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A Double Life: The Anatomy of a Premeditated Murder
With sharp psychological insight, the acclaimed author of
Guilty Creatures
digs into the sensational murder of Florida physician Teresa Sievers in this engrossing and unconventional true crime tale of holistic health, childhood doppelgangers, dark obsessions, and an open marriage.
"A twisty yarn involving sex, matrimony, money and murder... What emerges here are two portraits, one of an unusual marriage and the other of 21st-century America. Brottman has constructed a sprightly, suspenseful narrative...[and] excels at laying out the idiosyncrasies and contradictions of her dramatis personae ."— THE NEW YORK TIMES
Teresa and Mark Sievers led a glittering life in Bonita Springs, Florida. Teresa ran a thriving medical practice specializing in anti-aging and holistic care. Mark, a former nurse, managed the business while home-schooling their two daughters. Then, in June 2015, the unimaginable Teresa was found bludgeoned to death in their kitchen.
Mark’s alibi was airtight. He and the girls were in New York on a family vacation. Initial signs pointed to a burglary gone wrong, but it soon became clear that the attack was targeted. The Sievers’ friends and relatives were shocked. Teresa was a respected, charismatic physician, nicknamed a “modern-day Mother Teresa.” Yet someone hated her enough to beat out her brains with a hammer.
Cracks appeared beneath the glossy surface of the Sievers’ lives. Teresa’s quest for fame had led her to make some questionable decisions. The couple’s marriage was passionate but volatile. Then there was Mark’s childhood best friend, who looked so much like him that the two were often mistaken for twins. Though Wayne Wright lived in an Ozarks trailer park, far from Bonita Springs in every way, his bond with Mark was intense and intimate.
In an intriguing narrative that goes beyond conventional true crime tropes, acclaimed author and psychoanalyst Mikita Brottman delves into a case that encompasses both obsessive love and deep hatred, probing the corrosive, often deadly nature of both.
"A twisty yarn involving sex, matrimony, money and murder... What emerges here are two portraits, one of an unusual marriage and the other of 21st-century America. Brottman has constructed a sprightly, suspenseful narrative...[and] excels at laying out the idiosyncrasies and contradictions of her dramatis personae ."— THE NEW YORK TIMES
Teresa and Mark Sievers led a glittering life in Bonita Springs, Florida. Teresa ran a thriving medical practice specializing in anti-aging and holistic care. Mark, a former nurse, managed the business while home-schooling their two daughters. Then, in June 2015, the unimaginable Teresa was found bludgeoned to death in their kitchen.
Mark’s alibi was airtight. He and the girls were in New York on a family vacation. Initial signs pointed to a burglary gone wrong, but it soon became clear that the attack was targeted. The Sievers’ friends and relatives were shocked. Teresa was a respected, charismatic physician, nicknamed a “modern-day Mother Teresa.” Yet someone hated her enough to beat out her brains with a hammer.
Cracks appeared beneath the glossy surface of the Sievers’ lives. Teresa’s quest for fame had led her to make some questionable decisions. The couple’s marriage was passionate but volatile. Then there was Mark’s childhood best friend, who looked so much like him that the two were often mistaken for twins. Though Wayne Wright lived in an Ozarks trailer park, far from Bonita Springs in every way, his bond with Mark was intense and intimate.
In an intriguing narrative that goes beyond conventional true crime tropes, acclaimed author and psychoanalyst Mikita Brottman delves into a case that encompasses both obsessive love and deep hatred, probing the corrosive, often deadly nature of both.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2026
About the author
Mikita Brottman
37 books236 followersMikita Brottman (born 30 October 1966) is a British scholar, psychoanalyst, author and cultural critic known for her psychological readings of the dark and pathological elements of contemporary culture. She received a D.Phil in English Language and Literature from Oxford University, was a Visiting Professor of Comparative Literature at Indiana University, and was Chair of the program in Engaged Humanities with an emphasis in Depth Psychology at the Pacifica Graduate Institute from 2008 to 2010. She currently teaches at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Brottman's articles and case studies have appeared in Film Quarterly, The American Journal of Psychoanalysis, New Literary History, and American Imago. She has written influentially on horror films, critical theory, reading, psychoanalysis, and the work of the American folklorist, Gershon Legman.
Brottman also writes for mainstream and counterculture journals and magazines. Her work has appeared in such diverse venues as The Los Angeles Times, The Huffington Post, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Bad Subjects, The Fortean Times, Headpress, and Popmatters, where her column, "Sub Rosa", ran from January 2007 to July 2009. Her essays have also appeared in a number of books and anthologies.
She is the author of the cult film books Meat is Murder and Hollywood Hex, as well as books on psychoanalysis, critical theory and contemporary popular culture. Her most recent book, The Solitary Vice: Against Reading (Counterpoint, 2008) was selected as one of the Best Books of 2008 by Publishers Weekly, who said: "Sharp, whimsical and impassioned, Brottman's look at the pleasures and perils of compulsive reading is itself compulsively readable and will connect with any book lover."
Brottman's partner is the film critic David Sterritt.
(from Wikipedia)
Brottman also writes for mainstream and counterculture journals and magazines. Her work has appeared in such diverse venues as The Los Angeles Times, The Huffington Post, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Bad Subjects, The Fortean Times, Headpress, and Popmatters, where her column, "Sub Rosa", ran from January 2007 to July 2009. Her essays have also appeared in a number of books and anthologies.
She is the author of the cult film books Meat is Murder and Hollywood Hex, as well as books on psychoanalysis, critical theory and contemporary popular culture. Her most recent book, The Solitary Vice: Against Reading (Counterpoint, 2008) was selected as one of the Best Books of 2008 by Publishers Weekly, who said: "Sharp, whimsical and impassioned, Brottman's look at the pleasures and perils of compulsive reading is itself compulsively readable and will connect with any book lover."
Brottman's partner is the film critic David Sterritt.
(from Wikipedia)
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐💫 When the Evidence Is Stronger Than the Speculation
I picked up A Double Life: The Anatomy of a Premeditated Murder by Mikita Brottman through NetGalley because I enjoy true crime and had never heard of this case. Overall, I found it to be a solid and well-constructed read. Brottman presents the events clearly, gives the key figures enough detail to make the case easy to follow, and builds a strong sense of secrecy, obsession, and deception around the murder.
My main issue was that the book sometimes wandered too far from the strongest evidence. The middle third slowed considerably for me, especially when the narrative lingered on sexual relationships and private details that felt overexplored. Brottman also spends time considering alternative possibilities and people who may have had motives, but by the end the evidence points in a much more direct direction, which made some of those detours feel unnecessary.
That said, the core case remained compelling, and I appreciated how Brottman laid out the facts and let the investigation unfold. I would recommend this to true-crime readers, particularly those interested in family secrets, hidden lives, and the psychology surrounding a murder. For me, A Double Life is a 3.5-star read as it is worthwhile and engaging, but too uneven in places to reach four stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Mikita Brottman, and rb media and Highbridge Audio for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
#ADoubleLife #NetGalley
I picked up A Double Life: The Anatomy of a Premeditated Murder by Mikita Brottman through NetGalley because I enjoy true crime and had never heard of this case. Overall, I found it to be a solid and well-constructed read. Brottman presents the events clearly, gives the key figures enough detail to make the case easy to follow, and builds a strong sense of secrecy, obsession, and deception around the murder.
My main issue was that the book sometimes wandered too far from the strongest evidence. The middle third slowed considerably for me, especially when the narrative lingered on sexual relationships and private details that felt overexplored. Brottman also spends time considering alternative possibilities and people who may have had motives, but by the end the evidence points in a much more direct direction, which made some of those detours feel unnecessary.
That said, the core case remained compelling, and I appreciated how Brottman laid out the facts and let the investigation unfold. I would recommend this to true-crime readers, particularly those interested in family secrets, hidden lives, and the psychology surrounding a murder. For me, A Double Life is a 3.5-star read as it is worthwhile and engaging, but too uneven in places to reach four stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Mikita Brottman, and rb media and Highbridge Audio for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
#ADoubleLife #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As a true crime devotee, a decades long watcher of Dateline, an Ann Rule fangirl since my 1970s teen years…..any time I have the chance to read another real life murder (I’m working on this with my therapist, lol), I’m all in to the point, I didn’t even read the names of this one when I requested it on Netgalley. What a nice surprise to have discovered I was actually familiar with Teresa and Mark Sievers of Bonita Springs, Florida. To some, this familiarity might have spoiled the story for me, but author Mikita Brottman clearly did an extraordinary amount of research and presented this story in a compelling manner which kept me listening. And listening. I definitely learned more and have an even firmer conviction of my thoughts. Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*Thank you to Kensington and Highbridge for a complimentary arc and alc of A Double Life. All opinions expressed are my own.*
This case has all the hallmarks of an excellent true crime story, so I wasn’t exactly surprised when A Double Life delivered just that.
Dr. Teresa Sievers was found bludgeoned to death in her home in 2015, and the investigation into who was responsible became a twisty journey into the surprisingly unique and, at times, downright unhinged lives of not only the Sievers family, but the people surrounding them. Every time you think you’ve heard it all, Brottman brings another development that leaves you wondering if you somehow misread something.
One of my favourite aspects of this book was Brottman’s approach to the case. The combination of criminal journalism and insightful psychoanalysis adds another layer to the story without ever feeling like she’s forcing an interpretation or opinion onto the reader. You’re given the facts, the context, and the opportunity to consider the people and circumstances involved for yourself.
And the case itself is wild. What I particularly appreciated was that Brottman never needed to overdramatise it. The facts are more than capable of doing that on their own, and her way of reporting them makes this an incredibly compelling page-turner.
I hadn’t heard of the Sievers case before picking up A Double Life, so this was a completely new case for me. Brottman’s examination of it couldn’t have been better put together, and I finished the book feeling like I’d been taken through one of those true crime cases where every new piece of information somehow makes the story even more difficult to believe.
When I revisited this with the audiobook, I was worried the narration would grate on me after having issues with the last few true crime audiobooks I’ve tried. Luckily, Evan Sibley’s narration delivered everything I needed for A Double Life - its clear and to the point, not taking anything away from what Brottman wrote, simply giving a direct and easy to follow account of the case.
If you’re looking for a true crime case filled with twists, fascinating psychology, and enough unbelievable developments to keep you questioning what could possibly come next, A Double Life is absolutely worth picking up.
This case has all the hallmarks of an excellent true crime story, so I wasn’t exactly surprised when A Double Life delivered just that.
Dr. Teresa Sievers was found bludgeoned to death in her home in 2015, and the investigation into who was responsible became a twisty journey into the surprisingly unique and, at times, downright unhinged lives of not only the Sievers family, but the people surrounding them. Every time you think you’ve heard it all, Brottman brings another development that leaves you wondering if you somehow misread something.
One of my favourite aspects of this book was Brottman’s approach to the case. The combination of criminal journalism and insightful psychoanalysis adds another layer to the story without ever feeling like she’s forcing an interpretation or opinion onto the reader. You’re given the facts, the context, and the opportunity to consider the people and circumstances involved for yourself.
And the case itself is wild. What I particularly appreciated was that Brottman never needed to overdramatise it. The facts are more than capable of doing that on their own, and her way of reporting them makes this an incredibly compelling page-turner.
I hadn’t heard of the Sievers case before picking up A Double Life, so this was a completely new case for me. Brottman’s examination of it couldn’t have been better put together, and I finished the book feeling like I’d been taken through one of those true crime cases where every new piece of information somehow makes the story even more difficult to believe.
When I revisited this with the audiobook, I was worried the narration would grate on me after having issues with the last few true crime audiobooks I’ve tried. Luckily, Evan Sibley’s narration delivered everything I needed for A Double Life - its clear and to the point, not taking anything away from what Brottman wrote, simply giving a direct and easy to follow account of the case.
If you’re looking for a true crime case filled with twists, fascinating psychology, and enough unbelievable developments to keep you questioning what could possibly come next, A Double Life is absolutely worth picking up.
July 20, 2026
An excellent true crime read. An account of the murder of mother, wife and doctor, Teresa Sievers in the sleepy, upper class beach town of Bonita Springs, Florida. I was immediately gripped. This felt like shining a torch onto the murky psyche of a murderer and the circumstances that transpired. The anatomy of a crime. Sketchiness, bad intentions, bottom feeders, and a stone cold lack of empathy. The case was intricate and the author thoroughly untangled the personal lives and psychological make up of those involved. A wolf in sheep’s clothing, someone playing a role until, times up. Very slippery characters and a despicable crime. I felt that the author got in and under everything, which was a satisfying read. I felt I gained a comprehensive understanding of this case.
Thanks to Netgalley for the arc.
Thanks to Netgalley for the arc.
September 4, 2026
Thank you @librofm @highbridgecompany #partner for the gifted copy of this audiobook.
I’m always hesitant to say I enjoyed a True Crime book because…well…the nature of what we’re talking about here is that someone lost their life. There is absolutely nothing enjoyable about that. So please take “I enjoyed this story” for exactly what I mean. I was fascinated by the case, the investigation, and how everything unfolded. ❤️ That being said…A Double Life was very interesting to me. Mostly because of how these people lived their lives. Talk about a case where trying to nail down exactly who was who and what actually happened was…a lot. 😳 And from a marriage standpoint this was definitely not what I would call a traditional marriage which made the waters even more muddy!
I obviously don’t want to give anything away because some of the details are exactly what make this case so fascinating. What I will say is that what happened was absolutely atrocious. Regardless of how someone behaves or the choices they make, I think we can all agree that no one deserves to be murdered for it.
I listened to this one on audio and thought the audiobook was incredibly engaging. It kept me completely focused on the story and all of those intricate details! There are honestly some things I’d love to talk about, but they would get way too spoilery so I won’t. I will say though one aspect of this case involving people looking alike also felt especially interesting to me because it reminded me of how often this particular subject has been front and center in the news lately. Why do people committing crimes look so similar to other people in their lives?! I couldn’t help but think...well this feels relevant. 😳
I thought this was really well written and I found myself getting increasingly frustrated with how complicated the judicial process can become. I never like to hear when certain evidence can't be used or is withheld because of some dumb rule but that would make it completely relevant to what happened. More than anything though I am always thankful for the investigators that stick with it until they solve it and in this case thankful for loose lips that sink ships. If you are a true crime junkie like me then this one is worth the read!
I’m always hesitant to say I enjoyed a True Crime book because…well…the nature of what we’re talking about here is that someone lost their life. There is absolutely nothing enjoyable about that. So please take “I enjoyed this story” for exactly what I mean. I was fascinated by the case, the investigation, and how everything unfolded. ❤️ That being said…A Double Life was very interesting to me. Mostly because of how these people lived their lives. Talk about a case where trying to nail down exactly who was who and what actually happened was…a lot. 😳 And from a marriage standpoint this was definitely not what I would call a traditional marriage which made the waters even more muddy!
I obviously don’t want to give anything away because some of the details are exactly what make this case so fascinating. What I will say is that what happened was absolutely atrocious. Regardless of how someone behaves or the choices they make, I think we can all agree that no one deserves to be murdered for it.
I listened to this one on audio and thought the audiobook was incredibly engaging. It kept me completely focused on the story and all of those intricate details! There are honestly some things I’d love to talk about, but they would get way too spoilery so I won’t. I will say though one aspect of this case involving people looking alike also felt especially interesting to me because it reminded me of how often this particular subject has been front and center in the news lately. Why do people committing crimes look so similar to other people in their lives?! I couldn’t help but think...well this feels relevant. 😳
I thought this was really well written and I found myself getting increasingly frustrated with how complicated the judicial process can become. I never like to hear when certain evidence can't be used or is withheld because of some dumb rule but that would make it completely relevant to what happened. More than anything though I am always thankful for the investigators that stick with it until they solve it and in this case thankful for loose lips that sink ships. If you are a true crime junkie like me then this one is worth the read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Double Life by Mikita Brottman by all accounts Mark and Teresa Seaver‘s had a loving obsessive relationship with each other but it wasn’t just exclusive to them they also saw other people alone and together it seems Mark Seaver couldn’t be friends with someone unless he had his private parts in them at one time or another. This included his best friend Curtis Wainwright They have been friends since childhood they look very similar to each other it sent each other very intimate text messages and emails. Doctor Teresa Seaver was an internist But she also believed in holistic practices and even chakra she lived in a part of the country that had lots of rich aging people and she wanted to make her fortune selling them products even going as far as spending money on classes that would teach her how to become a great speaker she was charismatic everyone really liked her but when she came back early from a family vacation someone bludgeon her to death inside if her home and no one knew why or who did it. they looked like the perfect family wealthy with beautiful daughters so who would want to hurt Theresa was this just a random act of violence or did someone plot her doom was it one of her boyfriends on the side, one of his girlfriends or did the evil reside much closer. They say looks can be deceiving and they also say there’s a thin line between love and hate and both are true in this story this is much crazier than I voluted to in this review when I say this couple was outrageous they were definitely out of the box I mean this book really left me with my mouth open catching flies because OMG these people were crazy. I would absolutely recommend this book if you like True Crime then you will not want to pay us on this outrageous crime story it just left me flabbergasted. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,
October 1, 2026
I received a physical copy of this book through Goodreads Giveaways as well as an ALC from NetGalley.
A Double Life: The Anatomy of a Premeditated Murder by Mikita Brottman is a true crime style recounting of the events that led up to the murder of Florida physician Teresa Sievers in 2015. I had not heard of this case prior to reading the book. Teresa’s murder was brutal and horrific. Certain passages were very difficult for me to get through.
This was a well-constructed detailing of the case. There was enough information to keep me guessing and lead me to the ultimate conclusion and it seemed to paint a clear picture of the people and situations involved. It was written in a way that put readers in the shoes of the detectives as they put the pieces together. As with all true crime, I was conflicted reading the more “sensational” evidence and can’t help but wonder how publishing something like this impacts the victim’s children.
Other than that, my biggest critique is that some of the “evidence” presented was very much not real evidence at all (e.g., unironically quoting Freud). It’s not clear to me whether these minor details were included merely for perceived entertainment value, to provide some type of socio-historical context, or if they were actually intended to be taken as fact, so I chose not to give them much weight in my ultimate rating.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
A Double Life: The Anatomy of a Premeditated Murder by Mikita Brottman is a true crime style recounting of the events that led up to the murder of Florida physician Teresa Sievers in 2015. I had not heard of this case prior to reading the book. Teresa’s murder was brutal and horrific. Certain passages were very difficult for me to get through.
