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Poisoned Love
Accident, Suicide ... or Murder?
On November 6, 2000, paramedics answered a call to find Kristin Rossum, 24, sobbing. Her husband, Gredg de Villers, wasn't breathing and she claimed he had overdosed on drugs after learning she was leaving him. But family and friends who knew of Greg's distaste for drugs weren't buying Kristin's story - particularly the idea that he would take his own life.
American Beauty
The daughter of a well-to-do California family, Rossum was a brainy blonde beauty whose talent for toxicology had won her a post at the San Diego Count Medical Examiner's Office. But her sweet smile masked a dark side. She'd developed a taste for methamphetamine in high school, and six months after her marriage to Greg, she'd begun seeking secret trysts with other men.
Toxic Passion
At the time of her husband's death, Rossum was engaged in an illicit affair with her married boss. Investigations found that the Medical Examiner's Office was missing supplies of meth and fentanyl, the narcotic that had killed her husband. With each clue discovered, another piece of Rossum's "good girl" façade fell away. What the world would eventually see was the true face of a murderer - and the hand of justice ...
On November 6, 2000, paramedics answered a call to find Kristin Rossum, 24, sobbing. Her husband, Gredg de Villers, wasn't breathing and she claimed he had overdosed on drugs after learning she was leaving him. But family and friends who knew of Greg's distaste for drugs weren't buying Kristin's story - particularly the idea that he would take his own life.
American Beauty
The daughter of a well-to-do California family, Rossum was a brainy blonde beauty whose talent for toxicology had won her a post at the San Diego Count Medical Examiner's Office. But her sweet smile masked a dark side. She'd developed a taste for methamphetamine in high school, and six months after her marriage to Greg, she'd begun seeking secret trysts with other men.
Toxic Passion
At the time of her husband's death, Rossum was engaged in an illicit affair with her married boss. Investigations found that the Medical Examiner's Office was missing supplies of meth and fentanyl, the narcotic that had killed her husband. With each clue discovered, another piece of Rossum's "good girl" façade fell away. What the world would eventually see was the true face of a murderer - and the hand of justice ...
472 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2005
80 people are currently reading
661 people want to read
About the author
Caitlin Rother
28 books314 followersNew York Times bestselling author Caitlin Rother has written or co-authored 14 books, ranging from narrative non-fiction crime to mystery and memoir. Her newest book is DEATH ON OCEAN BOULEVARD: Inside the Coronado Mansion Case (April 27, 2021). Her backlist includes HUNTING CHARLES MANSON; SECRETS, LIES, AND SHOELACES; LOVE GONE WRONG; DEAD RECKONING; THEN NO ONE CAN HAVE HER; I'LL TAKE CARE OF YOU; NAKED ADDICTION; POISONED LOVE; BODY PARTS; TWISTED TRIANGLE; LOST GIRLS; WHERE HOPE BEGINS and MY LIFE, DELETED. A Pulitzer Prize nominee, Rother worked as an investigative reporter at daily newspapers for 19 years before quitting the news biz in 2006 to write books full-time. Her journalism has been published in Cosmopolitan, the Los Angeles Times, The San Diego Union-Tribune, the Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe and The Daily Beast. She has done more than 200 appearances as a crime commentator on TV, radio and podcasts, ranging from "20/20," "People Magazine Investigates," "Nancy Grace," and "Crime Watch Daily," to shows on HLN, Oxygen Network, Investigation Discovery, C-SPAN, XM Radio and PBS affiliates. She also works as a writing-research-promotions coach and consultant.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
July 26, 2017
2017 Lenten Buddy nonfiction Reading Challenge book #30
Reread True Crime Commemoration # 14
Setting: sunny California
RTC
August 2, 2021
What a story. I really liked it. Perhaps it could have been a bit shorter but all in all very well written. I can't believe this is the author's first book.
It was fun. At first I did not know who the killer or the victim was and while reading I must admit to me being wrong. The killer I thought turned out to be the victim. This is why it is so important to me to read books not knowing and why it is my pet peeve that true crime authors should stop telling us everything in the first story and especially when there is no escaping the spoilers. I hate those.
This was not the case with this book.
It was fun. At first I did not know who the killer or the victim was and while reading I must admit to me being wrong. The killer I thought turned out to be the victim. This is why it is so important to me to read books not knowing and why it is my pet peeve that true crime authors should stop telling us everything in the first story and especially when there is no escaping the spoilers. I hate those.
This was not the case with this book.
July 30, 2021
A true crime story of a toxicologist with the San Diego ME's office who murdered her husband with fentanyl. Because Kristin was blonde, brainy and beautiful, she thought no one would doubt her claim that her husband Greg had committed suicide, but she was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Turns out Kristin was also a long-time meth addict and having an affair with her boss. Some think that the boss-boyfriend helped Kristin in killing Greg, but he was never brought to trial.
The author does a good job of showing the evidence, but we never really get a sense of the personalities of any of the major players. And the truly forgotten person is all of this is Greg. We never really get a sense of him as a person, other than all agreed he was a nice guy who loved his wife, and who was basically "put down" like a dog. I'm reading another book by the author ("I'll Take Care of You") because I've gotten on a "true crime" kick lately. 3 stars.
NOTE: I am reading another account of the Kristin Rossum case, and am finding that Rother's book either left out some details, or didn't provide a full account. What seemed needlessly convoluted in Rother's book is crystal clear in Deadly American Beauty. It's a case of "I didn't know what I was missing" until I started John Glatt's book. But then again, your results may vary.
Vist my new blog - I Love True Crime Books!
The author does a good job of showing the evidence, but we never really get a sense of the personalities of any of the major players. And the truly forgotten person is all of this is Greg. We never really get a sense of him as a person, other than all agreed he was a nice guy who loved his wife, and who was basically "put down" like a dog. I'm reading another book by the author ("I'll Take Care of You") because I've gotten on a "true crime" kick lately. 3 stars.
NOTE: I am reading another account of the Kristin Rossum case, and am finding that Rother's book either left out some details, or didn't provide a full account. What seemed needlessly convoluted in Rother's book is crystal clear in Deadly American Beauty. It's a case of "I didn't know what I was missing" until I started John Glatt's book. But then again, your results may vary.
Vist my new blog - I Love True Crime Books!
January 29, 2012
Fans of the true crime genre will rejoice with another entry to add to their library, Poisoned Love by Caitlin Rother. In the style of Ann Rule, a true crime favorite of mine, Ms. Rother delves deep into the background and psyche of not only the accused but the victims as well and provides painstaking detail of the crime, the trial and the aftermath.
Reading Poisoned Love will make it clear to the reader that Ms. Rother spent an inordinate amount of time on her research and with admirable results. Every person introduced in her work has a voice, not just "friend of the victim", "co-worker of the accused", etc. This is perhaps the strongest point of Poisoned Love in my opinion - - rather than merely being "the victim", Greg de Villers is presented as a real human being, with thoughts, dreams and aspirations and you feel sadness and even grief at his life ending prematurely. Ms. Rother also does a good job at presenting the de Villers family's sense of loss and helplessness as Greg's brother Jerome fights to prove his brother did not take his own life.
The accused, Kristin Rossum, remained an enigma for me even after finishing the book. She exemplified the brainy beauty who should have had it all but threw it all away for drugs, for an illicit affair, and/or for narcissism. She was frightening to a degree in her cold natured indifference and the void that seemed to be present in her makeup.
While Ms. Rother's attention to detail is commendable, for some readers it may be a bit too much. The book itself is hefty (coming in at just under 500 paperback pages) and there were a few sections where I felt it dragged a bit and portions could likely have been minimized or cut so as to keep the story moving fluidly.
