Deceit v. Deceit: True Story of Intimate Betrayal Every Word Wiretapped Only Time in History

by Vernon Baumrind

DECEIT v. DECEIT: True Story of Intimate Betrayal—Every Word Wiretapped. Only Time in History
By Vernon Baumrind.

Now being cast in a film for tv streaming services, appearing nationwide in major news outlets and featured on ABC’s 20/20 in 1985, this is an extraordinary true story of one man’s battle to counter the most trying and calamitous storm of his life; a raging battle that challenged and impacted every faculty and fiber of his being - his wife’s infatuation, intimate betrayal and combative alignment with her gynecologist. On the surface, this doctor was a respected community physician; but underneath that facade was a sex addicted, manipulative predator with no boundaries and no conscience. This father's greatest fear was in this man becoming the full-time father of his two very young and impressionable children. He was the better parent and was desperate to protect them, in days when fathers had to fight a rigged system that heavily favored mothers.

Recognizing his new reality, he made a critical choice: to keep silent, to maintain his composure. He couldn’t reveal what he knew, lest he give himself away and any advantage he might obtain. He didn’t explode. He didn’t confront. He knew what mattered most - his children – and they were at stake. He kept his emotions under control and his most basic natural impulses in check, while gathering evidence and devising a plan of action - all paramount to the battle for custody that lay ahead. A monumental effort was required; almost impossible to achieve. It was late 1978. There were no smartphones, no digital trails. He wiretapped his home landline. Verbatim conversations contained salacious, scintillating and scandalous details, and worse - a conspiracy to remove him from his home and to separate him from his children, who he loved more than anything in this world. What followed was something out of a legal thriller; every incident, every detail, every word true. The case became a legal precedent of suits and countersuits, a federal indictment for wiretapping, and a sensational courtroom drama that reached the U.S. Supreme Court. This was a battle between evil and good, dishonorable and honorable and between immorality and morality. It was an unmitigated display of offensive destructive "deceit" countered by an opposite form of justifiable "deceit" that was defensive, constructive and commendable.

236 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 22, 2024

About the author

Vernon Baumrind is a successful businessman in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the father of two adult children and grandfather of four. At 81 years of age, he holds a patent for a unique asphalt recycling technology and owns the copyright to this story.

Reviews

[Toi Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Shamika R. Shipman · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only real complaint about this book is that it completely messed up my schedule. I kept telling myself ‘just one more chapter,’ and that turned into finishing way more of it in one sitting than I planned. The pacing kind of sneaks up on you, it doesn’t feel rushed, but somehow you’re always curious enough to keep going. I also wish a few parts had slowed down just a little more because I wanted to sit with certain moments longer, especially when things started to come together. That said, it’s exactly that tension and unpredictability that made it so hard to put down. Definitely one of those reads that stays in your head afterward.”

[Speed Kene · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Bonnie Kernene · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Sol K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Nenita A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Michael Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[karin whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Francis K. Gouge · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Nicholas Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deceit v. Deceit: True Story of Intimate Betrayal Every Word Wiretapped Only Time in History is one of the most gripping and unsettling true stories I’ve read in a long time. What makes this book stand out is not just the shocking level of betrayal at its core, but the fact that every detail feels raw, real, and almost invasive in the best way possible for true crime.

[Linda Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jacqueline F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to get so hooked, but Deceit v. Deceit: True Story of Intimate Betrayal Every Word Wiretapped Only Time in History surprised me. It’s easy to read, super engaging, and honestly hard to put down. The real life recordings make it feel almost like a documentary in book form. Definitely recommend if you like true stories with a lot of drama.

[Elizabeth Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

What makes Deceit v. Deceit: True Story of Intimate Betrayal Every Word Wiretapped Only Time in History so special is its concept. Having every word wiretapped is something you almost never see in a book like this. It adds credibility and tension at the same time. A truly one of a kind reading experience.

[Charlotte Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Mason Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Noah Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Amira Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good read overall. Deceit v. Deceit does a great job building suspense and keeping things intriguing. I liked the concept a lot, and the writing style made it easy to stay engaged. There were a couple of sections where the pacing slowed down a bit, but the ending made up for it. Definitely worth picking up if you enjoy mystery with a psychological edge.

[Alicia P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Theresa G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deceit v. Deceit kept me hooked for most of the book. I really liked the tension and the way the author slowly revealed information. It wasn’t perfect—there were a few moments where I wished things moved a bit faster, but the overall story and concept were strong. I’d definitely read more from this author.

[Ashton Freya · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Sarah M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finishing this book, I just sat there for a while thinking about it. It’s not just the story itself, but how it’s presented. Knowing that the words are real gives it a completely different weight.
Some parts were hard to read, not because they were confusing, but because they felt too real. It really shows how complicated people and relationships can be.

[Rivka Huang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed DECEIT v. DECEIT. It’s one of those stories where you’re constantly trying to figure out who’s telling the truth, and just when you think you’ve got it, something shifts. The characters felt believable, even when they made questionable choices. My only reason for not giving it 5 stars is that a few parts felt a bit slow, but overall it was a solid and engaging read.

[Leilany Vargas · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Daisy Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Austen Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gripping from beginning to end. I started reading late at night and finished before sunrise. The emotional tension and real-life deception kept me hooked. It reads like a crime thriller, but knowing it actually happened makes it even more powerful. I already told my brother to grab a copy on your amazon before the end of this month because this book is going to get people talking.

[Patricia H. Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually don’t write reviews, but this book deserves it. The emotional pain, secrets, and manipulation are portrayed so vividly that I felt connected to every moment. It’s rare to find a true story this captivating. If you enjoy real-life psychological drama, buy this before the end of the month—you won’t regret it.

[Daniel W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intense and unforgettable read. The fact that these events were documented through wiretaps gives the book a chilling realism. It felt like watching a real investigation unfold in front of me. I bought it on a recommendation and now I’m telling others to pick it up before the month ends because it’s worth every page.

[Charli Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

This book was so informative! I was so engaged and intrigued by this book. I could hardly wait to turn the page. It was so entertaining that I purchased a copy for a friend, too!

[patricia hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Against all odds

Great story about a dad that does everything he can to protect his family a true story from the 70's about a father who is having a hard time with the custody of his children. This book will have you feeling sad, mad and happy all in one book.