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Beyond All Reason: My Life With Susan Smith
Springing from the sincere emotional impact of the tragic deaths of young Michael and Alex Smith at the hands of their mother, Susan, Beyond All Reason is more than an account of the crime that outraged a nation and shattered one man's world, more than a tale of broken faith and shocking betrayal. It is a story told straight from the heart--a story that only a father--only David Smith--could tell.
271 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
10 people are currently reading
704 people want to read
About the author
David Smith
2,367 books23 followersLibrarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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David[2 spaces]Smith : Art
David[3 spaces]Smith : Economics Editor of The Sunday Times
David[4 spaces]Smith : Politics, Australian
David[5 spaces]Smith : David (Darkcat) Smith, Computer
David[6 spaces]Smith : GR Author, Literature & Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor
David[7 spaces]Smith : GR Author, Mystery, Humor & Comedy, Romance
David[8 spaces]Smith : GR Author, Contemporary, Historical Fiction, Crime
David[9 spaces]Smith : Sports
David[10 spaces]Smith : GR Author, Poetry
David[11 spaces]Smith : History
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David[2 spaces]Smith : Art
David[3 spaces]Smith : Economics Editor of The Sunday Times
David[4 spaces]Smith : Politics, Australian
David[5 spaces]Smith : David (Darkcat) Smith, Computer
David[6 spaces]Smith : GR Author, Literature & Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor
David[7 spaces]Smith : GR Author, Mystery, Humor & Comedy, Romance
David[8 spaces]Smith : GR Author, Contemporary, Historical Fiction, Crime
David[9 spaces]Smith : Sports
David[10 spaces]Smith : GR Author, Poetry
David[11 spaces]Smith : History
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
January 9, 2025
Heartbreaking
June 13, 2015
It was hard for me to read this book. Not necessarily because of the content (which was of course disturbing), but because I didn't find David to be very likeable either. I wanted to like him. But his writing style made him seem very immature and defensive, and I kept rolling my eyes every time he and Susan got back together only to break up again. But when the boys were found...my heart broke for him. Incredibly sad.
July 18, 2022
The title of this book is most apt because, without a shadow of a doubt the killing of her two children by their mother is beyond all reason. Husband David Smith, who I can understand if people struggle to get to really like him, tells the story from his meeting with Susan through all the struggles of their marriage, that originally he was not wholly committed to, their breakups and then to the astonishing news that it was Susan who had killed Mike and Alex.
He had dated other girls when he met Susan and he engaged in a somewhat casual relationship with her at first but when the news that she was expecting came, they had serious discussions and decided that they would marry. Susan's parents were none too pleased but went along with the decision. When Mike was born there was a period where the pair enjoyed the joys of parenthood and were reasonably happy.
But things soured somewhat and David formed a relationship with a co-worker at the store where he worked. The relationship with Susan suffered and she, too, engaged in friendships outside their marriage. This did not good for their relationship long term but when a second child, Alex, came along, they tried again. But the relationship continued to be fractious and eventually they agreed to divorce. This was in the offing when the two boys went missing.
Susan told a tale of car-jacking and someone taking her children away and David, distraught at the loss of his beloved children, took pity on her and their relationship improved a little. It was, however, short-lived but for the sake of the search for Mike and Alex they stuck together, albeit with spats along the way and David continuing his relationship with a new girlfriend.
The police eventually spotted inconsistencies in Susan's story but for a time she stuck with it. Each press conference, all the media intrusion eventually began to take its toll and suddenly David hears on the radio that Susan has confessed to the murder of her two children. He finds it difficult to believe but when the police chief finally finds the time to break the news to him officially, he is convinced even though he is disbelieving of Susan's action.
Once the news is out he has to come to terms with what his wife has done and what punishment he would wish on her. He is torn between a long-term prison sentence or the death penalty and when he goes to the prison to meet her for the first time since the deaths of the children, he is even more uncertain as to what decision to take. He finally makes up his mind but as the book finishes before any trial takes place we do not know the outcome.
Footnote: A check of the internet reveals that Susan Smith received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for 30 years.
