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Exposure #3
King of Dreams
This is the story of an unforgivable con man. Vulnerable families were his prey. His promise was an impossible dream and a lie.
Peter Candlewood understood the system. That’s how he could commute prison sentences and reunite hopeless families with incarcerated loved ones. For a price. Except there was no Candlewood. No hope. Just a lowly Texas con artist who bet on the desperate—and won. And he wasn’t working alone. The multimillion-dollar deception cost the betrayed more than their savings.
Christie Thompson’s King of Dreams is part of Exposure, a collection of six incredible and true stories of American double lives from millionaire CEOs and suburban teens to undercover investigators and scam artists—all for whom secrets are a way of life. Each piece can be read or listened to in a single astonished sitting.
Peter Candlewood understood the system. That’s how he could commute prison sentences and reunite hopeless families with incarcerated loved ones. For a price. Except there was no Candlewood. No hope. Just a lowly Texas con artist who bet on the desperate—and won. And he wasn’t working alone. The multimillion-dollar deception cost the betrayed more than their savings.
Christie Thompson’s King of Dreams is part of Exposure, a collection of six incredible and true stories of American double lives from millionaire CEOs and suburban teens to undercover investigators and scam artists—all for whom secrets are a way of life. Each piece can be read or listened to in a single astonished sitting.
29 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 30, 2019
230 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
November 27, 2022
This was a hard one to read, in the sense that it’s sad how people can be so evil.
The true story itself was well laid out details about what happened in these peoples lives and how this con man went about doing it.
The true story itself was well laid out details about what happened in these peoples lives and how this con man went about doing it.
June 11, 2019
I really enjoy reading long-form journalism like this, particularly on my e-reader as it's so much easier on the eyes that way. I also really like the pieces that come from the Marshall Project.
All in all, this was a very sad story about families preyed upon when they were most vulnerable, and, like all the Marshall Project pieces I've read, it made me think about our broken justice system.
All in all, this was a very sad story about families preyed upon when they were most vulnerable, and, like all the Marshall Project pieces I've read, it made me think about our broken justice system.
May 10, 2022
I sympathize with the parents and family members wanting to help, but I don't understand the continuation of handing over funds with little/no return. There had to be warning signs and red flags along the way. How were so many people blind to the truth?
November 7, 2019
Interesting story of a con man who preyed on people with incarcerated family members. Another entry in the Kindle 'Exposure' collection.
July 16, 2019
Mehh
Helped to pass the time. Quick and interesting. Wished i didn't have to write anymore but the kindle is making me
Helped to pass the time. Quick and interesting. Wished i didn't have to write anymore but the kindle is making me
March 9, 2020
*I borrowed this book from Amazon Prime and listened to it.*
This book is a true story about a con man in Texas who took money from people. I liked this book. I thought it was written very well.
This book is a true story about a con man in Texas who took money from people. I liked this book. I thought it was written very well.
June 13, 2019
Heartbreaking
This collection of true stories is phenomenal. They are short and to the point, but still pack a powerful punch. In this installment, families of the victims seek to bring a scammer to justice. The FBI pursues a network of criminals who prey on the desperate. The crime is so personal that it makes you want justice for them, while wondering what justice really is in this case.
The author organized the story well, introducing victims while slowly revealing the nature of the crimes perpetrated. The photos allow readers to connect with the people affected by the scam. Thompson provides a closer look at this case, including a look at just what this scam cost its victims.
This collection of true stories is phenomenal. They are short and to the point, but still pack a powerful punch. In this installment, families of the victims seek to bring a scammer to justice. The FBI pursues a network of criminals who prey on the desperate. The crime is so personal that it makes you want justice for them, while wondering what justice really is in this case.
The author organized the story well, introducing victims while slowly revealing the nature of the crimes perpetrated. The photos allow readers to connect with the people affected by the scam. Thompson provides a closer look at this case, including a look at just what this scam cost its victims.
November 7, 2020
Evil Minds Prey on Loving Parents and Families. Ugh!
This is the briefest installment of the "Exposure Collection" highlights how unfeeling manipulators can con innocent victims out of their life savings with empty promises of hope and assistance that never comes.
