Customer Reviews

Final Analysis

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4 star:		(7)
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1 star:		(3)

 

 

This book is about the nationally known Susan Polk-Felix Polk case. In October 2002, Susan Polk brutally murdered Felix Polk, her ex husband. She claimed it was in self defense. She claimed he had been physically, sexually and mentally abusing her for years. He claimed (while she was alive) that she was delusional, that the marriage had been poor for years before their divorce, and that she was a poor parent and spendthrift. The murder pitted their three children against one another, two sided with prosecution during the court case and one (ironically the one with the most legal problems)sided with the defense.
It is true and documented that Felix was Susan's therapist at one point, and started having a sexual relationship with her soon after she began seeing him for truancy problems at school. She was 15 at the time. It was never reported to his licensing board, which would have revoked his license or put him on suspension almost immediately. She married him at 23, despite the fact that their was a 26 year age difference between the two of them. Again, this is a tale concerning two very twisted people, who seemed as if they were above the law. Felix Polk should not have been murdered, but Susan Polk had a right to not be molested as well. While reading the section of the book that describes Felix's and Susan's "therapeutic" relationship I just kept asking myself "Where was Susan's own Mother when the sexual relationship with Felix was going on?" Susan's Mother does not seem to own up to any responsibility for allowing the sexual goings on between Susan and Felix to continue.
Many of the courtroom scenes with Susan acting as her own attorney are hilarious (unintentionally of course). I wonder what could have happened if her defense had focused on Felix's relationship with her at such an early age. It probably would have gone better for Susan, but for some reason she did not emphasize this in her own defense.
Ms. Crier makes the case even more fascinating. She adds the behind the scenes police work, as well as new photographs and writings from the case file. The book is very readable, and I highly recommend it.

I just finished reading "Final Analysis" and it was, hands down, the best true crime I have read in a while. The book is basically broken down into two parts; the investigation and the trial. I can't decide which part I liked more. The inner workings of this dysfunctional family are fascinating, but it was Polk's deadly funny comments in court that at moments had me laughing out loud. I would recommend this book to anyone.

I was very curious about this story, and anxious to read Catherine Crier's take on the case. Hers was a quick read. I found the story of Susan Polk both fascinating and tragic. It is amazing that this young girl in need of help ended up the victim of the very person who was assigned to save her. A must read for all true crime readers.

The Polk case is fascinating on many levels. The murder victim was a troubled man and the murderer was at least equally, arguably more, troubled woman. Their story raises questions about doctor/patient relationships, the satanic ritual abuse hysteria of the 1980s, and even marriage as an institution. Add in the fact that the defendants lawyer found himself involved in a high-profile murder and you can a story even Law & Order couldn't out do.

But this is an "InstaBook" - written quickly to get into the stores while interest in the case is still high. By their very nature such books have neither the time nor the room for much original reporting or contemplation of the larger issues. If you followed the Polk case on CourtTV you may not find much new in this book. Readers who did not follow the case may be left unsatisfied - what really drove Susan Polk or Felix Polk, or even, what is Susan's sentence?

That said, the book is well-written and a fast read. It does not rank with the finest of the genre and I suspect it may one day be over-shadowed by another, longer gestated, book about the same case.

Ho Hum! Even a mediocre cook should be able to create a masterpiece with the right ingredients and a few good spices. This case had nothing but the best - but Crier served up a formulaic stew -- overcooked and without the spice. Forget this one -- unless you want a cure for insomnia.

Read Carol Pogash's book on the same case -- "Seduced by Madness" She captures the characters and the family dynamics that underlie the Polk tragedy. Believe me, the victim was once a close friend and I know the back-story and most of the cast of characters. Pogash got it right - she writes like a gourmet -- the book will make your mouth water.

I must admit that the book is better than I thought it would be. I wasn't sure because CC only attended the Polk trial about 3-5 times during the 4 months long fiasco. I was reminded by others that CC was more of an investigative type of reporter than one who concentrates on trials. Anyway, CC gives us the back story of Susan Bolling and Felix Polk's backgrounds which is rather interesting as both are from dysfunctional families and have major psychological problems to begin with. A rather toxic mix! Felix Polk goes on to become a psychologist and Susan Bolling ends up becoming his patient when she's only 15 and he's 40; the two begin a sexual relationship and eventually they get married. The Polk marriage was a total disaster from day one. They went on to have three sons who they brought into their twisted world. Susan was/is a nutcase who believes that Felix is a Moussad Agent and that she is a Psychic. Susan ends up stabbing Felix to death in the pool house of their estate and later claims it's self defense. The trial was a fiasco with Susan Polk acting as her own attorney defying all authority. It was really bizarre to say the least, with all of Susan's shenanigans and antics in the courtroom.

I particularly liked the forward by Dr. Keith Ablow who has interesting insights about Felix and Susans beginning with their pasts and ending with Felix's murder. I like that the book is divided into three parts:

A Death On Miner Road

The Investigation Begins

The Trial

CC relied on Lisa Sweetingham for her info on the Polk trial. Sweetingham attended the trial and wrote articles for Court Tv about the proceedings.

This book is much better than the Scott Peterson book written by Catherine Crier. After reading Deadly Game I decided to never buy another book written by Crier. I am very glad that I gave her another chance. This book is a page turner. It explains things from the begining without boring one to death. It's worth the price if you are a true crime reader

I was looking forward to this book because I knew so little about the case.

I was really disappointed in its superficial treatment of Susan Polk, her husband, the relationship they shared and how it led to this terrible crime.

Much of the book is simply a recitation of information from public sources, police interviews, trial transcripts and similar material. There is little, if any, insight into Susan Polk's psyche and absolutely none about her husband. We get basic sketches of their lives before the two became entangled, and comments about how Felix completely crossed ethical boundaries by becoming involved with Susan when she was his adolescent patient.

But nothing in the book tells us what happened . . . why Susan went berserk after all those years of living with Felix, what those years were really like, and whether Felix was in any way to blame for what happened. There are hints of a really, really screwed up relationship and a really screwed up family . . . but that's all you get.

Very aggravating.

I listened to the book on CDs. The story of the relationship between Susan and Felix is fascinating, as is the effect that their dysfunction had on their three sons. With two mentally ill people whose relationship began with one molesting the other while she was patient and he was therapist, it's little wonder that the ending was tragic. Susan as defendent and lawyer for herself gives one a good understanding of her mental illness. My only criticism would be that I think Catherine Crier would have been better off to allow someone else to read the book for the audio version. Some of her reading of what the people say doesn't ring true. I wish for the best for Susan's sons.

All ethical rules were broken when psychologist Felix Polk slept with his 15 year old patient. That was just plain WRONG.Felix Polk ended up murdered. By whom? His former patient! Both Felix and Susan were very disturbed individuals. Moral of the story: It pays to do background research on your therapist, as well as your patients. Crier did a great job with Final Analysis. I thought the case was interesting and the book well written.