He had dated other girls when he met Susan and he engaged in a somewhat casual relationship with her at first but when the news that she was expecting came, they had serious discussions and decided that they would marry. Susan's parents were none too pleased but went along with the decision. When Mike was born there was a period where the pair enjoyed the joys of parenthood and were reasonably happy.
But things soured somewhat and David formed a relationship with a co-worker at the store where he worked. The relationship with Susan suffered and she, too, engaged in friendships outside their marriage. This did not good for their relationship long term but when a second child, Alex, came along, they tried again. But the relationship continued to be fractious and eventually they agreed to divorce. This was in the offing when the two boys went missing.
Susan told a tale of car-jacking and someone taking her children away and David, distraught at the loss of his beloved children, took pity on her and their relationship improved a little. It was, however, short-lived but for the sake of the search for Mike and Alex they stuck together, albeit with spats along the way and David continuing his relationship with a new girlfriend.
The police eventually spotted inconsistencies in Susan's story but for a time she stuck with it. Each press conference, all the media intrusion eventually began to take its toll and suddenly David hears on the radio that Susan has confessed to the murder of her two children. He finds it difficult to believe but when the police chief finally finds the time to break the news to him officially, he is convinced even though he is disbelieving of Susan's action.
Once the news is out he has to come to terms with what his wife has done and what punishment he would wish on her. He is torn between a long-term prison sentence or the death penalty and when he goes to the prison to meet her for the first time since the deaths of the children, he is even more uncertain as to what decision to take. He finally makes up his mind but as the book finishes before any trial takes place we do not know the outcome.
Footnote: A check of the internet reveals that Susan Smith received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for 30 years.
August 30, 2019
The father's story
This is the Susan Smith of Union, South Carolina who pushed her car into the lake with her two little boys still strapped in their car seats.
This version of the story is written by her husband and the father of the two boys. He tries to be fair and objective in the first person narrative, but he gets in his opinion on everybody involved including his in-laws and the media. He also reveals himself as a loving father, but a guy working two women at the same time. His wife Susan comes across as a kind of sexy but sick psychopath.
According to David's story, she killed the boys so that the well-to-do son of a local business owner might be enticed to marry her. He had told her he didn't want a "ready made" family. Kind of like the lions killing the cubs to bring the lionesses into heat, only here the lioness does it herself. If she hadn't confessed, she probably would have gotten away with it, because nobody, including her husband, could believe she'd kill her two cute little boys.
There was a lot of sexist sympathy on both sides of this case, but there's no getting around the fact that Susan Smith is a monster. The sad thing is the son of a business man guy probably would never have married her anyway. This is a quick and easy read, but somehow unsatisfying I think because the real depth of the story needs a larger point of view.
--Dennis Littrell, author of the sensational mystery novel, “Teddy and Teri”
This is the Susan Smith of Union, South Carolina who pushed her car into the lake with her two little boys still strapped in their car seats.
This version of the story is written by her husband and the father of the two boys. He tries to be fair and objective in the first person narrative, but he gets in his opinion on everybody involved including his in-laws and the media. He also reveals himself as a loving father, but a guy working two women at the same time. His wife Susan comes across as a kind of sexy but sick psychopath.
According to David's story, she killed the boys so that the well-to-do son of a local business owner might be enticed to marry her. He had told her he didn't want a "ready made" family. Kind of like the lions killing the cubs to bring the lionesses into heat, only here the lioness does it herself. If she hadn't confessed, she probably would have gotten away with it, because nobody, including her husband, could believe she'd kill her two cute little boys.
There was a lot of sexist sympathy on both sides of this case, but there's no getting around the fact that Susan Smith is a monster. The sad thing is the son of a business man guy probably would never have married her anyway. This is a quick and easy read, but somehow unsatisfying I think because the real depth of the story needs a larger point of view.
--Dennis Littrell, author of the sensational mystery novel, “Teddy and Teri”
January 19, 2016
I cried my way through this book. Very good True crime book but so sad.
March 27, 2011
I lived in the States when this happened and can remember it vividly. A good read told from David's point of view - my heart goes out to him and for those two beautiful boys.
