Die, My Love: A True Story of Revenge, Murder, and Two Texas Sisters [Mass Market Paperback]

Kathryn Casey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 24, 2007

The day before Halloween 2004 was the last day on Earth for respected, well-liked college professor Fred Jablin. That morning, a neighbor discovered his body lying in a pool of blood in the driveway of Jablin's Virginia home. Police immediately turned their attentions to the victim's ex-wife, Piper, a petite, pretty Texas lawyer who had lost a bitter custody battle and would do anything to get her kids back. But Piper was in Houston, one thousand miles away, at the time of the slaying and couldn't possibly have been the killer . . . could she?

So began an investigation into one of the most bizarre cases Virginia and Texas law enforcement agencies had ever encountered: a twisted conspiracy of lies, rage, paranoia, manipulation, and savage murder that would ensnare an entire family—including two lethally close look-alike sisters—and reveal the shocking depravities possible when a dangerously disordered mind slips into madness.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Kathryn Casey is one of the best in the true crime genre," --Ann Rule

Superbly researched and beautifully written... I devoured this book in one Texas-sized gulp. (Gregg Olsen, New York Times bestselling author of Abandoned Prayers )

“[A] tale you won’t soon forget…one of the very best true crime writers in the business.” (Carlton Stowers, Edgar Award-winning author of CARELESS WHISPERS )

“...a dark and haunting journey...proof once again that she’s among the elite of true crime writers. ” (Carlton Stowers )

About the Author

 Kathryn Casey is an award-winning, Houston-based novelist and journalist, the author of six highly acclaimed true crime books. Ann Rule calls Casey: "one of the best in the true crime genre." Over two decades, Casey has chronicled sensational murder cases across Texas. In addition, Casey is the creator of the Sarah Armstrong mystery series. SINGULARITY, the first in the series, was included in Booklist's best crime novel debuts of 2009, and Library Journal named the third in the series, THE KILLING STORM, one of the best books of 2010. Casey's protagonist is a Texas Ranger/profiler headquartered in Company A, Houston.  
     Casey has appeared on Oprah, Oprah Winfrey's Oxygen Network, Court TV, Biography, Nancy Grace, E! Network, Investigation Discovery, and A&E.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Harper (April 24, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060846208
• ISBN-13: 978-0060846206
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #131,389 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #74 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > True Accounts > True Crime
  • #81 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > True Accounts > Murder & Mayhem

More About the Author

Hello to Everyone:

Amazon's suggestion is that I use this space to tell you a little about myself. So, I'll try: I'm an immigrant to Texas from the upper Mid-west, but I moved here in the early eighties so I consider myself a naturalized Texan. Houston is an amazing place to live, exciting and full of life. I'd recommend it to anyone.

I ventured into true crime writing purely by accident. I was working at Houston City Magazine in the eighties when a fascinating murder took place in the Big Thicket, the wide expanse of pine forests that meld Texas and Louisiana. My editor suggested I cover the case. I did and, from that point on, I was hooked. I've never looked back.

Since then, I've written six true crime books: "A Warrant to Kill," is on Houston's Kent McGowen case, that of a murderous deputy and the woman he terrorized. Next came "She Wanted It All," on Austin's incredible Celeste Beard case. It's hard to beat that one for twists and turns!

2007 introduced "Die My Love." It's an account of the Piper Rountree case, that of a Houston attorney and her professor ex-husband, Fred Jablin. The book is a fascinating, in-depth look at a train-wreck marriage that ended in a tragic murder.

June 2008 debuted "A Descent into Hell," on Austin's bizarre Colton Pitonyak case. Then, that November, "Evil Beside Her," a rerelease of "The Rapist's Wife," my first book, with a new title, cover, photos and an update. Last year, "Shattered" hit bookstores, an account of the tragic case of Belinda Temple, a young mother murdered by her football star husband.

My foray into fiction began in 2009 with the birth of a mystery series featuring Texas Ranger Sarah Armstrong, a single mom, investigator and profiler. The series started with "Singularity," followed by "Blood Lines," and "The Killing Storm." All the books have garnered stellar reviews, and the third was named a best book of 2010 by Library Journal.

There's been little publicity for any of my work, so it's all word-of-mouth. Yet that's carried "A Warrant to Kill" into a ninth printing and "She Wanted It All" into a seventh. "The Killing Storm" was only out for a few months when it went into a third printing. Truly remarkable!

The credit goes to all of you who read the books and recommend them to friends and family. Keep up the good work! Spread the word! It's appreciated!

I'm not sure how often I'll check in here, but you can always peruse my website: kathryncasey.com, to keep abreast of upcoming events and new books. And email me at [e-mail]. I'll look forward to it!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars KC's best yet., May 13, 2007

By 

Jan (Alaska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Die, My Love: A True Story of Revenge, Murder, and Two Texas Sisters (Mass Market Paperback)

This is Kathryn Casey's best book to date. She writes as if she stood in the corner, watching the tragedy unfold. Then she shares it with us in careful detail. Her research is impeccable and her writing stellar. This is a must read book for any true crime fan, or anyone who appreciates a well-told story.

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars KC does justice to a difficult case, April 24, 2007

By 

Sibby (Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Die, My Love: A True Story of Revenge, Murder, and Two Texas Sisters (Mass Market Paperback)

This case was an especially difficult one because it involved a murderer that crossed state lines to commit the heinous act. Police in two states had to cooperate to get the evidence needed to bring the killer to justice.

Kathryn Casey delves into the tumultuous and bitter divorce of Fred Jablin and Piper Rountree culminating in the tragic shooting murder of Fred. This riveting story takes you from Texas to Virginia and back to Texas again as law enforcement try to make sense of a senseless murder. A manipulative and angry ex-wife is the prime suspect but the clues are deeply hidden in a web of lies and tests of loyalties between lovers and family. A truly good read.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New True Crime Royalty, March 1, 2008

By 

B. Martin "BootheBookWorm" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Die, My Love: A True Story of Revenge, Murder, and Two Texas Sisters (Mass Market Paperback)

For so many years Ann Rule has been the reigning ruler of the true crime genre. Well she better watch her back because KC is poised to steal that crown. All of her books have been excellent and this one does not disappoint. In the days of so many poorly written, lazily researched and badly edited true crime books ruining the genre thank goodness for Kathryn Casey. Rather than start the book at the point of the murder, she is like the proverbial fly on the wall and takes us back through the lives of Fred Jablin and Piper Rountree. From what shaped them as adults to their meeting and subsequent marriage, all the way to the contentious divorce and custody battle and then the tragic murder of Fred Jablin. All this back story may sound boring but it is far from that. It gives insight that makes the story of the police investigation and subsequent trial all the more interesting. She also delves into the dysfunctional and troubling bond between Piper Rountree and her sister Tina which added a creepy element as well as in my opinion a bond that helped make the murder happen. If you are thinking of giving up on true crime because of all the bad books out there give this one a read. It is an excellent book and will restore your faith in the genre.