Murder in Room 305

by Gary C. King

Kathryn Ann Martini graduated from Yale with a bright future in the banking business. Young, beautiful and ambitious, she had everything going for her. Until she met Michael David Lissy, the sleazy proprietor of a scuba diving school who was a coke addict that consorted with pimps, prostitutes and other known criminals. Burned out and broke, he had nothing going for him. Then he met Kathryn...a match made in hell.


On July 6, 1984, the raped and mutilated body of Kathryn Martini Lissy was found at the Valley River Inn in Eugene, Oregon. Soon afterward, police arrested Michael David Lissy, Kathryn's husband of one year. A few months earlier, Lissy had taken out a large insurance policy on Kathryn's life, naming him as sole beneficiary. Then he hired an underworld assassin to stalk and kill his wife. After one of the most sensational trials in Eugene's history, Lissy was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Audiobook

278 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 1994

About the author

Gary C. King is a freelance author and lecturer who has published more than 500 articles in true crime magazines in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. He is also the author of several true crime books including: Blood Lust: Portrait of a Serial Sex Killer, Driven to Kill, Web of Deceit, Blind Rage, Savage Vengeance, An Early Grave, The Texas 7, Murder in Hollywood, Angels of Death, Stolen in the Night, Love, Lies, and Murder, An Almost Perfect Murder, Butcher, Rage, The Murder of Meredith Kercher, Crime Scene: True Stories of Crime and Detection, and Murder Most Foul: True Crime Stories of Murder and Mayhem.

Driven to Kill, the story of serial child killer Westley Allan Dodd's killing spree, was nominated for an Anthony Award in the Best True Crime Book category at Bouchercon 25.

Blood Lust: Portrait of a Serial Sex Killer, details the bizarre case of Dayton Leroy Rogers, Oregon's worst serial killer. A German language edition of Blood Lust was published in 1995. Both Blood Lust and Driven to Kill were chosen as featured selections of Doubleday's True Crime Book Club.

King’s television appearances have included Entertainment Tonight, Larry King Live, Inside Edition, Court TV, MSNBC’s Headliners and Legends, E!, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Extra TV, and several other programs. He also frequently provides radio interviews and has given talks at libraries as well as organizations devoted to readers and writers interested in the genre of true crime.

After years of traditional publishing, King recently joined the growing ranks of indie authors.

Reviews

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, written by true crime writer, Gary C. King, was originally titled "Web of Deceit". The author is the writer who took crime writer Ann Rule's jobs writing for magazines like "True Detective" which are no longer published. However, many of the cases that King has written about have been aired on truTV.

This particular case has got to be one of the most disgusting cases of extreme greed and narcissism in an individual I have ever heard about. The guilty party, one Michael Lissy, had been married four or five times. Detectives never contacted the first wife because they could not find her. His second wife divorced him when she found out he was going to have her murdered for money. His third wife worked as a bookeeper in his scuba business and he informed her that he was on the verge of bankruptcy so they were going to divorce so he could marry Kathryn Martini, which he did, so he could somehow obtain money from her or her banker father. This lady is the one who was finally murdered by one of Lissy's druggy, street people cohorts. Lissy himself, married or not, used the services of young prostitutes very often, and some of the sexual acts even his wives had to endure against their will, are let's say, "out there". The man is also a pathological liar, telling his last wife that he had two college degrees, owned all kinds of property, etc. None of that was true. He never went past high school. All I can say is the way he conducted his life, I am surprised he even made it through high school. The reason why he wanted his last wife killed when she was on a business trip? Because the life insurance payout would have been $200,000 if he had gotten away with it. I believe all the principals in this case are now paroled unless they have committed further crimes which would not suprise me. This particular crime occurred in July 1984, and everyone involved had a close relationship with cocaine. I am thankful that there were never any children born to Mr. Lissy and his partners. The man is a scumbag, and no child deserves a father like him. It seems so many disgusting crimes occur in the state of Oregon, and this one was no exception.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written, fully described true crime case, including some trial testimony and an afterward with an update on the status of the murderers. And J. Scott Bennett's narration is very well done. It's an engaging and very interesting case.

NOTE: I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for this unbiased review.

[Lynda Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A case I'd never heard of based in Oregon, USA. It was my first by this author and he hardly wrote about the victim and her life which seemed odd nor her family left behind after she was killed.He also did one of those author annoyances and has released this book already under another name. I'm glad it's not one I already had or I'd feel totally cheated. It's a naughty habit.
I was a little lost that when the police found the victim's body that they phoned her husband to break the news when they already thought it was a suspicious death. So that wasn't a bright move.
Seemed odd the killer was trying to hire a lot of different people to murder his wife for money and yet he was broke. Shows his powers of persuasion, I suppose. Upon seeing him I can't believe what an intelligent, attractive girl saw in the fat ox she married.
There was a lady called Martha Reid mentioned as well who'd gone missing in previous years and again the police I thought dropped the ball there and just sort of shrugged their shoulders at the coincidence.
It all seemed very disjointed throughout but being true it was interesting.

