Lethal Marriage: The Unspeakable Crimes of Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka [Paperback]

Nick Pron (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2, 1996

One of Canada's finest crime reporters tells the whole story of the Bernardo-Homolka case.

The sensational trials of Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka for abduction, rape, manslaughter and murder caused widespread controversy, as did the twelve-year sentence Homolka received as part of her deal with government lawyers. Yet, even though the publication ban on the case has been lifted, there is much the Canadian public still has not been told.

Nick Pron now gives us a comprehensive account of previously banned information about Bernardo and Homolka's backgrounds and early relationship; of Homolka's role in the death of her sister, Tammy; of what turned Bernardo into a sadistic rapist and killer; of slip-shod police work and lack of communication that gave Bernardo and Homolka the opportunity to murder schoolgirls Leslie Mahaffy and Kristen French; of the fifteen-month suppression of key videotape evidence; and a host of disturbing facts that were ruled inadmissable at the trial.

Warning: This book contains graphic descriptions of violence.


From the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

One of Canada's finest crime reporters tells the whole story of the Bernardo-Homolka case.

The sensational trials of Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka for abduction, rape, manslaughter and murder caused widespread controversy, as did the twelve-year sentence Homolka received as part of her deal with government lawyers. Yet, even though the publication ban on the case has been lifted, there is much the Canadian public still has not been told.

Nick Pron now gives us a comprehensive account of previously banned information about Bernardo and Homolka's backgrounds and early relationship; of Homolka's role in the death of her sister, Tammy; of what turned Bernardo into a sadistic rapist and killer; of slip-shod police work and lack of communication that gave Bernardo and Homolka the opportunity to murder schoolgirls Leslie Mahaffy and Kristen French; of the fifteen-month suppression of key videotape evidence; and a host of disturbing facts that were ruled inadmissable at the trial.

Warning: This book contains graphic descriptions of violence.


From the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Nick Pron is a veteran crime reporter who has written for The Toronto Star for nearly 30 years.


From the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (January 2, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345465806
• ISBN-13: 978-0345465801
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #725,718 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Middle of the Three, August 12, 2001

By 

Heatherlyn "kalilyn" (Dobbs Ferry, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lethal Marriage (Mass Market Paperback)

This was the first of the "big three" on this case that I got my hands on. I remember when it was going on, being in NY I would hear the bits and pieces about the actual case while hearing more about the suppression and censorship that was going on.

If I had read the other two first my review on this book would have ended up different. I am a devotee of true crime, I've spent ten years avidly devouring any and all true crime I can get my paws on so this book was one I dove into with relish.

I was horrified at what I read. Horrified, disgusted and angered. I spent about twenty minutes just staring at the pictures of Karla and Paul after I read about Tammy.

I found the book informative and an easy read for a grim and horrific situation. What I found slightly disturbing as a female was what I interpreted as the author's depiction of Karla as victim instead of equal. A dear friend of mine was a battered wife who spent 5 years with her husband because when she first found him he appeared the perfect catch. I gave the book to my friend to read (she escaped with the help of a safe house and the cretin is far away in prison)and she was enraged at Karla's usage of being a victim to justify a cold, psychotic mind.

After reading the other two books on the case (to be reviewed next) and hours upon hours of independent research, I feel this book is a good read but a deceptive one. The reader my come away feeling sympathy for Karla and I don't believe she deserves a bit of it.

I would recommend this book yet I would also recommend the other two books, a copy of Paul's trial transcript a look on the net at the pictures of Karla and her friends in jail eating cake and petting a puppy.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Shallow Representation of the Facts, May 21, 2001

By 

mystuff "mystuff" (United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lethal Marriage (Mass Market Paperback)

Nick Pron does a disservice to the families of the victims of the crimes committed by Paul and Karla Bernardo in this book. It is painfully clear that the author believes that Karla Bernardo is a victim of her husband's abuse and continually attempts to justify her actions by using this defense throughout the novel.

I was extremely dissappointed in this book although I am sure that somewhere, Karla Bernardo smiles when she thinks of Nick Pron.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most vividly detailed book I have ever read!, May 19, 2003

By 

Nosferatu (Albuquerque, NM United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lethal Marriage (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the only book I have ever read that made me throw up. I actually got physically sick from the details in this story. If you have a queasy stomach, which I do not, I urge you to pass this 464-page book by. While it is excellently written and is everything a good book should be, what these people did is sickening! I have been a combat soldier that underwent terrorist and anti-terrorist training and an EMT on a crash & rescue unit. I thought I had seen some horrible things. But these people were depraved and demented. They took things beyond the capability of my wildest imagination.

This case created what is said to be the "costliest and, by far, most controversial manhunt and most sensational trial in Canada's history." It was considered too grisly for television and newspaper coverage at the time. This is the first complete and uncensored account of this couple's rape/murder spree. There is a large percentage of the population that feel justice was not served in this case and that feel the prosecutors failed to do their job.

In spite of the gory details, or perhaps because of them, this is a fascinating read. You just cannot believe that it is nonfiction. It makes you look twice at everyone you meet.