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Blizzard of Lies: Karen Read, John O'Keefe, and the Shocking Unsolved Murder in Cop Town, USA

In January 2022, a Boston police officer turned up dead in the snow, seemingly a victim of a simple hit-and-run.

But Officer John O’Keefe’s death kicked off a scandalous whodunit that invited federal scrutiny and triggered nationwide outrage.

The explosive story of O’Keefe’s death, and the subsequent accusation and trial of his girlfriend Karen Read, ignited one of the most high-profile true crime mysteries in decades. The apparently open-and-shut manslaughter case quickly devolved into a chaotic mixture of lies, institutional corruption, and police cover-ups that threw the Massachusetts law enforcement scene into turmoil.

And Read’s 2025 acquittal left O’Keefe’s death an unresolved mystery, with more questions than answers.

With dramatic twists including a rogue journalist, a mistrial, and polarizing public protests—along with revelations that called several other murder cases into question—Blizzard of Lies is a Boston-area veteran reporter’s detailed and immersive account of one of the most controversial crime stories of his career.

Featuring interviews with people on both sides of the case, including law enforcement, Read and her legal team, and the O’Keefe family, investigative journalist Dave Wedge shares inside stories and new details
John O’Keefe’s turbulent relationship with Karen Read Evidence excluded from the courtroom Additional cases now in jeopardy because of misconduct uncovered during Read’s trial Heroic acts from O’Keefe’s policing career The O'Keefe family’s civil suit and ongoing pursuit of the truth

The definitive narrative of a controversial, headline-grabbing tragedy, Blizzard of Lies dispels the myths and misinformation around John O’Keefe’s death to chronicle a vivid account of a complex case and the lasting emotional toll on all involved.

296 pages, Hardcover

First published July 28, 2026

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Dave Wedge

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
Profile Image for Lindsay Nixon.
Author 23 books802 followers
July 22, 2026
This is so unbelievably boring, which is quite a feat considering how interesting this case is. This guy is trying to cash in on Karen’s life and does it while trying to paint her in a very unfair light. Perhaps it’s just the narrator but the way he reads Karen’s voice is offensive and inaccurate. Not sure why they couldn’t just play the audio or spring for a female narrator.

The first 12 chapters (or more) are as exciting as reading people’s CVs.

Eventually we get to the evidence/trial but it was still somehow boring with lots of complaints about all the YouTubers who covered the trial 🙄

If you’re curious about this case I would look up a podcast or the Emily show instead.
Profile Image for chloereadsallday.
315 reviews53 followers
August 5, 2026
Blizzard of Lies: Karen Read, John O'Keefe, and the Shocking Unsolved Murder in Cop Town, USA by Dave Wedge left a lot to be wished for. This book focused on extremely unimportant information for a large majority of the time. I don't think that many chapters of professional backgrounds is needed at all. I think it barely focused on the victim. The book just does not read well at all. Lack of useful information overall. And if there isn't enough information out yet from the case, then it is most likely too early to write and publish a book like this.

Thank you BenBella Books for providing this this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Erin .
1,761 reviews1,538 followers
September 27, 2026
"Karen Read has become a folk hero to many. A symbol of a broken justice system that too often lead to wrongful convictions."

"I hit him. I hit him. I hit him"

I was obsessed with this case. I watched both trials (shout out to Emily D Baker) and I would tell everyone around me about all the crazy developments in the case. It was the perfect case for our current times. The author of this book has been covering this case since day one and started working on this book in 2022.

In January of 2022 right before a blizzard that would eventually drop 18 inches snow, a group of "friends" went out drinking. Several people in this group were cops including our victim John O'Keefe. John's girlfriend Karen Read also went with them that night. Read a professor at Bentley University and financial analyst at Fidelity Investments, who drove a Lexus and lived in a $800,000 house. Would later be accused of killing him with her car.

She was after 2 trials acquitted of everything but Driving Under the Influence (its the most expensive DUI conviction in Massachusetts history), but this case quickly stopped being about the death of cop and instead it uncovered decades of corruption in law enforcement. This case destroyed dozens of careers and reputations, divided communities and led to calls for reforms in law enforcement. Many witnesses gave vague or misleading testimony leading to more suspicion. We had evidence being stored in Stop & Shop bags and red Solo cups.

