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17th out of 318 books
—
454 voters
Blind Faith
The Marshalls were the model family of Toms River New Jersey, living the American dream of all that money could buy. Rob Marshall was the big breadwinner, king of the country club set. Maria Marshall was his stunningly beautiful wife and the perfect mom to their three great kids. Then one night Rob, his head bloodied, reported Maria had been brutally slain. Sympathy poured...more
Paperback, 464 pages
Published
October 3rd 1989
by Signet
(first published 1989)
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In every flip of the page there's always the question: 'what's going to happen next with the kids? what's going to happen with the boys?'
It's as if in every moment i just wanted to see them and, feel for them.
This is a gut-wrenching story of the horrors of a pretentious life for the obsession of status quo. The futility of the crime is even more strengthened by Rob Marshall's shallowness and superficiality for the love of reputation... when inside him were bones rotted by greed, adultery, murder...more
It's as if in every moment i just wanted to see them and, feel for them.
This is a gut-wrenching story of the horrors of a pretentious life for the obsession of status quo. The futility of the crime is even more strengthened by Rob Marshall's shallowness and superficiality for the love of reputation... when inside him were bones rotted by greed, adultery, murder...more
I don't typically read true crime, but I was drawn to this because it happened in Toms River. What I didn't expect was that Toms River actually becomes a character in this book. The contempt and disdain McGinniss feels for the town and its people comes through loud and clear. It's like he blames Toms River for Maria's death. It was so strange for me, reading his impressions of Toms River that in no way match up with my experience. Maybe it was different in the 80's, or maybe it's because I didn'...more
I'd read this book years ago but didn't realize it until I was halfway through part one - and I remembered being as memorized by the story then as I am now.
McGinniss tells the story of murder for hire in a way where you can get into the headspace of the principal players - from Rob Marshall to his sons to the lawyers and even the residents of Toms River. He delves deeply into a world of shallow superficial facades tinged with whispers and rumors of corruption and desperation. It is a story that...more
McGinniss tells the story of murder for hire in a way where you can get into the headspace of the principal players - from Rob Marshall to his sons to the lawyers and even the residents of Toms River. He delves deeply into a world of shallow superficial facades tinged with whispers and rumors of corruption and desperation. It is a story that...more
I thought this was a terrific book, in one of my favorite genres: true crime. Joe McGinnis does a great job of telling these stories, and told this one so well that I wanted the opportunity to choke the lying, cheating, greedy, murdering, scumbag-sack-of-crap Rob Marshall myself. The murder happened in 1984 and the trial was a couple of years later, with the book shortly after that. Now I'm going to do some research and see whether Marshall's death sentence was ever actually carried out. If not,...more
One of the most remarkable reads of all time in the crime non-fiction genre. Because of a stepfather's love, a wily and brilliant killer was finally brought to justice, after the US military had given up on the case. His name was Freddie Kassab, and what stands out for me was this gentleman's absolute devotion to running down the killer, even after the woman's mother herself had lost heart. His name was Freddie Kassab, and he was a tremendous person.
McGinniss is a master of true crime. He paints a brilliant picture of each character and makes it personal. Reading the book made me realize just how good Robert Urich's performance was in the movie. I only wish there was more information on the sons and what happened to them. I know one married the actress Tracey Gold. Gripping book deftly divided into three sections...three points of view of the crime and aftermath. Great read.
Jan 09, 2011
Brandon Cirulli
is currently reading it
See I'm not the reading type kind of guy...but when a good friend of mine handed me this book and said " Read this, dont bring it back take as long as you want. I think your going to like it. " I had felt so honored to be as if he was family and he let me hold on to the original copy of this book.
Another one I enjoyed and the only thing that bugged me was that in the movie, Robert Urich, who I ADORED as an actor played the murderer, didn't care for that, but I digress, McGinniss has a way of plotting out (but keeping you interested) his books that I really enjoy.
