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Picture Perfect: The Jodi Arias Story: a Beautiful Photographer, Her Mormon Lover, and a Brutal Murder; Library Edition
Travis Alexander was a handsome, hard-working, practicing Mormon who lived in Mesa, Arizona. His good looks and easygoing manner made him popular with everyone, especially the ladies. So when he was found with a bullet wound in the face and his throat slashed, the brutal murder sent shock waves throughout his community. Who could have done something so sinister?
But soon a suspect was singled out—Jodi Arias. A beautiful, aspiring photographer, Jodi had been in a long-distance relationship with Travis the year before. But Travis wasn't interested in a serious commitment; he was seeing several women during that time. When he broke up with her, that didn't stop Jodi from leaving California, moving to just a few miles away from Travis's home, and inserting herself into his daily life. Investigators found one piece of startling evidence in Travis's home that implicated Jodi. But in a bizarre turn of events, Jodi would claim self-defense. Was she a victim—or a devious femme fatale?
But soon a suspect was singled out—Jodi Arias. A beautiful, aspiring photographer, Jodi had been in a long-distance relationship with Travis the year before. But Travis wasn't interested in a serious commitment; he was seeing several women during that time. When he broke up with her, that didn't stop Jodi from leaving California, moving to just a few miles away from Travis's home, and inserting herself into his daily life. Investigators found one piece of startling evidence in Travis's home that implicated Jodi. But in a bizarre turn of events, Jodi would claim self-defense. Was she a victim—or a devious femme fatale?
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First published September 3, 2013
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About the author
Shanna Hogan
14 books100 followersA New York Times bestselling American non-fiction author and journalist. She was best known for writing the book Picture Perfect about convicted killer Jodi Arias.
In 2005, Hogan graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Arizona State University.
Hogan was awarded the 2009 Arizona Press Club's Virg Hill Journalist of the Year.[9] She was also awarded "Journalist of the Year 2011" by the Arizona Newspaper Association.
Hogan lived in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, Matt LaRussa, and son Zander.
She was an adjunct professor at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.
She died September 1, 2020 after being found unresponsive in her swimming pool after a fall.
In 2005, Hogan graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Arizona State University.
Hogan was awarded the 2009 Arizona Press Club's Virg Hill Journalist of the Year.[9] She was also awarded "Journalist of the Year 2011" by the Arizona Newspaper Association.
Hogan lived in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, Matt LaRussa, and son Zander.
She was an adjunct professor at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.
She died September 1, 2020 after being found unresponsive in her swimming pool after a fall.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
November 28, 2017
The best written book on the Jodi Arias case. Unfortunately, considering its peers that's not saying much.
January 10, 2018
3.5/5
Review:
I had only really heard snippets of the Jodi Arias case before I picked up this book. What I had heard, primarily through TV coverage of her trial, basically painted Jodi as a psychopathic liar. Now, after reading many facts pertaining to the murder, my feelings about her are much the same. Jodi Arias was, and is, a very disturbed individual.
I can't really say I liked this book, because how can you like something about someone's brutal murder? Despite my hesitance to
like' the account, I did find the novel to be interesting/upsetting/unsettling/disturbing/mind-blowing/etc. It really made me think about the nature of human beings, and consider how much we can truly know someone.
While this book sent my emotions into a spiral of sorts, there were a few things that held me back from giving it a 4/5 star rating. First, and this might just be me being ultra-picky, were the grammatical errors. There were not an over-abundance of these, yet the ones that I did notice were a little jarring.
"Short in stature, Martinez was in his mid-fifties with a dark complexion, graying hair, and round framed grasses."
Grasses?!?
Also, the book was a bit repetitive at times. There were several parts in the second half of the novel that had been mentioned previously. While some of the repetitiveness was necessary (for the sake of event chronology, etc.), there was several parts that could have been trimmed down.
Lastly, there seemed to be something missing. Several times I was left questioning why something was not discussed further. This being said, I feel that the novel would have been super long if EVERYTHING had been discussed.
I feel like all of the 'poor aspects' I just mentioned were promptly negated by yours truly! Oh, well.
Overall:
If the Jodi Arias case sparked some sort of interest in you, then I recommend this book. While lacking in several areas, it ultimately is a pretty complete account of what occurred.
Review:
I had only really heard snippets of the Jodi Arias case before I picked up this book. What I had heard, primarily through TV coverage of her trial, basically painted Jodi as a psychopathic liar. Now, after reading many facts pertaining to the murder, my feelings about her are much the same. Jodi Arias was, and is, a very disturbed individual.
I can't really say I liked this book, because how can you like something about someone's brutal murder? Despite my hesitance to
like' the account, I did find the novel to be interesting/upsetting/unsettling/disturbing/mind-blowing/etc. It really made me think about the nature of human beings, and consider how much we can truly know someone.
While this book sent my emotions into a spiral of sorts, there were a few things that held me back from giving it a 4/5 star rating. First, and this might just be me being ultra-picky, were the grammatical errors. There were not an over-abundance of these, yet the ones that I did notice were a little jarring.
"Short in stature, Martinez was in his mid-fifties with a dark complexion, graying hair, and round framed grasses."
Grasses?!?
Also, the book was a bit repetitive at times. There were several parts in the second half of the novel that had been mentioned previously. While some of the repetitiveness was necessary (for the sake of event chronology, etc.), there was several parts that could have been trimmed down.
Lastly, there seemed to be something missing. Several times I was left questioning why something was not discussed further. This being said, I feel that the novel would have been super long if EVERYTHING had been discussed.
I feel like all of the 'poor aspects' I just mentioned were promptly negated by yours truly! Oh, well.
Overall:
If the Jodi Arias case sparked some sort of interest in you, then I recommend this book. While lacking in several areas, it ultimately is a pretty complete account of what occurred.
May 27, 2016
When I think of Jodi Arias only one word comes to mind, Devil. This is the first book I read on the case of Jodi Ann Arias. I thought that Shanna Hogan did a marvelous job writing this book! It was a informative first book to get me into this case. So, after reading Picture Perfect I will continue to read further into other books regarding this case.
Shanna writes this book with ample amount of details to make the book just great and not overbearing. The writing of the book had a very nice flow. It gave information on both Travis and Jodi's life at the beginning, the relationship of the two of them, and then the murder. Closer to the end of the book it got into the trial of prosecuting Jodi. I always enjoy the photos in the book.
I do have to say I'm not definitely on Jodi's side. She had really brutally murdered Travis. In my opinion I don't believe it was self-defense in any sense. I believe it was Jodi murdered Travis when he was vulnerable simply because Travis didn't want to be with her the way she wanted him. Yes, Travis was no angel my any means. Especially playing with Jodi emotionally with making it seem as if he wanted her and traveling the world with her. I believe she simply snapped and she took his life.
In conclusion, I do recommend this book to any true crime lover or if you're into the Jodi Arias and Travis Alexander case and haven't read this one yet. Shanna Hogan did a perfect job of writing a picture perfect Jodi Arias and her perfect murder of Travis Alexander.
Shanna writes this book with ample amount of details to make the book just great and not overbearing. The writing of the book had a very nice flow. It gave information on both Travis and Jodi's life at the beginning, the relationship of the two of them, and then the murder. Closer to the end of the book it got into the trial of prosecuting Jodi. I always enjoy the photos in the book.
I do have to say I'm not definitely on Jodi's side. She had really brutally murdered Travis. In my opinion I don't believe it was self-defense in any sense. I believe it was Jodi murdered Travis when he was vulnerable simply because Travis didn't want to be with her the way she wanted him. Yes, Travis was no angel my any means. Especially playing with Jodi emotionally with making it seem as if he wanted her and traveling the world with her. I believe she simply snapped and she took his life.
In conclusion, I do recommend this book to any true crime lover or if you're into the Jodi Arias and Travis Alexander case and haven't read this one yet. Shanna Hogan did a perfect job of writing a picture perfect Jodi Arias and her perfect murder of Travis Alexander.
April 20, 2015
This is a case I heard my friends talk about on facebook so I wanted to read a book about it. In the end I tried 2 books but both assumed from the beginning that the reader knew everything so they were constantly referring to what had happened while i did not know and I did not like to be spoiled.
A few days ago I asked is there really no book that writes about this in a chronological order and they told me this book was quite good so I took a chance and bought it and they were right.
I love it. Mainly because I finally get to know more but I like the writing. Have read 69% right now.
There was something I was curious about. Why had this case been so infamous and so many people knew about it. Last time that happened and I even watched the trial was with Casey Anthony. (and we all know how that turned out) imagine not a very happy smiley here) but I do think the photos that were discovered had a big part of it.
There is a photo of Travis a few seconds before he was murdered and he looks right in the camera and that photo touched me and I will never forget so I assume many people had that.
Update April 20-2015.
Finished it 3 days ago and sad I was done.
Yes this book for me was superb but as I keep on saying why it was so good was probably because I did not know much about this case so what a ride.
I am not a big fan of organized religion in any way because most are there to dominate women. In islam but also with mormon faith just to name 2. It is also about control.
Making people wear special garments as they call it to keep them remembering they should not have sex before marriage is a tad weird really but okay back to the book.
It was obvious that Travis was not a saint (thankfully not) and that he treated Jodi in not the nicest way but it also seems they were both hooked but I also feel that being able to have sex with her made it harder to say goodbye.
Oh before I go on while reading this book I looked up pictures of all the people and the photo's they were talking about.
There I found a site with so much information and I was thrilled. Until I noticed it was a pro Jodi site. They even had a facebook so of course I had to take a look and guess what?... Nearly all if not all were men posting in her defense.
This book was very well written and the author tried not to give her opinion all the time as some writers like to do but let the story unfold which was quite pleasant.
Now let me check my notes....
OMG 30 notes. That is a record for me.
Okay not all are important but I thought it so weird he was travelling with Jodi through the country while "dating" other girls?
So if you date in America you can go out with more girls/boys?
Only when you specifically asks you to be his girlfriend you are otherwise you'll just be dating?
Now to the murder. I am astounded how you can kill a man you love by slicing his whole throat.
After the above picture there is another photo of Travis sitting on the shower floor and in the book says he is still alive and I think they make it so that he is posing.
Who would go sit in the shower though? Could it not be that she pushed a knife in his belly and then a few seconds later slashed his throat?
I imagine that when he looks up on the above photo he already knows she wants him to die. The expression in bis eyes!!!!
Okay Let me quit. I am still full of it of course but for everybody else it is old news.
Shocked that it took so long for her to be punished.
great sad read.
A few days ago I asked is there really no book that writes about this in a chronological order and they told me this book was quite good so I took a chance and bought it and they were right.
I love it. Mainly because I finally get to know more but I like the writing. Have read 69% right now.
There was something I was curious about. Why had this case been so infamous and so many people knew about it. Last time that happened and I even watched the trial was with Casey Anthony. (and we all know how that turned out) imagine not a very happy smiley here) but I do think the photos that were discovered had a big part of it.
There is a photo of Travis a few seconds before he was murdered and he looks right in the camera and that photo touched me and I will never forget so I assume many people had that.
Update April 20-2015.
Finished it 3 days ago and sad I was done.
Yes this book for me was superb but as I keep on saying why it was so good was probably because I did not know much about this case so what a ride.
I am not a big fan of organized religion in any way because most are there to dominate women. In islam but also with mormon faith just to name 2. It is also about control.
Making people wear special garments as they call it to keep them remembering they should not have sex before marriage is a tad weird really but okay back to the book.
It was obvious that Travis was not a saint (thankfully not) and that he treated Jodi in not the nicest way but it also seems they were both hooked but I also feel that being able to have sex with her made it harder to say goodbye.
Oh before I go on while reading this book I looked up pictures of all the people and the photo's they were talking about.
There I found a site with so much information and I was thrilled. Until I noticed it was a pro Jodi site. They even had a facebook so of course I had to take a look and guess what?... Nearly all if not all were men posting in her defense.
This book was very well written and the author tried not to give her opinion all the time as some writers like to do but let the story unfold which was quite pleasant.
Now let me check my notes....
OMG 30 notes. That is a record for me.
Okay not all are important but I thought it so weird he was travelling with Jodi through the country while "dating" other girls?
So if you date in America you can go out with more girls/boys?
Only when you specifically asks you to be his girlfriend you are otherwise you'll just be dating?
Now to the murder. I am astounded how you can kill a man you love by slicing his whole throat.
After the above picture there is another photo of Travis sitting on the shower floor and in the book says he is still alive and I think they make it so that he is posing.
Who would go sit in the shower though? Could it not be that she pushed a knife in his belly and then a few seconds later slashed his throat?
I imagine that when he looks up on the above photo he already knows she wants him to die. The expression in bis eyes!!!!
Okay Let me quit. I am still full of it of course but for everybody else it is old news.
Shocked that it took so long for her to be punished.
great sad read.
September 11, 2013
Picture Perfect by Shanna Hogan is the best book I've read so far about the Jodi Arias case. Ms. Hogan's writing flows beautifully and her attention to detail is perfect. Loved the back stories on both Jodi and Travis as well as their relationship. The author leaves her opinion until the very end so that the reader can make their own assumption on whether or not they think Jodi is guilty. Highly recommended to anyone who has followed this case or is new to it.
July 28, 2022
I had never heard of this story until my brother-in-law recommended it. I started listening and was instantly sucked in. Being raised Mormon, it was interesting listening to the religion being described, and I have to say, the author was spot on. The Mormon angle added a different dimension to the whole case.
The author begins by introducing us to Jodi and Travis. She describes their lives and how they met at PrePaid Legal, an MLM. (a VERY Mormon thing to do LOL!) Many of Travis's friends warned him that there wasn't something quite right with Jodi but Travis said they were crazy. Jodi was sweet and kind and best of all - loved to have kinky sex. The author builds their relationship and explains how dysfunctional it was, and then moves to the murder and the trial.
The only part I wasn't fond of was the trial, it was described more minutely that I cared to hear. Some people probably like that though.
I like the author's style. She's very direct, matter of fact, and doesn't waste time getting to the point. The narrator was easy to listen to. If you like true crime definitely give this one a a try.
After I finished reading I looked up interviews and pictures online. It was crazy seeing Jodi's interviews and learning about her life now.
The author begins by introducing us to Jodi and Travis. She describes their lives and how they met at PrePaid Legal, an MLM. (a VERY Mormon thing to do LOL!) Many of Travis's friends warned him that there wasn't something quite right with Jodi but Travis said they were crazy. Jodi was sweet and kind and best of all - loved to have kinky sex. The author builds their relationship and explains how dysfunctional it was, and then moves to the murder and the trial.
The only part I wasn't fond of was the trial, it was described more minutely that I cared to hear. Some people probably like that though.
I like the author's style. She's very direct, matter of fact, and doesn't waste time getting to the point. The narrator was easy to listen to. If you like true crime definitely give this one a a try.
After I finished reading I looked up interviews and pictures online. It was crazy seeing Jodi's interviews and learning about her life now.
November 3, 2013
I hate having to say I really liked it for a rating, but it's simply because of how it was written. I was quite surprised of Shanna Hogan's insight into the entire case and its history. Compared to the other major book written on the case, Hogan brings much more to the table for everyone to walk away with a complete picture of Arias and Alexander as possible. I came into watching the trial much later than most, completely drawn in by the manipulation Arias was able to do being behind bars. Though that manipulation seems to always fail her sooner or later, she just doesn't seem to be wise that it does. I think this was the first time another side of the Mormon faith was played out in court, other than what Warren Jeffs did for it. So that was another factor that caught my interest. Though in the end, it was the horrific manner of death for Alexander that I was left with, and a life cut short, a life that seemed not what Arias tried hard to sully, but that of a young man with many strengths compared to his weaknesses, many people who loved him.
Hogan exposes his killer for what she is - a lying, manipulative monster. Hogan doesn't expose this by providing her point of view of Arias, but by Arias' own words and actions, many of them I was not even aware of after believing I had learned everything there was to learn from the case & trial. I'm not sure why Arizona has the death penalty if Arias is not sentenced to one. After reading this, I'm sick of hearing of Jodi Arias. I can only imagine how much more it is for Alexander's friends and family. Knowing that is when words fail me. I have compassion for what Arias' family is going through as well, for them, they lost someone too. However, after learning Arias' mother went to great lengths to slander Alexander's name because her daughter told her to, I lost any and all respect for the family.
Perhaps the best part of the book was Hogan's poignant afterword. Jodi Arias will forever be frozen in time behind prison walls. She will grow old without seeing a career blossom, exchanging vows with someone she loves, experiencing the joys of motherhood, or growing old with her grandchildren climbing her lap. She will be known as a monster, a liar, a freak of human nature. Her worst nightmare will be seeing Travis Alexander live on in memory for those who loved him, and those who despise her. His lasting words left online will live on, what he worked hard for will be remembered more than his dirty little secret.
Hogan exposes his killer for what she is - a lying, manipulative monster. Hogan doesn't expose this by providing her point of view of Arias, but by Arias' own words and actions, many of them I was not even aware of after believing I had learned everything there was to learn from the case & trial. I'm not sure why Arizona has the death penalty if Arias is not sentenced to one. After reading this, I'm sick of hearing of Jodi Arias. I can only imagine how much more it is for Alexander's friends and family. Knowing that is when words fail me. I have compassion for what Arias' family is going through as well, for them, they lost someone too. However, after learning Arias' mother went to great lengths to slander Alexander's name because her daughter told her to, I lost any and all respect for the family.
Perhaps the best part of the book was Hogan's poignant afterword. Jodi Arias will forever be frozen in time behind prison walls. She will grow old without seeing a career blossom, exchanging vows with someone she loves, experiencing the joys of motherhood, or growing old with her grandchildren climbing her lap. She will be known as a monster, a liar, a freak of human nature. Her worst nightmare will be seeing Travis Alexander live on in memory for those who loved him, and those who despise her. His lasting words left online will live on, what he worked hard for will be remembered more than his dirty little secret.
July 19, 2017
Creepy story, I was interested enough to finish the book. In my opinion both characters were crazy and delusional.
November 15, 2013
Perhaps one of the more disturbing true crime books I've read in some time. The warning signs were clear about Arias from the beginning and yet, the intelligent and seemingly successful Alexander ignored them because he was obsessed with having sex with her. His close friends began to question her behavior and if that isn't a sure sign something is wrong I'm not sure what is. I didn't follow the case in the news other than seeing a few headlines here and there. While the media may want us to believe Arias is the villain here the victim appeared to encourage her behavior for his own benefit. His religion, personal beliefs and actual actions appeared to be in direct contradiction; this is something his friends/family did not fully realize. There are black and white pictures included; some from the crime scene which make this story even more tragic.
November 6, 2017
The writing of this book is nothing special and whoever proof read it needs a serious talking to. If it wasn't for the fascinating story this would have been 2 stars.
I like how the author builds the story from its foundations to the crescendo of the murder. After the arrest the book did seem to drag until the eventual trial.
Would recommend if you're not familiar with the story, otherwise there's nothing groundbreaking here.
Also, the front cover is terrible. It reminds me of a trashy celeb magazine.
**UPDATE** downgraded to 2 stars. Some of the true crime books I've read now pale in comparison against One of Your Own: The Life and Death of Myra Hindley
I like how the author builds the story from its foundations to the crescendo of the murder. After the arrest the book did seem to drag until the eventual trial.
Would recommend if you're not familiar with the story, otherwise there's nothing groundbreaking here.
Also, the front cover is terrible. It reminds me of a trashy celeb magazine.
**UPDATE** downgraded to 2 stars. Some of the true crime books I've read now pale in comparison against One of Your Own: The Life and Death of Myra Hindley
January 16, 2021
I became interested in this case after watching an analysis of Jodi Arias' interrogation tapes on Youtube. Jim Can't Swim has a great true crime and criminal psychology channel where he shows interrogation tapes of various high-profile cases and breaks down the behavior of the criminals as well as the police tricks used in interrogation. I highly recommend them if you're at all interested in criminal psychology and behavior.
Jodi Arias' video, in particular, showed a woman who was very manipulative, and just plain odd. She did a hand stand in the interrogation room, and in an effort to seem relaxed, she listened for the detective to return and laid her head on the table as she heard the footsteps arriving. These are just oddities when compared to the sickly niceness and constant lies. She can be summed up with the fact that she posed for her mug shot because she knew it would be national news, and her statement:
So, when Bookbub told me this book was on sale, I didn't hesitate to buy it and consume it immediately. The first 7ish chapters are dedicated to the life of Travis Alexander, pre-Jodi. He can be summed up by "his love of writing, travel, genealogy, and the UFC. More than anything, Travis loved the Lord." He was very, very interested in self-development and consumed all the books, philosophies, and advice he could get his hands on to learn how to be the best he could be. He had a tough upbringing and love life, but the people who spoke of him had only kind things to say. And, more than anything, he was a devout Mormon. His faith plays a huge, huge role in this story and his relationship with Jodi, so expect a lot of info about the LDS.
The next 2ish chapters are dedicated to the life of Jodi before meeting Travis. I saw a complaint in another review that Jodi's past had a lot less attention and I agree, but I understand. There isn't really anything there. Travis' life before Jodi was filled with growth, success and friendship. Jodi's life was mostly a struggle to get by as she went from boyfriend to boyfriend. It seemed her life would change and be influenced by whoever she was dating at the time.
The rest of the book is a timeline of the rest of their time together; the off and on relationship, the sex, the secrets, betrayals; Travis' death and the investigation; and the courtroom. The writing is fine. I don't think it's quite accurate to call it the "Jodi Arias story" though, as the author mostly focused on Travis.
Jodi Arias' video, in particular, showed a woman who was very manipulative, and just plain odd. She did a hand stand in the interrogation room, and in an effort to seem relaxed, she listened for the detective to return and laid her head on the table as she heard the footsteps arriving. These are just oddities when compared to the sickly niceness and constant lies. She can be summed up with the fact that she posed for her mug shot because she knew it would be national news, and her statement:
"No jury is going to convict me because I'm innocent. And you can mark my words on that one. No jury will convict me."
So, when Bookbub told me this book was on sale, I didn't hesitate to buy it and consume it immediately. The first 7ish chapters are dedicated to the life of Travis Alexander, pre-Jodi. He can be summed up by "his love of writing, travel, genealogy, and the UFC. More than anything, Travis loved the Lord." He was very, very interested in self-development and consumed all the books, philosophies, and advice he could get his hands on to learn how to be the best he could be. He had a tough upbringing and love life, but the people who spoke of him had only kind things to say. And, more than anything, he was a devout Mormon. His faith plays a huge, huge role in this story and his relationship with Jodi, so expect a lot of info about the LDS.
The next 2ish chapters are dedicated to the life of Jodi before meeting Travis. I saw a complaint in another review that Jodi's past had a lot less attention and I agree, but I understand. There isn't really anything there. Travis' life before Jodi was filled with growth, success and friendship. Jodi's life was mostly a struggle to get by as she went from boyfriend to boyfriend. It seemed her life would change and be influenced by whoever she was dating at the time.
The rest of the book is a timeline of the rest of their time together; the off and on relationship, the sex, the secrets, betrayals; Travis' death and the investigation; and the courtroom. The writing is fine. I don't think it's quite accurate to call it the "Jodi Arias story" though, as the author mostly focused on Travis.
November 21, 2014
First of all, very worst narrator ever.
The narration was so bad that I was trying to figure out if it was a robot (some kind of technology so you don't have to pay a narrator at all). I looked it up, and I found plenty of negative commentary about narrator on audible, where all the reviews are based on listening to the book. By the end of the book I became a little more "used to it".
About the book, 4 stars because it offered fair and objective treatment of a really awful case... but I can't say I "really liked it" because the subject was so sad and tragic.
I believe Jodi Arias must be a sociopath, and nothing she says about Travis is believable. Even though he was obviously living a "double life" and making some poor choices, beyond the facts we can't believe a word Jodi says, she seemed to be willing to fabricate whatever she could in the desperate hope of an acquittal for an extremely cruel, savage murder.
The narration was so bad that I was trying to figure out if it was a robot (some kind of technology so you don't have to pay a narrator at all). I looked it up, and I found plenty of negative commentary about narrator on audible, where all the reviews are based on listening to the book. By the end of the book I became a little more "used to it".
About the book, 4 stars because it offered fair and objective treatment of a really awful case... but I can't say I "really liked it" because the subject was so sad and tragic.
I believe Jodi Arias must be a sociopath, and nothing she says about Travis is believable. Even though he was obviously living a "double life" and making some poor choices, beyond the facts we can't believe a word Jodi says, she seemed to be willing to fabricate whatever she could in the desperate hope of an acquittal for an extremely cruel, savage murder.
October 21, 2014
This is MUCH more informative than JVM's book. Even though I watched the trial and followed the case closely, there were plenty of details in here that were news to me. I also like that the author didn't constantly insert her opinion throughout the book. She stuck to the facts. She did, however, give her thoughts on the case in the afterword. If you're going to read a book about Jodi Arias, I'd definitely recommend this one over JVM's.
July 2, 2017
I really liked how much of the beginning of this book was dedicated to Travis's story. Also, seemingly from his perspective. Much of Jodi's story was told from her own highly questionable perspective, but I believe the author did justice to her lack of credibility. This was the third book I've read on the topic, and it was interesting to see the details this one points out compared to the others. I'm happy to have read this book.
December 16, 2015
Fascinating story about obsession and murder
I was among the millions who became obsessed by the Jodi Arias trial, having never before heard of the young woman who slaughtered her lover. Some trials are black and white, and this was no exception. I grew to despise every facet of Jodi Arias, who in my mind was nothing but a cold-blooded killer of an exemplary young man.
I began Picture Perfect, the only book I read about Jodi Arias and Travis Alexander, because I have great respect for Shanna Hogan's ability to skillfully research a story and tell it well. By this point, I had begun to question why Jodi Arias had committed this heinous murder of a man who was depicted by his family and friends as a devout Mormon and a successful motivational speaker at his young age. What drove Travis Alexander to repeatedly defy church doctrine by entering into a relationship centered around sex with the mousey young woman I watched during her murder trial? Was Jodi Arias a modern day Lorelei who had lured him into her trap, using sex in place of the siren song, to ultimately kill him?