I mean if the cops will frame a rich white lady, nobody is safe.

This book didn't even cover half of the craziness that took place in this case. The author doesn't say it but I think he thinks Karen hit and killed John. All these people involved seem to be not only liars but also alcoholics.

John O'Keefe may never get justice but hopefully lots of wrongfully convicted Black people in Massachusetts get theirs.

Google Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor(hes a real piece of shit). Another case I hope gets the justice they deserve is 23 year old Sandra Birchmore. She was pregnant when she was murdered in 2021. It was first ruled a suicide but after the Read case uncovered all the corruption, the case was found to be murder. She was groomed and raped by a Stoughton cop Matthew Farwell from the age of 15. He passed her around to his friends who were other cops and he killed her once she threatened to tell. He was finally arrested in 2024.

The Karen Read case was a wild ride. If someone wrote this as fiction it would be called far-fetched. This book is a nice little starter for the case but you really need to watch trial clips to get the full story.

I still recommend this book even if it didn't dig deep enough for me.

Justice 4 all the victims of the Boston police, Canton police and Massachusetts State police.
Profile Image for Stephfafahh.
463 reviews9 followers
July 23, 2026
An ARC of this book was provided by Brilliance Publishing on the NetGalley platform in exchange for an honest review.

I closely followed the case as it unfolded and played out in the media.

The author did very little to centre John and provide an unbiased recount, despite promising “a definitive narrative”.

Only to do some simple research to find out to how the author is closely tied to the families in question. Regrettable? Can’t recall?

No new information or insight was provided - just jealousy about the attention bloggers and YouTubers received after covering the case.

If you’d like a much more in-depth recount, please consider Rotten Mango’s coverage of the case and subsequent legal proceedings.
Profile Image for Julie Maleski (juliereads_alot).
584 reviews90 followers
August 4, 2026
Thank you @benbellabooks for the early finished copy of this book...this is my honest review.

📖 Blizzard of Lies: Karen Read, John O'Keefe, and the Shocking Unsolved Murder in Cop Town, USA 📖
Author: Dave Wedge
Pub Date: July 28, 2026

MY RATING: 4/5⭐

As a fan of all things true crime, I followed everything about the death of John O'Keefe and the subsequent criminal trials of his girlfriend, Karen Read, who was accused of intentionally running into O'Keefe with her car after a night of drinking and leaving him injured and dying in the snow during a blizzard.

Blizzard of Lies from Dave Wedge is the first major book released about this case that I know of, so when BenBella Books reached out and offered to send me an early finished copy, I was THRILLED! I read this book the day it arrived in my mailbox -- but it's taken me some time to process my thoughts. And I had a lot to say, so my review continues in the next caption. 🤷

I thought the book was well-written, with detailed information providing background and context to so many layers of the case and so many peripheral players about which the average person might not be aware. Overall, it was a fast read for me and I devoured it in an afternoon.

Based on the synopsis, I expected a comprehensive investigative deep-dive about this case. I am among those who believe justice was served when Read was acquitted of O'Keefe's murder because JOHN O'KEEFE WAS NOT HIT BY A CAR. Period. I believe O'Keefe was the victim of a crime perpetrated by someone else (or multiple someones) on the night he died.

However, in my opinion, this book seemed to slant toward believing Read was guilty and that her defense team used shady tactics to get her acquittal. It's kinda hard to argue otherwise when, on page 199, Wedge wrote that Read was a "media-driven femme fatale," comparing her to Pamela Smart and Amanda Knox.

On page 170, Wedge referenced the "FKR minions." (FKR=Free Karen Read) Maybe just call them Karen Read "Supporters?" I thought there were also a lot of negative connotations about Read's defense team, and occasions when some of the phrasing written to depict happenings or evidence in the trial was somewhat misleading. 

