so accustomed to true crime reading like fiction.

Overall, I give this one the five star treatment. True crime fans don’t miss this one! show less

Should have been half as long.

If this had been confined to the trial it would rate 4 stars. However, the authors decided to go with a more "Lifetime Movie" scenario and the book bogs down accordingly. I also, felt the authors were pretty much rooting for the defendant. The judge was extremely unprofessional however. He tried to intimidate the defense attorney at every opportunity and that reflects badly on him. If you watched and enjoyed the series "Madmen" and many did. Then you might like show more this much more than I did. One reason I didn't like Madmen was t h e show was just a glorified soap opera. I liked it when it was on the agency and the time period. But, the soap bored me to say the least. Same with this book. They could have hit on the affairs and moved on. Instead the authors went on and on about childhood incidents and teenage/young women in "luv." (Mild spoiler alert)

Finally I was completely shocked at the verdict. If the authors are correct then the act of sexual intercourse is much more damming in a Texas woman's mind than brutally killing another human. show less

I first learned of this story when it was presented as a mini-series ("Candy" with Jessica Biel) on Hulu. It intrigued me, so I watched it and found it fascinating. I downloaded the audiobook that the movie was based on, and I'll admit, I took my time listening to it. It was very interesting, but it read (as it should, I suppose) like non-fiction. There were times when there were so many names tossed around, it was a bit difficult to follow. I think, since I knew the basics of the story, it show more was easier for me to follow.

Something about True Crime stories is just so interesting. I think this may put me on the path to read more! show less