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DECEIT v. DECEIT: TRUE STORY OF INTIMATE BETRAYAL EVERY WORD WIRETAPPED ONLY TIME IN HISTORY
DECEIT v. True Story of Intimate Betrayal — Every Word Wiretapped. Only Time in History.
By Vernon Baumrind
Step into one of the most scandalous chapters in true crime history—a gripping saga of deceptions, espionage, and intimate betrayal, where every word was wiretapped, and the fallout was monumental.
In DECEIT v. DECEIT, Vernon Baumrind pulls readers into a real-life courtroom drama that defies belief. This extraordinary narrative chronicles the unraveling of a marriage in the late 1970s, exposing the devastating impact of infidelity through the rare and unprecedented lens of secretly recorded conversations—captured before the age of cell phones and digital surveillance. These authentic wiretaps, nearly impossible to replicate today, reveal the raw and unfiltered dialogue of the key players as the scandal unfolded.
What began as one man’s desperate attempt to protect his family spiraled into a high-stakes legal showdown, testing the boundaries of federal wiretapping laws. The case drew national attention and ultimately became the subject of an ABC 20/20 segment in 1985. For decades, the recordings were sealed by a family court judge to shield the children involved—until now.
This book stands at the crossroads of true crime, memoirs, and biographies, offering a rare inside look at a man’s private world as it collided with the public eye. It’s not only a tale of betrayal and espionage but also one of resilience, integrity, and the relentless pursuit of justice against impossible odds. Baumrind revisits this harrowing ordeal decades later, providing new insights and answering lingering questions from the original publication.
DECEIT v. DECEIT is a must-read for anyone fascinated by true crime history, real-life legal drama, and the complex dynamics of human relationships. This story will leave you questioning the thin line between right and wrong—and whether the ends can ever justify the means.
By Vernon Baumrind
Step into one of the most scandalous chapters in true crime history—a gripping saga of deceptions, espionage, and intimate betrayal, where every word was wiretapped, and the fallout was monumental.
In DECEIT v. DECEIT, Vernon Baumrind pulls readers into a real-life courtroom drama that defies belief. This extraordinary narrative chronicles the unraveling of a marriage in the late 1970s, exposing the devastating impact of infidelity through the rare and unprecedented lens of secretly recorded conversations—captured before the age of cell phones and digital surveillance. These authentic wiretaps, nearly impossible to replicate today, reveal the raw and unfiltered dialogue of the key players as the scandal unfolded.
What began as one man’s desperate attempt to protect his family spiraled into a high-stakes legal showdown, testing the boundaries of federal wiretapping laws. The case drew national attention and ultimately became the subject of an ABC 20/20 segment in 1985. For decades, the recordings were sealed by a family court judge to shield the children involved—until now.
This book stands at the crossroads of true crime, memoirs, and biographies, offering a rare inside look at a man’s private world as it collided with the public eye. It’s not only a tale of betrayal and espionage but also one of resilience, integrity, and the relentless pursuit of justice against impossible odds. Baumrind revisits this harrowing ordeal decades later, providing new insights and answering lingering questions from the original publication.
DECEIT v. DECEIT is a must-read for anyone fascinated by true crime history, real-life legal drama, and the complex dynamics of human relationships. This story will leave you questioning the thin line between right and wrong—and whether the ends can ever justify the means.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2024
38 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
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.
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.
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.
July 26, 2025
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!
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!
July 27, 2025
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.
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.
August 17, 2025
This was a really great read! It was a true story about a man that went through a divorce and how it happened and what he did!
Love this book! First Tim author for me!
Thank you to Vernon and may your life be what makes you happy!
Love this book! First Tim author for me!
Thank you to Vernon and may your life be what makes you happy!
October 26, 2025
Heartfelt Family Drama
Vernon Baumrind tells the true and painful story of his wife's deception and the ensuing court battles he pursued in order to protect his children. An in depth tale that is both heart break and heart warming. A really great read.
Vernon Baumrind tells the true and painful story of his wife's deception and the ensuing court battles he pursued in order to protect his children. An in depth tale that is both heart break and heart warming. A really great read.
December 19, 2025
While well written, the story is difficult to read, as you are witness to a marriage imploding. You feel the author’s grief, denial, anger, resignation, and determination as the experience plays out. In order to gain full custody of his children and give them the stability they deserve, the author takes desperate measures to document every incidence of adultery and unfaithfulness as his wife becomes ensconced in an illicit affair, apparently with no regard for her marriage and children. Using wiretaps which ordinarily would be illegal, the author uses a loophole in the law to allow the recordings as evidence.
A good story, somewhat slow in spots, but the author’s emotions are palpable throughout.
A good story, somewhat slow in spots, but the author’s emotions are palpable throughout.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews