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Deceit v. Deceit: True Story of Intimate Betrayal Every Word Wiretapped Only Time in History
Pieces of the puzzle suddenly come together. He realizes his wife, who has been cold, calloused and indifferent for months, is having an affair with her gynecologist; a sex-addicted, manipulative predator with no conscience and no boundaries. She is brazen and resolute in behavior. Custody of the children is of supreme importance; but family courts heavily favor mothers in those days. Lest he give himself away and any advantage he might gain, his silence is crucial. Emotions must be controlled and confrontational impulses contained. He can’t explode. He can’t confront. Paramount to the battle that lies ahead, his own form of deceit in defense must counter hers (theirs).
It’s late 1978. There are no smartphones. No digital trails. He wiretaps his home phone. Verbatim conversations are captured, validating the facts - salacious and detailed. The case becomes a true story of betrayal, espionage and sensational courtroom drama in the only known case in U.S. history in which a husband is ruled to be within his rights to secretly record an unfaithful wife’s private telephone conversations.
The case becomes a legal precedent, drawing national attention, reaching the U.S. Supreme Court, and airing on ABC’s 20/20 in 1985. In short time, the wiretap case is reversed as attorneys across the country abuse the precedent-setting rulings indiscriminately to justify wiretapping – creating only a narrow window of time for this father to escape wiretapping prosecution; making this the only time in history such a story as this could happen.
To protect the young children in their formative years, this father kept the details quiet. Today, after all these years, with reflection and a more profound understanding of everything that was at stake, the story is revealed in explicit detail as it happened in hope that others might learn from his experience. The story is now being promoted as a film for tv streaming services. Nothing like this has ever been told before, because nothing like this has ever happened before – quite like this; nor can it ever occur again as our cell phones can’t be wiretapped, and wiretapping, since this case, has been declared illegal altogether.
It’s late 1978. There are no smartphones. No digital trails. He wiretaps his home phone. Verbatim conversations are captured, validating the facts - salacious and detailed. The case becomes a true story of betrayal, espionage and sensational courtroom drama in the only known case in U.S. history in which a husband is ruled to be within his rights to secretly record an unfaithful wife’s private telephone conversations.
The case becomes a legal precedent, drawing national attention, reaching the U.S. Supreme Court, and airing on ABC’s 20/20 in 1985. In short time, the wiretap case is reversed as attorneys across the country abuse the precedent-setting rulings indiscriminately to justify wiretapping – creating only a narrow window of time for this father to escape wiretapping prosecution; making this the only time in history such a story as this could happen.
To protect the young children in their formative years, this father kept the details quiet. Today, after all these years, with reflection and a more profound understanding of everything that was at stake, the story is revealed in explicit detail as it happened in hope that others might learn from his experience. The story is now being promoted as a film for tv streaming services. Nothing like this has ever been told before, because nothing like this has ever happened before – quite like this; nor can it ever occur again as our cell phones can’t be wiretapped, and wiretapping, since this case, has been declared illegal altogether.
- GenresNonfiction
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2024
About the author
Vernon Baumrind
1 book66 followersWhat if we were nearing the end of our days and we were in possession of valuable information that could be immensely beneficial to others, if shared; but we chose to simply live out life privately and peacefully, and go quietly without any further controversy – sweeping away forever knowledge that could be advantageous and inspirational to others yet experiencing the worst of life’s trials and tribulations? To the contrary, this author, uncomplicated, unassuming and ordinary, chose to do the right thing by sharing the enlightening details of his personal experience as revealed in this story.
DECEIT v. DECEIT is a true story of a father's determination to protect his children at any cost. It is an inspiring story that resonates as much today as when it occurred nearly 50 years ago, leaving much to be considered and discussed including human behavior, relationships, ethics, law, personal responsibility, and real-life experiences that challenge our understanding of right and wrong. It is a story sure to leave a lasting impression; and it invites the reader to consider what happens when deep-rooted personal conflict becomes a matter of law and how the consequences of one family’s struggle can become so public and reach far beyond the home.
For decades, the author kept the details of this delicate story private, to protect his children and grandchildren in their formative years. With the benefit of time, reflection, and assumed personal responsibility to humanity, he is now disclosing his account of the events, the decisions he faced and the legal controversy that thrust this private family conflict into the public eye.
The author, today, is the father of two adult children and grandfather of four. He resides in Charlotte, North Carolina. In addition to a lengthy business career, he holds a U.S. asphalt recycling patent. His professional experience and personal history reflect diverse sides of a life shaped by logical reasoning, perseverance and a determination to seek truth and justice. These were the attributes that provided him the strength and resilience to withstand the trauma of the crisis reflected in this story without being broken by it, and to emerge in triumph.
DECEIT v. DECEIT is a true story of a father's determination to protect his children at any cost. It is an inspiring story that resonates as much today as when it occurred nearly 50 years ago, leaving much to be considered and discussed including human behavior, relationships, ethics, law, personal responsibility, and real-life experiences that challenge our understanding of right and wrong. It is a story sure to leave a lasting impression; and it invites the reader to consider what happens when deep-rooted personal conflict becomes a matter of law and how the consequences of one family’s struggle can become so public and reach far beyond the home.
For decades, the author kept the details of this delicate story private, to protect his children and grandchildren in their formative years. With the benefit of time, reflection, and assumed personal responsibility to humanity, he is now disclosing his account of the events, the decisions he faced and the legal controversy that thrust this private family conflict into the public eye.
The author, today, is the father of two adult children and grandfather of four. He resides in Charlotte, North Carolina. In addition to a lengthy business career, he holds a U.S. asphalt recycling patent. His professional experience and personal history reflect diverse sides of a life shaped by logical reasoning, perseverance and a determination to seek truth and justice. These were the attributes that provided him the strength and resilience to withstand the trauma of the crisis reflected in this story without being broken by it, and to emerge in triumph.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
December 1, 2023
"I thought, her death would have been more acceptable than the dishonor of this behavior."
Seriously? The above statement tells me more about the husband/author than anything else in this book, it initially caught my eye because of the interesting legal aspects of wiretapping one's own phone to catch a cheating spouse, I should have passed on it. The writing is pretty awful, the husband sounds like a sanctimonious p***k and the wife and the doctor (her lover) are deplorable. I felt like I needed a shower after reading it.
Seriously? The above statement tells me more about the husband/author than anything else in this book, it initially caught my eye because of the interesting legal aspects of wiretapping one's own phone to catch a cheating spouse, I should have passed on it. The writing is pretty awful, the husband sounds like a sanctimonious p***k and the wife and the doctor (her lover) are deplorable. I felt like I needed a shower after reading it.
September 25, 2026
Baumrind's strongest element is the emotional side of the story. Beneath the legal controversy is a father trying to protect his children while dealing with betrayal and the collapse of his marriage. The combination of personal experience, courtroom conflict, and recorded conversations gives the book a distinctive character.
June 28, 2023
I couldn’t put this book down!
Upon reading the first pages, I was hooked! In fact, I read it in a few hours, and stopped a couple times to refer the book to other friends! The author does a really wonderful job of bringing you into his life and understanding the gravity of the situation.
There is so much to be learned from this book! As someone who is two years married, it reinforces the importance of trust, as well as the pain that one can inflict (especially when children are involved ) when a door of infidelity is opened. I think this book is very important for couples to read. Whether or not you are in a rocky marriage or stable marriage, you can learn a lot.
I highly recommend this book !!
Upon reading the first pages, I was hooked! In fact, I read it in a few hours, and stopped a couple times to refer the book to other friends! The author does a really wonderful job of bringing you into his life and understanding the gravity of the situation.
There is so much to be learned from this book! As someone who is two years married, it reinforces the importance of trust, as well as the pain that one can inflict (especially when children are involved ) when a door of infidelity is opened. I think this book is very important for couples to read. Whether or not you are in a rocky marriage or stable marriage, you can learn a lot.
I highly recommend this book !!
March 24, 2024
3.5
Deceit is a very real and raw story of a family torn apart by lying and cheating, and the struggles that follow as a father tries to hold on to the pieces that are left of his family and his heart.
The writing is lovely and captivating in a way that really brings you into the story and feel for this family. There is a fine line between preachy and moralistic. While I understand the deeper undertone of the story and the struggles of infidelity and how it affects a family unit. There is no need to be so on the nose with it toward the end.
The writing and the story speak for itself, and the author does a good job of getting their point across in the work without pointing it out in a sort of summery sort of way.
Deceit is a very real and raw story of a family torn apart by lying and cheating, and the struggles that follow as a father tries to hold on to the pieces that are left of his family and his heart.
The writing is lovely and captivating in a way that really brings you into the story and feel for this family. There is a fine line between preachy and moralistic. While I understand the deeper undertone of the story and the struggles of infidelity and how it affects a family unit. There is no need to be so on the nose with it toward the end.
The writing and the story speak for itself, and the author does a good job of getting their point across in the work without pointing it out in a sort of summery sort of way.
July 26, 2024
WOW!! What a book!! My best read so far. On work travel and finished it in almost three hours. Reading how this father kept himself in check because he was thinking about his kids. Just WOW. Not sure I would have that composure back in 1976 or now. My only issue he didn’t get more money from the Dr.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2026
Deceit v. Deceit: True Story of Intimate Betrayal Every Word Wiretapped Only Time in History is the kind of book that stays with you because its subject matter feels deeply personal while also revealing circumstances that are extraordinarily difficult to imagine. Vernon Baumrind takes the reader into a story built around trust, betrayal, secrecy, and the painful discovery that the person closest to you may not be who you believed them to be.
What immediately stands out is the personal nature of the story. Betrayal is difficult enough when it happens in any relationship, but discovering that someone you trusted has been concealing important truths creates an entirely different emotional experience. The book explores that experience from the inside, allowing the reader to think about what happens when certainty disappears and ordinary conversations, memories, and relationships begin to take on a different meaning.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the book is the element of being wiretapped. That detail adds an extraordinary dimension to the story because communication itself becomes part of the mystery. Words that would normally be private suddenly carry another significance. The idea that conversations could be monitored creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and tension, while also raising difficult questions about privacy, trust, relationships, and how much we really know about the people around us.
I also appreciated the way the story encourages the reader to consider the emotional consequences of deception rather than simply treating betrayal as a dramatic plot device. There is a psychological weight to discovering that reality may be very different from what you thought it was. The reader is naturally led to consider questions such as: What would you do if you discovered that someone you trusted had been hiding a devastating secret? Would you confront the person? Would you remain silent while trying to understand what was happening? Would you walk away? Or would you give the relationship another chance?
Those questions make the book especially interesting for discussion. Different readers are likely to react differently because personal experiences with trust, relationships, and deception can strongly influence how the story is interpreted. For that reason, I can see this being a book that produces very different opinions among readers, with plenty of material for thoughtful conversation.
Another strength is the sense that the author is sharing an experience that carries genuine personal consequences. Rather than reading a conventional fictional mystery where everything has been carefully constructed for entertainment, the reader is confronted with the uncomfortable possibility that real life can produce situations that seem more complicated than fiction. That makes the story particularly compelling.
What immediately stands out is the personal nature of the story. Betrayal is difficult enough when it happens in any relationship, but discovering that someone you trusted has been concealing important truths creates an entirely different emotional experience. The book explores that experience from the inside, allowing the reader to think about what happens when certainty disappears and ordinary conversations, memories, and relationships begin to take on a different meaning.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the book is the element of being wiretapped. That detail adds an extraordinary dimension to the story because communication itself becomes part of the mystery. Words that would normally be private suddenly carry another significance. The idea that conversations could be monitored creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and tension, while also raising difficult questions about privacy, trust, relationships, and how much we really know about the people around us.
I also appreciated the way the story encourages the reader to consider the emotional consequences of deception rather than simply treating betrayal as a dramatic plot device. There is a psychological weight to discovering that reality may be very different from what you thought it was. The reader is naturally led to consider questions such as: What would you do if you discovered that someone you trusted had been hiding a devastating secret? Would you confront the person? Would you remain silent while trying to understand what was happening? Would you walk away? Or would you give the relationship another chance?
Those questions make the book especially interesting for discussion. Different readers are likely to react differently because personal experiences with trust, relationships, and deception can strongly influence how the story is interpreted. For that reason, I can see this being a book that produces very different opinions among readers, with plenty of material for thoughtful conversation.
Another strength is the sense that the author is sharing an experience that carries genuine personal consequences. Rather than reading a conventional fictional mystery where everything has been carefully constructed for entertainment, the reader is confronted with the uncomfortable possibility that real life can produce situations that seem more complicated than fiction. That makes the story particularly compelling.
August 28, 2026
Vernon and Linda had been married for 11 years and had 2 children. Vernon fell in love the moment he saw Linda and still loved her.. He was dedicated to her and their children and attempted to be the best husband and father for his family. Vernon began noticing some changes in Linda and asked her about it. She blind-sighted him by saying she didn’t love him. He began putting some pieces together and discovered she was having an affair with her gynecologist. He thought marital counseling would help but she wasn’t interested. Vernon knew the marriage was over and he wanted sole custody of the children. He needed to take the offensive so he secretly met with a lawyer and had her followed by a PI. Vernon knew he needed better proof and wire tapped the home phone. He discovered that Linda’s lover had manipulated and groomed her with his perverted sex addiction. Trials followed over the divorce and custody.
This book was printed years later in great detail. It was not written to be vindictive but as a warning of what can happen in a stable marriage when someone has the power and intention to influence others and without any remorse.
Thank you Amazon
This book was printed years later in great detail. It was not written to be vindictive but as a warning of what can happen in a stable marriage when someone has the power and intention to influence others and without any remorse.
Thank you Amazon
September 25, 2026
Another strength of the story is the way it demonstrates how quickly a personal crisis can become a legal crisis. A disagreement inside a marriage is one thing. A dispute involving custody, evidence, recorded conversations, lawyers, and courts is something entirely different. Once a private conflict enters a legal system, statements and decisions can acquire consequences that may last for years.
The reader is therefore taken through several different layers of conflict at the same time.
There is the emotional conflict between husband and wife.
There is the question of betrayal and trust.
There is the relationship between parents and children.
There is the question of evidence and documentation.
There is the legal struggle surrounding custody.
And underneath all of these is the author's attempt to understand what happened to the life he thought he had.
That combination gives the book its distinctive character.
The reader is therefore taken through several different layers of conflict at the same time.
There is the emotional conflict between husband and wife.
There is the question of betrayal and trust.
There is the relationship between parents and children.
There is the question of evidence and documentation.
There is the legal struggle surrounding custody.
And underneath all of these is the author's attempt to understand what happened to the life he thought he had.
That combination gives the book its distinctive character.
September 25, 2025
Deceit
I found this story to be a moving story. In this story, we learn how a wife of 11 years and totally loved by her husband, a mother of two small children, can be with her lover, who is her gynecologist and who manipulates her and causes deceit between husband and wife. Vernon, who is Linda's loving husband, finds out about the affair and decides to wiretap their phone and also hires a private investigator and a lawyer to help get enough evidence between Linda and Ewing to be able to get custody of his two small children. This being back in 1978 and 79 is a hard thing to do as the children are usually given to the mother. Can Vernon build a big enough case to win against them. Grab a copy and read to find out if he can and if he does win just how he did it.
I found this story to be a moving story. In this story, we learn how a wife of 11 years and totally loved by her husband, a mother of two small children, can be with her lover, who is her gynecologist and who manipulates her and causes deceit between husband and wife. Vernon, who is Linda's loving husband, finds out about the affair and decides to wiretap their phone and also hires a private investigator and a lawyer to help get enough evidence between Linda and Ewing to be able to get custody of his two small children. This being back in 1978 and 79 is a hard thing to do as the children are usually given to the mother. Can Vernon build a big enough case to win against them. Grab a copy and read to find out if he can and if he does win just how he did it.
August 21, 2026
I came across *Deceit v. Deceit* by Vernon Baumrind through ROC Book Club, and what stood out to me was the central point of the story: how betrayal within a marriage can turn into a painful fight over family, truth, and justice. The wiretapped conversations are a particularly striking part of the book because they bring the conflict to life and show how private words can become crucial in a much larger battle. What stayed with me most was Vernon’s determination to keep fighting for his family despite everything he faced. It’s a powerful true story about betrayal, resilience, and refusing to give up when it matters most.
September 25, 2026
The book also raises questions about how much a person can really know about someone they have lived with. Marriage can create an extraordinary level of familiarity, but it can also create assumptions. We naturally believe that we know the person beside us. When that assumption is shattered, the emotional damage can be greater than the original discovery because the person must reconsider not only the present but also the past.
Memories can suddenly look different.
Conversations can acquire new meanings.
Past decisions can be reconsidered.
Things that once seemed insignificant can suddenly appear important.
That psychological dimension gives the story additional depth.
Memories can suddenly look different.
Conversations can acquire new meanings.
Past decisions can be reconsidered.
Things that once seemed insignificant can suddenly appear important.
That psychological dimension gives the story additional depth.
April 13, 2026
If I had to complain about anything, it would be that I wasn’t fully prepared for how much this book would pull me in. I expected something straightforward, but it turned out to be a lot more layered than I thought. There were moments where I had to go back and reread certain parts just to make sure I caught everything, which slowed me down a bit. At the same time, that level of detail is what gives the story its depth. It’s not a casual, forgettable read, it’s the kind that makes you pay attention, and in the end, that’s exactly why it stands out.
August 19, 2026
I read Deceit v. Deceit by Vernon Baumrind as part of ROC Book Club, and I found it to be an unusually intense true-life story. What stayed with me most was the author's determination to protect his children while facing betrayal, legal complications, and enormous personal pressure. The wiretapped conversations add an extraordinary dimension to the story and make the historical circumstances particularly fascinating. This book gave me a lot to think about regarding family, trust, perseverance, and the lengths someone may go to protect the people they love.
October 31, 2025
This was a really interesting book about a couple that was divorcing in the 1970s. It was complicated and ugly, as many divorces can be. From what I got from it, the wife was not a good person at all. Neither was the doctor she was involved with. The husband, who only cared about his children and their welfare. The custody battle was ugly. The book is very emotional and hard to put down. It was very interesting and intense. I do recommend it.
June 25, 2026
I actually came across this book while browsing Goodreads' Interesting and Readable Nonfiction list. The title caught my attention, and after seeing how many readers recommended it, I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did. The author takes a fascinating subject and makes it incredibly engaging. I found myself highlighting passages and sharing interesting facts with friends. This is exactly the kind of nonfiction I enjoy, informative, accessible, and thought-provoking.
June 25, 2026
I discovered this book through a Goodreads nonfiction recommendation list and added it to my TBR without knowing much about it. It turned out to be one of the best surprises I've had this year. The writing is clear and engaging, and the author does a great job of making complex ideas easy to understand. I learned a lot and never felt bored. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys nonfiction that reads smoothly.
September 25, 2026
What makes the book particularly compelling is that the story is not presented simply as a marriage falling apart. Baumrind takes the reader into the emotional and legal consequences that followed, including the discovery of his wife's affair, the custody struggle, the recorded conversations, and the difficult decisions he faced along the way. The wiretapped conversations give the narrative an unusual documentary quality and make the events feel immediate and unsettling.
September 25, 2026
Deceit v. Deceit: True Story of Intimate Betrayal Every Word Wiretapped Only Time in History by Vernon Baumrind is the kind of book that is difficult to approach as simply another relationship story. Beneath the title is a deeply personal account of betrayal, marriage, family, children, custody, deception, recorded conversations, and a prolonged struggle to make sense of events that changed the author's life.
February 13, 2025
Wow...I have so many thoughts about this book. First, I have to applaud this father for what he had to do to save his children. It may have seemed creepy or illegal but he was willing to sacrifice to save them from his wife. Today, cell phone records would have been brought to court with no question. I would LOVE to know how the marriage of Linda and Dr. Ewing is doing. So creepy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2025
A broken marriage
This is a true story that happened in the late 1970s. Vern and his wife Linda were having marriage troubles. Instead of trying to fixer marriage, Linda starter that extra marital affair with or gynecologist. The story covers all the feelings Vernon had and what he did to expose his wife. I found a very interesting book, and I recommend it to all readers.
This is a true story that happened in the late 1970s. Vern and his wife Linda were having marriage troubles. Instead of trying to fixer marriage, Linda starter that extra marital affair with or gynecologist. The story covers all the feelings Vernon had and what he did to expose his wife. I found a very interesting book, and I recommend it to all readers.
November 6, 2025
I remember hearing of this case back in the '80's and was glad to read the true account of the case straight from the mouth of the husband. He was desperate to save his children from the mother, his wife. The recordings were essential to his case. Well written, shocking, sex, mental trauma, deceit all in one great, honest book. At times , disturbing, sad and all necessary to the book.
April 13, 2026
I picked this up randomly without knowing much about it, and it ended up surprising me. I kept thinking about it even when I wasn’t reading, especially certain scenes that just stayed in my head. It’s not overly dramatic or flashy, but there’s a steady tension running through it that keeps you engaged the whole time.
April 14, 2026
This book is absolutely chilling. Deceit v. Deceit: True Story of Intimate Betrayal Every Word Wiretapped Only Time in History reads like a thriller, but knowing it’s real makes it even more disturbing. Every chapter builds tension, and the wiretapped dialogue makes you feel like you’re uncovering secrets you weren’t meant to hear. Powerful and haunting.
April 15, 2026
I couldn’t put Deceit v. Deceit down! From the first chapter, I was completely hooked. Every time I thought I had figured things out, the story surprised me with another twist. The characters felt so real, and their secrets kept me guessing until the very end. If you love suspense and mind games, this book is definitely worth reading.
April 15, 2026
Honestly, this book surprised me in the best way. I picked up Deceit v. Deceit expecting a simple thriller, but it turned out to be so much deeper. The twists were crazy (in a good way), and I kept changing my mind about every character. I even went back to reread some parts because I couldn’t believe what happened!
April 15, 2026
Deceit v. Deceit is a rollercoaster of tension and deception. Every chapter pulls you deeper into a world where nothing is as it seems. The pacing is perfect, and the suspense builds in a way that keeps your heart racing. Just when you think you’ve reached the truth, everything shifts. Absolutely thrilling from start to finish.
April 16, 2026
I’d give this one 4 stars. The story is clever and has a lot of depth, especially when it comes to the characters and their motivations. I appreciated how nothing felt completely black and white. Some twists didn’t hit as hard as I expected, but overall it was still an enjoyable and thought-provoking read.
April 16, 2026
I went into this not knowing what to expect, but it completely pulled me in. The fact that this is a true story with actual wiretapped conversations makes it feel so raw and authentic. You can really sense the emotional tension and betrayal as it unfolds. It’s not just dramatic, it feels real in a way most books don’t. I found myself thinking about it even after I finished.
April 17, 2026
This was a good read! DECEIT v. DECEIT kept me guessing more than I expected. I liked how messy and real the characters were, no one was perfect, which made it more interesting. Some sections dragged a little for me, but the twists made up for it. Definitely worth picking up if you like drama and suspense.
April 17, 2026
I’d give DECEIT v. DECEIT a solid 4 stars. The concept is really interesting, and the execution mostly delivers. There are some strong twists and emotional moments that land well. At times, I felt the story could’ve moved a bit faster, but overall it was engaging and worth the read. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories about betrayal and hidden truths.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews