Final Vows

by Karen Kingsbury

An account of the murder of an ex-con's wife describes how an educated, religious woman met, fell in love with, and married a prison inmate, only to be murdered by him later. Original.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, True Story, Amazon, Crime

417 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 1992

About the author

Karen Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America’s favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development with Hallmark Films and as major motion pictures. Her Baxter Family books are being developed into a TV series slated for major network viewing sometime in the next year. Karen is also an adjunct professor of writing at Liberty University. In 2001 she and her husband, Don, adopted three boys from Haiti, doubling their family in a matter of months. Today the couple has joined the ranks of empty nesters, living in Tennessee near five of their adult children.

See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K...

Reviews

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this recently and decided to read it because I enjoy Karen Kingsbury novels. As I understand it this was from the beginning of her writing career. It held my interest, but there needed to be an update on the case. I had to Google to find out he suspect died in prison without a re-trial or resolution. I saw the case was featured on Unsolved Mysteries at one point. An extra chapter explaining this would of been more fulfilling.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

WARNING!!!!! Do not continue reading if you haven't finished this book. I only read half of it, and I can't help but wonder WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GUN!!!???? If Dan had shot his wife, he'd have had no time to hide the gun! The police were there in less than a minute. The police also ransacked and searched his house, so where the heck could he have possibly hidden the gun? Or two guns? It just doesn't make sense to me! Did none of these cops or detectives think of this? Since I haven't finished the book, maybe the answer is in there, but from what I've researched on the internet, I haven't found anything suggesting an answer. I hope somebody has some idea. Maybe he hid it in his car? He did say he was looking for something when she was shot. It's sad that he died in prison & that this case will probably never be solved. Part of me thinks he did kill her, or at least had help. Then another part of me thinks he's innocent.

[Pooja Peravali · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ex-con claims that it was burglars who murdered his wife in front of him, and it may even be true. The police, on the other hand, are certain they've got their man.

This is an engaging, fairly straightforward true crime read about the murder of Carol Montecalvo, but as the story stretches on it engages in the broader theme of the presumption of innocence in the criminal justice system. Kingsbury is even-handed in her treatment of both theories put forward, making me waver every time I thought I'd decided which one I believed in. The book does end rather abruptly though - all that discussion and no answer leaves one underwhelmed, even if it's the truth.

[Susan Mabry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a true crime fiction that keeps you flipping the pages fast as you can! Riveting, revolting and reveals how human nature can self-sabotage the best intentions. Made me ponder how many times God forgives us and how addictions can destroy multiple lives in an instant! Fascinating book!💪🤩

[Joanna Weiss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just ok

It was more like reading a documentary ban a suspense or mystery. It felt very stiff, exactly like reading a report of facts from a reporter with no bias or emotional connection. Love her other books but I’m glad she did not write more than 4 of these books.

[Sonnigirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually really liked reading the book but the ending was very disappointing. But if it’s based on a true story you can’t really change that, lol!

[Jimmy Chaillot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Naivety, every one of us has it towards aspects of life we don’t know about. This is a case where a good faithful Christian falls for a dirtbag in prison.

At the end of the day her naivety would prove her death. This is a book which brings some reasonable doubt into it but I believe the ending is the correct ones vs a wrongful conviction.

Decent book but doesn’t get a recommendation from me her other ones are better

[Jordan Freeze · Rating 1 out of 5]

July Book Club

[Dar M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provoked a multitude of thoughts and emotions while reading. I did not want to put it down, wanting to know the next twist in the character’s life or consequence as a result of their choice. The ending was perfect, especially as the way our world is today. Love the message there is hope if we go back to our roots and place God first in our lives! Great read!

[♥ Marlene♥]

Another book by this author I read this week.Had I known beforehand that this is not a book where justice is done I would not even have begun reading. Yes I know life is not like that but if I can I prefer my true crime to end as well as it can be in those circumstances,meaning the killer gets his comeuppance.

So when I began to understand where this book was going I admit to began speed reading.Speed reading means after I have finished the book I can answer all the questions if you would ask me but I am not as concentrated while I read and I read much quicker.

I am not going to rate this book because I do not feel I would be able to judge fairly just because I dislike these kind of stories.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 out of 5 stars. It was interesting reading a book by one of my favorite authors when I am so used to her writing a completely different genre. Knowing this book was a fictionalization of a true story was truly disturbing.

[Sandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carol Montecalvo only saw the best in people. She met Dan through a prison outreach program. She wrote weekly to him and then went to visit him. Soon the two were in love and despite the objections of friends and family, Carol married Dan. Dan had joined self improvement programs in prison, was now sober and had found religion.

But once Dan was out, things weren't as rosy. He found employment challenging as most employers weren't as forgiving as Carol and soon was back to gambling, drinking and seeing other women. Carol never complained either to Dan or about him to others. Instead she tried to make things work as best she could.

The two were about to go on a Hawaiian vacation Carol had won at work. They went on a neighborhood walk and when they got home, Carol went in first. Soon, Dan was calling 911, reporting Carol had surprised a burglar and that both of them had been shot. Dan survived, Carol did not. But when the police discovered Dan's background and that he had insured Carol's life for more than half a million dollars, he was suspected and arrested.

Karen Kingsbury has written the true crime story of the Montecalvos. Most readers will find Carol a bit naïve and wonder what she ever saw in Dan and why she believed that he could change and that they could have a successful marriage. She paid for those beliefs with her life. The book follows the case through the trial. This book is recommended for true crime readers.

[Mrs. Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Karen Kingsbury’s Final Vows because I’m a true-crime fan who is especially intrigued by cases which involve a suspect/accused/convicted person’s having injured himself in order to lend verisimilitude to his claim of being a fellow object, rather than the agent, of a crime. To my disappointment, there is scant attention to this element of the murderous attack (e.g. exactly where was he shot? how close was the gun to him? what was the trajectory of the bullet? how did he know where to aim?); the author’s main concern seems to be the intensity, sincerity and consistency of the various parties’ “Christian” beliefs.* That Kingsbury’s brief account of the trial and its sequelea makes no attempt at impartiality undermined my confidence in the book’s seeming even-handedness in its lengthy description of the investigation. It was too repetitive and unengaging for me, but other true-crime fans might appreciate learning of a little-known and very puzzling case.

*Had I read the author’s bio beforehand I could have foreseen this. Evidently she’s well-known as a writer of “Christian fiction,” although her characterization as “scripture” the old adage that “the eyes [are] windows to the soul” (ch. 6) might signal an emphasis on the fiction part.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would get 4 stars if not for the editing/publishing errors that include whole paragraphs being out of place, divided mid sentence, and repeated. I almost stopped reading because of this, but I decided that since I could still follow the story, I would see it through.

It's troubling that there are still so many unanswered questions associated with this case. It's easy to understand why the jury believed the case as it was presented and landed on a guilty verdict. Yet, it is very frustrating that there are so many other possible scenarios and suspects that the burden of "reasonable doubt" was not appropriately met. I hope that if he was truly innocent that Dan's name is eventually cleared. I also hope that if someone else is truly responsible that they are eventually brought to justice.

[Char · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I rather enjoyed this and the way Karen strung together all the facts to paint the picture with a little creative license. Well worth the read if you enjoy true crime.
I'd like to rebut some of the other reviews about how it wasn't suspenseful enough or didn't have enough mystery by pointing out it is true crime with a little creative storytelling and not fiction. Also no, it unfortunately does not have a nice clean ending. So don't read this expecting one.

*spoiler*


I am of the belief he was innocent of her death at least after reading this but unfortunately the justice system did not agree so he got convicted and there are still many unanswered questions years later that will probably never be answered.

[Celia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was interesting, and it did keep me guessing. This is a true story based on a crime in California back in the 1980's. The marriage between Dan Montecalvo, an ex-con and his wife Carol, ends one night in murder. Carol is shot three times by an intruder and does not survive. Dan is shot too, but it's not as bad and he survives. The story is revealed to the reader as if you are reading newspaper reports, or watching a true crime show on TV. Evidence, witnesses, mistakes, dedicated detectives and dedicated lawyers are all presented in this story that keeps you guessing until the very end.

[Carol Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly, I am a huge Karen Kingsbury fan of both her true crime and Christian fiction genres. In my opinion this is not as good as her usual work. This particular book is kind of dull and repetitive, and I found it hard to finish. But the worst thing about this book is the narrator. Her voice is drone and almost robotic, with ZERO emotional emphasis unless she was yelling when the alleged killer had done so. Additionally, her attempt at his accent (Boston? Long Island? Couldn’t really tell, sounded like a combination of both.) was almost comical and really annoying, making the narration almost unlistenable. I’ll avoid any other books she narrates.

[Lilah · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Kingsbury lover, this book was just OK.

I know this is some earlier work and not the trope/lane she ended up in. I also understand this was a real case and so there was only so much that could be done with it.

It wasn't bad though. The case itself was bizarre. Who done it?? On one hand Dan seemed like the perfect culprit, but we can not fully discard Suzan too. Aahhhh.

IDK. I'm on the fence.

I did have to go to Google to find out more about this case and an update though. The book leaves us hanging a bit.

[Jane Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

FINAL VOWS

I have always loved True Crime books &TV shows. Karen Kingsbury is my #1 favorite Christian author! I have always been curious about her first True Crime books. Even these have her special style of the love of God shining through! Her portrayal of Carol Montecalvo showed a kind woman who wanted to make a difference in people's lives. Unfortunately she married a lying narcissist who ended up killing her for $600,000 in life insurance!

I can also understand why Karen stopped writing these books. Sometimes the darkness can be too much!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

**SPOILER ALERT: 3.5 stars. Interesting true crime story. It is a shame that there has never been a clear resolution. Who do you believe? Dan Montecalvo was an admitted chronic liar, but the police possibly harbored a vendetta. From Ms Kingsbury's narration, it appears that the police and prosecutors possibly cherry-picked the evidence. If you like analyzing the facts for yourself, this is a good read. If you like cut and dried conclusions, pass on this one.

[Scarlett Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confusion!

I went back and forth as I read Dan’s story. How sad his beginning and the ending of this non-fiction novel. But I am confused about the ending. What happened to Dan? Was he ever proven innocent? Was Suzan ever arrested for both murders? Was her accomplice ever arrested? Please write a conclusion to Dan’s journey. SSG

[Jule Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

So we are left to wonder…

Most stories true or fiction tie up the story with a neat little bow. Not so with this one. Interesting story that was drawn out in parts. My big take away is that you can’t go rogue in life without it having the ability to circle back and destroy you.

[Siarra Leaann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written true crime novel. Heartbreaking murder of a devout woman who just wanted to love her husband and love and serve the Lord. This novel takes you through the investigation and trial of the man, who based off circumstantial evidence, murdered her. Did he do it or did someone else? Karen takes you on the roller coaster of did he or didn’t he.

Couldn’t put the book down.

[Melanie Hurta · Rating 2 out of 5]

fascinating story

I enjoyed this true crime novel until just before it ended. Descriptions of the main characters early lives and how those experiences shaped their
adult lives.
I was very disappointed that the book ended without divulging what happened to the primary male character. What an awful way for this book to end. 😠

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book drags a lot in many spots. it was written in 1992 and re-released in 2013. However, the re-release did not update anything. The book ends with his possibly being innocent. What happened now? Why no update?

[Bertha Ivins · Rating 3 out of 5]

It still amazes me that women will fall for and marry hard core criminals while they are in prison. But they had evidence in this case that they never really researched so I’m not really sure if the criminal done this murder.

[Melinda Willford · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT - I couldn’t put this book down. But I was surprised that there was no real resolution at the end. As another reviewer commented there needed to be an update added at the end of the book. I won’t reveal what she said but you can Google it.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A quick read for me. The author snakes back and forth between possible suspects, keeping you guessing for quite a while until you realize that the case against one is definitely stronger. Unfortunately in real life there are not always neat and tidy endings.

[Brookie R · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are a Christian fiction fan and love Karen Kingsbury writing, do NOT read this book. Yes this is before she started writing christian fiction but I was in hopes this would be clean true crime, it was not.

[Shelly Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting (but dragged on for sure). I’m honestly horrified that a woman wrote this book though, let alone a Christian woman. The way she describes a woman’s weight is so not ok. “She would have been pretty if she were not overweight” was the most glaring statement.