Back Cover Blurb:
Beyond All Reason is more than an account of the crime that outraged a nation and shattered one man's world, more than a tale of broken faith and shocking betrayal. It is about one man's struggle to understand how this tragedy could have happened in the hope that he can help us to understand.
Beyond All Reason is a story straight from the heart.....a story you will never forget. It is the story only a father - only David Smith - could tell.
Back Cover Blurb:
Beyond All Reason is more than an account of the crime that outraged a nation and shattered one man's world, more than a tale of broken faith and shocking betrayal. It is about one man's struggle to understand how this tragedy could have happened in the hope that he can help us to understand.
Beyond All Reason is a story straight from the heart.....a story you will never forget. It is the story only a father - only David Smith - could tell.
June 26, 2014
Wow, I remember the first time I saw them on TV my heart broke for them, and I seriously considered going there and joining the search party!
When I heard she confessed, I don't think I have ever been as angry as I was that day!! I can't I imagine a mother doing this to her children!
This book gave a real and honest look into their life together! along with a " behind the scenes" look at those 9 days while the nation wept, and she lied!!!
My heart goes out to David and the rest of the family, may god be with you all, and guide you through it!
When I heard she confessed, I don't think I have ever been as angry as I was that day!! I can't I imagine a mother doing this to her children!
This book gave a real and honest look into their life together! along with a " behind the scenes" look at those 9 days while the nation wept, and she lied!!!
My heart goes out to David and the rest of the family, may god be with you all, and guide you through it!
September 11, 2010
This tragic real life story has fascinated me for a long time. I never could ,and still can't, grasp how a mother could murder her children. David Smith did an amazing job not only telling the story about the tragic deaths of his children but also telling about the loving relationship he had with them, and the woman he once called his wife.
January 22, 2021
A very interesting book about Susan Smith and her relationship with her husband, David Smith, before, during, and after she murdered their two sons and blamed it on a carjacking. Despite being written before the trial, the book is pretty thorough, and I did find it very interesting.
I felt for the husband here. He spends a good bit of the book apologetic, as if something he did drove his wife to do what he did. He's certainly not perfect but I don't think he's the cause. And I agree with him that his sons are the victims, not Susan.
Susan said a black man had carjacked her car and gone off with the kids. This being South Carolina in the 1990s, the cops went out in full force looking for this man, only for Susan to confess nine days later that she had drowned her sons and that there was no carjacker. While I'm sure the local black community was shaken, fortunately no one was lynched or railroaded into jail.
David Smith does a good job of describing Union, South Carolina, as full of "good old boys", and how, even after the confession, Susan was protected by the town because she was seen as one of their own, while David and his family were considered outsiders. While he may be biased in this regard I find it certainly believable. He also talks about the heavy media presence taking over the town and how he found out his sons were murdered on television.
Susan's mother still claims post-partum depression made her kill her kids, despite the evidence that Susan killed them because her boyfriend had broken up with her, telling her in a letter that he did not want a "ready made family". It reminded me of the Diane Downs case. At the end of the book, David tells Susan, "You could have given them to me if you didn't want them." She says, "I don't know why I didn't." In my opinion, she didn't because she didn't want to be perceived as a bad mother. So she killed them.
I felt for the husband here. He spends a good bit of the book apologetic, as if something he did drove his wife to do what he did. He's certainly not perfect but I don't think he's the cause. And I agree with him that his sons are the victims, not Susan.
Susan said a black man had carjacked her car and gone off with the kids. This being South Carolina in the 1990s, the cops went out in full force looking for this man, only for Susan to confess nine days later that she had drowned her sons and that there was no carjacker. While I'm sure the local black community was shaken, fortunately no one was lynched or railroaded into jail.
David Smith does a good job of describing Union, South Carolina, as full of "good old boys", and how, even after the confession, Susan was protected by the town because she was seen as one of their own, while David and his family were considered outsiders. While he may be biased in this regard I find it certainly believable. He also talks about the heavy media presence taking over the town and how he found out his sons were murdered on television.
Susan's mother still claims post-partum depression made her kill her kids, despite the evidence that Susan killed them because her boyfriend had broken up with her, telling her in a letter that he did not want a "ready made family". It reminded me of the Diane Downs case. At the end of the book, David tells Susan, "You could have given them to me if you didn't want them." She says, "I don't know why I didn't." In my opinion, she didn't because she didn't want to be perceived as a bad mother. So she killed them.
