The Good Wife: The Shocking Betrayal and Brutal Murder of a Godly Woman in Texas [Mass Market Paperback]

Clint Richmond (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2007

Roger and Penny Scaggs seemed a poster couple for family values. Evangelical Christians living in booming Austin, Texas, in the mid-1990s, they were respected leaders in their church and community. As Roger diligently worked his way up the high-tech corporate ladder, Penny kept a pristine home and coached similarly devout young women on how to be perfect wives. But on a windy March evening, this godly woman met the devil head-on. And when the police discovered her lifeless body—repeatedly bludgeoned with a lead pipe, then mutilated with a knife from her own spotless kitchen—they were shocked by the rage and savagery behind her slaying.

The Good Wife is a startling true story of greed, hatred, betrayal, and an unimaginable murder—a tale of the dark decay that can be hidden behind a facade of saintliness when a marriage seemingly made in heaven descends into hell.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

This account of the murder of Penny Scaggs and the trial of her husband, Roger, is the ninth published nonfiction book written by Clint Richmond. His 1995 Selena!, the tragic story of the murder of the young Tejano music star, was #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. His 2005 collaboration, Red Star Rogue, was also a New York Times bestseller. Richmond, a former Dallas Times Herald news reporter, covered the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the trial of Jack Ruby for the murder of accused assassin Lee Harvey Oswald. He was assigned to federal and state courts and law enforcement beats in Dallas for a number of years. Later, as a freelance journalist, he covered the Rocky Mountain and West Coast regions for such publications as People magazine and has been a contributing writer to Time, Newsweek, and numerous other periodicals. The author lives with his wife, also a freelance writer, in Austin, Texas.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Harper (July 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380797437
• ISBN-13: 978-0380797431
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,234,392 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't put it down!, June 7, 2008

By 

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

This review is from: The Good Wife: The Shocking Betrayal and Brutal Murder of a Godly Woman in Texas (Mass Market Paperback)

Clint Richmond did a commendable job in telling the tragic story of Penny Scaggs. Penny was a much beloved woman in her community who made it her mission to be the best wife possible to her hardworking husband, Roger. She even taught classes to other women about being a supportive and (hate this term) "dutiful" wife. Her thirty five year marriage was dedicated to providing a godly home for her family. Unfortunately, all this was at the detriment to her own individuality and autonomy. She never realized (or at least denied the notion) that her husband wasn't exactly the ideal Christian spouse. He seemed to be the classic narcissist, and unfortunately, Penny supported her husband's notion of self-importance and selfishness. She never seemed to see her husband for the egotistical and uncaring person that he truly was.

Author Clint Richmond is very detailed in his account of Penny and Roger Scaggs, and he put a lot of thought into his writing...he writes very well and I spent many a late night reading this book. It was truly hard to put down and very sad. I didn't think the book was overloaded with unnecessary details at all...rather, I thought the information provided about the individuals involved in this event enabled me to understand how this tragedy occurred in an outwardly happy marriage.

Great read for true crime fans~~~

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Police Work, September 4, 2007

By 

courtneysmum "Cynthia" (Arkansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Good Wife: The Shocking Betrayal and Brutal Murder of a Godly Woman in Texas (Mass Market Paperback)

I agree with the good and thorough reviews already posted, such a sad, tragic, and senseless case.

Just a couple of additional points: The police were really on the ball in this case. If not for the quick action they took immediately following the murder, this case might have never been solved. The dumpster not having been emptied (due to the delay of the trash
company removing it) was really the key factor in the collection of evidence. Roger never considered there would be a problem with the trash being picked up - he thought he was home free once he pitched the evidence. [and how stupid of him to pitch it in his very own company parking lot trash!] Thank God for the quick thinking of one good detective who thought to get that dumpster secured so it could be
thoroughly investigated. The defense tried its best to convince the jury that someone framed Roger by placing the murder weapons and other evidence in the dumpster behind his building - but since the couple were so beloved, who in the world would do such a thing?

A few questions remained in my mind after reading the book.

1. Could this couple not have a biological child of their own - is this why they adopted Sarah? The author never mentions problems of conception or the couple's personal choice to decide upon adoption.
2. Sarah adamantly denied ever facilitating the affair by allowing her father to use her apartment for his indiscretion - yet, someone who Roger worked with followed him one day and observed the three of them interacting, before Sarah leaves and the couple then proceed into her apartment. Perhaps Sarah didn't want to appear disloyal to her mother, but disclosing this after the fact wouldn't hurt her mother then! Either she did or she didn't and there appears to be no reason his co-worker would make that up.
3. How in the world could no one find the mistress for over a year? Her father was a well-known attorney in Austin - couldn't they put pressure on him to contact her and demand she return to the area? Afterall, she was to be a very important witness in a murder case! I don't understand how someone could just be allowed to 'leave town' at the very time her testimony was needed. If this had been a death penalty case, poor old Roger would really be up a creek.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars DETAILS GALORE!, November 11, 2007

By 

CR "LOVE TO READ" (PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Good Wife: The Shocking Betrayal and Brutal Murder of a Godly Woman in Texas (Mass Market Paperback)

I AM AN AVID TRUE CRIME READER, BUT THIS BOOK WENT INTO TO MANY DETAILS ESPECIALLY ABOUT ROGER'S BUSINESS AND HIS DEALINGS. I ALSO FOUND THAT THE BOOK KEPT REPEATING THE SAME THINGS OVER AND OVER. VERY ANNOYING! TRULY WAS NOT ONE OF THE BETTER CRIME BOOKS I HAVE READ!