I know Wedge wanted to ensure O'Keefe wasn't lost in all of this. O'Keefe's death was a terrible tragedy -- I don't want him to be forgotten in all of this either. I was actually stunned to learn about the harassment and vitriol that's been spewed at the O'Keefe family & friends -- it's horrific and I don't support that in ANY way. 

However, I think it's entirely possible to believe Karen Read was innocent AND still support the O'Keefe family. I want justice for John O'Keefe. I want his family to be able to grieve his death and move forward knowing what really happened to him that night in January 2022. And I also don't want anyone in this country to experience the treatment Karen Read did at the hands of law enforcement and our courts. I want to believe police officers and court staff are ethical and doing the right things in their roles. 

I hoped this true crime read would fairly present both sides of the story in an unbiased manner. And while I thought it was incredibly thorough and well-written, I personally didn't enjoy what felt like intentional digs at Karen Read and her defense team. I think the book could have provided all of the comprehensive information it did -- but without that slant. And if it had done that, it would have been a five-star read for me. Maybe it was just my interpretation of what was written, so form your own opinion! If you're into recent true crime cases, grab your copy of Blizzard of Lies, read it, and let me know what you think!
Profile Image for Kady.
735 reviews2 followers
July 28, 2026
I followed the trial live so nothing really new here. I do appreciate learning more about John, but you can feel the bias against Karen throughout the entire book.
Profile Image for Bridget.
1,000 reviews24 followers
July 31, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook!

Like every Massachusetts native, the Karen Read case completely sucked me in a few years ago. I followed this case closely and was shocked over and over again as details emerged in the trial. I think Blizzard of Lies is a great introduction to the entire case. It gives a good overview and I did learn a lot more about Karen and John's past before they met. However, if you closely followed the case, this book doesn't bring a lot else new to the table, so be aware of that going in. I also felt like it juuuust started to scratch the surface of each shady thing the party goers, investigators, and judicial staff did, but then didn't actually get into it. It felt like passing mentions of sordid histories, destroyed phones, and sallyport mayhem, but then we were onto the next topic. Truthfully, I was hoping this book would really dig into the shocking things uncovered in the trial, but unfortunately it didn't. Still, it was a good start to the trial for people outside of Massachusetts who may not have closely followed it.
Profile Image for Renata.
3,062 reviews452 followers
September 29, 2026
bleh. I'm not normally much of a true crime person, but living in the Boston area I couldn't help but get a little interested in the Karen Read story. Unfortunately I think I got all I needed from reading the Vanity Fair article a few months ago + general internet stuff. This book was way too invested in making John O'Keefe sound like a hero cop and not enough into the interesting/bonkers details of the case. booooo
Profile Image for Davi Kladakis.
1,119 reviews8 followers
Read
July 25, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the audio ARC of this book. I was glued to the case from the very beginning, so I couldn't wait to read it. This is the full case from before the arrest. 4 stars.
Profile Image for Britt Lee.
9 reviews1 follower
August 11, 2026
Journalistic style makes for a quick read of a complicated story told with compassion for the deceased.
Profile Image for Ruth L. .
310 reviews
August 29, 2026
If you are reading this book, you know a lot about the case. This was an overview and some extra details about everyone involved.
Profile Image for Greg Salazar.
223 reviews
September 16, 2026
Good book about an interesting case, not sure if she’s guilty or not. However, it’s scary to see how conspiracy theories and social media are impacting the legal environment
244 reviews4 followers
October 1, 2026
good summary of the case. Didn't offer his own theory of what happened. State seems to have botched the case.
Profile Image for Karen.
1,201 reviews130 followers
August 29, 2026
BLIZZARD OF LIES: KAREN READ, JOHN O'KEEFE, AND THE SHOCKING UNSOLVED MURDER IN COP TOWN, USA
BY: DAVE WEDGE

The things that I liked about the Non-Fiction True Crime Book:

I liked all of the background details since I'm familiar with the locations and how it describes the various locations of historic details like learning where the Anchor was made for the USS CONSTITUTION retired ship that is still visible in Boston Harbor. I have been there starting out as early as a small child on class field trips.

