Tessa Barclay (1920–2016)

The Charming Predator is an addicting read for anyone who loves true crime.

Lately I have been in a reading slump (probably from all of those school textbooks I'm devouring...) and most of the books I should love I haven't been able to connect with. Buuuuut, this book instantly hooked me during this time and appeared to be exactly what I needed.

This book is intriguing because it's supposed to be "real" (I say supposed to because Lee MacKenzie apparently has numerous pseudonyms). Kenner Jones did exist and there are numerous stories about how he scammed a ridiculous amount of people (including his wife).

I find it an interesting phenomenon that this happens to people. It seems so out of the ordinary and soap opera like, yet I've met many people who trick and manipulate anyone they can. Reading it, I found I could see "signs", but that's with me knowing the end of this story - I know he's going to manipulate her, it's almost like a bad movie you have seen over and over. "Don't go through that door" or "Don't talk to that person" and so on...

I have so much respect for this woman, because this was truly one of the worst moments (or say...years?) of her life. Writing a book like this takes courage, and my goodness is it a good book. I find it well written, easy to read and one of the better true crime, life story novels I have read in a while.

This book gets 5 out of 5 stars for sure.

[Edit] - I received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads AND I found a copy at my local indie bookstore that was an arc! Talk about luck!… (more)

Lee Mackenzie was young and admittedly a bit naïve when she first met and fell in love with Kenner Jones. Although many red flags popped up and she did suspect him of lying to her it was not until she herself was accused of his crimes that she packed up and left him. Kenner had (has?) a way of getting what he wants from people, whether by charming them or in some cases preying on their sympathy to gain their trust and money through false pretenses. This is Lee's story of her time spent with him and it's aftermath. Presented in a matter of fact way. It was a fascinating story.
I received an advance copy for review.… (more)