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Everybody's Best Friend: The True Story of a Marriage That Ended in Murder
The shocking murder that exposed a devoted husband as a cold-hearted killer. Inside a beautiful house in Philadelphia's ritzy Main Line section lay the body of a young mother—dead of an apparent drowning in her bathtub. With no sign of a break-in, no history of marital problems, and the naïve belief that these things sometimes just happen, Stefanie Rabinowitz's family prepared to bury the twenty-nine-year-old wife and mother. But at the eleventh hour, because Stefanie was so young, and because there were no witnesses to her death, an autopsy was ordered. What it revealed was Stefanie had been murdered, strangled in her home then dragged into the tub to stage a fake drowning. Even more shocking was the suspected killer, Stefanie's husband, devoted family man, loyal husband, and "everybody's best friend." When the astounding truth began to emerge, so did the tawdry double life of Craig Rabinowitz, a man so obsessed with a two-thousand-dollar-a-week exotic dancer, that his habit caused him to look to the insurance money he would get from murdering his wife. Now, with exclusive interviews and startling inside details, bestselling author Ken Englade blows wide open the shocking true account of a storybook marriage that ended in bone-chilling murder.
357 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 1999
501 people are currently reading
740 people want to read
About the author
Ken Englade
21 books67 followersKenneth F. Englade is a New Mexico-based author who has published nine books dealing with high profile trials. His latest book, Meltdown in Haditha: The Killing of 24 Iraqi Civilians by U.S. Marines and the Failure of Military Justice, will be published in 2015 by McFarland & Co. He also published five historical novels dealing with the pre-Civil War West. His books have been published in Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Canada. He is a veteran journalist who has worked on newspapers and for fourteen years with United Press International, including three years in Asia where he covered the Vietnam War and the fall of Saigon. Beyond Reason, his book about a University of Virginia coed and her German boyfriend who conspired to kill the woman’s parents was a finalist for the Edgar Allan Poe Award. From 2000-2006 he was a public information officer for the Air Force and the Missile Defense Agency. In 2010 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Louisiana State University School of Mass Communications in recognition of his career achievements.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
July 1, 2018
I like when an author lets you see 'behind the scenes' and peer into how the cops and attorneys arrive at their various decisions. It was particularly interesting to read about the prosecutors, and 'listen' to them debating amongst themselves how to handle this-or-that. When they had those "Eureka!" moments of sheer brilliance you wish you could be there to give 'em a high-five.
The author drew me into the case, and made me care about the woman who was murdered, and all the others who suffered because of that. Always a good thing.
I thought this book was well written, it kept me turning the pages, and I enjoyed it.
3 Stars = I liked the book. I enjoyed it. I'm glad I read it.
The author drew me into the case, and made me care about the woman who was murdered, and all the others who suffered because of that. Always a good thing.
I thought this book was well written, it kept me turning the pages, and I enjoyed it.
3 Stars = I liked the book. I enjoyed it. I'm glad I read it.
June 22, 2012
This book has been on my shelf for years. Maybe a decade even.
I am reading it now and enjoying it.
Update: June 22 2012.
Finished it this morning and I must say I enjoyed reading this.
The writing style was one I liked. Maybe other people thought it was slow. It is a lot about how the cops were preparing for the trial, but I did not mind that at all. (The end was a bit of a let down but hey, not the author's fault) Other observations: I would have liked to know more about his friends, the ones that were mentioned a lot in the first chapters. So much that they had even a lot of dialogues, so it must be that they talked with the author, or he made it up?
I would have enjoyed it more if I got to know what happened. Where they angry with him. Did they stop talking. How did he react or was he already in jail? What happened with the baby? Did the families manage to keep the friendship. Parents of the killer and parents of the victim. They have the same grandchild.
In the beginning of the book you feel like you start to get to know them, so when you do not read anything anymore in the later chapters, you have questions.
I do suspect the author making up some of the dialogues though. There are people who consider this to be a boring book but weirdly enough, I did not think it was boring to me. Maybe because I was glad to read true crime again? Not sure what to give this book. 3.5 stars yes.
I am reading it now and enjoying it.
Update: June 22 2012.
Finished it this morning and I must say I enjoyed reading this.
The writing style was one I liked. Maybe other people thought it was slow. It is a lot about how the cops were preparing for the trial, but I did not mind that at all. (The end was a bit of a let down but hey, not the author's fault) Other observations: I would have liked to know more about his friends, the ones that were mentioned a lot in the first chapters. So much that they had even a lot of dialogues, so it must be that they talked with the author, or he made it up?
