A Deadly Game: The Untold Story of the Scott Peterson Investigation [Paperback]

Catherine Crier (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 3, 2006

In this #1 New York Times bestseller, Catherine Crier, a former judge and one of television's most popular legal analysts, offers a riveting and authoritative account of one of the most memorable crime dramas of our time: the murder of Laci Peterson at the hands of her husband, Scott, on Christmas Eve 2002. Drawing on extensive interviews with key witnesses and lead investigators, as well as secret evidence files that never made it to trial, Crier traces Scott's bizarre behavior; shares dozens of transcripts of Scott's chilling and incriminating phone conversations; offers accounts of Scott's womanizing from two former mistresses before Amber Frey; and includes scores of never-before-seen police photos, documents, and other evidence.

The result is thoroughly engrossing yet highly disturbing -- an unforgettable portrait of a charming, yet deeply sociopathic, killer.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

After the seemingly never-ending media coverage of pregnant Laci Peterson's Christmas Eve 2002 disappearance and husband Scott's subsequent arrest, trial, conviction and death-penalty sentence for her murder, it's hard to believe anything about this notorious case could still be "untold." But Court TV anchor Crier and co-author Thompson's encyclopedic tome includes never-before-released transcripts of conversations between Scott and others (which don't significantly impact one's understanding of the case, however) and a 38-page appendix of photos, documents and other police evidence. Although much of the information in this book has been reported previously or revealed at trial, anyone looking for a comprehensive overview of the case will find it here. The authors chart not only the police investigation and trial but the personal and family history of Scott and Laci. A more balanced examination of the case is all that's missing to make this book really stand out. Up front, Crier states that since the first days of the case, she felt certain that Scott was a sociopath responsible for his wife's disappearance, and throughout the book, she demonstrates how and why. Given Scott's behavior in the weeks prior to and immediately after Laci's disappearance, not to mention all the lies he told to police, family and friends, she's not exactly going out on a limb. Although few people would doubt Scott's guilt, the whole book is very pro-police-it's even dedicated "To all those who protect and serve." Had the authors started from a presumption of innocence and turned a critical eye on the investigation, which yielded more circumstantial than solid forensic evidence, the book would have been more compelling, but its thoroughness will draw many readers nonetheless. 12 pages of color photos.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Catherine Crier is the host of Court TV's Catherine Crier Live. A distinguished attorney, legal analyst, and the youngest state judge ever to be elected in Texas, Crier has received an Emmy Award for investigative journalism and the DuPont-Columbia Journalism Award. Also the author of the New York Times bestsellers A Deadly Game and The Case Against Lawyers, Crier lives in Westchester County, New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (January 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060849630
• ISBN-13: 978-0060849634
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (165 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #513,795 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

180 of 190 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reporting of the whole case, March 11, 2005

By 

Dominick Flarey - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Deadly Game: The Untold Story of the Scott Peterson Investigation (Hardcover)

This work is excellent! Was hard to "put down." Brings to light much more than has been defined and described in other works and reports on the case. The book is very well written and the many transcripts of the case provided are an excellent way to understand the real depth of the case. It is very investigative and legal in many parts, but, the author does a wonderful job of making Laci Peterson real to the reader and you come away understanding more who Laci was. The author also did an excellent job describing the pain and suffering of the familes that were destroyed by this event; and so Catherine Crier has mastered the "weaving" of both the factual and the emotional sides of the case. There is a significant amount of information provided, and new information including transcripts of conversations and facts that the jury did not hear. If you have followed this case at all, this is "a must read." If you have not followed the case then this is the book that covers it all. A real work of authority on all facets of the case. Very highly recommended! 5 stars +

181 of 195 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From someone who knows evidence, March 13, 2005

By 

MovedbyMusic - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Deadly Game: The Untold Story of the Scott Peterson Investigation (Hardcover)

This book is far better than Amber Frey's book "Witness to the Prosecution" mainly because it's not "gossipy" and it's written by a former judge who understands the total package of evidence -circumstantial and direct. She takes a reader through a linear time-line of behavior and documents it with credible sources. Unlike other sensational journalistic accounts of case law I think Crier does a great job of compartmentalizing emotional aspects that are only relevant in an ancillary way but do shed light on intent.

I still think that typically juries do the right thing and trust the process, so I think this book is a reliable testament that justice unfolds most of the time. Great book. Well done.

42 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kudos to Catherine Crier, March 13, 2005

By 

clarissa - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Deadly Game: The Untold Story of the Scott Peterson Investigation (Hardcover)

A Deadly Game lives up to Crier's reptuation in the legal and reporting fields and uncovers countless details of the case that even avid followers do not know. We are taken from the first day through and get a behind the scenes perspective from law enforcement's point of view. Plus we hear from witnesses and read reports never covered in the trial or in reporting. This case has fascinated the nation but I think a few have had some sort of doubt about Peterson's guilt due to lack of forensic evidence. This detailed account will put any doubts to rest. Plus, it finally gives readers a hold on who Scott Peterson really is and the approach he took toward life (and women) from where he is coming in his psyche. I found it interesting that he didn't just have "affairs" as if that wouldn't be bad enough. The truly remarkable thing about his extramarital ramblings is that he approached these relationships as one might do if he was single, with all out gusto. This is a must read for anyone interested in the case.