Even having watched a true crime program or two on this case and knowing the outcome, I was drawn into the book and learned many facts of the case I had not previously known. In short, I thought Poisoned Love was extremely well written and researched and one of the better true crime books for those who want an in-depth look at the case rather than merely glorified violence.
I would not hesitate to recommend Poisoned Love to a true crime buff or to any reader looking to explore the genre. Caitlin Rother is certainly an author to watch out for and one that will be on my "must read" list.
Review Copyright © Psychotic State Book Reviews
http://www.psychoticstate.net
Reading Poisoned Love will make it clear to the reader that Ms. Rother spent an inordinate amount of time on her research and with admirable results. Every person introduced in her work has a voice, not just "friend of the victim", "co-worker of the accused", etc. This is perhaps the strongest point of Poisoned Love in my opinion - - rather than merely being "the victim", Greg de Villers is presented as a real human being, with thoughts, dreams and aspirations and you feel sadness and even grief at his life ending prematurely. Ms. Rother also does a good job at presenting the de Villers family's sense of loss and helplessness as Greg's brother Jerome fights to prove his brother did not take his own life.
The accused, Kristin Rossum, remained an enigma for me even after finishing the book. She exemplified the brainy beauty who should have had it all but threw it all away for drugs, for an illicit affair, and/or for narcissism. She was frightening to a degree in her cold natured indifference and the void that seemed to be present in her makeup.
While Ms. Rother's attention to detail is commendable, for some readers it may be a bit too much. The book itself is hefty (coming in at just under 500 paperback pages) and there were a few sections where I felt it dragged a bit and portions could likely have been minimized or cut so as to keep the story moving fluidly.
Even having watched a true crime program or two on this case and knowing the outcome, I was drawn into the book and learned many facts of the case I had not previously known. In short, I thought Poisoned Love was extremely well written and researched and one of the better true crime books for those who want an in-depth look at the case rather than merely glorified violence.
I would not hesitate to recommend Poisoned Love to a true crime buff or to any reader looking to explore the genre. Caitlin Rother is certainly an author to watch out for and one that will be on my "must read" list.
Review Copyright © Psychotic State Book Reviews
http://www.psychoticstate.net
November 13, 2011
Looking for a crime book? Maybe you want a book that contains mystery, crime fiction, and suspense? This book is perfect for you. The author skillfully tells the tale of an "American Beauty" who had a great life and proceeded to lose that life on the basis of a ridiculous choice.
Kristin Rossum is exactly as described on the back cover of this book. She is the typical California "Golden Girl." She did not want for much of anything, she was pretty and intelligent as well. When she married Greg de Villers, it even appeared as if she had the perfect husband. Greg was not as outspoken or brazen as his wife and appeared to give in to her desires easily. Apparently, Kristin was not satisfied. Her husband is found dead in their bedroom, roses everywhere, and Kristin makes her first mistake. The story takes off from there.
This book was very interesting. The author's attention to detail will be appreciated by the reader, the events and environment are easy to picture. The characters, especially the protagonists, are easy to like. Kristin is the character everyone will love to hate. She truly appears to have little to no compassion. There are pictures in this book that will help the reader better picture the crime and the characters involved. This book is recommended to adult readers.
Kristin Rossum is exactly as described on the back cover of this book. She is the typical California "Golden Girl." She did not want for much of anything, she was pretty and intelligent as well. When she married Greg de Villers, it even appeared as if she had the perfect husband. Greg was not as outspoken or brazen as his wife and appeared to give in to her desires easily. Apparently, Kristin was not satisfied. Her husband is found dead in their bedroom, roses everywhere, and Kristin makes her first mistake. The story takes off from there.
This book was very interesting. The author's attention to detail will be appreciated by the reader, the events and environment are easy to picture. The characters, especially the protagonists, are easy to like. Kristin is the character everyone will love to hate. She truly appears to have little to no compassion. There are pictures in this book that will help the reader better picture the crime and the characters involved. This book is recommended to adult readers.
October 23, 2010
As I always say, I don't like to tear a book down, just because I did not like it means nothing and I don't like swaying anyone else. That being said, short and sweet here.........
I love True Crime, I did not love this book. It started out well then just flopped about 100 pages in. I found the author very repetitive in her writing, retelling details again and again. It took me weeks to get through this. I finally wound up skipping towards the end just to see what the verdict was.
I love True Crime, I did not love this book. It started out well then just flopped about 100 pages in. I found the author very repetitive in her writing, retelling details again and again. It took me weeks to get through this. I finally wound up skipping towards the end just to see what the verdict was.
January 23, 2018
I really loved this book. Caitlin Rother not only writes for entertainment (and this book didn't fail to keep you on the edge of your seat), she also writes to educate. There really isn't a lot of crimes not covered in this book. I mean it was packed with just about anything there is: love triangle, adultery, drug addictions, illegal processes within the government, and much much more. About the time you think you have a summary of what all the crimes are, more get brought into the picture. It is truly a good read.
One of the things I like, and I like it when any author does it, they suggest other books in their work that might shed more light on the subject. There are about 4 more books she suggested and I have two still on hold at the library. I can't wait to start them tomorrow.
Also, I like how at the end of her book she tells how the subject matter hit home personally for her. I love it when any author sheds light on their personal lives and makes themselves more real to the reader. Sometimes, I think we read these books and never take into account the author and what they went through to get this story for us.
Awesome book!!!
One of the things I like, and I like it when any author does it, they suggest other books in their work that might shed more light on the subject. There are about 4 more books she suggested and I have two still on hold at the library. I can't wait to start them tomorrow.
Also, I like how at the end of her book she tells how the subject matter hit home personally for her. I love it when any author sheds light on their personal lives and makes themselves more real to the reader. Sometimes, I think we read these books and never take into account the author and what they went through to get this story for us.
Awesome book!!!
November 1, 2015
Kristin Rossum came from a well-to-do California family but in high school she developed a liking for illegal drugs, including methamphetamine. She apparently got over her drug habit and enrolled part-time at the University of Redlands and moved into accommodation on the campus.
However, she relapsed and moved to a suburb of San Diego where she enrolled at San Diego State University and graduated with honours in 1998. She had met Greg de Villers and they were married in 1999 when she worked at the San Diego Medical Examiner's Office. Although married, she did see other men and got involved in a steamy affair with her Australian boss Michael Robertson.
Greg found out about this affair and their relationship became strained before, on 6 December 2000, Kristin called 911 to report that her husband was unresponsive on the family bed. She tried to revive him, failed and once he was taken to hospital he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Although her story was a little shaky, Kristin insisted that her husband had committed suicide but this story was seriously questioned by the de Villers' family and the police investigators were also far from sure that it was the truth. Both parties worked hard to uncover the truth thereafter.
What followed, when investigations began in earnest, was a story of sex and drugs, deception and possibly murder and Kristin, classed by many as a scheming adulteress, was at the centre of it all. She ducked and dived when questioned; drugs were missing from the Medical Examiner's Office, where auditing was apparently very lax, and one particular type of drug that had disappeared, fentanyl, had been found in Greg's body after an autopsy. And it seemed that Greg would have had no way of getting hold of such a drug.
Kristin continued to deny any responsibility, insisting the her husband had committed suicide because she had announced that she was going to leave him, and also stated that she was not having an affair with her boss. But investigations proved otherwise and after two arduous years she was taken to trial for suspected homicide.
The trial went on for a considerable time with the result seemingly in the balance throughout, although the reader will probably feel all through that Kristin was guilty. But when it came time for a verdict, the jury had seen through Kristin's story and she was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. She claimed her innocence and appealed but it was all in vain for she remained incarcerated without parole.
Caitlin Rother has told the chilling tale in fine style and presents us with a riveting account of a fascinating investigation, which it would seem saw justice served.
However, she relapsed and moved to a suburb of San Diego where she enrolled at San Diego State University and graduated with honours in 1998. She had met Greg de Villers and they were married in 1999 when she worked at the San Diego Medical Examiner's Office. Although married, she did see other men and got involved in a steamy affair with her Australian boss Michael Robertson.
Greg found out about this affair and their relationship became strained before, on 6 December 2000, Kristin called 911 to report that her husband was unresponsive on the family bed. She tried to revive him, failed and once he was taken to hospital he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Although her story was a little shaky, Kristin insisted that her husband had committed suicide but this story was seriously questioned by the de Villers' family and the police investigators were also far from sure that it was the truth. Both parties worked hard to uncover the truth thereafter.
What followed, when investigations began in earnest, was a story of sex and drugs, deception and possibly murder and Kristin, classed by many as a scheming adulteress, was at the centre of it all. She ducked and dived when questioned; drugs were missing from the Medical Examiner's Office, where auditing was apparently very lax, and one particular type of drug that had disappeared, fentanyl, had been found in Greg's body after an autopsy. And it seemed that Greg would have had no way of getting hold of such a drug.
Kristin continued to deny any responsibility, insisting the her husband had committed suicide because she had announced that she was going to leave him, and also stated that she was not having an affair with her boss. But investigations proved otherwise and after two arduous years she was taken to trial for suspected homicide.
The trial went on for a considerable time with the result seemingly in the balance throughout, although the reader will probably feel all through that Kristin was guilty. But when it came time for a verdict, the jury had seen through Kristin's story and she was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. She claimed her innocence and appealed but it was all in vain for she remained incarcerated without parole.
Caitlin Rother has told the chilling tale in fine style and presents us with a riveting account of a fascinating investigation, which it would seem saw justice served.
March 1, 2017
Kristin Rossum and Greg de Villers weren't married very long when Greg "apparently" committed suicide. But, things began to seem off pretty quickly. Turns out Kristin was unhappy in the marriage, her former drug addiction had reared its ugly head again and rather than divorce Greg, she chose to murder him. She worked in a toxicology lab and likely thought her experience in that area would help her hide her crime. It might have if she hadn't been so strung out on drugs that she made a mess of everything. Kristin originally claimed that Greg was depressed about the fact that she wanted to end their marriage. She also claimed that his death was due to an accidental overdose. But, testing revealed that Greg had massive doses of Fentanyl in his system. Fentanyl is not a widely available drug, it is extremely quick-acting and no evidence of the drug (or its packaging) was found in their home. Granted the police did not do a thorough search of the home and could have missed these things, but that still begs the question of where did Greg get the drug. A search of Kristin's lab revealed much of the drug was missing. If the prosecutor's theory is correct that Greg was going to tell her superiors about her and her lover's drug use and that she killed him to keep her secret, get money, and keep her lover all in one foul move. It's possible that her lover was involved but I doubt that he would have been okay with the rose petals and wedding photo showing in candle light.
Caitlin Rother does an excellent job of laying out the facts in this case. Her editor could work a little harder and eliminate some of her repetition and matching the verb tenses to the nouns wouldn't go amiss either. Overall, however, the story is very interesting. It has been covered on 48 hours.
Caitlin Rother does an excellent job of laying out the facts in this case. Her editor could work a little harder and eliminate some of her repetition and matching the verb tenses to the nouns wouldn't go amiss either. Overall, however, the story is very interesting. It has been covered on 48 hours.
January 26, 2016
This was a very well written story of a young selfish woman who betrayed her husband in the worst way possible. Just a spoiled self-absorbed young woman
who had everything but wanted more. Riveting read!
who had everything but wanted more. Riveting read!
November 27, 2014
And so my husband is safe for another day...
July 6, 2022
True crime. 3 of 5 stars.
