Gone Forever: A True Story of Marriage, Betrayal, and Murder (True Crime (St. Martin's Paperbacks)) [Mass Market Paperback]

Diane Fanning (Author)

Book Description

Series: True Crime (St. Martin's Paperbacks) | Publication Date: February 7, 2006

Susan McFarland was a vivacious, successful mother of three young sons. On November 25, 2002, she disappeared. Three days later, her car was found, keys in the ignition. Later that day, her husband reported her missing--and a desperate search began.

Her friends and family hoped against hope that Susan was not gone forever. But investigators became increasingly suspicious of Richard McFarland. When the charred, decomposed body of Susan McFarland was finally discovered at an overgrown farmstead outside of San Antonio, a new hunt began--for justice.

McFarland maintained his innocence, and investigators only had circumstantial evidence against him. While headlines screamed out new details in the case, and police tried to gather more evidence, a blockbuster trial was about to begin. Then, Richard McFarland finally spoke...and a terrifying, chilling truth came out...

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

A BAFFLING DISAPPEARANCE
Susan McFarland was a vivacious, successful mother of three young sons. On November 25, 2002, she disappeared. Three days later, her car was found, keys in the ignition. Later that day, her husband reported her missing--and a desperate search began.

A SILENT HUSBAND
Her friends and family hoped against hope that Susan was not gone forever. But investigators became increasingly suspicious of Richard McFarland. When the charred, decomposed body of Susan McFarland was finally discovered at an overgrown farmstead outside of San Antonio, a new hunt began--for justice.

A SHOCKING STORY--TOLD FOR THE FIRST TIME
McFarland maintained his innocence, and investigators only had circumstantial evidence against him. While headlines screamed out new details in the case, and police tried to gather more evidence, a blockbuster trial was about to begin. Then, Richard McFarland finally spoke...and a terrifying, chilling truth came out...

About the Author

Diane Fanning is the author of the Edgar Award finalist Written in Blood: A True Story of Murder and a Deadly 16-Year-Old Secret That Tore a Family Apart. Her other works of true crime include the best-selling Mommy’s Little Girl, A Poisoned Passion, The Pastor’s Wife, and Through the Window. She has been featured on 48 Hours, 20/20, Court TV and the Discovery Channel, and has been interviewed on dozens of radio stations coast to coast. Before becoming a nonfiction writer, Fanning worked in advertising, and she earned more than 70 Addy Awards. She lives in New Braunfels, Texas.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks; Reissue edition (February 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312994044
• ISBN-13: 978-0312994044
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #314,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am the author of ten true crime books published by St. Martin's Press including the Edgar Award nominated WRITTEN IN BLOOD and the best-selling MOMMY'S LITTLE GIRL. Additionally, I have written five mystery novels including four in the Lucinda Pierce series from Severn House.

I have been featured on 48 Hours, 20/20, Forensic Files, the Deadly Women series, Court TV, Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell, the Discovery Channel and local TV channels and have been interviewed on dozens of radio stations coast to coast.

I am an experienced non-fiction, fiction and commercial writer. I earned more than seventy Addy Awards in the twenty years I wrote for radio, television and print. I worked as an Executive Director at non-profit organizations for more than a dozen years. In that capacity, I served three terms by appointment of the Governor of Texas on the State Advisory Committee and received the 2002 NACG Freedom Fighter Award.

I was born in Baltimore, Maryland, lived more than two decades in Virginia and now live in New Braunfels, Texas with my husband and a cat with an attitude.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bizarre story of marriage and murder, March 10, 2006

By 

Bonita (Seattle) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Gone Forever: A True Story of Marriage, Betrayal, and Murder (True Crime (St. Martin's Paperbacks)) (Mass Market Paperback)

Very interesting read about a super smart, driven woman, Susan McFarland, who for reasons unknown to her family and friends marries loser Rick, who can never quite keep it together, can't hold a job, has ADD (but doesn't take his meds), and is a compulsive shopper. Susan has 3 kids with this guy. Rick is a not so great stay at home dad, who by some accounts is abusive and medicates his kids with various adhd meds, when the mood strikes. Finally Susan has had enough. When she starts plotting a divorce, and in turn, Rick starts plotting her murder. The psychology of Rick McFarland is truely mystifying, and this book leaves you asking many questions about this couple. Fanning managed to score interviews with friends and neighbors of the couple, who provide a disturbing look into the marriage of Rick and Susan, and how their 3 young sons fit into the picture. The actual murder of Susan and attempted cover up, left me wondering, is this guy crazy? an idiot? or a combination of both. Strange and intriguing story I recommend to true crime fans.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars mislead, September 15, 2008

By 

April D. Cartwright "a cartwright" (alabama) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gone Forever: A True Story of Marriage, Betrayal, and Murder (True Crime (St. Martin's Paperbacks)) (Mass Market Paperback)

the cover says something to the affect no one knew what happened until he spoke... well he never spoke, i keep waiting and reading and nothing, the book ended and he never admitted anything it leaves you to read between the lines... i was very disappointed... to read the whole book and still not REALLY know what went on...

25 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great true crime study, August 25, 2006

By 

S. E. Rowland "It's your birthright to be cre... (Arizona) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gone Forever: A True Story of Marriage, Betrayal, and Murder (True Crime (St. Martin's Paperbacks)) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is an excellent study in human behavior and why people stay in bad marriages. Even when the acts by a spouse are unacceptable, people look the other way or assume that the person is just "weird." People tend to think that there will be a change. As an abuse survivor, I can tell you that most often the bad behavior doesn't change. I'm sorry that Susan did not get out in time. I'm sorry for her children and family. Hats off to those who dared speak up. Fanning's writing is first rate. After I read Gone Forever I delved into her other books. Great job.