Another great account of a non-fiction murder, this one in NJ in the 80s. I had seen the made for TV movie many, many years ago and that crappy movie stayed with me, so when I discovered this book after reading his "Never Enough", I had to read it. He doesn't disappoint.
One of my favorite quotes is via the father of Maria Marshall who was murdered by her husband. His opinion of Marshall's distinctly manque background: "The first one up in the morning is the best dressed for the day in that house."
One of the best true crime novels written. I believe I read it in two days, when one is so interesting, I just can't put it down. It has been a long time since i read it, but one never forgets a good book.
Haven't read true crime genre since 1992. This was such a "I grabbed it off the shelf from the library in the B&B we were staying at and read it in 2 days" kinda thing. Riveting! or not....
Wow. Wow. Wow. All I can say is that I tore through this book. It reads like a novel, but sadly is a very real story. Heartbreaking, emotional, riveting, head-shakingly good. Proving once again that truth is better than fiction. If you're a fan of crime stories, this one is fantastic.
Jan 30, 2013
Kimberly Hicks
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Mature Readers
Recommended to Kimberly by:
Goodreads
Shelves:
read-on-kindle
The title of this book pretty much sums it up for the Marshall children, who not only lost their mother to a horrific murder, but also their father who made sure to do away with his wife. Can you imagine wanting to believe your surviving parent is innocent of having his wife murdered, only to learn, he is guilty? I don't know how the Marshall boys survived that horrendous experience.
Robert O. Marshall got exactly what he deserved and I'm so thankful his sons finally lifted their blinds and saw t...more
Robert O. Marshall got exactly what he deserved and I'm so thankful his sons finally lifted their blinds and saw t...more
I remember hearing this on public radio's Radio Reader show back in the '80s, read by Dick Estell. The fact that I remember that must mean the book left an impression.
This is a true crime book. It is the story of a father who killed his wife in 1984 in Tom's River, New Jersey. They had three boys. Very interesting book. Very sad.
Joe McGinniss is a really, really creepy guy to me (like I would not want to be alone in a room with him without someone knowing where I was), so I could see him writing this book. Enough so that I could see him being the center of one of his true crime novels. However, Joe McGinniss is the author of several of my favorite true crime novels. Maybe creepiness and true crime go hand in hand. This book is a true winner. It is one that I read about 20 years ago or whenever it first came out and has...more
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I couldn't put down this riveting account of the true "fairy tale romance" of a Dr. who is convicted of murdering his wife and children.
I'd never heard of this case so when I picked the book up I didn't know it was a true story, though the writing style soon made me realise.
Interesting, gripping and well written.
Interesting, gripping and well written.
Very sad read but the book is good and the mini series is great!
Loved this! Even twenty years after reading this, still intrigued.
Gripping story and great insight into the tragedym
Jul 03, 2009
Lara
added it
Sad story - i went to college with the youngest son
This is a great read for true-crime readers.
Toms River, NJ wife murdered by husband
364.1 McG
This is a great non-fiction book. Lots of local history included. I couldn't put this book down. Goes to show you how GREED affects your decisions and actions.
This book was intriguing, although a bit confusing. McGinnis tends to introduce characters a if they have a minor role with minimal character development. Later in the novel, these characters come to play important roles. It revolves around a husband who has his wife killed and himself shot, leaving three young sons to pick sides, and find their own way past their loss.
Fascinating look at the case of Rob Marshall and the murder of his wife Maria in 1984. Joe McGinniss not only profiles the Marshalls and their three sons, but also their town of Toms River, NJ and its eclectic cast of characters. This was a heartbreaking, suspenseful read full of unexpected twists. Excellent true crime writing from the author of Fatal Vision.
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Joe McGinniss (born 1942) is an American author of nonfiction and novels. He first came to prominence with the best-selling The Selling of the President 1968 which described the marketing of then-presidential candidate Richard Nixon, and has authored 11 works since that time. His latest book is The Rogue: Searching for the Real Sarah Palin.
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