God's Nobodies: Misguided Faith and Murder in the Life of One American Family

by Mark Obbie

Four years after his father died a hero's death fighting a fire, Tim Ginocchetti was behind bars for killing his mother. How one tragedy led to another is a true story that puts a horrifying twist on the familiar one of bullied gay teens. In this case, the bully was the teen's own mother, and instead of harming himself he killed her in a momentary but irreversible explosion of rage. God’s Nobodies, written by veteran crime reporter Mark Obbie, exposes the destruction of a meek young man whose only refuge was a childlike fantasy world of his own imagination. His family's blind obedience to their minister compounded the losses, first by turning Pam Ginocchetti against her son, and then by turning the rest of Tim's family against his loving grandmother — the one person brave enough to take a stand for forgiveness and truth after Pam's death. Through a searing and heartbreaking true-crime narrative, God’s Nobodies teaches profound lessons about tolerance and the human spirit's yearning for independence.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Crime, LGBT

68 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 6, 2012

About the author

Mark Obbie is a journalist who has spent his career writing about crime and courts. Based in upstate New York’s Finger Lakes region, he is a full-time freelance writer with an interest in narrative storytelling focusing on violent crime’s causes and solutions. His work has appeared in The Atlantic, Longreads, The New York Times, O, The Oprah Magazine, Pacific Standard (formerly Miller-McCune magazine), Inc. magazine, and on Slate. He is the former executive editor of The American Lawyer, a small but renowned showcase for longform narrative journalism, and the editor and publisher of its affiliated Dallas-based weekly, Texas Lawyer. He started his career covering police and courts for daily newspapers in Ohio and Texas. From 2004 to 2012, Obbie taught magazine journalism at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and helped found SU’s Institute for the Study of the Judiciary, Politics, and the Media. He is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, Investigative Reporters and Editors, and Criminal Justice Journalists.

Reviews

[Chrissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book, but that is not a criticism. A well narrated, and succinctly written tragic true story, and which shows how faith can sadly become toxic, and the terrible results. One more gem from my Audible membership.

[WHL (Bill) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but powerful read. Its even better that this was an include free on audible. 

This was a true story about a young man who brutally murdered his mother and the accounts of what lead up to it. 

After he brutally stabbed his mother to death, Tim Ginocchetti called 911 and confessed on the spot to detectives. 


This is a different kind of true-crime book. Yes the act that Tim Ginocchetti carried out on his own mother was horrible, but the way his mother treated him was a crime as well. 

Tim was relentlessly berated and harrassed by his mother for having an effeminate voice and mannerisms and ultimately she questioned his sexuality. 

His mother belonged to a fundamentalist church led by a cult-like leader who also harrassed Tim from the time he was small. 

This book stirred me up big time. 

Definitely recommend. 

[A.r. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but extremely good! This was a novella sized book, but could easily have been longer. Never the less the author makes a good outline of the case, and it is not so much a criticism as a desire to read more! This is the story of Tim Ginocchetti, a young gay man who was relentlessly hassled and berated by his ultra-religious mother. She criticized Tim for his effeminate voice and mannerisms, ultimately questioning his sexuality which was condemned as a dreadful sin by their fundamentalist church. Tim was eventually driven to kill his mother. It was a brutal and bloody crime, and the horror of the victim should not be downplayed. However their is also sympathy for the killer who was mentally abused all his life, and can be seen to have been provoked to his final awful act. The author deals with his case sympathetically. He is highly critical of their strict Christian church, especially their preacher, Father Frank, who comes off as some sort of cult-like messiah. The attitudes of this congregation can be seen to have influenced the murderer who was desperate to fit in. Also mentioned in this book is Tim's brave and courageous grandmother, Ester, who stood up for him when he was convicted and helped shed light on the circumstances that led him to feel so alienated in his own home. She was shunned by the church for this infraction. This book is highly recommended for anyone interested in true crime or religion and sexuality.

[Sarah Nickal · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone so closely related to this story I may be biased but I thank mark for telling our story! Everyone please read!!

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the things that seems to me to be wrong in the USA is the inability of many of our citizens to see the variety of Creation and notice all the shades of gray in life. Unfortunately, conservative Christians are often drawn to leaders who will tell them the world is only black and white. (I am not talking about racial issues.) I am saddened by right-wing preachers who encourage their congregations to follow blindly, to not use the heads God gave them. Of course, there probably are good, conservative preachers who aren’t prideful and controlling. (I intend to acknowledge shades of gray even here.)

This book offers a different kind of true crime book, if you will. The crime is certainly devastating, but the reaction of the church is the real crime. Christians say they seek to follow Jesus. There is something dreadfully sinful when they are following a mean-spirited preacher, instead.

Yes, the book stirred me up; it also showed me that despite everything there were some who showed Christian love. That brought tears to my eyes.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one made me mad because of my own experience with spiritual abuse. I've had a hard time going to church all my life because of the feeling of always having to accept brainwashing... our way or no way will you get 'saved.' Rubbish. I read the Bible and feel every word from Jesus written there. Some day I hope I find a church that opens up their hearts to the real love Jesus meant for us to have for one another. It isn't the building or any rigid law of man. It's the simple belief that Jesus came to fulfill the law... and that we love each other as he loves us. That love looks beyond human imperfections and dogmatic archaic laws- Jesus said that some make the word of God invalid due to their man-made beliefs. This book was a hard listen. I can see why Tim lost it. But he accepted his punishment which was the right thing to do. But the church he went to, his family. . . they are NOT BLAMELESS. JMHO The real hero in this book is Ester.

[Anastasiya M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an absolutely riveting read, deserving of five stars. The author masterfully wove together the tragic and complex story of one American family, exploring the devastating consequences of misguided faith and control. The writing was both gripping and compassionate, capturing the raw emotions and psychological depth of the individuals involved. Each chapter built on the tension, making it impossible to put down as the family’s story unraveled in heartbreaking detail. The research was thorough for a short read, and the way the narrative combined personal accounts with broader social and religious contexts added a compelling layer to the story. The author balanced the darker aspects of the family's journey with insightful reflections on the human condition, making it more than just a crime story—it was an exploration of faith, manipulation, and the fragility of trust.

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[Elizabeth M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to it on audible. A story (i think it’s a true crime story but I’m not 100% sure), about a gay young man who murders his mother after years of emotional abuse because he wasn’t able to change his feminine traits. 7 chapters (on short side), but that’s all that was needed. Big focus on the pressure throughout from the leader of their church, and church ideology. What led up to it, the the event, the aftermath, and the church and family’s roles throughout all of it.
This story really got me upset… and questioning how many lgbtq+ kids go through this abuse, even if it doesn’t lead to a murder. Though I am a Catholic Christian, I was lucky enough to never have to suffer this kind of emotional abuse, but I feel for those who have.

[M Delea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just listened this today and I highly recommend it. Although it is a true crime book, and will be enjoyable to anyone who enjoys this genre, I would also suggest it to anyone who wants to have a better understanding of how people can fall under the spell of one charismatic leader.

Tim Ginocchetti killed his mother and this murder tore about his family, exposed the cult he had been raised in, and brought to the surface trauma experienced from the death of his father.

Well researched and written. Great read!

[Rod · Rating 3 out of 5]

A "Kindle Single" account of what led to a young man killing his mother and confessing on the spot. The terrible abuse that religion can inflict (and has inflicted) on gay people is portrayed through this one family ripped apart by the unwillingness to accept and undestand. A little sketchy on the details, but a worthwhile (if painful) read.

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

The report is basic. It’s an interesting case but this story is short and misses a deeper exploration of the avoidance of mental health care, both of the entire family due to the church and later, when Tim was sent to prison instead of receiving the care he clearly needed. There is a lot of ableism in the report itself, including the use of slurs.

Audible - narrator faux voices are irritating.

[Norma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the story was very interesting and well told. My only complaint is that the author was very biased and I prefer when a true crime author just tells the story and doesn’t completely have a side they back.

[Telps · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different view of how faith, without any guidelines.

[Florence🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my usual read and I wish it was longer and went into more detail. A cult indeed!

[Maritsa Vatou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Michelle Tackabery · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absorbing, behind-the-scenes account of a crime complicated by it's association with a church

[Jamie Cobb · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a short story this took me forever to read. The story was very interesting. I'm glad I read it. I definitely intend to spend sometime googling them later. But because of the straight forward reporting style to the writing, I would generally only make it a dozen or so pages before stopping (and going to sleep- I mostly read in bed). I also had kind of a hard time at first because I'm still reeling from the tragedy at Sandy Hook School. That went away quickly though, as they're very different. So it was good and I liked it but it wasn't anything I couldn't put down

[Janet Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Given my religious background - I could relate to the unspoken pressure of the church a strong religious leader. But the book as a bit too unclear for me what exactly happened to make Tim explode and his mom neurosis. Perhaps if I had looked up the extra chapters online, but I was reading from my Kindle while sick and couldn't look them up and download them. I really felt for the grandmother, how tragic to be separated from her family over her loving decision to support her grandson.

[Mom2jngncna~ Stephannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this after reading about it in my Syracuse Newspaper. I did follow this case, as my husband was one of many fire fighters involved in the original situation.
I am very glad I picked this up. 1. I was able to give my husband an "it was the Church" for why the fire departments were left out.
I am so glad to read more about some of the Why's.

[Maryellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting True Crime story about a cult like church and a boy who was mentally tortured to his breaking point. Worth the read.

[Angelina Mckenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and scary look at being excommunicated from a cult. This church really is a cult.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced and compelling tale about religion, control, tragedy, and a grandmother battling for her grandson and for herself.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

So strange to think this happened so close to home, and to someone who was my age!