Customer Reviews

Eye Of The Beholder

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3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Another masterpiece by Mr.Cauffiel.He has the ability to make me feel I was actually there watching this sick scene play itself out. How could king do this to the mother of his kids?!This guy is actually one of Cauffiel's oddest killer's yet.How did he think he could get away with it? How could he have actually ever become a cop?? Also included in this book are some good family photos,including some unintentionally hilarious pictures of killer king himself,obese and bald in a cheap looking plaid suit.What did these women see in this absolute moron?A MUST READ

Eye of the Beholder is thoroughly researched and a very well written true crime novel. Lowell Cauffiel tells of the investigation and prosecution of Brad King for the murder of his wife and TV news anchorwoman, Diane King, in a way that makes you really understand the human failings in the investigation which are made up for only with dogged determination and some wonderful strokes of luck. As a former law enforcment officer and current prosecutor, I found it to be a fair telling of the investigation, warts and all, as well as an accurate portrayal of the interaction between many law enforcement agencies. Proof once again that human beings investigate crimes and do make mistakes; but that mistakes made, if recognized and admitted, can be remedied.

Caulfiel's look at the sensational murder of Battle Creek, Michigan anchor woman Diane King is extremely detailed and encompasses a wide range of issues. To Caulfiel's credit, he avoids overdramatizing events and putting a distinct spin on the story. This is a pitfall some true crime writers fall into but Caulfiel does not. He also paints a vivid picture of the small town atmosphere of Marshall, Michigan. The comments from King himself are also intriguing.

My main complaint with this book is that it is far too long. Much of the more boring mintuae of the investigation is unnecessary and plodding to read. A lot of issues are rehashed several times. Also, very little detail is given about how King's children were faring with her family after the trial. That would have been time better spent.

All in all, it's a good effort but could use some paring down.

Lowell Cauffiel has done a tremendous job in detailing the investigation of Diane King's murder. Her husband, Brad King, was the main suspect after the initial interviews and crime scene reconnaissance, but with some police errors and departmental territorialism, the forensic evidence that could have tied Brad to the murder was lost or inadmissible. I felt the frustration of the prosecutors and Diane's family during the year after her murder, particularly after learning so much about Brad and what a very strange person he is. I also appreciated that Diane King was portrayed realistically - with both positive and negative attributes. It was very interesting to read the psychological profiles of Brad King and what behaviorists have written on criminals, and at the end of the book Cauffiel noted his own analysis of the man and the crime. It's a sad story, very well written.

This is another of those (in)famous "true crime" books that are a delight to read despite their subject matter. The research was stupendous but best of all was the ability of the author to create a compelling story from the disparate components. True, this is no FATAL VISION or HELTER SKELTER but it is a very good read. My only complaint is one heard often - too much unimportant detail that detracts from the power of the story. Bradford King was almost obscenely compelling as the "average Joe" who went over the top and committed the ultimate crime. Good Read.

I came across this book very recently. Although the actual events occured over 10 yrs ago, it still interested me.

As the author presents it, this seems like a very dramatic, compelling story. Unfortunately, the truth exists and this is not it. I was a student of Brad King's at the time these events took place and very obviously, this rendition is off.

The author should be ashamed that he wrote such a sensationalized account to sell books.