I liked how the author tells of the KIND of dedicated, and true blue cop John O'Keefe was. He was one of the first police officers to arrive at the scene to the bombing at the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings. John was courageous and an exemplary Boston Police Officer who received many commendations for his outstanding performance.

I liked how the author gives traces John's family tree and heritage and how he volunteered to take over parenting responsibilities for his niece and nephew when his Sister died of cancer and her husband died shortly after from grief over losing his Wife. He literally had a heart ATTACK while visiting her gravesite that was fatal.

I like that this author wrote the first definitive book on the John O' Keefe and Karen Read case. I like that he honored the victim who was given more content at least up to the fifty percent mark. May the O'Keefe family find healing from losing two of their Children. (John's Parents).

I am not a fan of this book as it had a very dry writing style that didn't follow a linear narrative that jumped around a lot with too much filler on the other hand details that didn't need to be included. I didn't follow the case and I'm a very competent experienced reader, and I expected it to stay with the main reason that I chose to read it didn't really need all of the extra details. I think this could have been told in a more succinct way that hooked my attention which I was really looking forward to reading this book. I was disappointed with the way the focus didn't stick to the case and it just was not a fan of this authors presentation. It contradicts what I said above but that was interesting, but there was too much background details. My expectations were to find more focus on both John O'Keefe and Karen Read which the most significant qualms I had was that it was slanted towards John which I understand why that is because he died, but from very early on it painted Karen Read in a very negative light. I was hoping for a non biased even balanced account so the reader can make up their own minds and interpretations. I wish many heartfelt condolences to both the O'Keefe family and Karen Read to be not already so early on to be painted in a negative light. I really thought that I would like this a lot more than I did. I think the author did meticulous research so I credit him for that. After all the crime does still remain unsolved. I do like background material but this was too detailed in things about the different cities that had the focus remained more on John and Karen with more details about them than on things like where John and Abigail Adams resided which I already knew. There were too many details like that that took away from the case. The fault could lie with me so please read other reviews before making your decision on whether or not to pick this to read

Publication Date: July 28, 2026 Available Now!

Thank you to Net Galley, Dave Wege and, BenBella Books for providing me with my Arc in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are entirely my own, as always.

#BlizzardofLies #DaveWege #BenBellaBooks #NetGalley
243 reviews3 followers
August 30, 2026
I watched the entire second trial of Karen Read so I was very excited to read this book and learn some extra juicy tidbits that I wouldn’t have known by just by watching the trial. I did get a few lovely insights like John’s brother Paul was arrested for causing an accident while he was drunk driving and that John and Karen’s relationship was even more toxic and twisted than I originally thought. However, the biggest tidbit I got was that EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE involved in what happened to John O’Keefe was a sloppy DRUNK! The amount of alcohol involved directly or indirectly is not only shocking, but disgraceful including both Karen and John and every single, corrupt Boston cop/federal agent and the like. To think these people are in power with guns, drove drunk with not a single thought to risking other people’s lives on the road is nothing short of DESPICABLE. Honestly, I’ve never seen so many unlikable, insufferable, deplorable people together in one place or in one book. It was very clear from the start, that this was an opinion piece in favor of John O’Keefe. I was hoping for objectivity, but there was none of that in this book. It was a fast read because I found A LOT of what I read extremely boring or extremely biased or extreme misogynistic and I wound up skipping full chapters. I really wasn’t interested to read about the back histories of Karen and John’s hometowns or the never ending backgrounds of people I didn’t care about or this author’s personal vendetta against Turtleboy. It went on and on and on……page, after page, after page……I didn’t find this well written at all. I found the writing to be clunky and hokey. Also, there were several examples of inaccurate information. Here’s one glaring example: (p. 93. “Colin Albert texted his longtime friend Allie McCabe, Jen’s daughter.” They are COUSINS, NOT FRIENDS! His mother Nicole and Allie’s mom Jen are SISTERS!!!!) This one shameful mistake says all that needs to be said about this book. (Did AI do the fact checking???) I did though take one thing from this book: This author just solidified for me the fact that the right and just verdict was rendered without a doubt. Thanks for that. I can only hope that the guilty parties are one day brought to justice, however unlikely, and that the O’Keefe family will somehow be able to find a level of peace and leave Karen Read alone so she can do the same.
Profile Image for Read_with_Beans.
226 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 25, 2026
4.5/5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing Audio for an ALC of Blizzard of Lies
Karen Read, John O'Keefe, and the Shocking Unsolved Murder in Cop Town, USA by Dave Wedge and narrated by Chris Ciulla.

I admit that I was one of the millions of Americans who was fascinated by this case. The fact that there were so many things that simply didn’t add up evidence-wise made the story even more fascinating.

I thought this audiobook was perfectly narrated and produced. The quality of sound and the clarity made the listening experience enjoyable. I thought the narrator did a decent job of trying to match the Boston accent of the “characters” within the story he was quoting. I say decent because I am not a true Bostonian and can only speak to the accuracy as someone having not lived there. While this story is non-fiction, the case writes itself, but the narrator added to the salaciousness of elements of the story/trial by the change in tone of his voice and enunciation. I found the listening experience extremely entertaining and would recommend this narrator for future works.

The story itself was well done, and I appreciated that the author added information about other cases in the Boston area, which led to a better understanding of the characters in the story. This added background information about prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and the criminal justice system of the area. I found this added to the understanding of the story. I also liked how the author spoke about the media circus and all the things that may or may not have affected the trial, the victim’s family, and others. As much as I followed this case, I was unaware of a large portion of this information. I do feel that the author, at least appeared, to be biased toward believing Karen Read was guilty. He didn’t out and out state it, but I felt the portrayal of some information skewed that way. Overall, I found the entire story very entertaining and would recommend it to fans of true crime.
Profile Image for Chrystal Mahan.
Author 7 books25 followers
August 8, 2026
Better than any of the TV documentaries!

If you followed the Karen Read and John O’Keefe case and thought you knew the story, Blizzard of Lies may still surprise you. Dave Wedge provides a detailed, immersive look at one of the most controversial true-crime cases in recent years, and I found the book far more satisfying than trying to piece everything together through the endless television coverage and documentaries.

What makes this case so fascinating is that it is anything but straightforward. John O’Keefe’s death initially appeared to be a simple hit-and-run, but the investigation quickly spiraled into questions about evidence, police conduct, conflicting accounts, institutional relationships, and what actually happened that night. Following the case through the book made it easier to understand just how complicated everything became.

I appreciated that Wedge included perspectives from multiple sides of the case, including law enforcement, Karen Read and her legal team, and members of the O’Keefe family. That helped provide a broader picture rather than simply rehashing the headlines. The discussion of evidence that was excluded from court and the questions surrounding other cases potentially affected by misconduct were particularly interesting.

The audiobook narration by Chris Ciulla kept the story moving and worked well for such a detailed account. There is a lot of information to absorb, but the storytelling kept me engaged.

What I liked most is that the book doesn't leave you feeling like everything has been neatly wrapped up. With John O’Keefe's death still unresolved, there are plenty of questions left hanging, and that's part of what makes this case so compelling.

If you've followed the Karen Read case, this is definitely worth adding to your true-crime reading list. Even if you've watched the documentaries, Blizzard of Lies offers a much deeper dive into the case and the controversy surrounding it.

4 stars for a fascinating, detailed, and frustrating look at a case that still leaves far more questions than answers.
Profile Image for Jazisunray Skillern.
354 reviews6 followers
July 30, 2026
"Blizzard of Lies" delivers a riveting, blow-by-blow account of the sensational case that gripped the nation: the mysterious death of John O’Keefe and the explosive trial of his girlfriend, Karen Read. What begins as a seemingly straightforward manslaughter investigation quickly spirals into a labyrinth of deceit, institutional corruption, and jaw-dropping police cover-ups, leaving the Massachusetts justice system reeling.

The book masterfully captures the dizzying chaos that followed O’Keefe’s death, chronicling the twists and turns that made this case the true crime story of the decade. From the relentless and sometimes reckless pursuit of the truth by a rogue journalist, to the dramatic mistrial and the fever-pitch of public protests, every page pulses with urgency and intrigue. The author, a seasoned Boston-area reporter, brings both a sharp investigative eye and a deep sense of empathy to the narrative, guiding readers through a maze of conflicting evidence, shadowy motives, and institutional failures.

Read’s stunning 2025 acquittal leaves the mystery of O’Keefe’s death frustratingly unresolved, but it’s the cascade of revelations that follow—implicating other murder cases and exposing cracks in the foundation of local law enforcement—that elevate "Blizzard of Lies" beyond a single case. The book is both a gripping true crime chronicle and a sobering meditation on justice, power, and the perilous consequences of unchecked authority.

Immersive, meticulously researched, and impossible to put down, "Blizzard of Lies" is essential reading for anyone fascinated by the dark intersections of crime, media, and the law.

Thank you, Dave Wedge, NetGalley, and Brilliance Publishing for the ARC.
Profile Image for Drea.
742 reviews16 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 31, 2026
Like many people, I followed the Karen Read case from a distance and found it nearly impossible to sort fact from speculation. One of the strengths of this book is that it attempts to bring order to an extraordinarily complicated and emotionally charged story. Dave Wedge clearly knows this case inside and out, and the reporting is thorough, detailed, and accessible even for readers who may not have followed every twist and turn in real time.

What I appreciated most was the way the book refocused attention on John O'Keefe. So much of the public conversation surrounding this case has centered on competing narratives, internet personalities, and courtroom drama that it can be easy to forget there was a real person at the center of it all. The sections devoted to O'Keefe's life and career added important context and humanity to a story that has often felt consumed by spectacle.

My one significant criticism involves the imagined dialogue and reconstructed quotations that appear throughout the book. For me, those moments were unnecessary. Rather than adding color or helping me better understand the people involved, they often felt contrived and pulled me out of the narrative. The facts of this case are compelling enough on their own, and I found myself wishing the author had trusted the reporting without embellishing scenes in that way.

Even so, this is a well-researched and engaging account of one of the most polarizing criminal cases in recent memory. Readers interested in true crime, criminal justice, or media influence will find plenty to consider here.
Profile Image for Holley Desigio.
107 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 24, 2026
I received an audiobook copy of of "Blizzard of Lies" from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. As a middle-aged woman, this case was hard to get away from when it first made its way through the courts. The book dives in John and Karen's relationship, their friendships with others, and the trial of Karen for killing John in 2022-2023. This was a high profile case, and one which I personally found complicated because while I believe there were issues with the prosecution, I can't fully rule out Read's guilt. The book takes a very sympathetic view of Karen, and seems to mostly support her claims of innocence. It also dismisses any issues people have with the tactics of the defense attorney she hired and his history of attacking victims of crimes. The beginning of the book felt a bit repetitive, as they set their relationship up and explain their dynamic of fighting and getting back together but flows better once they actually get into the night of John's death and the trial. Really the take away from the book is that guilty or not, all you need is enough media support and you can create reasonable doubt. Turtleboy and the other media are the most interesting part of this story, and seeing how the lawyers use them to get their stories out to sway public opinion really goes to show how criminal trials will probably move towards in the 21st century with social media becoming more popular. Rounded up from 3.5.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,137 reviews
August 6, 2026

1.5 stars

Sorry, Dave, that the prosecution did such a lousy job in the case against a women you so obviously dislike. It’s tough to convict someone for killing a person with a car when there is no evidence presented that the deceased was hit with a car.

I read this because so many of the media reports (mainstream and otherwise) were sensationalized, and I thought this might be a dispassionate deep dive.

Nope.

This was a love letter to John O’Keefe. For a while, I thought we were going to relive his entire law enforcement career, day by day. The first message was He was a good cop. He must have been quite lonely, given the many stories of law enforcement corruption outlined in the book.

The other message was He adopted his niece and nephew when their parents died. Yes, he did. He also seemingly went out drinking every single night, all night, after that, but that was okay, because he was a hard-workin’ good cop.

When Karen sat beside him and matched him drink for drink, however, that was a problem. She was a problem. She was mouthy. She was loud. She texted another cop. How dare she!

