Never Enough

I found this book on the "for sale" shelf at my library and bought it because Joe McGinniss wrote it, not because I was familiar with the case of the "Milkshake Murderer." Once you adapt to his writing style, it's a quick read.

There's not a lot of fluff here -- it's fast paced and sticks to the facts -- even though it's obvious which "side" McGinniss is on right from the start. So if you're looking for a "fair and balanced" look at the case, you aren't going to find it here, and I'm not sure it could even be done, the crime being so heinous and bizarre! According to McGinnis, Rob Kissel was just a great guy -- ambitious and driven, yes, but he loved his family. And then there's Nancy -- lousy wife and lousy mother and just plain evil, show more or stupid, or both.

It *is* impossible to feel sorry for Nancy Kissel, or find any redeeming qualities whatsoever, reading this book. But on the other hand, was Rob Kissel nothing but Mr. Wonderful? I don't believe, not for a minute, the allegations that Nancy made as part of her defense. But I also can't believe *any* relationship could really be that one-sided.

McGinnis recounts in great detail Nancy's actions in the week after Rob was murdered, and this was, I think, my favorite part of the book simply because you just can't make this stuff up! Shaking my head the whole time, thinking, "You have *got* to be kidding!"

McGinnis goes to great lengths to hammer home the point that these people were absolutely rolling in disgusting amounts of money, and that got a bit tiresome after awhile. I found myself thinking, "Okay! Okay! They're rich! I get it!" But it all goes with the title "Never Enough" -- and not just for Rob and Nancy. Some of the other members of Rob's family were willing to go to great lengths to support a lifestyle that was built on a house of cards. show less

This story exemplifies the saying "money can't buy you happiness". So many sad, tragic lives in this book. I realize that there are two sides to every story, but this book left me with a lot of questions about motives and true actions of many of the main players. Did not like the audio reader much, took me awhile to get used to the tone, but it was an easy (if not light) book to listen to while walking the dog.

A compelling look at the Kissel brothers who had it "all" and yet died violently. The book primarily focuses on the family of Rob and Nancy Kissel. They were living the high life in Hong Kong and yet she killed him, wrapped him in a rug and tried to have him stuffed into a storage locker.

Ultimately, the book is an indictment of overconsumption. There are definitely some voyeuristic aspects of looking at another family's tragedy, but it is so well told that it overcomes most of the pornographic elements of the true crime genre.

Never Enough is a diverting, if conventional, true crime story.

I have mixed feelings toward this genre: I occasionally find myself fascinated by true crime books, and will read a spate of them, but then I lose interest for months or even years. Murder (since of course few true crime novels are written unless some serious blood has been shed) is atavistically compelling, but the evil that motivates it is so often predictable that it's frankly not worth reading about in detailed long form. It’s no wonder many crime readers focus on serial killers.

But I couldn’t pass up this book. It’s the story of Nancy Kissel, a spoiled American expatriate wife living in Hong Kong who did in her banker husband in an unusually colorful and gory show more way. (It’s not often you get a combination of a drugged milkshake and repeated bludgeoning). And since I’m a long-term expatriate in Hong Kong myself, and was therefore quite familiar with the outlines of the story, including the sensational impact it had on the expat community here, I had no problems sticking with this story.

Joe McGinness is typical of true crime writers in many ways. He writes competently, but in a flat, seemingly disinterested tone. He’s obviously trying to project an objective stance, but it’s hard to imagine anyone reading this book and not figuring out what he really thinks about the facts of the case. This is no slur on his conclusions, by the way: I think it’s likely he’s absolutely right. But there is something odd after a while about reading an elaborate and purportedly authoritative reconstruction of the innermost thoughts of the parties involved – when one is dead and the other incarcerated.

Those looking for much local color (i.e. good description of or insight into Hong Kong) will be disappointed. The SAR is no more than a setting here, with attention paid only to the ways in which well-paid expats are tempted to remain in their own comfy little bubbles lording it over the locals. This does indeed happen, but McGinness does little to get beyond the obvious on this topic.

So if you’re a true crime fan, hey, this one’s good enough, and it’ll provide a solid diversion. But if you’re looking for anything more, I’d look elsewhere. show less

I had not heard of this story prior to reading the book. Nancy Kissel must be some piece of work. Then again, for all we know her story is true. It's not really possible for me to say her story of abuse has no grounds, after all, Rob's family did not sound like it was the picture of mental health. The amount of pressure to perform that a bank trader would be under could only be handled by someone that copes well with being always under the gun. So... In the end this book is an interesting read for a true crime reader, but you don't walk away thinking you know all the answers. At least, I didn't walk away feeling like I knew the answers.

This isn't anywhere near one of the best books I've read recently but it was a compelling true life story. After the first few chapters I thought I would get bored with the story however I kept reading and after a few more chapters I was sucked into the sensational soap opera that was the Kissel's lives. It was interesting look into the wealthy investment banker lifestyle although at times I felt like I was indulging myself in a tabloid like publication.

This is one of the best true crime books I've read. I enjoyed it from beginning to end.