Customer Reviews

Without Mercy: Obsession and Murder Under the Influence

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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.

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.

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.

I read this book years ago - right after it came out. As a distant relative of one of the participants, it was of intrest. Well written, easy to read, informative, and more than likely accurate. If you like 'true crime' books, this one is for you.

This book was a quick read and able to keep the reader's attention. I was rather taken aback by how reckless the protagonist was not only in the commission of her crime but in her failure to cover her tracks to avoid detection. More surprising was the author's assertion that she was intelligent? The book describes the relationship of a waitress, Dee Casteel, and her boss James Allen Bryant. Together they plan the murder of Bryant's homosexual lover. Bryant's motive is money while Casteel's is her infatuation with Bryant and the promise of continued employment as a waitress who will be permitted to drink on the job in order to keep her alcoholic jitters at bay. The author is quite sympathetic toward Casteel which began to get nauseating by the end of the book. This women is no better then the narcissistic,greedy,and manipulative partner she had in James Allen Bryant.

I am in the Without Mercy book, mentioned...I have not read the book since 1989, as it brings all the horrors back to reality. I was a close friend to Art Venecia. I have written about this story, as it relates in a way, to the assault upon myself with intent to murder, by Miami City Commissioner, Marc "D" Sarnoff. Google, see the Cycling forums thread? Here, I just wrote, and Gary Provost is now dead; all are dead, but for me and some killers of Art Venecia. I will recall Art some other time in more detail. He was popular, generous, smart and too trusting.

The late author, Gary Provost, came to this house and interviewed me in the Study
for over an hour. I told him everything I knew of the character of Art Venecia.

George Frietas, a mutual friend, self-employed accountant,
who kept books for Art, myself, and others in our gay social circle,

talked to Art a few days before, just before Art's murder.
Art, who was having severe problems with his drug-addict, young lover,

said to George, "He's crazy, he says he will kill me." "Get out of there, Art", begged timid old George.
"Nah, I can handle him. He's just a talker." I asked George to testify, or at least, talk to the author years later.
Even then, years after the murder, George was shaking, "Are you kidding, Reid? No way. I don't want to die."

You understand, that recounting just above, it is not in the book, because George did not want that to be known.
Now, though, everyone important is dead and cannot be harmed,

except for you, Marc...you rat fink killer. I hate bullies.
I helped to put Art's killers into prison and I will now do the same for you.

I will now try to recall something that has been mostly beaten from my shattered mind,
beaten by physical assault and mental terrors. I wanted to witness for Art, I loved him very much,
I say that a lot, I know, but Art was very good to me, and he was a great musician and affable personality.
I attended one day of the public trial. The four defendants were tried together. I got to see them all,
I was simply there in the public seating area, I did not have to testify. The medical examiner came into the courtroom.
She carried a brown paper grocery bag. It was not opened. The judge did not want to see the content.
It was the skull of my friend, Art Venecia.

Just finished the book; fascinating case study of a female alcoholic. I found some information about Dee Casteel on the web; her sentence was reduced in 1990 to Life In Prison. After that, the trail on her runs cold. Is she still in prison? Released? Dead? Anyone know? Tried to find out through the author, but apparently, he is dead now.

This is an excellent book, could not put it down. I live in Homestead, I have never heard of this crime. Everyone I talk to wants to read this book. They have said to me, I can't put this thing down, it is so interesting. Of all the places they describe in the book, landmarks, people and place of business, I know them all. All of these places actually exist. You really need to read this book. I would like to get my hands on the re-trial book !