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Deadly Little Secrets: The Minister, His Mistress, and a Heartless Texas Murder
A man of God . . . driven by the evil
To his parishioners, minister Matt Baker seemed a pious and good man. To his wife, Kari, he was a devoted husband and caring father. Always sunny and vivacious, Kari never questioned their frequent relocations from one small Texas Baptist church to another. Even when tragedy struck, Kari remained strong--until one day, inexplicably, she...more
To his parishioners, minister Matt Baker seemed a pious and good man. To his wife, Kari, he was a devoted husband and caring father. Always sunny and vivacious, Kari never questioned their frequent relocations from one small Texas Baptist church to another. Even when tragedy struck, Kari remained strong--until one day, inexplicably, she...more
Paperback, 448 pages
Published
July 31st 2012
by Harper
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This author has written both fiction and non-fiction. This is the first book by her that I have read. As she lives in Texas, her true crime books are about famous crimes that have taken place in various parts of the state. This particular story is very well-written, horrifying, and heartbreaking all at the same time. It concerns a Baptist pastor, Matt Baker, who is sociopathic, narcissistic, and who was, after quite a few years, convicted of murdering his wife due to the fact that he wanted to m...more
This book can be tedious at times, but all the details are important to understand all the people involved. This story is a true story which happened a few years ago and what the deceased's family had to go through to show that she was murdered by her husband instead of committing suicide. While reading this, you can see red flags all over the place. As a Pastor's wife myself, I understand that you will defend your husband/pastor publicly. Though I would hope that many of us would start seeing a...more
Matt Baker. Husband. Father. Rapist. Murderer. Sinister Minister. Yuck! I hate giving him the title of minister as he is so not worthy. I thought I knew everything there was to know about this narcissistic psycho from all of the news coverage. Turns out I was so wrong. Kathryn Casey delivers another extremely well-researched and written account of the man we thought we knew. What makes someone turn out the way Matt Baker did? Was it innate or learned behavior. Go inside this dark story and see f...more
Casey does an outstanding job chronicling the murder of 31 year old Kari Baker. Unlike some true crime books, Casey starts her readers out right at the beginning of the story, without giving away the details of the crime itself. She leads her readers through the background of each of the individual characters involved, including childhood, marriage, and the subsequent murder and trial. She also gives a detailed update on the conclusion of the case, including the resulting custody trial between t...more
I picked up this book in the airport on my way to conference. I had forgotten to bring a book for takeoffs and landings (when my kindle has to be powered down), so I was quickly scanning the bookstore for something to read. I haven't every read anything from the true crime genre before. The story was interesting and I found myself invested in finding out how the case would progress. Casey does a nice job of looking at the whole investigation and details of the case. My only complaint about the w...more
DEADLY LITTLE SECRETS is an excellent book. It is very comprehensive and tells both sides of the story as far as I can tell. It is a true story of a minister who thought he couldn't be touched no matter what he did. He believed God had forgiven him for all he did. Minister Matt Baker was a womanizer who wanted to be with another woman but he was married. A minister couldn't get a divorce ; it wouldn't look good. Matt decided to kill his wife and make it look like suicide. He almost got away with...more
This story is close to my heart as Kari was a childhood friend of mine. I followed every detail of the story and there were still a few details in the book that I did not know. It made me loathe Matt Baker even more. I am so happy their daughters are with the Dulins now do they can have as normal a life as possible. The book does read like a 48hrs episode, but I like that. There are so many details that can't be left out. This is one of those stories that will make you think about people and rel...more
I knew Matt and Kari the summer they met, when we all worked at the FBC Waco Day Camp. Kari's mom is good friends with my mother-in-law, both residing in Waco, and my heart breaks all over again reading this book and the misery Kari's family has been through. The book is thoroughly researched and presented in an easy-to-read, page-turner fashion. I haven't slept much the past 24 hours as I couldn't put it down! Huge thanks to Kathryn Casey for her honest and straightforward treatment of all invo...more
classic. hypocritical repressed (mama's?) boy marries a cute blond, who has no clue he is a serial abuser/harrasser/creep of the highest order. They marry, he goes from parish to parish (oh did I forget to mention this asshat is a MINISTER?) and gets booted along to new spots after complaints arise...and it just goes on and on until the wife gets fat and inconvenient and he kills her. Leaving beautiful daughters blah blah blah. Again, classic. Texas. Bible Thumper. Ugh. GUILTY PLEASURE for sure....more
This author did a terrific job of research, checking sources, interviewing witnesses, etc., to pull together a page turner. This true story depicts a vivacious, extroverted, joyful young woman, a mother of three, who was murdered by her adulterous, sociopathic, narcisstic, vain husband who was supposedly a minister (although he gives the men of the cloth a REALLY bad reputation, if the Catholic priests and bishops haven't completed that already). There are big questions as to whether this deceit...more
Another weekend spent totally absorbed in one of Kathryn Casey’s true crime books, this one “Deadly Little Secrets.” Within two or three pages, I was totally absorbed. The pacing is compelling, and relentless. While we know from the beginning who is going to die, we don’t know how or why, and Casey expertly leads the reader into the flow of events. The killer is someone we know, his motive is a familiar one, and yet we are shaken by his cold-bloodedness. And just when we think the story is over,...more
Silly me, I didn't realize this was a true crime book until half way through. I did think it was odd the writing style from the beginning was written in such a way that reminded me of a news paper article. Once I realized what was going on, I really enjoyed the book all the more. I'm not usually a fan of this genre but to be the first true crime book i've read in years, I really enjoyed it.
Kathryn Casey is for me the new Ann Rule. True Crime books are my guilty little pleasure, and Casey makes them a pleasure indeed. Her stories are always meticulously researched, and "Deadly Little Secrets" is no exception. I love her approach which includes detailed descriptions of the characters, relationships and of course the crime. As a result, a connection to the victims is established, and you can't help but care deeply.
It has been a long time since I read a true crime novel, like reading a 48 Hour TV show. I liked the format she used but thought it should have been explained at the beginning who the writer was instead of at he end. Liked that she included pictures of who the characters were so you could connect to them personally. I liked the book.
This is a heart breaking story of Karri Baker, who was murdered by her husband Matt Baker. Like all of Casey's books it is well written,and keeps the reader anxiously turning the pages to the very last on.
Very compelling book. Was hard to stop reading. What a sad, sad story. Kari Baker's family deserves a lot of praise and admiration for unwillingness to give up in their search for the truth.
A Baptist minister who isn't what he seems kills his wife by making it look like a suicide. He almost got away with it except for her family and friends who never gave up in the search for justice.
Narcissistic sociopathic husband belittled suffering wife. So sad. Well-researched book. Verbal and mental manipulation is still abuse, even if it's not physical. Sick that he justified his actions under God.
great book...the story and writing style kept me engaged. been awhile since i couldn't wait to see what happened next in a book. Casey is a great author and can piece a story together well without having to repeat herself. this was a complex story...well told.
This took place in my hometown and I didn't even know about it. Had a jolt when I read the name of the city of my birth. Very tragic and riveting.
I enjoyed this book very much. I had seen this story on "48 Hours" and was appalled with the "wolf in sheep's clothing". Matt Baker is true evil and thought he was too slick to be caught. Especially interesting was the author's visit with Matt in prison.
Wow... Obviously the Hewiit PD did not do their side of the story. Pretty sad when an an entire nation isfocused on your incompetence. Good luck guys......
Great account of a warped man and the horror he brought to everyone he touched.
Well chronicled true crime story. Had to keep reading it.
I love "true crime" but hadn't read any in a long time. I was totally fascinted by this story ... well-written and a ral "page-turner." Highly recommended.
RIP Kari.
A fantastic read - so well written.
This was one of the best true crime books I've read in a very long time. Hard to put down, and the characters were well-drawn. Her books are almost always really good.
People are messed up, dude.
Kathryn Casey is by far my favorite true crime author and she does not disappoint with this one. As most of her books are, the story takes place in Texas. This is a great read from beginning to end. It does not disappoint. If you have not read a Kathryn Casey book before, make this your first and you will become a fan as am I.
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Kathryn Casey is a Houston-based journalist who has written for Rolling Stone, TV Guide, Newsweek, Texas Monthly, and many other publications.
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Dec 31, 2012 02:16pm