I was not a Karen Read superfan coming in, but the bias in this book against her is blatant.

I don’t know what to recommend for people who aren’t that familiar with the case and want a good overview-- but it’s not this book.
Profile Image for Alex Lynn.
716 reviews
August 13, 2026
Blizzard of Lies by Dave Wedge was an easy 5 star read for me.

I’ve followed the Karen Read/John O’Keefe case for quite a while, so I went into this already knowing a lot of the details. Even so, I found myself completely absorbed by this book and learned things I either hadn’t known or hadn’t fully understood before.

I’m firmly in the #KarenReadDidIt camp, but I also think it’s impossible to look at this case and ignore how badly the investigation was handled from the very beginning. There were so many mistakes, questionable decisions, and missed opportunities that made an already complicated case even more chaotic.

What I really appreciated about Blizzard of Lies was how it put so many of those details together in one place. Wedge does a great job laying out the not just the timeline, but also the evidence, the people involved, (& their backstories too!) and the twists and turns without making an already complicated case impossible to follow.

Even if you’ve been following this case for years, I think there’s something to get out of this book. And if you’re new to the Karen Read case, this is a great place to start getting the bigger picture.

Absolutely one of my favorite true-crime reads this year. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Dave Wedge and NetGalley for the ARC! 📚
Also, still praying for justice for JJ, as they called him in the book! IYKYK.
Profile Image for Jodie Gerakelis.
65 reviews
August 23, 2026
I had heard a little about the Karen Read case as it was known from true crime podcasts but did not really follow the circus. Reading this book gave a really great insight as to what may have happened to John O’Keefe and the subsequent trials of Read.
This book was very easy to read and very well written. It went into detail on the trials and the surrounding media circus. It’s quite scary how social media has brought all the armchair detectives who comment on cases without knowing all the facts, nor the impact their comments have on the family who has lost a son, brother, uncle and friend. Scary to think that this can influence the trial from all the frenzy from social media. Makes me feel better about living where I do where you cannot comment on cases before the court as you can find yourself up on contempt of court charges. Let the trial go through with the jury to get an outcome rather than constant messaging whipping people up into a frenzy, people who think they are the experts.
I feel incredibly sad for the family and this book really did point out the vitriol they experienced. Again people who are keyboard warriors attacking vulnerable people. Absolutely tragic they had to deal with this as well as their grief.
Overall a very good read that gave me a much greater insight to the case.
Profile Image for Kathleen.
1,234 reviews37 followers
July 30, 2026
If you live anywhere near Boston, you’ve probably heard about Karen Read. She was the woman who had too much to drink, ran over her boyfriend and left him to die in a snowbank. Or did she? At first, it seems like a simple case. The couple was fighting, both were drunk, he had shards of red plastic on his body and her car had a broken taillight. However, Blizzard of Lies shows how alternate stories and the manipulation of facts can distort the truth. The victim, John O’Keefe, was a Boston police officer with many friends on the Boston force and in his hometown of Canton. And Karen had a very good lawyer. The Read case and the two trials that followed became a media circus with a blogger called Turtleboy beginning a “Free Karen” movement. Suspicion fell on some of John’s fellow officers while the O’Keefe family was harassed and vilified. The verdict in the second trial, after the first mistrial, was a DUI conviction. “It was the most expensive DUI conviction in Massachusetts history” and we still don’t know what happened on that snowy night in January.

Blizzard of Lies is carefully researched and well written. Dave Wedge analyzes each part of this tragedy to present a true crime drama that reads like fiction and is impossible to put down. Bravo! 5 stars.
Profile Image for Sarai Mulvey.
233 reviews5 followers
September 24, 2026
I followed the Karen Read case and trials very closely, so I was really interested to see how Blizzard of Lies would approach such a complicated and highly publicized case. Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me.

I was hoping for a thoroughly researched, balanced examination of the evidence and the circumstances surrounding John O’Keefe’s death. Instead, I felt the book became increasingly one-sided, emphasizing certain evidence while minimizing or leaving out information that challenged the narrative being presented. For a case with so many disputed facts and competing interpretations, I wanted much more nuance.

I also found parts of the book surprisingly slow considering how compelling the case itself is. Having followed the trials closely, I didn’t come away feeling that I had learned much that was new. I especially wanted a deeper examination of the evidence presented during the second trial and the issues that ultimately contributed to Karen Read’s acquittal on the most serious charges.

There is certainly value in keeping John O’Keefe and his life at the center of this story, but overall I wanted a more comprehensive and even-handed account of the case.

Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Julie.
59 reviews
July 14, 2026

Thank you to NetGalley and BenBella Books for providing me with ARC.

Blizzard of Lies covers the Karen Read trial while also exploring the lives of Karen Read and John O'Keefe and the relationship they shared before his death. The book provides an in-depth account of the investigation and the first trial, detailing the competing arguments presented in court. It also examines the social media firestorm that surrounded the case, highlighting how online discussions, public opinion, and widespread media attention shaped the broader conversation surrounding one of the most closely watched criminal cases in recent years.

I thought Dave Wedge did a good job covering the many different aspects of the case in a balanced and engaging manner. Although the case focuses on Karen Read, he never loses sight of the true victim, John O'Keefe, ensuring that his life and legacy remain at the heart of the story. I also appreciated that the book concludes with a brief update on what has happened to each of the major figures involved since the first trial, providing readers with helpful context beyond the courtroom proceedings.
Profile Image for Astraeus Rambles.
11 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 23, 2026
Review of an advanced copy received by NetGalley

I have been interested in this case for a while, there’s just so much happening, so many lies, and so many people involved. You don’t need to know anything about the case to step into the respectful and descriptive way Dave Wedge lays out the case. An unsolved murder where the victim is often forgotten in the flurry of courtroom drama, lies, and police corruption.

Filled with unseen details and interviews from both sides of the courtroom. There was a lot I knew about the case and court proceedings going into it, there was a lot I didn’t know about John and all the things he’d accomplished on the force. It makes a sad and profound point that it this case is often referred to as the Karen Read Case instead of the John O’Keefe Case. When people talk about this case it’s the way the police wrongfully handled it and, depending on what you believe, framed Karen Read or let her get away because of their bad proceedings.

People aren’t talking enough about the man who died, the story and memories he left behind. The cop, the hero, the father, the human being that someone killed.
Profile Image for Faithe.
473 reviews9 followers
July 29, 2026
Blizzard of Lies: Karen Read, John O'Keefe, and the shocking unsolved murder in Cop Town, USA by Dave Wedge

This book follows the death of police officer John O'Keefe and the trial of his girlfriend, Karen Reid. This is a story of lies, corruption and police cover ups.

Having watched Karen Reid's Netflix special I went into this book with an expectation of how this story goes already. I was pleasantly surprised to find this book still gave me some insight to the story.

I liked that the book featured interviews from people on both sides of the story. It touched upon evidence that was excluded from the courtroom, and how because of Karen Reid's trials and the misconduct that was uncovered in them, additional cases are now in jeopardy.

I received an audiobook copy of this book from NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

For the most part I enjoyed Chris Ciulla as the Narrator, but found the accents a bit off and cringe. Besides that, I thought the pacing and tone was good.
Profile Image for Char Grell.
360 reviews
August 20, 2026
36676 of 45k pages

Thank you to NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing and the author, Dave Wedge, for the advanced audiobook.

I must have been living under a rock because I knew nothing about this legal case. Since I didn’t know anything about it, the story kept me interested and invested in the story. The story is sad, troublesome and tough to imagine the kids involved who had already lost so much. A lot of drinking and fighting. The book moves along quickly and is in a good order.

The narrator does a good job although I did speed up to 1.75.

Lastly, some of the descriptions the author uses to describe John O’Keefe were incredibly misogynistic. Describing being a bachelor (which is okay!) but calling it “pinned down” and making it sound like being with a woman long term was all his choice and a drag. The author could have described this without insulting women. (Only a minor call out and it didn’t take away from the story, just hard to move past it).

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