As I read the book, I learned much about Travis Alexander from his friends, business associates and his own writing. Some readers have complained that Shanna Hogan wrote a one-sided story defaming Travis Alexander by using Jodi Arias as her source. How I disagree with this opinion! The words of his closest friends shone a bright light on Travis Alexander, which depicted a man I came to dislike. Let me make one thing clear: regardless of Travis Alexander's foibles, he did not deserve his horrific fate. Period. On the other hand, he was far from sainthood.
After a childhood spent in poverty and a series of menial jobs, Travis was introduced to Prepaid Legal, a company that had all the earmarks of a Ponzi scheme. By getting in at the bottom, Travis benefited financially by recruiting friends and acquaintances to join the company. He was compensated for each recruit as well as part of their earnings. In many ways, this enthusiastic go-getter became the face of Prepaid Legal and was often called upon to present sales pitches, masquerading as motivational speeches. Rather than a modern day Dale Carnegie, Travis Alexander was a sleazy huckster in my eyes. A Google search of the company revealed an investigation by the SEC and FTC, as well as complaints by disgruntled customers and employees who were doomed to fail because of their placement in the pyramid.
Enter Jodi Arias at a Prepaid Legal seminar. Travis Alexander was smitten. He and Jodi soon hooked up. The devout Mormon, who was, by church tenets, expected to remain a virgin until he married a virginal Mormon woman, broke a key church law (probably not for the first time). He and Jodi, to the consternation of his friends, became a couple. Jodi was so taken by Travis that she became a Mormon. Travis was Jodi's dream, but for Travis, not so much. During their relationship, Travis constantly cheated while in his quest for a good Mormon wife. What great irony! Travis and Jodi were having increasingly kinky sex while Travis was courting one young Mormon virgin after another.
Jodi eventually discovered that Travis was cheating on her, and their official relationship ended. She was devastated, jealous and, most of all, furious. The tires on his car, as the tires on his latest paramour's car, were slashed. According to his roommates, Travis never locked the doors to his house, and Jodi entered at will.
What would most people do with an unstable ex-girlfriend who was clearly coming unhinged? Perhaps secure the house and possibly get a restraining order? Travis took a novel approach. He continued to communicate with Jodi because he missed their sexual marathons. Even after she moved back to California, he continued to send mixed messages. Jodi was a mentally unstable woman in love. Rather than celebrating her departure from Arizona and cutting all ties, Travis could not let his sex pal go. His friends who knew about the relationship, and had an uneasy feeling about Jodi from the beginning were helpless when Travis, who called her a stalker and a whore, continued to act as a friend to an increasingly unglued woman. She had been reduced to a booty call.
Picture Perfect read like a psychological thriller. Shanna Hogan's writing style was almost flawless, and
she clearly did her research. This book was an eye-opener. I can understand why the supporters of Travis Alexander are unhappy about this tawdry story of their friend, but it is crystal clear to me that Jodi Arias's own words played no direct role in the writing of the book. She, who at one point thrived on media attention, refused to be interviewed.
Just to reiterate. Travis Alexander was not a nice person in my eyes, but he did not deserve the violent slaughter at the hand of Jodi Arias. She will never live outside prison walls, which by her own words is a fate worse than death. The jury returned the correct verdict.
I was among the millions who became obsessed by the Jodi Arias trial, having never before heard of the young woman who slaughtered her lover. Some trials are black and white, and this was no exception. I grew to despise every facet of Jodi Arias, who in my mind was nothing but a cold-blooded killer of an exemplary young man.
I began Picture Perfect, the only book I read about Jodi Arias and Travis Alexander, because I have great respect for Shanna Hogan's ability to skillfully research a story and tell it well. By this point, I had begun to question why Jodi Arias had committed this heinous murder of a man who was depicted by his family and friends as a devout Mormon and a successful motivational speaker at his young age. What drove Travis Alexander to repeatedly defy church doctrine by entering into a relationship centered around sex with the mousey young woman I watched during her murder trial? Was Jodi Arias a modern day Lorelei who had lured him into her trap, using sex in place of the siren song, to ultimately kill him?
As I read the book, I learned much about Travis Alexander from his friends, business associates and his own writing. Some readers have complained that Shanna Hogan wrote a one-sided story defaming Travis Alexander by using Jodi Arias as her source. How I disagree with this opinion! The words of his closest friends shone a bright light on Travis Alexander, which depicted a man I came to dislike. Let me make one thing clear: regardless of Travis Alexander's foibles, he did not deserve his horrific fate. Period. On the other hand, he was far from sainthood.
After a childhood spent in poverty and a series of menial jobs, Travis was introduced to Prepaid Legal, a company that had all the earmarks of a Ponzi scheme. By getting in at the bottom, Travis benefited financially by recruiting friends and acquaintances to join the company. He was compensated for each recruit as well as part of their earnings. In many ways, this enthusiastic go-getter became the face of Prepaid Legal and was often called upon to present sales pitches, masquerading as motivational speeches. Rather than a modern day Dale Carnegie, Travis Alexander was a sleazy huckster in my eyes. A Google search of the company revealed an investigation by the SEC and FTC, as well as complaints by disgruntled customers and employees who were doomed to fail because of their placement in the pyramid.
Enter Jodi Arias at a Prepaid Legal seminar. Travis Alexander was smitten. He and Jodi soon hooked up. The devout Mormon, who was, by church tenets, expected to remain a virgin until he married a virginal Mormon woman, broke a key church law (probably not for the first time). He and Jodi, to the consternation of his friends, became a couple. Jodi was so taken by Travis that she became a Mormon. Travis was Jodi's dream, but for Travis, not so much. During their relationship, Travis constantly cheated while in his quest for a good Mormon wife. What great irony! Travis and Jodi were having increasingly kinky sex while Travis was courting one young Mormon virgin after another.
Jodi eventually discovered that Travis was cheating on her, and their official relationship ended. She was devastated, jealous and, most of all, furious. The tires on his car, as the tires on his latest paramour's car, were slashed. According to his roommates, Travis never locked the doors to his house, and Jodi entered at will.
What would most people do with an unstable ex-girlfriend who was clearly coming unhinged? Perhaps secure the house and possibly get a restraining order? Travis took a novel approach. He continued to communicate with Jodi because he missed their sexual marathons. Even after she moved back to California, he continued to send mixed messages. Jodi was a mentally unstable woman in love. Rather than celebrating her departure from Arizona and cutting all ties, Travis could not let his sex pal go. His friends who knew about the relationship, and had an uneasy feeling about Jodi from the beginning were helpless when Travis, who called her a stalker and a whore, continued to act as a friend to an increasingly unglued woman. She had been reduced to a booty call.
Picture Perfect read like a psychological thriller. Shanna Hogan's writing style was almost flawless, and
she clearly did her research. This book was an eye-opener. I can understand why the supporters of Travis Alexander are unhappy about this tawdry story of their friend, but it is crystal clear to me that Jodi Arias's own words played no direct role in the writing of the book. She, who at one point thrived on media attention, refused to be interviewed.
Just to reiterate. Travis Alexander was not a nice person in my eyes, but he did not deserve the violent slaughter at the hand of Jodi Arias. She will never live outside prison walls, which by her own words is a fate worse than death. The jury returned the correct verdict.
June 8, 2024
I have opinions about this case, so bear with me.
Jodi Arias was born in 1980 in California. She, by multiple accounts, was a manipulative, lying, scheming person. (A parade of red flags.) Her family had multiple issues with her throughout the years, prompting her to move out and in with a boyfriend at the time. She had severe trust issues, and was known to search through people's emails, messages, and other personal documents. (More red flags for the parade.) She struggled with money, as she was working waitressing jobs, and eventually became interested in Pre-Paid Legal Services. It was during a conference for Pre-Paid Legal Services in September 2006 where she met Travis Alexander.
Alexander and Arias began some type of relationship. Arias believed that she was his girlfriend, though Alexander behaved differently with her around his friends. (That was a scumbag thing to do.) Alexander was mostly interested in a sexual relationship with Arias, while Arias was fully obsessed and committed to Alexander. She converted to his Mormon religion, in hopes that would make him love her, be public with her, and marry her. Alexander was continuing to date other women while engaging in a sexual relationship with Arias (a scumbag thing to do) in hopes of finding a "proper Mormon bride" to fulfill his religious and life goals of having a wife and family. Arias confronted Alexander multiple times about seeing other people, which he denied. (A scumbag thing to do.) Arias moved closer to Alexander after he called the relationship off and continued to lurk around his home and sneak over in the night for sexual encounters. (Red flag central.) When Alexander started seeing another woman, Arias sent her crazy emails (red flag) and slashed the tires on both of their cars (double red flag). She got into his email, his social media, and his phone. For whatever reason, Alexander was never able to just sever ties with Arias. (My opinion is that he was not entering into sexual relationships with Mormon women he deemed marriage material, and was keeping Arias around to use for sex, which is a scumbag thing to do.)
Arias rented a car to go visit a friend. She told multiple people of her plans. She borrowed gas cans for her trip in case of emergency. (Red flag.) She told her friend that she had gotten lost and had driven 100 miles in the wrong direction (red flag) and then went to sleep in her car (red flag) before getting back on the correct path. She arrived a day later than she originally planned. (Red flag.) Her phone had been turned off, so it was not bouncing off of any towers, and she claimed it was dead and she couldn't find the charger. (Red flag.) When she showed up to the friend's house, she was wearing long sleeves and had bandages on her fingers. (Red flag.) When she returned the car to the rental agency, it was missing floor mats and had weird substances and stains. (Red flags.) In actuality, she had made a little side trip to Alexander's house. She had some sexual encounters with him, before stabbing him dozens of times, slitting his throat, and shooting him in the head with a gun she stole from her grandfather. She left him in the shower.
Alexander's roommates believed he had gone on a business trip that was planned, so didn't notate his absence as particularly unnerving. However, the girl he was going on the trip with began raising the alarm when she couldn't get him to answer her messages or calls about when to leave for the trip. I realize he was shut in the bathroom, in his room, with the doors shut, but I cannot understand how his roommates didn't smell a smell in that house for the week he was rotting in the shower. A group of his friends went to his house to look for him, discovering his body. In multiple statements to the police, Arias was listed as a person of interest. Obviously, Arias is not the world's smartest criminal, so she was found out pretty quickly. She was eventually convicted of first-degree murder and is currently serving life without parole.
Arias apparently had a photography business yet didn't know very much about cameras. She had taken pictures of her and Alexander in various stages of undress. She had taken pictures of Alexander in the shower moments before his murder. She had taken pictures during the actual murder. She put the camera in the washing machine but didn't take out the memory card and toss it out along the interstate or something. None of his friends liked her, and had warned him about her multiple times, and she claimed to not know why everyone was pointing the finger at her. Stupidity. Arias was a walking red flag, and everyone could see it...except Alexander apparently. She allowed this man to use her for sex and as a companion on trips or to talk to at night when he was bored. She had no respect for herself and allowed herself to be used in this way. She should have yelled at him, blocked him, and moved on with her life. Instead, she ruined her life, ended his, and ruined the lives of the people in their orbits who cared for them. Stupidity. She was also later diagnosed with a host of mental illnesses: borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, sociopathy, and narcissistic personality disorder. This woman needed medication, not boyfriends.
Alexander is lauded by his friends as a wonderful friend, a smart businessman, and an all-around great person. When someone we love or care about dies, especially in a horrific way, we tend to only want to think about the great things about them. Alexander, by all accounts, overcame a lot in his life and really took the lemons to make lemonade. He seemed like a fun, genuine person, and I can see why he had so many friends and coworkers that enjoyed his company. Alexander also did some scumbag things, like using someone for sex. These illicit sexual activities went against his religious doctrine as well. He also obviously had terrible taste in women, at least where Arias was concerned, and that cost him his life. He did not deserve to be murdered, despite his unsavory treatment. He deserved to be yelled at and blocked, sure, but never murdered. Certainly not murdered in this brutal way. Certainly not left to decompose in his own shower. This whole entire thing could have been avoided.
This book is currently available on Audible Plus to listen to for free. It was about an eight hour listen. I had read another book about this case prior to this one, but it mostly focused on her. This book had a lot of information about Travis Alexander and the people close to him in it. If you are interested in this book or case, and you have not looked at images for it, this is your fair warning to be careful when you google them because the autopsy photos are on Murderpedia and show up on the Google search. If you aren't into autopsy photos or grim images... look out. They show up when you look up the pictures that were on the memory card that Arias tried to destroy in the washing machine. This book was written in a way that was tasteful, yet informative. It provided a lot of insight into the relationship between Alexander and Arias.
Jodi Arias was born in 1980 in California. She, by multiple accounts, was a manipulative, lying, scheming person. (A parade of red flags.) Her family had multiple issues with her throughout the years, prompting her to move out and in with a boyfriend at the time. She had severe trust issues, and was known to search through people's emails, messages, and other personal documents. (More red flags for the parade.) She struggled with money, as she was working waitressing jobs, and eventually became interested in Pre-Paid Legal Services. It was during a conference for Pre-Paid Legal Services in September 2006 where she met Travis Alexander.
Alexander and Arias began some type of relationship. Arias believed that she was his girlfriend, though Alexander behaved differently with her around his friends. (That was a scumbag thing to do.) Alexander was mostly interested in a sexual relationship with Arias, while Arias was fully obsessed and committed to Alexander. She converted to his Mormon religion, in hopes that would make him love her, be public with her, and marry her. Alexander was continuing to date other women while engaging in a sexual relationship with Arias (a scumbag thing to do) in hopes of finding a "proper Mormon bride" to fulfill his religious and life goals of having a wife and family. Arias confronted Alexander multiple times about seeing other people, which he denied. (A scumbag thing to do.) Arias moved closer to Alexander after he called the relationship off and continued to lurk around his home and sneak over in the night for sexual encounters. (Red flag central.) When Alexander started seeing another woman, Arias sent her crazy emails (red flag) and slashed the tires on both of their cars (double red flag). She got into his email, his social media, and his phone. For whatever reason, Alexander was never able to just sever ties with Arias. (My opinion is that he was not entering into sexual relationships with Mormon women he deemed marriage material, and was keeping Arias around to use for sex, which is a scumbag thing to do.)
Arias rented a car to go visit a friend. She told multiple people of her plans. She borrowed gas cans for her trip in case of emergency. (Red flag.) She told her friend that she had gotten lost and had driven 100 miles in the wrong direction (red flag) and then went to sleep in her car (red flag) before getting back on the correct path. She arrived a day later than she originally planned. (Red flag.) Her phone had been turned off, so it was not bouncing off of any towers, and she claimed it was dead and she couldn't find the charger. (Red flag.) When she showed up to the friend's house, she was wearing long sleeves and had bandages on her fingers. (Red flag.) When she returned the car to the rental agency, it was missing floor mats and had weird substances and stains. (Red flags.) In actuality, she had made a little side trip to Alexander's house. She had some sexual encounters with him, before stabbing him dozens of times, slitting his throat, and shooting him in the head with a gun she stole from her grandfather. She left him in the shower.
Alexander's roommates believed he had gone on a business trip that was planned, so didn't notate his absence as particularly unnerving. However, the girl he was going on the trip with began raising the alarm when she couldn't get him to answer her messages or calls about when to leave for the trip. I realize he was shut in the bathroom, in his room, with the doors shut, but I cannot understand how his roommates didn't smell a smell in that house for the week he was rotting in the shower. A group of his friends went to his house to look for him, discovering his body. In multiple statements to the police, Arias was listed as a person of interest. Obviously, Arias is not the world's smartest criminal, so she was found out pretty quickly. She was eventually convicted of first-degree murder and is currently serving life without parole.
Arias apparently had a photography business yet didn't know very much about cameras. She had taken pictures of her and Alexander in various stages of undress. She had taken pictures of Alexander in the shower moments before his murder. She had taken pictures during the actual murder. She put the camera in the washing machine but didn't take out the memory card and toss it out along the interstate or something. None of his friends liked her, and had warned him about her multiple times, and she claimed to not know why everyone was pointing the finger at her. Stupidity. Arias was a walking red flag, and everyone could see it...except Alexander apparently. She allowed this man to use her for sex and as a companion on trips or to talk to at night when he was bored. She had no respect for herself and allowed herself to be used in this way. She should have yelled at him, blocked him, and moved on with her life. Instead, she ruined her life, ended his, and ruined the lives of the people in their orbits who cared for them. Stupidity. She was also later diagnosed with a host of mental illnesses: borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, sociopathy, and narcissistic personality disorder. This woman needed medication, not boyfriends.
Alexander is lauded by his friends as a wonderful friend, a smart businessman, and an all-around great person. When someone we love or care about dies, especially in a horrific way, we tend to only want to think about the great things about them. Alexander, by all accounts, overcame a lot in his life and really took the lemons to make lemonade. He seemed like a fun, genuine person, and I can see why he had so many friends and coworkers that enjoyed his company. Alexander also did some scumbag things, like using someone for sex. These illicit sexual activities went against his religious doctrine as well. He also obviously had terrible taste in women, at least where Arias was concerned, and that cost him his life. He did not deserve to be murdered, despite his unsavory treatment. He deserved to be yelled at and blocked, sure, but never murdered. Certainly not murdered in this brutal way. Certainly not left to decompose in his own shower. This whole entire thing could have been avoided.
This book is currently available on Audible Plus to listen to for free. It was about an eight hour listen. I had read another book about this case prior to this one, but it mostly focused on her. This book had a lot of information about Travis Alexander and the people close to him in it. If you are interested in this book or case, and you have not looked at images for it, this is your fair warning to be careful when you google them because the autopsy photos are on Murderpedia and show up on the Google search. If you aren't into autopsy photos or grim images... look out. They show up when you look up the pictures that were on the memory card that Arias tried to destroy in the washing machine. This book was written in a way that was tasteful, yet informative. It provided a lot of insight into the relationship between Alexander and Arias.
May 8, 2014
I read this because I had heard of the Jodi Arias trial and something about her murdering her Mormon lover and wanted to know more about it. This book nicely fit the bill. The author spends a lengthy amount of book space (one might argue too much book space) introducing the reader to Travis Alexander and his all too short life. Over the space of 150+ pages, the reader comes to know Travis and really feels for him when he realizes too late that Jodi Arias is a sociopath who is clearly off her rocker. This book could alternately be read as a "how to not commit a murder and expect to get away with it" manual, for there are so many errors that Jodi made that even the novice to true crime stories can point them out with startling frequency. There was only one problem that I noticed with this book, and that was the chapter which detailed the autopsy of Travis Alexander, which seemed to have been transcribed directly from the autopsy tapes and misspellings abound. Other than that, I really thought that the book covered all of the details really well.
August 14, 2014
I can't seem to stay away from true crime stories and this one delivered. I have had a morbid (I admit it at least) curiosity about Jodi Arias ever since I heard about her murdering her Mormon boyfriend, Travis Alexander. It's a true to life "Fatal Attraction" kind of story about two individuals who end up destroying each other. Travis isn't perfect but basically is a very well liked person who has made the most of a difficult childhood and ends up a success story. He is a positive, upbeat kind of guy who inspires others and seems to bring out the best in everyone; everyone that is except Jodi Arias. He does have a dark side though and Jodi ends up being used which is not good for one's self-image. There is much more to her than meets the eye and she truly is an enigma. Her parents felt she had mental issues and that definitely does seem to be a factor in her ultimate demise. Hogan does a good job of portraying both Jody and Travis as well as how their relationship ends so tragically.
April 27, 2022
Okay so, I have a few thoughts about this book. I did not finish it. I found the authors writing to be annoying at times, especially during the first 50 pages when she went on and on about how amazing of a person Travis was. But the reality is that Travis was not an amazing person. He was a player and religious hypocrite who tried to play the part of a devoted Mormon. He continuously used Jodi for sex even knowing that she wanted more than that. (I’m in no way trying defend Jodi Arias to be clear).
I quit reading the book and instead watched a few videos on the case. I learned some more very disturbing facts about Travis. After breaking up with Jodi he decided he wanted to look for a virginal Mormon woman to marry, because he wanted to marry a virgin even though he wasn’t. Are you serious?
I know that Travis was the victim who was brutally murdered by is obsessive crazy ex girlfriend but please, don’t try to make him out to be like this innocent amazing guy that he so clearly wasn’t.
I quit reading the book and instead watched a few videos on the case. I learned some more very disturbing facts about Travis. After breaking up with Jodi he decided he wanted to look for a virginal Mormon woman to marry, because he wanted to marry a virgin even though he wasn’t. Are you serious?
I know that Travis was the victim who was brutally murdered by is obsessive crazy ex girlfriend but please, don’t try to make him out to be like this innocent amazing guy that he so clearly wasn’t.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2014
Make all the fun of me you want... but I was obsessed with this trial. OBSESSED! I could write a book about it. Shanna did a really good job and this will be of interest to those that haven't heard all the gory details (is that possible?) The problem for the books that have come out just as the verdict was given (She will be sentenced to Life or Death sometime this year), doesn't add to what we trial watchers know. But Shanna did had access to many things the public did not; I really appreciated that. Also, she humanized Travis Alexander and Jodi Arias for me.
In time, after Ms. Arias is sentenced, everything will be out in the open and I'd love to see a revised addition.
In time, after Ms. Arias is sentenced, everything will be out in the open and I'd love to see a revised addition.
November 30, 2016
I know there was a big deal made about this crime at the time and the trial was all over the news and court tv but I didn't really pay that much attention to it. So the book was all new to me. The author does a great job of making us feel like the victim is someone we would like to know. He was a great guy with a lot of flaws. One of those flaws was getting mixed up with Jodi Arias. I liked how the author explains the beliefs of the Mormon religion. The investigation and trial are nicely condensed. I felt like there was a lot of leg work done in researching this book and not taken from news and transcripts. Very interesting case.
June 29, 2016
This is the best book I have read about the Jodi Arias/Travis Alexander case. I like the author included the life story for both Travis & Jodi instead of it being one sided.
That being said, so many things about this case makes me so mad! Why did they continue to travel together? Why couldn't Travis see the signs, but everyone else could?? Why did they continue to have sex even though he was "heartbroken" and seemingly in love with Lisa? So many questions I wish I could get answers to. Such a senseless murder brought on by jealousy & obsession.
That being said, so many things about this case makes me so mad! Why did they continue to travel together? Why couldn't Travis see the signs, but everyone else could?? Why did they continue to have sex even though he was "heartbroken" and seemingly in love with Lisa? So many questions I wish I could get answers to. Such a senseless murder brought on by jealousy & obsession.
February 20, 2016
Poor guy. There's a picture of Travis Alexander floating around the internets that was taken seconds to a minute before he was killed. It's so eerie. The look on his face makes it seem like he knew what was coming.
I put it under the spoiler tag. I wouldn't look it up. His autopsy pictures are also on the internets. That's something I won't get out of my head anytime soon. D;
I put it under the spoiler tag. I wouldn't look it up. His autopsy pictures are also on the internets. That's something I won't get out of my head anytime soon. D;
January 25, 2019
I didn’t pay much attention to this case when it first hit the news so I wanted to read a book that gave me background info on both killer and victim. Hogan’s book gave me that and more. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned...that quote explains Arias in a nutshell. If she couldn’t have Travis, no one would. A very sad story that will stay with you for a long time.
July 23, 2019
Note to fellow readers:
When you are in a book slump and at loose ends, do not choose to read a book about Jody Arias. You will be shaking your head in disbelief, feeling like you need to shower and feel terribly sad for the family and friends of Travis.
Don't do it. Learn from one who DID do it.
When you are in a book slump and at loose ends, do not choose to read a book about Jody Arias. You will be shaking your head in disbelief, feeling like you need to shower and feel terribly sad for the family and friends of Travis.
Don't do it. Learn from one who DID do it.
September 23, 2013
This book was good. I caught a lot of what i missed watching on tv. I will look forward to more books by this author
July 17, 2019
This is such a dark tale. Though Jodi seemed quite obsessive, the step to murder (especially such a violent one) seems to be completely unexplained, and might never be understood.
January 25, 2023
It’s really hard for me to feel super sorry for the victim in this case. Most accounts I’ve come across present him as this great guy, but to me he ask ways seems like a dude who is all about what’s best for himself, with no real regard for those he uses. I know it’s not cool to speak ill of the dead, and Jodi Arias IS totally bonkers, but even early on the author speaks of Travis’s skills of manipulation. He achieved a high level in an MLM scheme, and all his goals are centered on accumulating wealth. He even used a former girlfriend (his ‘wingman’) to talk him up to other women and his grounding sense of morality only comes into play when he can hold that up as a front. What a douchebag! Also, regardless of how the events played out, he’s willingly getting I to bed for very intimate encounters without a woman he’s know to have slashed his tired in rage and jealousy MULTIPLE times? Sorry, buddy. What did you expect? Again, I’m not saying he deserved this, but how can he be surprised? I think this is what comes of our society’s allowing children to grow up traumatized and then forcing them to adapt to some pointless norm that makes them pretend like they’re absolutely well-adjusted. And this relationship was the unfortunate meeting of two people who needed a lot of help they weren’t able to get.
February 25, 2025
Late to this crazy party (busy raising a family when this first took place), but recently caught up via streaming movies and true crime podcast.
This author (RIP) always did a great job with whatever story she was covering.
Read a couple of her books and I think this one is her best.
Detailed but not in a tedious way.
Moral of the story (IMHO): Sex without entanglement of some kind does not exist (even if both parties insist otherwise).
This author (RIP) always did a great job with whatever story she was covering.
Read a couple of her books and I think this one is her best.
Detailed but not in a tedious way.
Moral of the story (IMHO): Sex without entanglement of some kind does not exist (even if both parties insist otherwise).
April 24, 2017
I couldn't put it down!
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