Rating:  Summary: The uncensored truth. More potent than fiction. Review: "Lethal Marriage" tells the (sadly) true story about Canada's most imfamous murderous couple, their crimes, their trials, and their effect on the public at large. This was the most sensational, horrific, and scarring murder case in Canadian History.All the warnings you have read so far are well justified, this book is a bitter pill to swallow. But if you are considering reading a book on the subject, you likely know what you are getting into. The book details the brutal murders of three young girls (I count Karla's sister as one of them), the series of rapes in the 1980's (that threw the public into a panic), and their controversial trials. The imfamous video tapes made of the brutal rapes are spelled out, almost transcripted in this book. It is not easy to stomach, but it shows the extent of which not only Bernardo, but Homolka is guilty. One of the cornerstones of "Lethal Marriage" is showing that, although abused, Karla Homolka was an active participant, and therefore just as guilty. Her plea bargain caused quite a stir of public anger. At the heart of "Lethal Marriage" is an important story that needed to be told. It is a story about a flawed system, poor police work, and the circumstances where at least three people died because of poor communication and the fact that Bernardo's DNA evidence sat on the sheft for 2 years, untouched, while he was on his crime spree. As the author pointed out, "There are many cases of fine police work in the past, this case is not one of those successes. To say otherwise would be a lie". Nick Pron is a well-respected crime reporter with over 30 years of experience, and his opinionated approach helps to bring details to light that show how sloppy the police work was, and how guilty the killers were. Whatever your opinion on the case, this will be a hard book to put down once you start. It is very well written, and is more shocking than any work of fiction out there. Some consider this book an injustice to the families of the victims, or that it is pornographic. I can't totally disagree with them, but it's still a good book. Just be warned, you may have trouble sleeping after reading it.
Rating:  Summary: Horrors Beyond Horrors Review: As a mystery writer with my debut novel in its initial release, I found Nick Pron's LETHAL MARRIAGE fascinating. If his book was fiction, it would be classified as gritty noir. It is, unfortunately, nonfiction. Mr. Pron, a dedicated true crime reporter, presents the facts about Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo's horrible crime spee. In LETHAL MARRIAGE, Mr. Pron pulls no punches. He even provides pictures. He tells the tale of these two unquestionably sick individuals as they victimize people unfortunate enough to become their victims. He gives detailed descriptions of their crimes, crimes Karla and Paul often videotaped. LETHAL MARRIAGE is an excellent true crime work. I recommend it highly. The story is, sadly, all true.
Rating:  Summary: Deadly Innocence Review: I agree with some of the other reviews that I've seen on the book--Karla Homolka is NOT a victim!!!! I dont care HOW much a person tries to control another, there's no way that Ill ever believe that Paul Bernardo MADE her do all these things-- I believe she simply loved him that much--- enough to drug and ultimately kill her own baby sister. I thoroughly enjoyed this book--like many others who read it--- I could not put it down!!!! To imagine that these two scum killed a teenage girl just two weeks before their fairytale wedding--- UNBELIEVEABLE!!!
Rating:  Summary: the face of evil Review: I bought this book having heard about this evil couple on the history channel. It was a wonderful quick read, absolutly riviting. It portrays the utter insanity and cruelty unleashed upon two unsuspecting teenage girls in Canada, by a demented couple. Luckily the book also covers the justice as these two disgusting individuals were brought to justice. THis book details the crimes, so much so that it might frighten some people and give them nightmares, not be read by the weak of heart.
Rating:  Summary: Too many excuses for Karla....Too much violence for me Review: I strongly disliked this book for two reasons. One is the way Karla is portrayed as a victim. The author inserts his own interpretations and excuses for Karla's behavior into what are otherwise very cut-and-dry descriptions of one horrible act after another. Yet he never tries to interpret the absolute terror and total humiliation that four young girls must have suffered before three of them were brutally killed. You read about every twisted act that was performed on them, but not about how those girls must have felt...only about how Karla felt. Who cares? Nothing that happened to Karla could EVER excuse what she let happen, AND WHAT SHE DID, to four (or more) children. The other thing I couldn't tolerate is the extreme graphic descriptions of every imaginable and unimaginable, sadistic, and brutal sex act performed on girls who were still children. I can imagine that a lot of psychopaths and pedophiles with twisted minds similar to Paul's are really enjoying this book. Furthermore, it shows a TOTAL lack of respect for the victims and their families. I cannot imagine, if Leslie, Kristen, Tammy, or "Jane" were my child, knowing that this publication existed containing every sick and humiliating act performed on them. I also can't imagine the horror and shame those young ladies would probably feel if they knew that their humiliation and degradation was in print for all the world to see. You don't need to see the videotapes--all you have to do is read this book and every frame of the tapes are engraved on your brain forever as if you'd seen it. Such detail was not necessary to tell what happened to these poor girls. Midway into Kristen's torture, I couldn't take it anymore and tore the book into shreds! Unfortunately, tearing the book up didn't erase disturbing images of little girls being tortured in every horrifying way, and I still had nightmares for weeks. I feel a lot of the detail could have been excluded, if for no other reason, to preserve the dignity of the three girls who were murdered, and the one who still has to live with what was done to her. To expose them like this book does is nothing less than cruel and heartless. By doing so, and by portraying Karla in such a kind light, Nick Pron has made himself a partner in crime with Paul and Karla, and is every bit as guilty for exploiting these children as the two killers are. I've read that the videotapes have been destroyed--I only wish that all copies of this book could be destroyed too, for the sake of "Jane," Tammy, Kristen, and Leslie.
