Customer Reviews

Deadly Pretender

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4 star:		(1)
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Like the equally fascinating true crime masterpiece, Final Vows, the book Deadly Pretender by Karen Kingsbury is too compelling a read to put down until you have devoured the very last page(I read through the night when I could never find a good stopping place!).

This is the story of David Miller, a successful political lobbyist who many would have envied--wealthy, reasonably attractive, good at his job, accepted in exciting social circles, he seemed to have it all. Yet, inexplicably, David isn't satisfied with these blessings and becomes increasingly addicted to a life of deceit. On his fateful course, he finds himself drawn to higher and higher levels of deception to feel challenged and fulfilled. While some of us are content to take a trip or find a new hobby if life feels flat and dull, not so for this guy. Instead, he raises the stakes all the time, weaving more and more intricate lies as he goes.

Deciding he was too special to be a mere bachelor OR just a married man, he decides he deserves to be both. This leads to his marrying Dorothy, and convincing his wife that he is an undercover agent to explain his extended absences from home. His ruse allows him to take cruises and enjoy every svelte young lady who meets his fancy, then rush home to Dorothy's arms after his "mission" is over. Had it stopped there, he may have been able to pull off the deception indefinitely, but his escalating need for risk drives him to unethical business practices, bigamy, and the expenses of a dual lifestyle with two different families, ultimately ending in a tragic murder of wife Jayne.

As hard as it is to believe that the entire twisted tale is true, court documents and trial transcripts support that in this case, fact is far and away more compelling than fiction. And sadly for Dorothy, only too real in the way it ruined her world, and even worse, deprived Jayne of her very life.

Very true and shocking story of David Miller, who leads a life of greed and deception. This is my fifth time reading this, and itseems to get better each time. I guarantee you will shake your head when reading this book.

This would have made an OUTSTANDING made for TV or cable movie. I hope the author does consider this at some point.

THIS WAS A GREAT TRUE CRIME BOOK. I COULD DEFINATELY NOT PUT IT DOWN. ONE OF THE BEST I HAVE READ IN A LONG WHILE. IF YOU ARE A TRUE CRIME BUFF, PLEASE READ THIS BOOK. YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!

I agree with the other reviewers that this is an excellent book. I too could not put it down. I've read countless true crime books and this is one of the best. I didn't want the book to end, it's that good.

1980's--early 90's

David Miller - bigamist-murderer-liar

Dorothy Garofalo Miller- 1st wife-gorgeous green-eyes

Jayne Leebrick Miller-2nd wife-killed-tanned, blond

David discovered the thrill of lying. Was with out a conscience.

He crossed the line. He lived a life contrary to society standards.

The more he lied, the greater the fear that he might get caught.

Problem-- David had not yet learned to deal with the FEAR.

He lied to everyone he met..not one person figured out he might

be living a double life.

When he found out that his 2nd wife discovered his guns, his un-

paid bills, and his other wife FEAR took over and he decided SHE

HAD TO DIE.

Please read this story about a con mans smile, twisted mind and

murderous heart. This is a good read.

Author Karen Kingsbury now writes fiction but she started out with

true crime.

As I read this horrifying tale of a man, a sociopath, I kept shaking my head in disbelief. How could this man believe he could get away with this ruse of leading a double life? It seems that David Miller believed from the time he was a youngun that he was "special" and amazingly he became a very successful lobbyist, surrounded by elite politicians and beatiful, available women; He falls in love with Dorothy but not for one minute does he entertain the thought of being faithful to her; he sort of puts her in a compartment and weaves a tale that he is in the CIA and must travel all over the world, to expalin why he isn't home much. With that situation pretty much under control he carries on with his lobbying activities and maintaining his elite status. Not satisfied with his life, and believing he deserves so much more, he marries again, this time to Jayne. This act was the beginning of the end for him and unbeknownst to poor Jayne, the day she said said hello to him on an airplane, her death warrant was signed, sealed and delivered. As he attempted to juggle two wives, his life spins out of control and as he tries desperately to get control of the situation fear becomes the predominant feeling; the fear that he will be discovered and lose everything. This comes to pass when Jayne finds out about his deception and threatens to tell the world about who he really is; she announces to him her intentions of doing just that; she tells him to meet her at a storage unit, where she intends to put his stuff at the curb. David the sociopath, who is now going to be found out, decides that he will stop Jayne and in fact he shoots her to death in front of strangers at the storage unit facility. I first saw the movive "Every Woman's Dream" a few years ago and for several years I tried to find the book about this story; I finally did and am reading it now. When I saw the movie, it was almost a comedy and I was totally unprepared for the ending. This is a story you will never forget written by a woman who is an incredibly gifted writer, in the Ann Rule genre.

I noticed that someone asked about a movie version of this novel. There is one from about 1996, starring Kim Catrall... it seems not as serious as the novel, almost like a parody, but you seen see how serious it is. The name of the film is "Every Woman's Dream", it was made for TV movie.

I had already seen the movie which was based on this book. As good as the movie was, I felt the book was even better.