teresadennis's review against another edition
3.0
Engrossing story competently told. I can't help wishing Ann Rule could have had a whack at this one in her heyday.
mokey81's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good read about a very interesting true crime story. I first heard of this story on a podcast, and was just so interested in it, I was glad to find a book about it. I listened to the audio book version. Which made some of the author's writing...quirks glaringly obvious. If I never hear the phrase, "She would say later," it will be too soon. How did her editor miss that? She states it over and over and over and over. It took me out of the story as it became more and more frequent, which was disappointing.
Other than that annoying writing quirk, the story was well put together. I wish there had been more information on Martin MacNeil that we could trust. But that's pretty much impossible.
This is definitely one I'd recommend to true crime fans.
Other than that annoying writing quirk, the story was well put together. I wish there had been more information on Martin MacNeil that we could trust. But that's pretty much impossible.
This is definitely one I'd recommend to true crime fans.
rmeinel's review against another edition
5.0
I am slightly obsessed with true crime. I shamelessly listen to podcasts like crime junkies as much as possible to get my fix. When I heard about Shanna Hogan, I knew I had to check her out. This book is all based on facts: case notes, interview quotes, and newspaper reports, but reads like a novel. The book opens up with a brief overview of the case, then delves into the background of Martin and Michele MacNeill. Shanna’s use of detail paints a scene of the MacNeill family as a happy functioning family by all appearances until you look a little below the surface. A manipulative father, with an ambiguous moral and legal history, and an open-hearted mother who is described as an incredibly generous woman, willing to fight for her family. When Michele is found dead in the bathtub, her death is ruled as natural-due to an underlying heart condition. But was that really the case? But Her daughters and sisters will fight for six years for justice for Michele-to prove that Martin murdered her to make room for his mistress to be a part of his life without losing his standing in the community and the church with a divorce. Shanna guides the reader through the twisting turns of this case, presents the facts, and let’s you decide before revealing her thoughts in an afterward. I hope you enjoy this page-turner as much as I did!
nrdespain's review against another edition
4.0
What a read! This book hit so close to home. And to think it all happened while I was going to college at BYU! This is the most unbelievable true story of a heinous murderer. It's killing me that we don't and won't have all the answers, just theories. My respect and condolences to the MacNeill family.
ktcarlston's review against another edition
2.0
Oh this book - why did I read it? I don't know. Also I think I must have buried my head in the sand because I was soooo unaware of this story despite it happening in the town, courthouse, society that I live in. Anyway - it just seemed to go on and on and on and on. I read it on my kindle and I kept seeing how the percentage just never seemed to change. Anyway - I finished it - this ""doctor"" was a total weirdo - anyway - just pretty sad and weird.
turtlemagix's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first true crime story in a long time that actually deeply disturbed me. Marin MacNeil is clearly a freaking psychopath, that much was established in his childhood. Nothing he did made sense and he seems completely heartless. Gypsy is clearly a pathological liar and all I wanted to do was come through these pages and slap her. This case is going to stay with me for a long time.
michelleful's review against another edition
4.0
Horrible story, compellingly told. I wouldn't say that the prose was stunning in any way, but it was entirely serviceable and covered a large number of complex details with admirable clarity. There were a few annoying typos and incorrect word choices, but nothing major.
The subtitle mentions "A Mormon Doctor", but this didn't go too far into the "Mormons Behaving Badly" genre. The fact that the family is Mormon is mostly incidental, although a couple of questions are raised in my mind: (1) would someone have said something sooner if there hadn't been so much social pressure for the family to look perfect, and (2) was the sealing between Martin and Michele ever dissolved as planned, or is she supposedly spending eternity with her murderer?
The subtitle mentions "A Mormon Doctor", but this didn't go too far into the "Mormons Behaving Badly" genre. The fact that the family is Mormon is mostly incidental, although a couple of questions are raised in my mind: (1) would someone have said something sooner if there hadn't been so much social pressure for the family to look perfect, and (2) was the sealing between Martin and Michele ever dissolved as planned, or is she supposedly spending eternity with her murderer?
clairelarsen94's review against another edition
5.0
You definitely have to read this is in one sitting. I first heard about this a year after moving to Utah, not knowing my own doctor, is actually the Alexis Somers. The sentencing for her father was going on at the same time while I was seeing her for medical reasons. I can say that you never would have been able to tell that she was going through such a hard time. She was very attentive, sweet, and outgoing. One of the closest doctors I've had. After reading this, I give her the upmost respect and I'm thankful to have her as my doctor.
hspaulds's review against another edition
4.0
A brutal and fascinating look into a man and the crimes he committed, I particularly liked how the ending thematically tied together the “stranger” motif of the title
jesslady's review against another edition
4.0
It was a gripping read. I wish she had listed her references though.