Customer Reviews

First We'll Kill My Husband (Pinnacle True Crime)

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

 

 

I was a litle disappointed in the overall text of the book. The author jumped from one subject to another and sometimes forgot to explain just who was who and what was what. Poor editing and confusing dialogue at times. Many sentences came out of nowhere and left the reader wondering what they misssed previous. I found myself going back to previous pages many times because something was not clear. There were noticeable errors in the book and one that stands out said that Kelly found out when she was a teenager that Wade was not her real father and at the bottom of the same page the author states that Kelly was 10 when she found this out. There were a number of errors like this but I wanted to point one out that I stayed in my mind. One question I have and if anyone reads these comments and can answer I would appreciate it. In the epilogue the author gives an update on the key players in the story. One comment made was that Belinda was raising her sister's children and I was wondering why and what happened to Katina? Unless I missed something Katina Owen disappeared out of the story not long after she was introduced. I'm a dedicated true crime reader and read nothing else so I have read many. While this story was interesting I would like to see another author give their version of the events. In true crime as I guess in most books, the author's portrayal of the story and it's characters is key.

She keeps you interested in the chain of events to this horrific crime. When I first moved to Atlanta I remember this story as headlines for months, and I am glad to review the case to conclusion now.

She did it and probably helped her boyfriend kill the poor guy. The author takes you inside the mind of both the defense and prosecution and families on both sides of the drama. She also exposes the victim and victim's family as they face hardship. So many times folks focus on the criminal and crime but forget the family left behind and parents of the victim. She does not forget and does them justice with this book.

75% of this book is direct quoting from the trial transcript. The research Ms. Riddle did do leaves much to be desired, especially when the main players are not that interesting to begin with. The author is responsible for development and fails in that remaining 25%. I'll also note that I have read hundreds of TC books over the years and this is THE FIRST where I abandoned it toward the end because the transcript-style reading was tedious and, frankly, boring. Skip this one, it lacks everything a TC reader expects.

The story of Kelly Brookshire, the only woman on Georgia's death row, is a sad case of neglect but no excuse for her involvement in the planning and execution of her husband Doug Jr. by persuading her longtime boyfriend Greg Owen to take the blame. In this case, I believe Kelly was abusive enough as a spouse towards Doug. She had sons, Brandon, and Jonathon also known as Cody, with two other men but her daughter Kayla was her husband's child. Regardless, Doug Jr. treated his stepsons as if they were his own children regardless of biologically. They didn't have a father to call their own anyway. Kelly has a split personality. I don't question that she is a sociopath. She never really loved her husband or boyfriend or wouldn't put them through so much hell on earth. Kelly wanted to rid herself of Doug but why doesn't she just abandon him and the kids and run off. She believed that Doug would never leave her alone but I think it's the other way. Doug's family suffered harshly as Kelly knew and was aware of his fate. Doug's remains were so decimated by animals that it was a closed coffin funeral. Kelly's behavior which included several sexual relationships with men and now in her profile for the Canadian group against the death penalty that she describes herself as a gay female. Funny since in the book there is no indication of her sexual involvement with other women. Kelly also had parties while her husband was serving his country in the military forces in Germany. Kelly spent money on her friends to party and have good life while her kids suffered themselves. It was not an ideal situation. After all, Kelly's childhood chronicled her mother's three divorces, abusive relationship with Wade who was far more abusive than Kelly's father. Kelly went after anybody who got in her way. Greg got a life sentence to serve 25 years with a possibility of parole while Kelly is serving her sentence on death row in an isolated cell without contact from other inmates. Since Georgia death row inmates are not allowed contact with the prison's general population. She spends most of her days in her cell watching television and alone. She gets an hour outside and still no contact with other inmates. I don't know if her appeals would work so she can get life without the possibility of imprisonment but the prosecutors believe that she deserves the death penalty for threatening to kill witnesses. I don't know if she would have gone through with it. Still the book is a good read for the hardcore true crime fans.

I have enjoyed reading this book. I like to read real life experiences. This book especially touched me because I am a Georgia native. Could you imagine being in the facility with Kelly? Well, I know how things are inside and would like to see Kelly reunited with her family one day down the road. I believe that people can make some horrible decisions but I also know that people can be rehabilitated.

I enjoyed this book.

Would have enjoyed hearing more about the defense's opinions and strategy.