Customer Reviews

Out of Control (St. Martin's True Crime Library)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Out of Control details the lengths some people will actually go to. I have always wondered why Clara Harris would do what she did; now I know. Read this book and you will see for yourself what lengths some people will resort to. This book felt like a great fiction read, because in this case truth was even stranger than fiction! If you like interesting, page turning reading, than this is the book for you. Reading it was an amazing experience. All too often, I actually felt like I was there - in the car, getting out of the car, actually seeing and hearing what it felt like to be there with Mr. Harris as he died. The trial coverage was incredible, I felt for all involved. This book made me thankful for the good life I have when I saw how some people live. Have at it and enjoy yourself!

I loved this book and read it in two days. Although it was clear Clara Harris killed her husband in cold blood, I still had a great deal of sympathy for her. I was positive her attorney would defend her as a temporary insanity case; however, he didn't and I'm not sure why. I can totally understand the rage she had after discovering his mistress; then after he promises to stop seeing his lover and try to make his marriage work, she finds out he was deceiving her once again. Clara Harris worked so hard all her life and it was obvious she was a caring mother and a devoted wife who loved her husband very much -- almost to obsessive levels. For her to do what she did, over and over -- run the car over him again and again, she HAD to have been in some kind of out of control mode and I think they should have taken that into consideration and cut her a break. The Judge was relentless, almost as though she had no sympathy for Clara Harris at all. I realize she is a murderess but I still felt bad for her. Her heart was broken and her jealousy toward her husband's other woman just set her off. I definitely would recommend this book and I promise you will not be bored.

Though this story made headlines across the country, there was not enough tabloid ink to cover all the truly bizarre details of the case.

The author goes into excrutiating detail to illustrate the moral hypocrisy of the Harris's suburban Texas community. Its affluent deniszens flaunted adherence to the protestant work ethic by indulging in conspicuous consumption, and maintained god-fearing charades by attending frivolous church gatherings. New residents "denomination shopped" by the same critieria used in country club selection -- the choice of methodist vs. baptist was made according to convenience of church location and the social standing of its congregation. Most of the participants in this drama met in their church groups, and their intricate infidelities required a flow chart - in fact one was entered into evidence during the trial.

The author leads us through the horror of the incident itself, then traces back through the eight days prior to the vehicular assault. Empathy for the victim dwindles as he is portrayed as a self-indulgent man-child who humiliates his well-liked, hard-working immigrant wife by having an affair with a sexpot who works in their dental business. He even methodically details for his wife why he prefers his lover to her. Clara Harris thus descends into a desperate, jealous fury culminating in the vehicular assault.

Lest we think Clara Harris is an innocent victim of circumstance, her calculating side is revealed as she schemes to win her husband back, and inexcusably drags his daughter along with her. In turn, she hires an unsavory private detective firm who also have been hired by everyone else involved in the case. The second half of the book is spent detailing the trial. The author does a superb job of covering the highlights and illuminating the defense and prosecution strategies. Although he takes pains to provide balance as far as David vs. Clara, he humorlessly fails to hide his disdain for the trial judge, a Texas Republican with little regard for freedom of the press.

This is a fascinating page-turner, particularly for those who derive a sense of schaudenfreud from reading about wealthy people who have it all and lose it through bad behaviour.

Houston stories are hot right now. I'm not sure what's in the water there, but Houston's true stories are making the news. Of course everyone heard about Clara Harris running over her unfaithful husband with her Mercedes. Most wives sympathize with her and her act of rage like they did with Lorraine Bobbitt when she struck at her husband with a butcher knife. This book is an excellent read.

A true crime book set in Houston, TX. David and Clara Harris had a life that most Americans can only dream of. They had the huge mansion, fancy cars, advanced education, prosperous business, and seemingly perfect family. David also had a roving eye. When Clara found out about it, all hell broke loose. This is the fact based, true story of how the bottom fell out of their perfect life and what happened to David when Clara went "Out of Control." I enjoyed this book very much. The cast of characters is large, but clearly defined. Each character has something of interest to share, from the private investigators, the "other woman," witnesses to the incident which resulted in David's death, to the dedicated defense attorney who worked even while so sick that he collapsed in court. You'll shake your head in dismay as you read what happened the day that Clara went into a fit of rage, and you will gasp at the events that took place. Was Clara really remorseful? Was she beyond rational behavior when she ran her husband down at the hotel where she caught him with the other woman? Or was Clara just mad as hell? This is a riveting page turner and thought provoking book about life and death in the fast lane.
Gay Springfield

Just finished this book and I have to say that Clara Harris was not the only villain in this tragic event. Mr. Long dug up some facinating details that was never broached by the regular media.Events leading up to that awful night puts into perspective what "drove" Clara to commit this awful deed.I'm glad to have gotten some information about the characters of the
cheating husband and his mistress. I couldn't put it down.

"Out of Control" relates a terrific story, the sort of bizarre true-life event that no fiction writer would ever DARE to suggest. In Houston, I first heard of Clara Harris on the local morning radio news report immediately after the incident in the hotel parking lot -- and the news person was, in an understandable struggle, fighting back laughter as she gave the account. Ann Richards, former governor of Texas, later made a delightful comment to the effect that gasoline prices are getting so high now that women in Texas have to carpool to run over their husbands.

I was interested in the story when it first broke. I liked the book but hope someone comes up with a more in-depth book. The trial was a joke. Between her attorney and the judge she never had a chance.
I read that she was up for parole recently but it was denied. I don't think she is a danger to the public. When I read about people who are released into the population who are psychopaths I think of her and wonder about the justice system. Its time for this woman to be released to her family.

Heard about this story a while back...so I got the book. Very good....keeps your attention. Hard to believe how some people think...its scary and sad and the same time. A waste of a life. She should of just left him instead she kills him and now her life is over to. Get the book...great read.

Fascinating story of a the death of a philandering husband in Houston was spoiled by the author's uneven coverage of the details. For example, the fact that the victim's parents chose to stand by their son's killer (the wife) and even testified on her behalf at the trial was very unusual. However the author totally failed to explore this other then to mention in one sentence the parents' fears that the wife's relatives would take custody of the children and relocate them to Colombia in the event of a conviction. Totally inadequate explanation of a bizarre aspect of the trial. Also felt the criticism of the DA, the defense counsel, and the judge showed the author's lack of objectivity. Still, all-in-all a good read for true crime aficionados. Say a seven on a scale of ten.