Joe Bob Briggs

Evidence of Love: A True Story of Passion and Death in the Suburbs by John Bloom is a 2016 Open Road Media publication.(Originally published in 1984)

This is another older true crime story- one that I had forgotten about until I started reading this book. I was about a quarter of the way in when it finally came to me why everything sounded so familiar. In fact, I think I may have even read this book many, many years ago.

Although this case has been out of the spotlight for a good while- my understanding is that both Hulu and HBO are planning mini-series about it. The HBO series is based on this book, as it so happens.

Despite the age of the case and this book-it is still an incredible and riveting drama. It’s got all the elements that drive people to commit crimes of passion- but the way this investigation played out was so unusual- I have never heard anything like it since.

The crime takes place in 1980 when Betty Gore was brutally murdered- on Friday the 13th, no less, while her husband was away on a business trip.

One of the last people to see Betty alive was her friend, Candy Montgomery, who had stopped by earlier in the day. As the police begin their investigation, it comes to light that the two church -going families had a few secrets between them- secrets which may have culminated in murder.

The book follows a format common in true crime books of this era. Background is given about the families involved, the reader is walked through how Betty’s body was found, the days following her murder, and the subsequent revelations that eventually led to a shocking outcome, a sensational murder trial, and a stunning jury decision.

Although the story was familiar to me, I had forgotten many of the details. As I re

ad further, I found myself completely engrossed.

So, it might be a good time to brush up on this case before you watch the new series about it. (In the meantime- you can watch 'A Killing in a Small Town on YouTube.)

This book was very well written and organized. The layout is very effective, even now, when we are so accustomed to true crime reading like fiction.

Overall, I give this one the five star treatment. True crime fans don’t miss this one!… (mehr)

I don't know how complexly accurate this book was, but as an Iridium fan during the 90s, and and Iridium customer in the 2000s, it was a pretty amazing behind the scenes view. I knew Motorola was a cancer and an anachronism, but had no idea how deep the dysfunction was within the company -- thankfully they are no longer around. I have a lot more experience with the startup stage than with the turnaround of billion dollar assets, but there were a lot of similarities, and it is hard to come away with hunting but respect for the team that rescued Iridium and kept it operating.… (mehr)