This eye-opening story exposes how easy it is to create a criminal enterprise with the sole objective of stealing money and hope from vulnerable victims. Parents and families of Federal prisons inmates were duped into believing that through a "special loophole" in the law, their incarcerated loved ones could have their sentences dramatically shortened by paying huge sum to a bogus organization called "Private Services." Victims were "soft talked" into believing that the scam organization believed in and wanted to help family members in prison get out early. What would any if us pay or do to help a loved one legallly escape earlier? But this hoax was neither legal or helpful.
Author Christie Thompson's tight narrative brings the facts and emotions of this fraudulent scheme to light without stretching the story out too long. Fortunately, the victims and the FBI brought the criminals to justice, but unfortunately still lost their money, hope, and trust in the process.
The warning from this Exposure story is to check out people and organizations before paying them. We must remember it's often easier to fool us than convince us we've been fooled.
Learned much from this short exposé about how criminals minds work to exploit the unsuspecting. I wished this short work were not true, but I'm now wiser because of it.
This is not my favorite form of reading distraction, but these true story brief accounts do provide a quick and efficient way to become more informed about a number of important issues without investing too much time or money.
I plan to carefully include several of these true stories to accent my reading experiences, while also remembering the adage that "truth is often stranger than fiction."
This is the briefest installment of the "Exposure Collection" highlights how unfeeling manipulators can con innocent victims out of their life savings with empty promises of hope and assistance that never comes.
This eye-opening story exposes how easy it is to create a criminal enterprise with the sole objective of stealing money and hope from vulnerable victims. Parents and families of Federal prisons inmates were duped into believing that through a "special loophole" in the law, their incarcerated loved ones could have their sentences dramatically shortened by paying huge sum to a bogus organization called "Private Services." Victims were "soft talked" into believing that the scam organization believed in and wanted to help family members in prison get out early. What would any if us pay or do to help a loved one legallly escape earlier? But this hoax was neither legal or helpful.
Author Christie Thompson's tight narrative brings the facts and emotions of this fraudulent scheme to light without stretching the story out too long. Fortunately, the victims and the FBI brought the criminals to justice, but unfortunately still lost their money, hope, and trust in the process.
The warning from this Exposure story is to check out people and organizations before paying them. We must remember it's often easier to fool us than convince us we've been fooled.
Learned much from this short exposé about how criminals minds work to exploit the unsuspecting. I wished this short work were not true, but I'm now wiser because of it.
This is not my favorite form of reading distraction, but these true story brief accounts do provide a quick and efficient way to become more informed about a number of important issues without investing too much time or money.
I plan to carefully include several of these true stories to accent my reading experiences, while also remembering the adage that "truth is often stranger than fiction."
March 25, 2020
A tale about quite possibly the world's worst person
There is bad, and there is bad.
The main antagonist of this non-fiction book is as bad as you can get.
He preys on the most vulnerable through scams, and even worse - manages to have ten children himself, ten children he seems to neglect while spending all his stolen money in strip clubs.
The biggest tragedy of this whole thing is that the main character seems to have a tremendous amount of talent. The police who have chased him his whole life state that he is smarter than the average criminal.
He could have become a business leader, or anyone really, but instead he turned his powers to something bad.
So in short, this is a great tale from Christie Thompson, but be warned - the subject matter will make you lose faith in humanity.
Or perhaps it will allow you to appreciate those who are better than the main character, and will encourage you to be better yourself.
Regardless, I recommend this book to just about anyone.
There is bad, and there is bad.
The main antagonist of this non-fiction book is as bad as you can get.
He preys on the most vulnerable through scams, and even worse - manages to have ten children himself, ten children he seems to neglect while spending all his stolen money in strip clubs.
The biggest tragedy of this whole thing is that the main character seems to have a tremendous amount of talent. The police who have chased him his whole life state that he is smarter than the average criminal.
He could have become a business leader, or anyone really, but instead he turned his powers to something bad.
So in short, this is a great tale from Christie Thompson, but be warned - the subject matter will make you lose faith in humanity.
Or perhaps it will allow you to appreciate those who are better than the main character, and will encourage you to be better yourself.
Regardless, I recommend this book to just about anyone.
February 8, 2022
Betty gave Alan Warrick hundred of thousands of dollars to help get her eldest son Ron released from prison early. Her other two children discovered this after her death. He had claimed that they could exploit rule 35(b) and retroactively shorten the sentence by offering up dirt on other criminals. With the money he could investigate, conduct sting operations, and work out agreements with federal prosecutors. Only he was pocketing the money and paying people to lie about his success. Betty's daughter Rhonda reported the scam and worked with the FBI to try and stop Warrick.
It's a quick read and it is easy to see how these families were desperate and manipulated by a system they didn't understand and feelings of isolation. The inside out way Christie Thomspon tells the story (with a trail of victims, partial histories, and false names) keeps things moving but doesn't foster a large emotional investment. Further the tale itself is generally depressing. It falls into that written fine but not particularly enjoyable category for myself for those reasons.
It's a quick read and it is easy to see how these families were desperate and manipulated by a system they didn't understand and feelings of isolation. The inside out way Christie Thomspon tells the story (with a trail of victims, partial histories, and false names) keeps things moving but doesn't foster a large emotional investment. Further the tale itself is generally depressing. It falls into that written fine but not particularly enjoyable category for myself for those reasons.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2019
Although this is a very quick read, it played out like an episode of Dateline. It amazes me how people con other people to get ahead in life. I know all to well about scamming, due to this almost happening to someone close to me. I thank GOD that I was there to prevent this. These lowlife individuals love to pray on the elderly and the desperate. A parent is willing to go to any length for their child, right or wrong, but I am very pleased by the judges decision in this case. I hope all the people involved in this scam get to think about what they did and the impact it has had on all involved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2019
Incredibly sad cautionary tale
Excellent short story of a scam artist who took advantage of particularly vulnerable people, the families of incarcerated loved ones. Conning their victims out of millions of dollars by selling the pipe dream of early release of their loved ones was a truly despicable and heartless action. The old saying about if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is comes to mind but the victims were usually parents who would do anything for their children. Twenty years was not long enough for the kingpin of this deception.
Excellent short story of a scam artist who took advantage of particularly vulnerable people, the families of incarcerated loved ones. Conning their victims out of millions of dollars by selling the pipe dream of early release of their loved ones was a truly despicable and heartless action. The old saying about if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is comes to mind but the victims were usually parents who would do anything for their children. Twenty years was not long enough for the kingpin of this deception.
June 29, 2019
Good quick read
Interesting story, and the perfect length for a lunch hour. There’s so much shame in being connected to the criminal justice system (family member in jail, on trial, etc), it’s very hard to effectively advocate for yourself or your loved ones against the abuses that have grown up around incarceration. Even without grifters, like those chronicled here, the system itself fleeces families. Then, should you come into contact with someone promising solutions, how do you check out the validity? The business model counts on your shame and desperation to thrive.
Interesting story, and the perfect length for a lunch hour. There’s so much shame in being connected to the criminal justice system (family member in jail, on trial, etc), it’s very hard to effectively advocate for yourself or your loved ones against the abuses that have grown up around incarceration. Even without grifters, like those chronicled here, the system itself fleeces families. Then, should you come into contact with someone promising solutions, how do you check out the validity? The business model counts on your shame and desperation to thrive.
June 7, 2019
This is part of the Amazon prime Exposure collection, and so far, out of the 4 I have read, I like this one the best. I found the con aspect of this heartbreaking, yet interesting; it was interesting to hear how they took a part of a federal law and used it for their own gain. I felt sorry for the victims in these cases; I can understand how they would have grasped at what appeared to be a lifeline to help their loved one.
June 27, 2019
Heartbreaking
This story exposes a scam which Goliad advantage of federal inmates and their families. While the individuals running this particular con were exposed and punished, it seems apparent to me that this case is certainly only one of many. The 'criminal justice ' system is so riddled with corruption that it is really a surprise to hear about anything resembling justice actually occurring.
This story exposes a scam which Goliad advantage of federal inmates and their families. While the individuals running this particular con were exposed and punished, it seems apparent to me that this case is certainly only one of many. The 'criminal justice ' system is so riddled with corruption that it is really a surprise to hear about anything resembling justice actually occurring.
August 28, 2019
Love My Kindle. Not just for reading books. Much Much More...🤓
Readers or anyone interested in Con stories. So happy I am waiting on a new cable box delivery, used this opportunity to familiarize myself with this Kindle. I have told Many friends about how beneficial/interesting/Free the apps+ extras are only the one time purchase fee. Don't have comp. Or laptop so the increased screen size of my Kindle vs. My Samsung is also a Huge Plus. Thank You 🤓
Readers or anyone interested in Con stories. So happy I am waiting on a new cable box delivery, used this opportunity to familiarize myself with this Kindle. I have told Many friends about how beneficial/interesting/Free the apps+ extras are only the one time purchase fee. Don't have comp. Or laptop so the increased screen size of my Kindle vs. My Samsung is also a Huge Plus. Thank You 🤓
February 23, 2023
Short non-fiction story from Amazon's Exposure collection, about a con artist who preyed on the families of incarcerated men. This guy had a whole enterprise, promising that he could get the inmate's sentence shortened for an early release. The scam - families had to pay him tons of $$, and sadly, many families fell for the empty promises. Desperate people do desperate, irrational things, and that was the root of this criminal operation.
December 30, 2024
The true story of con-man Alvin Warrick (aka Peter Candlewood) and how he scammed $4.4 million from family members of incarcerated relatives under the guise he could commute their loved ones’ sentences through an informant program. A difficult read content-wise and car-wreck style lesson in gullibility.
Bad people doing bad things to good people trying to help bad people. Hard to know how to feel about that.
Bad people doing bad things to good people trying to help bad people. Hard to know how to feel about that.
June 27, 2019
And right on to my third read in Amazon’s “Exposed” collection. This one felt thinner on content and details than the other two shorts in this collection I’ve read or perhaps the subject just wasn’t as engaging to me. I did feel like this work did a really nice job of providing snapshots of the various families impacted by this con.
July 6, 2019
This was a pretty good short you to read. You have to sympathize with the victims. Definitely made me anger with thieves. Just so hard trust people but we all do but when the trust is stolen, it's hardly ever gained back. BE CAREFUL WHO YOU TRUST.
July 14, 2019
Heartbreaking. It's so easy to think of these victims as silly to believe such a thing, but it's exactly how many of us would think if our loved ones were in this situation. So sad that someone could scam so many people into this, and be so carefree about it.
Read
April 17, 2022I'm not rating this book, as there isn't really much to it. I picked this up via KUs Read & Listen because I thought it sounded interesting, but there just wasn't enough detail to it. It read like someone had to write a paper, and this was the outline for it, but we never got to the deeper research that makes the story come together and keep the reader entertained.
March 15, 2023
Short read.
Part of the exposure series which focuses on scams or unusual crimes. This scam ran for so many years it almost seemed legitimate and focused on criminals who should have known better.
Part of the exposure series which focuses on scams or unusual crimes. This scam ran for so many years it almost seemed legitimate and focused on criminals who should have known better.
June 9, 2023
Quick Read
This was definitely a quick read about the case. It’s so many names so quick that it’s easy to get confused; overall, I enjoyed it as it gave me the case and not too much filler.
This was definitely a quick read about the case. It’s so many names so quick that it’s easy to get confused; overall, I enjoyed it as it gave me the case and not too much filler.
January 2, 2025
An abhorrent con man pilfers millions off the vulnerable backs of parents seeking freedom for their loved ones who are incarcerated. Heartbreaking true story of immeasurable loss and the journey of justice.
July 17, 2019
Selling Hope
This is a perfect micro-cosmic story of the pervasive industry of exploitation of hope in our society today, it's relevance undeniable.
This is a perfect micro-cosmic story of the pervasive industry of exploitation of hope in our society today, it's relevance undeniable.
August 22, 2019
Sad story that made me mad. Writing was okay.
August 27, 2019
Good Quick Read
Very interesting and informal. Gives you great insight on how inmate's and families are affected long after the sentencing of their lives ones.
Very interesting and informal. Gives you great insight on how inmate's and families are affected long after the sentencing of their lives ones.
November 20, 2020
A quick glance...
...at what watching hope die would look like. There are many scams in the world. Some are more sinister than others.
...at what watching hope die would look like. There are many scams in the world. Some are more sinister than others.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews