Afraid of the Dark: The True Story of a Reckless Husband, his Stunning Wife, and the Murder that Shattered a Family

by Tom Henderson

Detroit mortgage broker Mark Unger adored his wife Florence and their two young sons. But after a decade of marriage and increasing financial trouble, Mark's life began to slowly unravel. He became addicted to painkillers and gambling, and ended up spending five months in rehab.

Forced to go back to work, Flo became bitter and resentful of Mark and began to have an affair with one of his friends. When Mark returned home and his disability checks weren't enough to make ends meet, Flo filed for divorce.

Panicked by the thought losing her, Mark did everything he could to win Flo back. Even though she resisted his efforts, Flo did agree to a weekend getaway at the family's favorite lakeside resort. But after their first night there, Flo went missing ... and the next day her corpse was found floating in the water. Mark claimed that her death was an accident—one that must have happened while he was up at the cottage, putting the kids to sleep. But soon a jury would be convinced of what Flo's friends and family believed to be true: That Flo would never have been alone on the boat dock that night because she was deathly Afraid of the Dark.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Crime

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I made myself finish this book solely because of the setting. This true story happened about 15 miles from my house and I knew exact location, and the lead detective on the case. Without this local interest, I didn't feel like this was a book I would have read.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like true crime books, and I still liked the story, but the writing got a little repetitive. Repeating the same information as much as 3 different times thought the book.

[Bev(baglady) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Annie Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very intriguing case and a well written book about it.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contrary to other reviews that I have read about this book, I found this book to be one of, if not the most interesting books I have read. About half or at least one-third of the latter part of the book was devoted to the trial......and much narrative by and between opposing counsel(s) and expert testimony. A very intriguing argument as to the extent of culpability on the part of the accused (Mark Unger). I was highly shocked, as well as was one of the prosecutors (Donna Pendergast) that the jury returned a verdict of First Degree murder as opposed to Murder in the second degree. I do not, for one minute, believe that Unger premeditated the murder of his wife, Floence. I am totally convinced he acted in a sudden burst of rage when pushing or shoving his wife against a deck railing which resulted in her falling 12 feet which ultimately lead to her death. The “culpability” issue arises after the fact.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say that this wasn't the best writing that I have read for true crime books but it wasn't horrible.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read a lot of true crime but it was hard to get into the book. I noticed lots of spelling and grammar issues which was distracting. It dragged on a bit.

[Shirley Noffke · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only read 3/4 of book, it jumped around too much. Total waste of my time.

[Heather Varvel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book.. but it is very repetitive. That was annoying. I could almost guess what they would say next.. I don’t need them to continually repeat.. just get to the point. We know how people interact and, ‘he said’ ‘she said’ etc but seriously.. I remember those same details from last chapter. No need to recap them over and over again.

[Nicole Bonfante · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not sure why I kept reading this book. I think I was hoping it would get better. I got it for free with my Kindle membership and I love true crime, so the description was enticing. The book ended up being so slow and repetitive that I feel like I really only needed the first few chapters and the last chapter. Kinda bummed I spent so many hours on it!

[ErikaShmerika Wine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting case. Not so much for the crime itself, but for the trial. I’m a big fan of true crime books that feature interesting or case-making aspects to it- something a little more than ‘rejected man throws murdery tantrum’ -and this fits the bill. I’m pretty sure Unger is responsible for the death of his wife, but if I’d been on the jury, I doubt I’d be able to convict.

[Raymond Angana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read by mistake, first half was interesting then took a sudden turn to being dull and boring.

The fact that Flo is afraid of the dark saved the case, was not played as a story in the book, rather it was narrated blandly.

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't care for this book. The story telling was ok, I just couldn't stand Mark and how he was portrayed. He bothered me so much, it made it difficult to continue reading about him and getting through this book.

[Tija Addams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. I wanted to jump through the book and throat punch the husband Mark!! The level of his evil and selfishness is staggering

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love true crime stories.

[AJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of that was the trial and it was quite a slog.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Cindy B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strangely woven tale - worse because it’s real. Some profanity. Unsatisfying end is helped by an excellent narrator.

[Rae Dobko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have watched a couple documentries on this.....I do prefer the documentries! Book seemed quite back and forth at times.

[Matthew Stetz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eli Zarat got some ink in this book.

[Kimberly Dolese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great research. Very detailed. Nice pace.

[Kerri Robinson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh!!!

If I didn't live here I would not have finished this book. Too much back ground on things that had nothing to do with the trial.

[Michael Stetz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Switched to the audible version after reading two chapters. Defiantly better audible book. Dragged at the end. Just wanted it to be over.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very compelling book.

[Billp · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story out of the Detroit News that I had followed & knew pretty much the plot but It was still an interesting read because it was near home and I enjoy True Crime Genre. Bill Peedle

[Joni]

Very good.

[Rob Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

not the best written book - but the subject matter is fascinating. a legal tour of Michigan (especially nw Mich) in the 2000s that surrounds this famous case

[Tom Nolan]

paperback 4x7

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good true crime book.