Both parents of Kristin Rossum had PhDs. They pressured
her to be a high achiever. She had good grades in high school
until she had a ballet injury and became depressed. She hung
with a new crowd and used methamphetamine "meth." She
later, eventually used it QD. I didn't trust Kristin's words in
her journals, emails, police interviews, court testimony. She
was inconsistent in recounting what happened (her spouse's
'illness') & frequency of her starting/ stopping meth & who
did she love? She manipulated others: family, co-workers,
her spouse, lovers etc w/ her charm or her tears or both.
She and spouse Greg both obtained Bachelors degrees, her's
in chemistry and his in biology. She eventually served as a
toxicologist at the San Diego Medical Examiner's (ME) office
+ fell in love w/ her married supervisor, Michael, originally
from Australia,& recently awarded a PhD. Once married,
Kristin had 3 boyfriends (1 at a time). Greg seldom drank &
did not use street drugs.
Greg, thought a suicide, died within 17 mos. of wedding
Kristin. Prosecutors got search warrants for 17 computers
and devices. And compiled 25K pages (!) of data/ evidence!!!
She was charged w/ first degree murder and had 2 public
defenders. The prosecutor assigned to the case, was good
at exposing lies when interrogating witnesses on the stand.
The author had good research but her repetition in explor-
ing the facts became exhausting for this reader. I realize
she wanted to show inconstancies. But did readers care if
Greg gave Kristen 12 roses? 18? 24? Kristin kept changing
her story.
The ME's office found a dead body. If the dead person had
street drugs or drug paraphernalia @ the crime scene, the
ME's staff tested the drugs, or at times sent it to an inde-
pendent lab. ME stored these items as evidence within the
ME's office, until it was eventually transferred to the police.
Huh? An audit at this ME's office, showed missing street drugs.
Revised.
Both parents of Kristin Rossum had PhDs. They pressured
her to be a high achiever. She had good grades in high school
until she had a ballet injury and became depressed. She hung
with a new crowd and used methamphetamine "meth." She
later, eventually used it QD. I didn't trust Kristin's words in
her journals, emails, police interviews, court testimony. She
was inconsistent in recounting what happened (her spouse's
'illness') & frequency of her starting/ stopping meth & who
did she love? She manipulated others: family, co-workers,
her spouse, lovers etc w/ her charm or her tears or both.
She and spouse Greg both obtained Bachelors degrees, her's
in chemistry and his in biology. She eventually served as a
toxicologist at the San Diego Medical Examiner's (ME) office
+ fell in love w/ her married supervisor, Michael, originally
from Australia,& recently awarded a PhD. Once married,
Kristin had 3 boyfriends (1 at a time). Greg seldom drank &
did not use street drugs.
Greg, thought a suicide, died within 17 mos. of wedding
Kristin. Prosecutors got search warrants for 17 computers
and devices. And compiled 25K pages (!) of data/ evidence!!!
She was charged w/ first degree murder and had 2 public
defenders. The prosecutor assigned to the case, was good
at exposing lies when interrogating witnesses on the stand.
The author had good research but her repetition in explor-
ing the facts became exhausting for this reader. I realize
she wanted to show inconstancies. But did readers care if
Greg gave Kristen 12 roses? 18? 24? Kristin kept changing
her story.
The ME's office found a dead body. If the dead person had
street drugs or drug paraphernalia @ the crime scene, the
ME's staff tested the drugs, or at times sent it to an inde-
pendent lab. ME stored these items as evidence within the
ME's office, until it was eventually transferred to the police.
Huh? An audit at this ME's office, showed missing street drugs.
Revised.
March 18, 2020
I like it because its really so addictive
December 17, 2011
Originally posted on my blog: http://book-spark.blogspot.com/2011/1...
Review: My 5-word description: Suspenseful but not well executed
Plot: One should keep in mind while reading this book that it is a true crime novel and thus everything recounted in it has actually happened. I though that this book had a marvelous plot, especially with the nonfiction aspect, and both the investigation and court case were authentic and well-written.
Characters: The protagonists were fairly likable. You can’t feel for the antagonist, Kristin, at all. Okay, so she’s the antagonist and we’re not supposed to sympathize with her, but I feel like the author should have given us something to help us understand her actions a bit better. There is certain something missing in the development of the characters.
Style of Writing: One of the unique things about Caitlyn’s books is that she just lays out the whole story for the reader without any of the descirbing emotions (she’s a bit like Hemingway for that reason) most authors use. Her journalist background is the reason for this unemotional retelling of events in Poisoned Love. She spent innumerable hours just researching the case and getting all the facts straight. That’s one thing I admire about the book. It is filled with those minute details that make a crime story believable. Also, a bit of an academic tone through the narration, with few instances of everyday language. Although this is unique, it isn’t something I particularly enjoyed. I actually like having the author use a conversational and informal tone while narrating.
Descriptiveness: Rother lays out everything for you in a journalistic tone, but she isn’t overly sentimental. She does however add in innumerable detail, a lot of which wasn’t actully necessary to understand the background. In fact, all the detail kind of detracted from the suspense. I don’t think the book needed 500 pages to explain the case: after about 150 pages, Rother starts to get really redundant, and that really starts to get on my nerves. The book also contains a few pictures of the Greg and Kristin earlier in their life, and some of the investigation and court case. This was one of my favorite parts of the book because it's so shocking and you realize just how real this story is.
Recommended for: Adults; fans of true crime and Ann Rule
Review: My 5-word description: Suspenseful but not well executed
Plot: One should keep in mind while reading this book that it is a true crime novel and thus everything recounted in it has actually happened. I though that this book had a marvelous plot, especially with the nonfiction aspect, and both the investigation and court case were authentic and well-written.
Characters: The protagonists were fairly likable. You can’t feel for the antagonist, Kristin, at all. Okay, so she’s the antagonist and we’re not supposed to sympathize with her, but I feel like the author should have given us something to help us understand her actions a bit better. There is certain something missing in the development of the characters.
Style of Writing: One of the unique things about Caitlyn’s books is that she just lays out the whole story for the reader without any of the descirbing emotions (she’s a bit like Hemingway for that reason) most authors use. Her journalist background is the reason for this unemotional retelling of events in Poisoned Love. She spent innumerable hours just researching the case and getting all the facts straight. That’s one thing I admire about the book. It is filled with those minute details that make a crime story believable. Also, a bit of an academic tone through the narration, with few instances of everyday language. Although this is unique, it isn’t something I particularly enjoyed. I actually like having the author use a conversational and informal tone while narrating.
Descriptiveness: Rother lays out everything for you in a journalistic tone, but she isn’t overly sentimental. She does however add in innumerable detail, a lot of which wasn’t actully necessary to understand the background. In fact, all the detail kind of detracted from the suspense. I don’t think the book needed 500 pages to explain the case: after about 150 pages, Rother starts to get really redundant, and that really starts to get on my nerves. The book also contains a few pictures of the Greg and Kristin earlier in their life, and some of the investigation and court case. This was one of my favorite parts of the book because it's so shocking and you realize just how real this story is.
Recommended for: Adults; fans of true crime and Ann Rule
June 27, 2008
Yes I bought it but I only paid 50 cents for it...this is another telling of the story in "Deadly American Beauty" of Kristin Rossum, the toxicologist in San Diego who murdered her husband...complete with rose petals, stupidity, a boyfriend who I am sure was in on it (her boss, also a toxicologist) and who subsequently went to Australia or New Zealand and basically got away with murder.
Interesting, and this version, told by the writer for the SD newspaper who covered the whole thing, includes quite a bit that the other one didn't have. Anyway, it kept me up reading til late into the night/early morning, and at the end I still thought how sad it is to see a family that is so totally oblivious to the lives of other family members.
Having said that, I doubt that any of my own family would have a clue about my life, but I don't think it is from denial, just lack of interest.
Whatever, I'll send this one to my sister to feed her true crime void!
Interesting, and this version, told by the writer for the SD newspaper who covered the whole thing, includes quite a bit that the other one didn't have. Anyway, it kept me up reading til late into the night/early morning, and at the end I still thought how sad it is to see a family that is so totally oblivious to the lives of other family members.
Having said that, I doubt that any of my own family would have a clue about my life, but I don't think it is from denial, just lack of interest.
Whatever, I'll send this one to my sister to feed her true crime void!
August 16, 2016
A sad and strange tale of murder
I used to be kind of a true crime junkie, but I haven't read much in recent years. This book came up as a Kindle daily deal and it looked interesting. Although obviously well-researched and presented, the case itself was to me not very compelling, just strange. Kristin Rossum had absolutely no reason to kill her husband - she didn't benefit financially, she didn't hate him, he didn't beat her, or cheat on her. She could easily have left him, instead of poisoning him. Why?! Honestly, although I do believe she is guilty I might have had a hard time convicting because of this baffling lack of motive. It was all just so sad and pointless and wasteful.
I used to be kind of a true crime junkie, but I haven't read much in recent years. This book came up as a Kindle daily deal and it looked interesting. Although obviously well-researched and presented, the case itself was to me not very compelling, just strange. Kristin Rossum had absolutely no reason to kill her husband - she didn't benefit financially, she didn't hate him, he didn't beat her, or cheat on her. She could easily have left him, instead of poisoning him. Why?! Honestly, although I do believe she is guilty I might have had a hard time convicting because of this baffling lack of motive. It was all just so sad and pointless and wasteful.
November 7, 2008
I wish I could remember enough from this to give details but it's been a lot of years since I've read this. With me having read so many true crime books I usually can remember a book I don't like more then one I did like and this is definitely one worth reading if you're into true crime.
October 28, 2009
I love true crime. That's the main reason this book took my interest. This was quite the page turner and pretty informative about more scientific/medical things like the drug fentynyl. I loved this book.
January 29, 2012
This is a good book that tells a true story without getting too technical in the court room part (which I find many true crimes to do). It was interesting even if you knew the story and the outcome. Still some unanswered questions.
February 19, 2012
This book caught my attention from the begining and never let it go. The idea that some like Kristin Rossum could have access to the drugs that allowed her to carry out her plan amazes me. This book is well researched and worth the read.
May 12, 2012
The story is interesting, for I love true crime stories. This tale reels you in, it's shocking and an interesting read, however, the book is poorly written. A first grade reading level for such a gruesome story.
July 6, 2014
True murder
Throughout this whole book I could never figure out why she didn't just leave him. He would have gotten over it and he would still be alive.Her actions destroyed a lot of lives.
Throughout this whole book I could never figure out why she didn't just leave him. He would have gotten over it and he would still be alive.Her actions destroyed a lot of lives.
August 26, 2008
Kristin was a smart and beauitful women addicted to meth, cheated on her husband, and eventually kills him with poison.
April 28, 2011
I tend to like true crime but I found this book painfully boring at parts. The author included incredible detail that did not add to the story. I found myself scanning just to get through it.
December 8, 2011
Great read!
December 18, 2012
This is her first book I have read and I really liked it. It reminded me totally of Ann Rules books which I love to read.
November 9, 2012
Great book. Was written well.
August 10, 2014
Great true crime book. Caitlin Rother has just made it to my top 5 TC authors
September 21, 2016
Interesting
I'd seen this story on 48 Hours but there's always so much more that a book can cover. It's a sad case with so much loss.
I'd seen this story on 48 Hours but there's always so much more that a book can cover. It's a sad case with so much loss.
September 17, 2012
A true crime story - kept me up reading. I think she did it, but will you after you read it?
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