August 7, 2013
I will never, ever understand how a mother could strap her two babies into their carseats, push the car into a lake and stand there and watch as it goes under with her babies inside. HOW?? WHY?? I cannot even begin to imagine the terror those poor little babies were feeling as they were drowning. It breaks my heart. I would have loved to strap her into a car and push her in a lake so she knew exactly how it felt. Very painful book to read.
January 2, 2016
If you are not ready to cry out loud - drop the book.
Prepare for a heart breaking true story of a family. Read this book for three times and the effect is still as it was the first time.
The book was well written, factual and eventful with corresponding photos of the real characters that will play your emotions as if you are in the draw of events.
When you feel like your life is a mess and full of regrets – read this book.
Prepare for a heart breaking true story of a family. Read this book for three times and the effect is still as it was the first time.
The book was well written, factual and eventful with corresponding photos of the real characters that will play your emotions as if you are in the draw of events.
When you feel like your life is a mess and full of regrets – read this book.
Read
May 10, 2012At the beginning you grew to like susan and you truley believed she was telling the truth by her actions. As you really got to know the behind the truth you grew to truly feel for those boys. Once she confessed you grew to hate her and what she did and how she lied and acted to well to cover up her hurtful lie. Told through the eyes of a father who will never heal, touching story
May 28, 2014
What a heart wrenching book this was to read. David was very honest in his rocky marriage with Susan. The outcome of Susan ' s selfishness is unthinkable. When this book was written she was due to serve 20 years which would put her pretty close to almost getting released now. I plan on reading more about the afterwards on this case.
February 23, 2011
I really liked reading David Smith's view of the traumatic events that took his boys' lives. I liked how he didn't let his anger towards Susan ruin all of his memories of her and how included his faith in his memoir too. I especially was very fond of one of the poems at the end too.
January 15, 2014
The writing was horrible and David tired to make himself look like some victim while he as abusing his wife, acting like an adolescent and sleeping around. Talk about a bunch of crazy people! David, his wife, their families and their lives DEFINE dsyfunction. Those poor kids.
March 19, 2009
I remember the story on the news it was good to get to know about it from the inside.
July 22, 2009
This is a god book for back ground and the events of the worst 9 days of a fathers life.
April 11, 2010
Ya know . . . There are a lot of sick people in this world.
Read
July 27, 2011Awesome book... She should ROT!! lol
February 28, 2013
loved this book.
January 31, 2016
Tragic story.
August 28, 2007
I can't put this book down!
February 3, 2023
It’s spring of 1994. Seven days into the disappearance David and Susan’s two sons (Michael, 3; Alex, 1), Susan Smith appears on national TV to plead for the safe return of her sons. According to Susan, a black man highjacked her car and took off with them. She had a sketch drawn. She captivated the country and drew the nation into the search for Michael and Alex.
All the while knowing that they were at the bottom of John D. Long lake, in their car seats, in her car. Because that’s where she purposefully put them.
On my last post about Andrea Yates, we had some sympathy because she was diagnosed with severe psychosis. All of that is gone when it comes to Susan Smith. She suffered from jealousy and wanted her husband’s attention. Well, when your kids are “missing,” that’s one way to get it.
Susan and David’s relationship was doomed from the start. They got married because of Susan’s surprise pregnancy. They both cheated on each other through the marriage. They’d get back together only to fall apart again. When she murdered her kids, Susan and David were in the process of formally and legally divorcing. Susan couldn’t have that.
The writing in the book is a bit amateur, but David Smith is not an author or journalist, so I’m letting that slide. My heart broke for him — nine days went by until Susan failed enough polygraphs and confessed to her crime.
I recommend this for readers who want to start getting into true crime books because it’s actually pretty light compared to many others. It’s not very graphic. However, it’s not the easiest book to find.
All the while knowing that they were at the bottom of John D. Long lake, in their car seats, in her car. Because that’s where she purposefully put them.
On my last post about Andrea Yates, we had some sympathy because she was diagnosed with severe psychosis. All of that is gone when it comes to Susan Smith. She suffered from jealousy and wanted her husband’s attention. Well, when your kids are “missing,” that’s one way to get it.
Susan and David’s relationship was doomed from the start. They got married because of Susan’s surprise pregnancy. They both cheated on each other through the marriage. They’d get back together only to fall apart again. When she murdered her kids, Susan and David were in the process of formally and legally divorcing. Susan couldn’t have that.
The writing in the book is a bit amateur, but David Smith is not an author or journalist, so I’m letting that slide. My heart broke for him — nine days went by until Susan failed enough polygraphs and confessed to her crime.
I recommend this for readers who want to start getting into true crime books because it’s actually pretty light compared to many others. It’s not very graphic. However, it’s not the easiest book to find.
January 25, 2022
This must have been a hard book for David Smith to write.
Will never forget his adorable , precious boys, Michael and Alex. I remember being glued to the TV hoping to hear that they were found. I cried so much hearing about what their mother had done to them. My heart ached for David.
Susan should have given the boys to their Dad. David was great being there for Susan throughout it all even though they were separated and going through the divorce process. He was very protective of her and comforted her. Hope that she is t ever eligible for parole. Keep her in prison to have to be reminded constantly of her actions.
Will never forget his adorable , precious boys, Michael and Alex. I remember being glued to the TV hoping to hear that they were found. I cried so much hearing about what their mother had done to them. My heart ached for David.
Susan should have given the boys to their Dad. David was great being there for Susan throughout it all even though they were separated and going through the divorce process. He was very protective of her and comforted her. Hope that she is t ever eligible for parole. Keep her in prison to have to be reminded constantly of her actions.
February 24, 2025
I will never understand why people kill other people much less how people can kill little kids, even harder to understand which parent in their right minds would kill their own children. Except for all the breaking-up, coming back together between David and Susan, which I think was very immature but I guess somehow understandable given their age and lack of adult life experience and good parenting from their own parents, this book was so hard to read, gut wrenching, sad. I strongly believe this was senseless crime and I also believe justice was served in regard to Susan. I also strongly believe Michael and Alex are under God’s wings, have been for 30 years now.
July 25, 2020
It's about a mom who cold-bloodedly drowned her two little sons. It was a high profile case, so I guess many people must have known about it, or the mom's name at least. The mom got away from the execution, passing her persona as molestation and abuse victim herself. This book is written by her husband at the time, with intention to remind the world that the ones who dies was not Susan, but his two very young children, Michael 5, and Alex 3.
To be honest, I am sucker for all crime stories, so you probably don't want my opinion, cause either way I'm only going to tell biased opinion.
To be honest, I am sucker for all crime stories, so you probably don't want my opinion, cause either way I'm only going to tell biased opinion.
December 30, 2019
I just want to say that if you read this book, you should also read the book written by Susan Smith's mother Linda Russell, titled "My Daughter Susan Smith". Like they say, there's two sides to every story, and although I do not in any way condone what Susan did, I do believe there were circumstances that led up to the tragic event, other than just being rejected by a man with whom she was infatuated. Her ex-husband David isn't totally blameless.
February 19, 2020
Three stars is too many and two would be too few. It was in many ways a unsatisfying read. David Smith is a most unlikable person. He and Susan were obviously not a good match and I doubt he would know the meaning of the word fidelity without looking it up in a dictionary. I wanted to like him but he made it impossible. He should however be given credit for being honest in revealing how unlikeable he really is.
June 28, 2020
Such a sad story but a book written from the heart with honesty. i found this book hard to put down and read the majority of the book in one afternoon and evening of the same day. ,It must have been hard for David Smith to relive his life during this traumatic time to have this book written. I can only say that Susan Smith belongs in prison for life and never should be give parole after murdering her two sons.
November 17, 2024
The book is definitely not one for the faint of heart. I liked being able to hear David’s side of things. I wish more than anything no one experiences(d) this type of cruelty especially those little boys. One part that infuriates me was that the reverend found it “inappropriate” to play a song that he had requested. In my opinion, that was David’s way of saying goodbye to his boys and it’s not fair for the reverend to make that decision.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews