Love, Daddy: The True Story of Accused Con Man and Family Killer Christian Longo (St. Martin's True Crime Library) [Mass Market Paperback]

Carlton Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 19, 2003 | Series: St. Martin's True Crime Library

He Looked like the Perfect Dad...
Shortly before Christmas of 2001, the bodies of Mary Jane Longo and her three young children, Zachary, Sadie Ann, and Madison were discovered. They'd been murdered and dumped off the Oregon coast in Yaquina and Alsea Bay. The youngest victim was only two years old. Their father, Christian Longo, was missing.

And Became One of America's Most Wanted
Within days, the twenty-seven-year-old all-American dad was added to the FBI's list of Ten Most Wanted fugitives. As law enforcement officials scoured northern California in pursuit of the suspected family-killer, Longo was already looking for a new job-and a new life-under a new name. Believed to be skilled in identity theft, Christian Longo was on the run. Now investigative reporter Carlton Smith takes a journey into the heart of darkness-from Longo's masquerade as a devoted family man and finally to his capture at a beach camp in Mexico-to uncover the unfathomable trail of a deadly master of deception.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Acclaim for New York Times bestselling author Carlton Smith

Murder at Yosemite
"Fans of true crime stories will doubtless be intrigued by Smith's brisk retelling."
--Winston-Salem Journal

Death of a Little Princess
"Reasoned...concise in its argument."--Joyce Carol Oates, The New York Review of Books

From the Back Cover

He Looked like the Perfect Dad...
Shortly before Christmas of 2001, the bodies of Mary Jane Longo and her three young children, Zachary, Sadie Ann, and Madison were discovered. They'd been murdered and dumped off the Oregon coast in Yaquina and Alsea Bay. The youngest victim was only two years old. Their father, Christian Longo, was missing.

And Became One of America's Most Wanted
Within days, the twenty-seven-year-old all-American dad was added to the FBI's list of Ten Most Wanted fugitives. As law enforcement officials scoured northern California in pursuit of the suspected family-killer, Longo was already looking for a new job-and a new life-under a new name. Believed to be skilled in identity theft, Christian Longo was on the run. Now investigative reporter Carlton Smith takes a journey into the heart of darkness-from Longo's masquerade as a devoted family man and finally to his capture at a beach camp in Mexico-to uncover the unfathomable trail of a deadly master of deception.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's True Crime; 1st edition (October 19, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312986084
• ISBN-13: 978-0312986087
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,108,418 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Poorly Written, October 8, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Love, Daddy: The True Story of Accused Con Man and Family Killer Christian Longo (St. Martin's True Crime Library) (Mass Market Paperback)

I was in the courtroom for this entire trial, so it was interesting to see someone else's perspective on this horrendous case. In addition, Smith shares information that was not shared during the trial, which puts an interesting spin on things.

However, this book seems fragmented and is poorly written...perhaps Mr. Smith was attempting to rush to get a book out about Longo first? It is in need of some editing!

Also, I did not appreciate Smith's commentary near the end where he partially blames Longo's faith (and, it seems, faith in general) on what happened.

This is an okay read for people who are fairly familiar with the situation, but I'm not sure anyone not familiar with the case could follow it.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Love Daddy, October 8, 2003

By 

Debi - See all my reviews

This review is from: Love, Daddy: The True Story of Accused Con Man and Family Killer Christian Longo (St. Martin's True Crime Library) (Mass Market Paperback)

My view on this book might be a little different because I know more about the case than the average person. But right off.. what bridge is that on the cover? None that I know of around Newport. Inside the cover it says it's from National Geographic... don't just PICK a bridge, that's an insult to those around that do know the Yaquina Bay Bridge in Newport, use what is in the area or part of the crime scene. Second, on the back cover it says EIGHT PAGES OF ASTONISHING PHOTOGRAPHS! PUUHHHLEEEZE! I've done better online! Astonishing would have been the luggage MJ and Madison were found in. Not WHERE a building use to be. Where are pics of the Durango or Montana? An aerial picture of what MIGHT be The Landing? How about a pic of the condo they lived in, where the bodies were found, or the Starbucks he worked at, or the motel MJ's belongings were found, where he was captured? There's no pictures of the assistant DA that prosecuted him who was on TV. Out of 22 pics almost half of these are from the writer himself. Give me a break! I could've done better. Ok so the story so far seems to be going as should be, but this is weak information that anyone could get off any number of places on the net. Obviously if Christian was a "Master of deception" he wouldn't have been caught right? The editing on this books is HORRIBLE! Names are misspelled in one paragraph, then correct in another. You use the wrong names sometimes. When you're talking about Zach and Madison, you say Zach and Chris. Who if anyone, edited this book for you?

Carlton, I'm sorry, but I'll think twice about buying another one of your books.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Love Daddy, February 4, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Love, Daddy: The True Story of Accused Con Man and Family Killer Christian Longo (St. Martin's True Crime Library) (Mass Market Paperback)

Reads like written by a newspaper reporter-No personal feel for the victims. Not even pictures of them! The last Carlton SMith book I will buy.