Customer Reviews

Die, My Love: A True Story of Revenge, Murder, and Two Texas Sisters

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

After reading SHE WANTED IT ALL, i wondered if Ms.Casey could top that-and with DIE MY LOVE she delivers another great read, just enough details and a storytelling ability to keep you on the edge of your seat and keep you up late reading ! when is your next book coming out ? soon, i hope !

This is an exceptional book! Kathryn Casey is fast becoming one of the best true crime authors to date. Her research is precise and her abiltiy to take you through the whole case from beginning to end and make you feel as though you witnessed it yourself is amazing.

Impeccably researched and wonderfully written, this book is spellbinding from beginning to end. For true crime readers everywhere, it doesn't get better than this.

Kathryn Casey just may be the finest True Crime writer today. In "Die, My Love," Casey profiles convicted murderer, Piper Rountree, who decided that losing custody of her three children during a bitter divorce was unacceptable. She gunned down her ex-husband in his own driveway in Virginia and then hopped an airplane back to Texas, wearing a ridiculous wig and flying under an airline issued ticket in her sister's name.

When police investigators began questioning those close to the family who knew about the contentious divorce between Rountree and her husband, Fred Jablin, several individuals suggested the police take a closer look at his ex-wife. Police departments in two states, along with a brilliant prosecution team, compiled an impressive mound of evidence and detailed a paper trail that spanned the country from Texas to Virginia and back again.

Although Rountree had once served as a defense attorney herself, she was both arrogant and uninformed when she assumed she would never be arrested, much less convicted. The most damning piece of evidence came in the form of cell phone records. While Rountree casually spoke to her 12 year old son and informed him she was on a business trip in Texas, she was calling from the very neighborhood in which her children resided with their father. (Damn. Forgot about those cell phone records!)

As is true of many murderers, Piper Rountree was not nearly as smart as she thought she was! In her arrogance, she decided that her children would be better off in her custody, even if that meant they grew up without a father. Also, let us not forget that she was willing to kill their father in the driveway of the family home... while her children slept inside. This is not the act of a loving mother. In her selfishness and need for control, she effectively robbed her children of not only their father, but their mother.

I have only two complaints about this book, and those are small. The title of the book, "Die, My Love," sounds like a cheap, dimestore novel meant to evoke a surge of emotion, even though it really does not make much sense once the story is told. There was no loss of love for Piper Rountree. She only felt hatred and murderous revenge. In addition, the cover of the book is completely unappealing. Although I find the two "bullet holes" an interesting touch, the whole of the cover appears cheap and lacking in inspiration. In fact, had Kathryn Casey not written this book, I doubt I would ever have picked it up or even read the back cover. Similarly, the photos in the center portion of the book could have been greatly improved. However, none of this detracts from the detailed research and excellent writing of which Kathryn Casey is a master. True Crime fans will not be disappointed. Kudos to Casey!

Kathryn Casey produced an EXCELLENT story with the case of Piper Roundtree who was convicted of killing her estranged husband, Fred Jablin. Roundtree, despite efforts to establish an alibi proving otherwise, flew into Virginia from Texas and, in the wee morning hours, gunned down Jablin in his driveway and immediately flew back to Texas; all the while, the couples three children sleeping soundly in the beds inside the home.

And what was Piper's motive? Money? Maybe, but more than likely it was simply to regain custody of her three children whom Fred had obtained custody of in prior proceedings.

What is absolutely fascinating about this case is the tie between Piper and her sister Tina. It was Tina's identification that Piper used to purchase plane tickets and make reservations at hotels. And, all the while, it was Tina who was helping Piper dispose of evidence to cover her crime when Virginia Law Enforcement came knocking in Texas. This pair gives a whole new meaning to "brotherly love."

This is Casey's best work by far. I highly recommend reading this fast paced, attention grabbing story to all true crime fans!

Kathryn Casey has topped "She Wanted It All" with "Die, My Love". I didn't think anyone could be worse than Celeste Beard, but Piper Rountree takes the cake. Kathryn makes this story so compelling, and hard to put down. Great work KC, can't wait for your next book!

The true crime genre has many hacks, several reliable practitioners and a few greats. Kathryn Casey is becoming one of the great ones. Die, My Love by Kathryn Casey would be perfect if it weren't for the awful title. But that's the only bad thing I can say about this entertaining book. This is the story of one very odd woman, her nearly equally odd sister and the murder of her husband. How odd? Well, would you want a self-proclaimed "druid" and "bard" as your lawyer? If the answer is yes, then Piper Rountree is the lawyer for you.

Piper Rountree Jablin is batty on her best days and for some reason the men around her routinely find this charming. Her family, especially her sister Tina, coddle if not encourage Piper's permanent residence in La-La land. It's one thing for Piper to think she possesses magical powers, it's something else altogether for Tina to agree. Another friend praises Piper's "live for today" attitude, apparently unaware that Piper suffers from ADD. This book is full of those "are these people for real" moments so dear to the heart of true crime fans. Piper thinks nothing of urging a fellow lawyer to lie on an affidavit or designing the most unintentionally hilarious business cards ever.

When her husband finally has enough - after 20 years - and sues for divorce and joint custody, Piper takes her commitment to nutty behavior up several notches. Her sister Tina joins in on the hi-jinks. Tina Rountree is worth a book herself. Like Piper, she fancies herself a protector of women. Also like Piper, she barely has to wave her hand for half a dozen men to throw themselves at her feet. They're attractive women but the sheer volume of men willing to do their bidding made me wonder if there was something in the water in Houston. Most women are happy if their significant other takes out the garbage, these two have men all but hiding bodies for them.

It's an entertaining story on its own but Casey makes it better. She adds dimension to all the characters. She's done the sort of hands on reporting that is essential to making a true crime book more than a rehash of news reports. Casey writes in a clear, almost matter-of-fact manner that propels the book along. At one point Casey delivers one of the most chilling, devastating details (about Tina Rountree) I've read in a long, long time. She makes it all the more stunning by telling this detail straight out without adornment or overheated prose. That's the mark of a true master.

Kathryn Casey delivers on every level in this book. This is the second of her books I've read. After two excellent reads, she joins my short list of true crime authors whose work I'll pre-order as soon as I hear they have a new book coming out.