Death of a Dream (48 Hours Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The real-life brutal murder of Catherine Woods, a beautiful exotic dancer, in November of 2005, fed tabloid headlines. 48 Hours correspondents La Rosa and Moriarty serve up a true crime account of her story and that of Paul Cortez, who was convicted of the crime the following year. Dubbed the Stripper Beauty, Catherine was 18 when she moved to Manhattan from Columbus, Ohio (where her father directs the Ohio State University's marching band). Her dreams of Broadway were tested by a rape. On returning to New York, she soon had an Ohio pal, David Haughn, living with her on the Upper East Side, but began dating others, including Cortez, then 24, an educated band musician and yoga enthusiast who disapproved of Catherine's dancing topless for hefty take-home cash. La Rosa and Moriarty deliver a compelling account of her horrifying murder and the subsequent investigation and trial. Their version of events allows readers to draw their own conclusions as to whether justice was served. (Apr.)
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Product Description

A BEAUTIFUL GIRL WITH AMBITIOUS DREAMS -- DID FOLLOWING HER HEART COST HER LIFE?

Award-winning journalists from TV's 48 Hours Mystery go inside the case that shocked even jaded New Yorkers: the murder of aspiring dancer Catherine Woods.

She was a gifted midwestern beauty, the daughter of Ohio State University's marching band director: to dance on Broadway. Soon after high school graduation, Catherine left Columbus for New York City, determined to be a star. Three years later, she was dead -- murdered in cold blood in her East Side apartment. The shocking revelations that emerged from the police investigation made tabloid headlines: few knew that the struggling artist paid her bills by dancing in a topless club. But there was another hidden facet to Catherine's life -- a shattering love triangle with two men, one of whom would ultimately be convicted of her brutal stabbing death. It's a chilling account of obsession, violence, and the surprising, minute evidence on which the entire case hinged. For a talented young woman reaching for the top, and the heartbroken family she left behind, it is truly the death of a dream.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Star (March 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416546618
• ISBN-13: 978-1416546610
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #125,130 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Death of a Dream, August 3, 2009

By	MoodyBlue - See all my reviews

Catherine Woods comes to New York with a dream to make it as a dancer on Broadway. While studying dance she takes a job as a stripper to help make ends meet. She lives with an ex-boyfriend while dating another. One November night she is brutally murdered. Is it the ex-boyfriend that says he just left to get the car, or is it her new boyfriend that isn't too happy with her current job, and who happens to be in the neighborhood when she's murdered? I remember the story of Catherine but didn't pay too much attention, because it read like tabloid fodder. Mr. LaRosa takes the reader down a path that allows you to get to know Ms. Woods and those involved without all the "in your face" drama that the media hits you with. The book also leaves you wondering if they have the right man. I look forward to the next true crime book by Mr. LaRosa.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars, April 4, 2009

By	Therese Hercher - See all my reviews

As a decades-long true crime aficionado, I appreciate both the style and content of this book. The authors resist sensationalism, thereby allowing us to see all characters on both sides as human beings. Though readers of this genre don't expect authors to be totally impartial, we don't want their personal biases jumping off the pages either. We prefer balance and objectiveness, especially at the outset. LaRosa's ability to provide that is the hallmark of classic whodunits. Death of a Dream engages us from beginning to end. Five stars!
Rose Hercher Wright

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book, but a very frustrating case!, September 8, 2009

By	Cat W. (Colorado) - See all my reviews

Before purchasing this book, I saw the 48 Hours episode on the murder of Catherine Woods. There was so much left unanswered from the show that I hoped would be answered in this book.

While the authors filled in much, as only a book can do, I didn't feel it answered my question at all as to how such an investigation could have left out such an important factor - the hair clutched in Wood's hand that was not DNA tested. I understand that the authors had no success at answering that question themselves, but I wish they had tried harder - if they could have.

Maybe it was beyond the scope of this book, but I hope another one is written that clarifies some very mystifying things about this case, including the fact that there were no more bloody bootprints leaving the apartment past the ones left in the bedroom.

While there is compelling evidence against Paul Cortez, I am still left wondering if they really have the right guy
and I'm just beyond frustrated about the clutched hair in her bloody hand. How can that just get swept under the rug in 2005? Reading about this case cannot possibly instill much advanced faith in the justice system.

In spite of my frustrations, I enjoyed the book. It's an easy read and rather enthralling. It presents a balanced and fair view of the case in the style of a typical 48 Hours show in that they ask the hard questions from conflicting angles. I gave it a four because they didn't really answer enough of my questions and that's probably not their fault. Still, I don't think I have ever felt so frustrated reading a true crime novel. I am sure half of it is due to some of the stupid facts of this case all around.

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While this has nothing to do with the book, I am also wondering why Cortez has not gotten his appeal yet. According to the web site, [...], he has a new attorney lined up for his appeal (as soon as the money can be raised) instead of the brother of a famous defense lawyer, whom the authors said was taking his appeal. Couldn't he have had a public defender take it on by now (and be possibly better off for it?)