Rating:  Summary: unsure Review: I title this review "unsure" for I am unsure that such a book should be on the market. I give it only one star for the same reason. Nick Pron is a wonderful writer, but should he have wrote this story.
I read the entire book, was sickened by it, and will now be a more protective mother. What worries me is the "sick minds" that are also reading this book or other books like it. Those that sickly "dream" of such porn may be inspired to act. My copy will not be recycled to the public, but rather burned.
My sympathy to the Mahaffy, French, and Homolka families.
Too bad Paul & Karla couldn"t receive the dealth penalty.
I would like Karla to know that no decent person allows such to happen. You should have contacted the police before Tammy was killed. You should have died trying to save her. You should never be allowed on the streets again.
Rating:  Summary: Couldn't put it down Review: Lethal Marriage is the second book I've read, on The Karla Holmolka and Paul Bernardo case, and it was absouletly brilliant! This book goes onto explain the acts committed by this Gruesome Twosome, I was very pleased that this book gave details that other books, on this subject hasn't. Lethal Marriage takes you through all the crimes committed by this deadly couple, and gives you a front row seat, with rivoting Vivid detail. This book Doesn't leave ANYTHING out. it is a must read. I Love the way it was written, and I also love the Author's Writing style, Perfect. If you're looking for a Book about the Crimes committed by Karla Holmolka and Paul Bernardo, Please read this one, You won't be disappionted! Thank you for reading my review and Happy Reading!!!
Rating:  Summary: To Tammy, Leslie, Kristen etc...,... I am truly SPEECHLESS Review: Pron's book is my 1st full read on the tragedy, other than a few analytical essays, web sites, short summaries in my serial killer encyclopedia books and a few disturbing documentaries. Do I sound a bit pre-occupied w/ this??
I thought I'd read it all, being an avid and committed reader of all things true crime. But I won't even make a comment on those 2 freaks of nature.
I feel compelled to write a response hear for several other reasons;.. to & for the young lives so tragically lost, to & for those that knew and loved them as they are left behind to try and make sense of the senseless and carry on with their own lives, and to and for the parents of Bernardo and Homolka, who I'm sure never intended for their children to become such twisted individuals.
Yet I am torn >>> between feeling humility and embarrassment for having read the excessively graphic descriptions of the abductions/abuse/murders of those young ladies and feeling that the events needed to be told in this manner.
I still shake my head in utter amazement on all sides when I think of this tragedy. I was literally sick to my stomach while reading LM and yet I read it to the end.....is that the making of a great book???? I have no idea. I'm speechless about this incomprehensible tragedy and this disturbing book about it.
Rating:  Summary: That Red and Black Cover! Review: The red and black cover does indeed convey a message. Readers are forewarned! There is strong stuff between the covers of "Lethal Marraige". I have never read of as dangerous and sick a character as Paul Bernardo. I had previously thought that Jerome Brudos, of Ann Rule's "Lust Killer" took that dubious prize. Brudos was a pussycat in comparison. For those who don't already know, Bernardo was a serial killer and rapist who "operated" in eastern Ontario, Canada in the early '90s. The author, Nick Pron, is quite graphic in the portrayal of his crimes, especialy in the rape/sodomy/murder of 3 young Canadian women; Tammy, Leslie and Kristen. Kristen's murder is especially brutal and sadistic (and also depressing for this reader. I wish Kristen had tried harder to escape!). Nothing is left to the readers' imagination; the graphic details of the 3 killings are explicitly told in full sexual detail. Since Bernardo and his wife, Karla taped their "activities", we can be assured of the chilling accuracy of the story. Consequently, "LM" may not be for everyone. This is a giant step up from an Ann Rule "True Crime" novel. There are lots of true crime tales out there that are milder than this. This review fails to mention much about Bernardo's wife and partner in crime, Karla Homolka. This is because her fate is key to "LM"s ending, which I don't want to reveal. It is quite hazy as to where Karla is now; in jail, on parole or scott free. Readers can decide for themselves if Karla is: 1) a helpless battered wife 2)just as depraved as her husband or 3) a rat. A final note: Unlike the Ann Rule books, there are NO centerfold photos to reveal the ending, to humanize the victims or to put a face on the guilty...a photo or two would have lightened the atmosphere. Final score: a 5 star story with 1 subtracted for the pervasive "violence".
Rating:  Summary: Could not put it down! Review: this book is very good...it is extremely graphic and it keeps you going. very hard to put down. However, I think the Author could have put some pictures of the couple in the book it would have made it less "novel" and more documentary. I had to go online to see pictures of the couple before and after they were married. Other than that if you are interested in True Crime books, buy this.
|