I would have enjoyed it more if I got to know what happened. Where they angry with him. Did they stop talking. How did he react or was he already in jail? What happened with the baby? Did the families manage to keep the friendship. Parents of the killer and parents of the victim. They have the same grandchild.
In the beginning of the book you feel like you start to get to know them, so when you do not read anything anymore in the later chapters, you have questions.
I do suspect the author making up some of the dialogues though. There are people who consider this to be a boring book but weirdly enough, I did not think it was boring to me. Maybe because I was glad to read true crime again? Not sure what to give this book. 3.5 stars yes.
May 21, 2019
The first half of this book was very good. The last half had WAY too many chapters that were basically about the DA's history with the defense attorneys and strategizing about how best to defeat them. I guess the author included all of that because (hoping to not give anything away) that was all there was to 'the rest of the story'.
There was a lot more dialog in this book than is usually seen in non-fiction. I don't know what the author wanted to convey ... maybe he didn't want to convey anything in particular. But about 3/4 of the way through the book, I was thoroughly bored with reading about all the strategy. Also, at about that same point, it dawned on me that I didn't like the DA, thinking he was a bit of a jerk, arrogant, devious and vindictive. I WANT the DA to be a hero and convict the murderer .... not to be petty and focus more on defeating his rivals.
There was a lot more dialog in this book than is usually seen in non-fiction. I don't know what the author wanted to convey ... maybe he didn't want to convey anything in particular. But about 3/4 of the way through the book, I was thoroughly bored with reading about all the strategy. Also, at about that same point, it dawned on me that I didn't like the DA, thinking he was a bit of a jerk, arrogant, devious and vindictive. I WANT the DA to be a hero and convict the murderer .... not to be petty and focus more on defeating his rivals.
May 14, 2015
Evil Has Many Faces!
A well written true crime story which vividly captured what a wolf in sheep's clothing looks like. To have fooled so many people close to the killer without an ounce of him feeling any remorse boggles the mind. So sad for the child when she learns why her Mom was taken away by the hands of her father.
A well written true crime story which vividly captured what a wolf in sheep's clothing looks like. To have fooled so many people close to the killer without an ounce of him feeling any remorse boggles the mind. So sad for the child when she learns why her Mom was taken away by the hands of her father.
September 2, 2023
Great procedural
Great read. Good procedural info. Gripping story. This guy, Craig, is a scum bag. It makes one wonder where people go wrong in judgement of friends.
Great read. Good procedural info. Gripping story. This guy, Craig, is a scum bag. It makes one wonder where people go wrong in judgement of friends.
July 5, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this behind the crime look at some seriously evil behavior. Talk about a master manipulator.
I usually read horror and this made me sooooo uncomfortable. Human beings are scary!
I usually read horror and this made me sooooo uncomfortable. Human beings are scary!
May 24, 2024
Ken Englade begins the epilogue to his true crime account Everybody's Best Friend with: “True crime books are difficult for some people to read. There are those who dislike being faced with the realities of evil; they prefer their murders taking place in the hypothetical.” I am not one of those people. I prefer true to fictional crime because the former is not manipulative; the plot/characters/dialogue are real rather than creations intended to evoke suspense or provide surprises or win prizes. However, in order to meet my requirements the book needs to be well-written, factual/impartial, three-dimensional and not what I call gore porn. Sadly, this is a high standard, and thus I end up reading a lot of crime fiction. But Englade nails it. I have been favorably impressed by every one of his books that I’ve read, and don’t hesitate to recommend them. Everybody's Best Friend is about a crime I’d never heard of, and devotes at least part of its attention to the post-murder legal machinations - both pluses for me. Especially interesting was the fact that the elapsed time from murder to verdict was barely six months! - inconceivable to those of us who grew old watching O.J. or the Menendezes slow dance with justice.
The only thing Englade shortchanges the reader on is the answer to my inevitable cry of what did the victim see in that loser in the first place? A book answering that is the one I really want to read. Meanwhile, Everybody's Best Friend is as good as it gets. Recommended.
The only thing Englade shortchanges the reader on is the answer to my inevitable cry of what did the victim see in that loser in the first place? A book answering that is the one I really want to read. Meanwhile, Everybody's Best Friend is as good as it gets. Recommended.
October 25, 2012
This book takes sensationalism to a whole new level! It was downright repulsive. I felt like I was reading the Enquirer and needed a shower after every chapter. There was no sticking to the facts, no effort to remain balanced or unbiased, which I consider to be the hallmarks of proper true-crime writing. It was narrated in multiple first person voices, which made almost 90% of the material debatable in truth and at times seemed to delight in the poor young woman's tragic death at the hands of her husband and relish the anguish and grief her friends and family suffered throughout the ordeal.
Just despicable. Steer clear of this one, I implore you!
Just despicable. Steer clear of this one, I implore you!
April 10, 2009
Shocking Book!! From back cover: "Inside a beautiful house in Philadelphia's ritzy Main Line section lay the body of a young mother, dead of an apparent drowning in her bathtub. With no sign of a break-in, no history of marital problems, and the naive belief that these things sometimes just happen, Stefanie Rabinowitz's family prepared to bury the 29-year-old wife and mother. But at the eleventh hour, because Stefanie was so young, and because there were no witnesses to her death, an autopsy was ordered. And what it revealed was unthinkable......."
January 31, 2024
Lots of first person perspectives with long very specific conversations between friends, family and the lawyers… Idk just kinda weird for nonfiction, true crime. Like how could you possibly be writing all these deep detailed conversations between all these real life people. Almost read like fiction? Idk just sat with me wrong. Very sad case. You’ll probably like this book if you’re interested in courtroom strategizing.
May 30, 2020
Craig Rabinowitz, a man so obsessed with a two-thousand-dollar-a-week exotic dancer, that his habit caused him to look to the insurance money he would get from murdering his wife.
Well written – only complaint is that Englade devoted too much writing about the media and the media’s coverage of this crime....... (probably because he is a former journalist).
Well written – only complaint is that Englade devoted too much writing about the media and the media’s coverage of this crime....... (probably because he is a former journalist).
December 7, 2019
This is a story of a self-entitled man who had it all but it was never enough. He had a loving, supportive wife and family and great friendships but because of his secret life and greed he lost it all. A good read but sadly so many lives were changed forever because of this evil person.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book. It is very well written. The author goes in depth, but not mind-boringly so. My only complaint is I now want to know more about the suicide that occurred the same day. It left me wanting to know more
March 13, 2016
Chilling
October 9, 2020
Sad story, boring book
Dragged out with mostly repeated sentences about the investigation. Lost interest around chapter 6 because this book was just slow. Sad story, though.
Dragged out with mostly repeated sentences about the investigation. Lost interest around chapter 6 because this book was just slow. Sad story, though.
November 4, 2021
Craig Rabinowitz was everybody’s best friend, and then he wasn’t. Deception, betrayal, lies and then the ultimate confession severed the ties he worked so hard to establish. His apparent loyalty to his wife and baby daughter was so convincing that his network of friends supported him until they finally saw him for what he was, a dishonest man who took advantage of them and committed the ultimate crime.
Craig and Stephanie Rabinowitz seemed like an odd pairing from the start. Stephanie was interested in obtaining higher education and went on to become an attorney. Craig had little to no aspirations to become anything. After Stephanie gave birth to their daughter she began working part time while Craig made money with his latex glove “business.” From outward appearances Craig and Stephanie had a great life. Craig was solicitous towards his wife and seemed to adore their little girl. The couple shared a small network of friends who supported and loved them even when Craig’s behavior was at times a little peculiar or immature. Things were normal in the Pennsylvania town where they lived until tragedy struck. Stephanie, at only twenty nine years of age, drowned in her bathtub while her husband was at home. No one in Craig’s close circle of friends believed he had anything to do with it, but detectives and prosecuting attorneys disagreed. Of course, Craig adamantly denied having anything to do with his wife’s death, and his friends supported him in every way possible, including financially, until digging into his past unearthed secrets and lies that cast doubt on his innocence. Craig was quickly going from everybody’s best friend to no one’s.
This story was told in a format that was easy to follow and understand. It was sad to see how greed and the lack of industriousness on the part of Craig Rabinowitz led to the obliteration of his family’s assets, and the desperation that resulted in an unthinkable criminal act. A good portion of the book was devoted to building a case against Craig Rabinowitz by the prosecution. It was interesting learning how that’s done. The audio narrator brought the book to life. If you’re a fan of shows like Dateline or Investigation Discovery (ID), you’ll appreciate this story.
Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a complimentary download of Everybody’s Best Friend. All opinions stated about it in this review are my own.
Craig and Stephanie Rabinowitz seemed like an odd pairing from the start. Stephanie was interested in obtaining higher education and went on to become an attorney. Craig had little to no aspirations to become anything. After Stephanie gave birth to their daughter she began working part time while Craig made money with his latex glove “business.” From outward appearances Craig and Stephanie had a great life. Craig was solicitous towards his wife and seemed to adore their little girl. The couple shared a small network of friends who supported and loved them even when Craig’s behavior was at times a little peculiar or immature. Things were normal in the Pennsylvania town where they lived until tragedy struck. Stephanie, at only twenty nine years of age, drowned in her bathtub while her husband was at home. No one in Craig’s close circle of friends believed he had anything to do with it, but detectives and prosecuting attorneys disagreed. Of course, Craig adamantly denied having anything to do with his wife’s death, and his friends supported him in every way possible, including financially, until digging into his past unearthed secrets and lies that cast doubt on his innocence. Craig was quickly going from everybody’s best friend to no one’s.
This story was told in a format that was easy to follow and understand. It was sad to see how greed and the lack of industriousness on the part of Craig Rabinowitz led to the obliteration of his family’s assets, and the desperation that resulted in an unthinkable criminal act. A good portion of the book was devoted to building a case against Craig Rabinowitz by the prosecution. It was interesting learning how that’s done. The audio narrator brought the book to life. If you’re a fan of shows like Dateline or Investigation Discovery (ID), you’ll appreciate this story.
Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a complimentary download of Everybody’s Best Friend. All opinions stated about it in this review are my own.
November 21, 2021
True Crime is Psychologically Riveting
11-21-2021. True Crime books always have a plot. They have a narrative and substantial characters. There is always at least some element of mystery.
Here, for me, the biggest element is a psychological mystery.
What could have been the process—and the elements, physical, familial, social, educational—which made
this man, raised in a good Jewish family in a good Jewish community—merely the shell of a person?
He was not able to not able to work. I wonder if he just had no ability to put together skills, such as his superior social skills together with the ability to focus he did not have but which it takes to do a job.
He seems to have been able and willing to be deeply helpful to friends and involved in their lives. Was that out of the loneliness of the sociopath in his own emptiness?
In the end, he killed his wife, the mother of his daughter, to try to regain some semblance of normality for himself, mostly through financial stability.
He will spend his entire life in prison and his lovely wife’s family, her daughter and her friends will never get a good, loving, intelligent and talented woman back from the grave.
What makes the sociopath, that particular shell of a human being?
11-21-2021. True Crime books always have a plot. They have a narrative and substantial characters. There is always at least some element of mystery.
Here, for me, the biggest element is a psychological mystery.
What could have been the process—and the elements, physical, familial, social, educational—which made
this man, raised in a good Jewish family in a good Jewish community—merely the shell of a person?
He was not able to not able to work. I wonder if he just had no ability to put together skills, such as his superior social skills together with the ability to focus he did not have but which it takes to do a job.
He seems to have been able and willing to be deeply helpful to friends and involved in their lives. Was that out of the loneliness of the sociopath in his own emptiness?
In the end, he killed his wife, the mother of his daughter, to try to regain some semblance of normality for himself, mostly through financial stability.
He will spend his entire life in prison and his lovely wife’s family, her daughter and her friends will never get a good, loving, intelligent and talented woman back from the grave.
What makes the sociopath, that particular shell of a human being?
March 7, 2025
This book had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I felt so sad for the lovely and talented wife who was murdered. The husband was a real scumbag, and he almost got away with it. The writer was very thorough with the reporting and fast-paced of events from start to finish. The research and documentation process were very detailed and left no stone unturned. I wish this was a fictional work instead so I could have the ending I wanted. I highly recommend this to all readers, whether of true crime and legal thrillers.
August 18, 2023
Status seeking narcissist
The main thing to be learned from this book is that some people are truly evil although they appear to be normal for a very long time.
There are indications of course, but we all know assholes and they usually don’t kill anyone.
But, in the “right” circumstances self interested people are the most likely to sacrifice someone in their lives to “solve” their problems.
The story was ok, but the character study of the killer was awesome.
The main thing to be learned from this book is that some people are truly evil although they appear to be normal for a very long time.
There are indications of course, but we all know assholes and they usually don’t kill anyone.
But, in the “right” circumstances self interested people are the most likely to sacrifice someone in their lives to “solve” their problems.
The story was ok, but the character study of the killer was awesome.
January 6, 2026
A Story of Betrayal
The author portrays a man with a Jekyll and Hyde personality. As the title says, he was portrayed as everyone's best friend, but he used and abused these friends and his wife, whom he called his "best friend." The book kept me turning the page, wanting to know what really happened. I also enjoyed following the police and attorneys efforts to solve the case. Overall, a riveting true crime tale.
The author portrays a man with a Jekyll and Hyde personality. As the title says, he was portrayed as everyone's best friend, but he used and abused these friends and his wife, whom he called his "best friend." The book kept me turning the page, wanting to know what really happened. I also enjoyed following the police and attorneys efforts to solve the case. Overall, a riveting true crime tale.
July 7, 2024
This book is a good and easy listen.
The author has written a well researched book on this case that I wouldn’t have heard of if not for this book.
This book can be read by all as there is no gory details. Even the faint of heart.
Good choice of narrator who has a good and calm voice.
*This review has been shared on numerous platforms
The author has written a well researched book on this case that I wouldn’t have heard of if not for this book.
This book can be read by all as there is no gory details. Even the faint of heart.
Good choice of narrator who has a good and calm voice.
*This review has been shared on numerous platforms
July 7, 2024
What An Enthralling Read!
Had a hard time putting this down while reading 4 other books at the same time on my Kindle! The set up was Great, the investigation was even better & the conclusion surpassed both!! Highly recommend this as I am a Fiction reader at heart yet this was the second true crime book in 2 months that I devoured due to the storyline & skilled writing!!!
Had a hard time putting this down while reading 4 other books at the same time on my Kindle! The set up was Great, the investigation was even better & the conclusion surpassed both!! Highly recommend this as I am a Fiction reader at heart yet this was the second true crime book in 2 months that I devoured due to the storyline & skilled writing!!!
November 17, 2025
Twisted
The whole 'circle of friends who do everything together, talk every day, etc.' seemed a bit weird for my tastes. I love my close friends, but maintain a buffer zone around them. There are private thoughts shared with some not others. Although in this case, this guy was a real creep.
The whole 'circle of friends who do everything together, talk every day, etc.' seemed a bit weird for my tastes. I love my close friends, but maintain a buffer zone around them. There are private thoughts shared with some not others. Although in this case, this guy was a real creep.
January 4, 2022
This is one of the best true crime books I have ever read. It was brilliantly written and provided insight into the strategies and thinking of the detectives and attorneys from the case. I will be reading more from Mr. Englade.
January 25, 2023
Interesting true murder story involving religion, sex, and of course, money. It’s sad that Craig took his daughter’s mother, Stefanie, away from her because he couldn’t face that he needed help. Craig was such a con artist that he had everyone fooled in the beginning and most up to the end.
August 8, 2023
interesting story and well-written book; it does go into a lot of detail about the other cases the lawyers involved worked on and their personal rivalries with each other, but i personally found that to be a plus as it was pretty interesting as well
January 28, 2024
I really enjoyed reading this book for so many reasons.
I like to read true crime and this one I felt went above and beyond.
I liked the fact that you got a glimpse into both sides and "behind the scenes" where you don't always get that with the true crime books.
I also really liked at the end where it went even further like an update. I have never seen that in a true crime book and was happy to see it!
Thanks for the great read!
I like to read true crime and this one I felt went above and beyond.
I liked the fact that you got a glimpse into both sides and "behind the scenes" where you don't always get that with the true crime books.
I also really liked at the end where it went even further like an update. I have never seen that in a true crime book and was happy to see it!
Thanks for the great read!
October 16, 2024
Man, this was a quick read and I couldn't put it down.
One of those books that I feel like if I said anything, I would be giving away a lot of the plot. I will say this, that I'm so glad that Karma caught up with the right people.
One of those books that I feel like if I said anything, I would be giving away a lot of the plot. I will say this, that I'm so glad that Karma caught up with the right people.
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January 11, 2026Great read!
I like the way Mr England writes, the story was riveting, so well written, I had a hard time putting it down! The prosecutor and his team were excellent at their jobs. Really a good book!
I like the way Mr England writes, the story was riveting, so well written, I had a hard time putting it down! The prosecutor and his team were excellent at their jobs. Really a good book!
October 11, 2022
The book outlined the way that the crime was investigated and how it ended up with Steffani being murdered by her husband. Good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews