Without Mercy: Obsession and Murder Under the Influence [Hardcover]

Gary Provost (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An account of two murders, this is also a penetrating look into the mind and heart of an alcoholic. According to Provost ( Across the Border ), Dee Casteel, a waitress at the International House of Pancakes in the Florida Redlands, drank as many as three bottles of Scotch a day. She fell in love with Allen Bryant, live-in lover of the restaurant's owner, Art Venecia, and Bryant used her to help arrange Venecia's murder. After it was carried out, Bryant became concerned that Venecia's 84-year-old mother would "smell a rat"; the two hit men who had murdered the son were hired to eliminate her as well. Afraid that Bryant would kill her, Casteel dictated a confession to her daughter in the presence of a witness; soon afterward the case was cracked. The four collaborators are now awaiting execution. Provost has done a fine job of depicting an unlikely group of killers. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Why did International House of Pancakes (IHOP) waitress Dee Casteel, considered by all who knew her the nicest person one would hope to meet, conspire with IHOP manager Allen Bryant to murder owner (and Bryant's lover) Art Venecia? Provost's contention is that Casteel's alcoholism ruled her life, clouding her judgment, making her unable to understand the implication of her actions. Casteel now sits on death row in a Florida prison. This book is difficult to categorize; although a true crime story, it really is a description of alcohol addiction and its impact on both the life of the alcoholic as well as the people in her life. Recommended for libraries with large true crime collections. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 9/1/89-- Sandra K. Lindheimer, Middlesex Law Lib., Cambridge, Mass.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 252 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books; 1St Edition edition (December 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671669966
• ISBN-13: 978-0671669966
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #851,161 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Because of his entertaining style, the late Gary Provost was one of the nations leading and most beloved writing instructors. A sought-after speaker, consultant, and celebrity biographer, Provost the writers writer authored thousands of articles and columns, and dozens of books covering most every genre. His highly acclaimed Writers Retreat Workshop, and video and audio courses remain available through writersretreatworkshop.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Another Money for Hire Story!, June 11, 2007

By 

Sylviastel - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Without Mercy: Obsession and Murder Under the Influence (Hardcover)

I have a lot of questions about the sentences of the people involved in the brutal murders of Art Venezia and his mother. Art who was in love in a disastrous homosexual relationship with James Allen Bryant who was the mastermind behind killing him for his money, property, estate, etc. Art even bought a restaurant for his lover to manage but he robs him blind. In the meantime, Allen falls for Henry Ramos, a Latino bisexual gigolo, while the waitress Dee Casteel, a troubled alcoholic in a bad marriage and mother of neglected children during this time, has feelings for Allen like a schoolgirl crush despite his homosexuality. Anyway Dee's ashamed face is on the cover of the book while the other three men are shown later. I have a trouble with reading this book because the writing is somewhat poor compared to other true crime books. I'm sure that I'll read it in a day. I do feel sorry for Dee but it was a no win situation for her. I don't have pity for Allen because I think he's just using Art for his own financial means. While the case is almost 25 years old, it's not incomprehensible that these crimes don't happen for money and it spins out of control just like alcoholism and drugs sometimes.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Punk Rock connection, November 30, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Without Mercy: Obsession and Murder Under the Influence (Hardcover)

This book mentions the singer for the now infamous punk rock band, Against All Authority. I have spoken to him about this and he tells some chilling tales about jumping their BMX bikes over the open grave that smelled of death, and trying to figure out what the puddle of stinky fluid was that leaked out all over the floor underneath where the bodies were stored. He and Dee's sons hid on top of the shed while they watched the hit men steal things. He spent many nights in the house because the boys were afraid to be in there alone. Apparently there was more to the story but at the time thebook was written the hitmen were out of jail and most of the people that new things were afraid they would be next.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very good book, hard to put down....., May 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Without Mercy: Obsession and Murder Under the Influence (Paperback)

This book takes a good look at the serious and horrifying aspects of alcoholism, a must read for people with an alcohol problem or friends and family of an alcoholic. It shows just how far out of control alcohol can send a person.