[M.E. Franco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gary C. King is a very talented true crime writer with a knack for describing the details of a case without sensationalizing it. He always shows great respect for the victim(s) and loved ones involved. He is also very truthful about the detectives who work the cases.

Murder in Room 305 starts out looking like a simple case of robbery/rape/murder, but there are several details that lead investigators to believe that something more sinister happened to the beautiful woman they found dead in her motel room. The author follows investigators as they try to piece together what really happened Kathryn Ann Martini.

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish he would have told more about the victim and her family she left behind. I had never heard of this case but I like to read true crime occasionally. I'm appalled at the narcissistic behavior of Lissy. The police learned that his first wife was missing and nothing was done to determine that case. Crazy.

I learned this book was also released by another name, "Web of Deceit".

[Jen Cahill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read

Wow. I read this book in about 3 hours. Very simple reading, but complicated and disturbing crime. I gave this book 4 stars but it should be more like 3 in the details of the story. The reason is that I, as a reader, am left with so many unanswered questions.
1. I would have liked to have read more about the unfortunate victim, Kathy. There is less than a chapter about her as a person.
2. What did she see in Mr. Lissy? The guy in the pictures is unattractive. He lied constantly. She had to have known this. How much did she know about his criminal activities? The other wives knew, so I can't see why she wouldn't have caught on to it soon after the marriage. She was a smart and successful businesswoman. There is a lot of talk about her coke usage and an open marriage, but this is only claimed by Michael. There is no confirmation that she turned up positive for drugs in her autopsy. I wonder why this wasn't explored in the book.
3. What ended up happening to the key whistleblowers in this story? How did their lives turn out? They were all very young when this happened.

[Nia Ireland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gary C. King has very meticulously gathered all the facts of the case, going into fine detail about the history of the man finally convicted of her murder. If you’re a fan of true crime novels, as I am, this kind of attention to detail is fascinating but I can understand that it might come across as a little dry for less morbidly nerdy reader.

J. Scott Bennett has done an excellent job of narrating this book, he really held my attention in what would certainly have been a difficult read if I’d had a print edition to had. He carefully balanced keeping it entertaining and engaging against the respect due to a book of this nature.

As true crime cases go, this isn’t the most gory or eventful, the bulk of the story here is the events leading to the killer doing the deed. His personality really is fascinating, with seemingly no qualms about getting rid of the people who stand between him and material gain.

[Penelope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting account of pure evil and the unrelenting work of law enforcement to bring the wrong doers to justice. I both read the e book and listened to the audio book narrated by J. Scott Bennett. I have read a lot of true crime books and this one was top notch with actual transcripts, in depth documentary style account of the investigation, and of course the ups and downs of the trial.

What made this so compelling was the terrible nature of the crime, the depth of betrayal, and how very very much I wanted to see the miscreants involved caught and punished. Almost couldn't put it down.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a case I had never heard about, so this fact made it more interesting for me. The story is well told, and I was engrossed in the way the police was trying to get enough proof to arrest their suspect.

But at the end of the story, I'm left with the horrible sensation of knowing that there are some many people out there willing to commit the most atrocious acts against another human being without even a bit of remorse.

All in all, a very interesting book.

J. Scott Bennett does a really good job with the narration.

[Lorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

Not a great read but definitely a good true crime novel read, in the sense that it keeps your interest and makes you want to see justice done. The "man" responsible has to be the lowest life form and the only question I was left with was how the hell did she end up with him!
It could have been better simply by answering those basic questions, her earlier life, how she met him and were any of his accusations true. If all lies, then please uncover the truth for this victim. That very important information was missing from this story.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

true crime straight forward

true crime straight forward story without a lot of unnecessary filler. i have read true crime books that has 100 pages unnecessary info not this book his my new ann rule. This story give you all the details and a good story keeps u interested w/o boring the reader this author also writes about crime stories I havent heard or read everywhere

[Dona · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great airplane read. Is not preachy but underscores how the general public and law enforcement often incorrectly form opinions of victims, criminals and informants according to social class and profession. Is also a chilling tale that illustrates how likability is not always a good gauge of morality.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea upon randomly selecting one of my kindle books that this was a true murder case. While I don’t usually care to read books of this genre, this one was well-written, not overly long and the court case wasn’t painstakingly drawn out. It held my interest.

[Daniel D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very captivating story. Very fast reading

[Angie Horn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder in Room 305

I personally wouldn't buy any other books this author writes. Too many cuss words and describing Lissy's personal sex life. Just disgusting.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true crime book describing the brutal tape and murder of a Yale graduate by her husband of one year.

[Zara Quintana]

Riveting Retelling of An Actual Murder for Hire. I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom. I absolutely love J. Scott Bennett's voice and his narrating performance. He is very entertaining and does an excellent job of holding your attention and leaves you wanting more. I don't know the facts or history of this murder for hire case in history, but the way the author presented everything was captivating and well presented. If you love to watch TV shows like Unsolved Mysteries, 20/20, America's Most Wanted, Cold Case File, Dateline Mystery, and others about true crimes, you will love this audiobook.

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
""... a victim of his own mouth.""
This is not a pleasant story, telling, as it does, a tale of one man's depravity, seeing everything only in terms of his own desires without interest in the feelings of others in any way - unless it is how to manipulate them to his own advantage. Even his parents were seen only as a possible source of capital. And the most terrifying aspect is that this is a true story.

In July, 1984, the half naked body of a young business woman was discovered in room 305 of an Oregan hotel room by the maid who came to clean. This book tells of the investigation to find the killer and the intensive interviewing and searches made to acquire enough evidence to gain a conviction. It is a thorough recounting of the police procedures and the many people who were discovered along the route to prosecution who had been involved with the victim and her husband.

The book is meticulous in it's detailed, but never boring, coverage and, similarly, J. Scott Bennet's narration is clear, perfectly paced and unemotional as befits the text of the book. His dramatisation of the dialogue, especially during the coverage of the trial itself, is superb: with such a miriad of players it would be easy to get muddled, but the voices given to each are distinctive and felt as if they did, indeed, fit the persons described. An excellent performance throughout.

It is difficult not to get emotionally involved in this book which is astonishing in it's story of inhumanity. So it would be incorrect to say that this was an enjoyable Audiobook in the accepted sense. But it was fascinating, horrifying, provoking sorrow and anger until final retribution. And it is a book I am so glad I did not miss. My thanks to J.Scott Bennett who generously gifted me a copy when I requested it. The true crime genre is not one I have previously followed but I will certainly be looking out for others by Mr.King whose presentation of the facts was often more enthralling than fiction

[Rabid Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook was a fascinating look at how real detectives work their way through a murder investigation to find the culprits of a crime. Set in the 1980's we learn the convoluted process that occurred, and to some degree the amount of luck that was involved, in solving the murder of Kathryn Martini-Lissy. Sex, drugs, prostiutes, fraud, greed and a web of lies made this case a sensation in its time and it was only through the insightful, dedicated work of those involved in the case that justice was served. Scott Bennett did a great job of the narration, keeping the story moving forward and creating interest with his voice without being distracting. The true nature of the crime and the details the of police procedure made it very interesting. It is a well put together true crime story that is told without any judgment on the part of the author. I received this book at no cost and under no obligation to review.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder in Room 305
: Gary C. King


A true life crime story of greedy, vile, self serving people. The husband has married 4 or 5 times to different women that could benefit him financially. Well documented case in solving the crime.


The narration was well done.The characters were well portrayed. J. Scott Bennett does a fantastic job in this genre.



"I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator."

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a true-crime story of a gal that was murdered (1984) by her husband (of only one year) in a hotel that many of us have been in, in Eugene - The Valley River Inn, right next to Valley River Mall. He was into sex, drugs, and money...altho his money all came from stolen property or insurance fraud. He married Katherine because she worked in the loan department of one of the banks (well known, can't think of which one right now). He figured he could get her to get a loan for him and then he would just get rid of her. Stupidly, he pulled all his sex/drug friends into the circle...had one of them kill her...and figured that would get him off, because he didn't do it. She had attended Yale (degree from there), but...I wondered how smart she really was to hook up w/him, even tho she seemed to really love him. Wow...hard to imagine some of the stuff that goes on right under our noses.

[Julie Haigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good true crime writing.

I came across this in the kindle top 100 free bestsellers. I hadn't heard of the author before but I like reading true crime stories, particularly those by Ann Rule. On reading the preface I saw that Gary C King has written a few more of this type of book and seems to be quite well-known in this genre. I will certainly read more of his offerings. This was well-told. Sometimes Ann Rule's books can be overly long and exhaustively detailed and this is briefer, yet not too short. It's the story of a young woman coming into contact with the wrong sort of man, who is not what he seems. She marries him and later she is found murdered. The book details all the circumstances leading up to her death and the police questioning etc.

[Faith Cummings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder In Room 305: A story of deceit and death

If you are a lover of true crime books, or if you have never read a true crime book, this is a must read. Before I read this book, I had never read a true crime book before. But this will not be my last true crime book. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good story, well put together, and concisely told. Gary C. King has found his perfect genre. I look forward to reading more of his books, and delving deeper into the genre as a whole. It is good to see our justice system at work, despite the evil that people insist on doing to one another. Thanks Gary, for a great book.

[L.J. Monier · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is about Michael David Lissy, the plot to have his current wife killed and the subsequent trial.

I found the first few pages a bit slow, but the compelling main character kept me reading and well before halfway I was itching to find out what was going to happen to the people involved.

I found the writing clear and matter-of-fact clear of any author's judgment about the case or the perpetrator.

An entertaining read for anyone who enjoys true crime.

[Ruth Turner · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn't a great read. For the most part it failed to hold my interest. I skimmed through the last half of the book to find out how it ended. I would have learned more, in less time, if I'd Googled.

Disappointing.

[Scott Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a fascinating book. I was privileged to get to record the audio narration for it. It was well-researched, well written, and kept me wanting to see how the investigation and trial unfolded.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was alright, not sure I'm into the true crime stuff.

[Genney Blass · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book.

[Juanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I thought the ending was kinda sad and it also made me upset. I recommend this book to anyone that likes true crime reading.

[Shan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.