This was a well-constructed detailing of the case. There was enough information to keep me guessing and lead me to the ultimate conclusion and it seemed to paint a clear picture of the people and situations involved. It was written in a way that put readers in the shoes of the detectives as they put the pieces together. As with all true crime, I was conflicted reading the more “sensational” evidence and can’t help but wonder how publishing something like this impacts the victim’s children.
Other than that, my biggest critique is that some of the “evidence” presented was very much not real evidence at all (e.g., unironically quoting Freud). It’s not clear to me whether these minor details were included merely for perceived entertainment value, to provide some type of socio-historical context, or if they were actually intended to be taken as fact, so I chose not to give them much weight in my ultimate rating.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
October 4, 2026
I grabbed this book from Libro because didn’t know about this case prior. I figured why not dive into a new-to-me true crime story amidst all the true crime chaos of 2026. It was definitely interesting, and the audiobook sounded a lot like a podcast. The book itself is written in narrative style, so listeners/readers hear the story told from an omniscient POV.
Review of advance copy
A Double Life is an incredibly detailed account. Every aspect of Dr Teresa Sievers’ life in Florida is examined with forensic meticulousness. When I started reading, I was completely unfamiliar with Teresa’s story, and I think that’s the best way to read this exemplary Capote-esque true crime novel.
My full review of A Double Life is up now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
My full review of A Double Life is up now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
November 2, 2026
This was an absolutely bat-sh*t crazy story, and in the end, no matter what anyone says, a woman is still murdered, her daughters are still motherless, and the vague feeling just wasn't completely accomplished remains.
Best read with no information about what is going to happen [preconceived notions are not foreign here], going in blind will let this insane story unfold almost as if it is in real time and will help the reader come to their own conclusions after everything has been presented to you, and even then, you will wonder if you got it right.
Evan Sibley is a new-to-me narrator, and while I initially struggled with his narration, once he settled in, so did I, and I ended up really enjoying his telling of this crazy story and can recommend the audiobook highly.
Thank you to NetGalley, Mikita Brottman, Evan Sibley - Narrator, Kensington Publishing/Citadel, and Highbridge Audio for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.
Best read with no information about what is going to happen [preconceived notions are not foreign here], going in blind will let this insane story unfold almost as if it is in real time and will help the reader come to their own conclusions after everything has been presented to you, and even then, you will wonder if you got it right.
Evan Sibley is a new-to-me narrator, and while I initially struggled with his narration, once he settled in, so did I, and I ended up really enjoying his telling of this crazy story and can recommend the audiobook highly.
Thank you to NetGalley, Mikita Brottman, Evan Sibley - Narrator, Kensington Publishing/Citadel, and Highbridge Audio for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.
November 1, 2026
I personally couldn't find this book credible when the author's research about the town of Bonita Springs, FL was so inaccurate. Instantly I'm not sure how I am able to believe the facts of a murder if so many of the background basics are wrong. Pretty shocking to find such a disservice to such an important topic.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing for providing a copy of this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing for providing a copy of this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
June 15, 2026
4.5. Excellent true crime book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A DOUBLE LIFE
BY: MIKITA BROTTMAN'
I don't know if I personally was drawn to this not because I had never knew about anything concerning the Media attention I learned by reading about how this was remembered to among others in by a specific Court Crime Channel that was either separate, or Media to include a Documentary, or this must have been the most tame aspect throughout detailed factual content that as how the book kept presenting in how I have never read anything that comes close to how I felt unprepared that I have read less True Crime for good reason since nothing is quite as unhinged and disturbing including a host of unlikable characters. I made up my mind that this is so full of abnormal traits, and Teresa did come across as unethical with how they committed Medicare fraud, with a misdirected self abortion with wanting to target the wealthier demographic that was full of older people it felt that she being a healer who felt entitled to help them, but not welcome the same kind of care for the poorer patients which she said something like those aren't the clientele that is welcome or we want coming here. She was referring to the poorer clients. I don't think that you can excuse things that felt mean- spirited since everything is cited in the Bibliography, and I don't think that this can be that I don't sympathize with her without honestly expressing how this is a fraction of things that doesn't mean that she didn't do things that can't equate that with pretending she is without dignity by me. Both things can exist as how tragic, and I don't think it means that one cancels out the other. Am I supposed to pretend I didn't read things that feel bad, but I am presenting how that doesn't help to hold it in since it is reality. I felt this is already not what I planned to write. This was hard to put down, which it still is an upsetting read which I hope that this is difficult to write since I feel uncomfortable but it probably has more to do with my going three days in a row without sleep. nothing can be further than the truth that doesn't feel honest to as a reader that means I am just not bringing up that her attack was by the worst example of humanity since I thought they are so the epitome of an example of evil, that without conscious not an ounce of remorse I just can't address everything. This is me including that she is someone who I'll ever forget how she was burned into my brain at how she is supposed to be safe within her home, and I'll never forget how she can't be portrayed as difficult to not pretend how bad I feel, with so much as how this had no relief from either due to the author being a huge mystery to me because my ARC didn't contain anything regarding the fact that usually there is an Author's Note or a section about the author and that left me wondering how this was glaringly suspicious, and not only another first time I have encountered someone who produced something so compelling it had me question if I could trust her because that is not fair to the reader leaving me to implore that it is my hope that the issue be dealt with. I the Press covered by Fox News. Not only that the judge opened up the court proceedings to reach those who by how he allowed coverage on the trial for those who it to be I think it was made to be live streamed on which I felt that this is still one of the worse murders it was how I learned about this case which I have to say that I got more than I didn't find it to be well researched, and I have two graduate level education that I met my husband at my University that led to my not using the two areas of study since I do keep up with my reading of scientific case studies in online journals, that I didn't major in Psychology but never stopped reading about the latest Researchers academic published findings that ten years ago I didn't see much av av available in Attachment Theory, but I can tell you that it is certainly I saw not one full book at which I usually look for certain authors that are my favorite that have an MD or PhD that expand on the topic that I have noticed an explosion of since I buy a lot of Kindle books and it is more growth of exponential more every time I visit. I can't tell you how much more I notice are back when I first saw it emerge that I wanted just one book because it has been around but now there's only more that only takes five or ten minutes to how you hear about it from most everybody who some aren't written by at least graduate level Clinicians, which I think aren't as just not worth wasting money. I know that I am certain that it is improves great relationships making them Phenomenal that you don't need to just learn your Attachment Style and those of the meaningful people but it is knowing your Partner's Attachment Style is simple but you will deepen connections will find how fast you will save misunderstandings from how you recognize how it presents as simple to notice growth, and which I am certain you already understand since it is taught by how just look for an author with a PhD, and this leads to conflict free relationships which this Husband, and Wife have by all outward appearances seem to live in harmonious, but the Wife is eventually murdered which I found her to be at times to be presented in ways that I thought she has my deepest sympathy in how she deserves to have what almost more of what the author made it seem that it is if I interpreted it right not as uncommon at least in their highly privileged lifestyle not at least in their Perfect house, in their Perfect Beach Town in Bonita Springs, Florida part of the Country what felt completely shocking since this was my first exposure to have ever only heard of Swingers, but have no experience of how out of never hearing about anyone no matter how distant, unless it is possible that I have no knowledge of it if I wouldn't think it would be something you would broadcast, but I myself in my decades of marriage ever considered as a desire since this is something I feel is something that I believe is how I believe is something that I felt Teresa Siever deserves to have be remembered as a human who was loved, and missed by her family, and most of all her two young daughters who I believe were only eight years old, and eleven who had their innocence lost. This is really quite heartbreaking in ways that she is hard to forget since I promise you that there is volumes of facts that are I haven't even scratched the surface that I can't deny that this is not the type of book that I ever enjoyed, but I remember my first impression was what did I get myself into because I thought that this is just when you think that you have read how crazy this multifaceted content is hard to believe that much of this book, just is non stop in how much insight this author attempts to make certain aspects simpler to clarify by what I am still find it hard to believe that people read this genre on a daily basis which a big part of me feels embarrassed that I wonder what it says about me that I committed myself to read this since the murderers are despicable, abhorrent that were completely heartless to have not been masterminds. and and I guess I remembered reading about Teresa, and Mark Sievers opening up their marriage with both of them placing certain restrictions on each other as rules. I found Mark to be a hypocrite because he had sex with a couple of Women that he did behind Teresa's back, that she never found out about. which they are a perfect example to underscore how out of how they are out of how they are passionate, but the way they connect are opposites. I will give you an example that summarizes how this was extremely, fast paced that I honestly didn't find this as challenging as a Horror novel that I lost two nights in a row of sleep over. I never read the synopsis if I have like in this case I already had read two novels by this author so I feel that in most cases I already had faith in the author, and have many Kindle books that I have bought based on one recommendation that I also have found that the less I know the greater the enjoyment. I only read the synopsis while looking for books that I have never heard of the author and even then usually buy the time I finally read it I don't remember anything about the novel anyway which I have committed to, which lately I have reminded myself but I have found that sometimes the synopsis has content that gives too much away. This is not to say that I'm not grateful, for having the opportunity to which nobody is likable that I can't relate to reading more than this one since it is Brilliantly crafted along with elevating this as Stunning Storytelling. This brings me to how I gave this five stars since I thought it was superbly written by a Psychoanalyst who adds an extra layer of depth that unfolds as meant to that this shows a talented writer, but it definitely needs to be missing about what the author is afraid of that she feels justifies not associating with her comprehensive achievement feels off.
Publication Date: September 29, 2026
Thank you to Net Galley, Mikita Brottman, and Kensington Books--Citadel for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are entirely my own, as always.
#ADoubleLife #MikitaBrottman #KensingtonBooks #Citadel #NetGalley
BY: MIKITA BROTTMAN'
I don't know if I personally was drawn to this not because I had never knew about anything concerning the Media attention I learned by reading about how this was remembered to among others in by a specific Court Crime Channel that was either separate, or Media to include a Documentary, or this must have been the most tame aspect throughout detailed factual content that as how the book kept presenting in how I have never read anything that comes close to how I felt unprepared that I have read less True Crime for good reason since nothing is quite as unhinged and disturbing including a host of unlikable characters. I made up my mind that this is so full of abnormal traits, and Teresa did come across as unethical with how they committed Medicare fraud, with a misdirected self abortion with wanting to target the wealthier demographic that was full of older people it felt that she being a healer who felt entitled to help them, but not welcome the same kind of care for the poorer patients which she said something like those aren't the clientele that is welcome or we want coming here. She was referring to the poorer clients. I don't think that you can excuse things that felt mean- spirited since everything is cited in the Bibliography, and I don't think that this can be that I don't sympathize with her without honestly expressing how this is a fraction of things that doesn't mean that she didn't do things that can't equate that with pretending she is without dignity by me. Both things can exist as how tragic, and I don't think it means that one cancels out the other. Am I supposed to pretend I didn't read things that feel bad, but I am presenting how that doesn't help to hold it in since it is reality. I felt this is already not what I planned to write. This was hard to put down, which it still is an upsetting read which I hope that this is difficult to write since I feel uncomfortable but it probably has more to do with my going three days in a row without sleep. nothing can be further than the truth that doesn't feel honest to as a reader that means I am just not bringing up that her attack was by the worst example of humanity since I thought they are so the epitome of an example of evil, that without conscious not an ounce of remorse I just can't address everything. This is me including that she is someone who I'll ever forget how she was burned into my brain at how she is supposed to be safe within her home, and I'll never forget how she can't be portrayed as difficult to not pretend how bad I feel, with so much as how this had no relief from either due to the author being a huge mystery to me because my ARC didn't contain anything regarding the fact that usually there is an Author's Note or a section about the author and that left me wondering how this was glaringly suspicious, and not only another first time I have encountered someone who produced something so compelling it had me question if I could trust her because that is not fair to the reader leaving me to implore that it is my hope that the issue be dealt with. I the Press covered by Fox News. Not only that the judge opened up the court proceedings to reach those who by how he allowed coverage on the trial for those who it to be I think it was made to be live streamed on which I felt that this is still one of the worse murders it was how I learned about this case which I have to say that I got more than I didn't find it to be well researched, and I have two graduate level education that I met my husband at my University that led to my not using the two areas of study since I do keep up with my reading of scientific case studies in online journals, that I didn't major in Psychology but never stopped reading about the latest Researchers academic published findings that ten years ago I didn't see much av av available in Attachment Theory, but I can tell you that it is certainly I saw not one full book at which I usually look for certain authors that are my favorite that have an MD or PhD that expand on the topic that I have noticed an explosion of since I buy a lot of Kindle books and it is more growth of exponential more every time I visit. I can't tell you how much more I notice are back when I first saw it emerge that I wanted just one book because it has been around but now there's only more that only takes five or ten minutes to how you hear about it from most everybody who some aren't written by at least graduate level Clinicians, which I think aren't as just not worth wasting money. I know that I am certain that it is improves great relationships making them Phenomenal that you don't need to just learn your Attachment Style and those of the meaningful people but it is knowing your Partner's Attachment Style is simple but you will deepen connections will find how fast you will save misunderstandings from how you recognize how it presents as simple to notice growth, and which I am certain you already understand since it is taught by how just look for an author with a PhD, and this leads to conflict free relationships which this Husband, and Wife have by all outward appearances seem to live in harmonious, but the Wife is eventually murdered which I found her to be at times to be presented in ways that I thought she has my deepest sympathy in how she deserves to have what almost more of what the author made it seem that it is if I interpreted it right not as uncommon at least in their highly privileged lifestyle not at least in their Perfect house, in their Perfect Beach Town in Bonita Springs, Florida part of the Country what felt completely shocking since this was my first exposure to have ever only heard of Swingers, but have no experience of how out of never hearing about anyone no matter how distant, unless it is possible that I have no knowledge of it if I wouldn't think it would be something you would broadcast, but I myself in my decades of marriage ever considered as a desire since this is something I feel is something that I believe is how I believe is something that I felt Teresa Siever deserves to have be remembered as a human who was loved, and missed by her family, and most of all her two young daughters who I believe were only eight years old, and eleven who had their innocence lost. This is really quite heartbreaking in ways that she is hard to forget since I promise you that there is volumes of facts that are I haven't even scratched the surface that I can't deny that this is not the type of book that I ever enjoyed, but I remember my first impression was what did I get myself into because I thought that this is just when you think that you have read how crazy this multifaceted content is hard to believe that much of this book, just is non stop in how much insight this author attempts to make certain aspects simpler to clarify by what I am still find it hard to believe that people read this genre on a daily basis which a big part of me feels embarrassed that I wonder what it says about me that I committed myself to read this since the murderers are despicable, abhorrent that were completely heartless to have not been masterminds. and and I guess I remembered reading about Teresa, and Mark Sievers opening up their marriage with both of them placing certain restrictions on each other as rules. I found Mark to be a hypocrite because he had sex with a couple of Women that he did behind Teresa's back, that she never found out about. which they are a perfect example to underscore how out of how they are out of how they are passionate, but the way they connect are opposites. I will give you an example that summarizes how this was extremely, fast paced that I honestly didn't find this as challenging as a Horror novel that I lost two nights in a row of sleep over. I never read the synopsis if I have like in this case I already had read two novels by this author so I feel that in most cases I already had faith in the author, and have many Kindle books that I have bought based on one recommendation that I also have found that the less I know the greater the enjoyment. I only read the synopsis while looking for books that I have never heard of the author and even then usually buy the time I finally read it I don't remember anything about the novel anyway which I have committed to, which lately I have reminded myself but I have found that sometimes the synopsis has content that gives too much away. This is not to say that I'm not grateful, for having the opportunity to which nobody is likable that I can't relate to reading more than this one since it is Brilliantly crafted along with elevating this as Stunning Storytelling. This brings me to how I gave this five stars since I thought it was superbly written by a Psychoanalyst who adds an extra layer of depth that unfolds as meant to that this shows a talented writer, but it definitely needs to be missing about what the author is afraid of that she feels justifies not associating with her comprehensive achievement feels off.
Publication Date: September 29, 2026
Thank you to Net Galley, Mikita Brottman, and Kensington Books--Citadel for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are entirely my own, as always.
#ADoubleLife #MikitaBrottman #KensingtonBooks #Citadel #NetGalley
Review of advance copy
Mikita Brottman did a great job with research before writing A Double Life: The Anatomy of a Premeditated Murder. This book navigates the life of Dr Teresa Sievers and her husband Mark, exploring their fundamentally toxic relationship and how she ended up being brutally murdered.
Unfortunately, Mikita used classic stereotypes that are outdated and harmful to explore and explain the motivation behind Dr. Sievers death.
The discussion of Mark being an alpha male when not near Teresa and being a submissive, Mr. Mom to the kids is also outdated and gross. The idea that fathers and husbands can’t share the labor and burden of parenthood and marriage is absurd. Dr. Sievers worked full time and was the sole income source of their family. It only makes sense that the other parent in that household is the one who shops and takes care of the littles. Her providing a specific list of foods for Mark to buy was likely a result of him purchasing the wrong thing multiple times in the past. Their relationship was incredibly toxic for a myriad of reasons, but him being a parent to his children is not one of them.
The narrative that Mark and Wayne had some romantic entanglements that helped motivate this murder is tired and gross. I know the prosecution tried to work this angle during the case but the author disappointed me by giving this any more attention than it got during the case. His attraction to or lack of attraction to men had nothing to do with the motivation to have his wife killed. Additionally, I hated the comparison between the lives that Mark and Wayne lived, from trailer park hovel to mansion in paradise. Just as queerness doesn’t equal criminality, poverty also does not equal criminality.
Thank you to Libro.fm for the complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Unfortunately, Mikita used classic stereotypes that are outdated and harmful to explore and explain the motivation behind Dr. Sievers death.
The discussion of Mark being an alpha male when not near Teresa and being a submissive, Mr. Mom to the kids is also outdated and gross. The idea that fathers and husbands can’t share the labor and burden of parenthood and marriage is absurd. Dr. Sievers worked full time and was the sole income source of their family. It only makes sense that the other parent in that household is the one who shops and takes care of the littles. Her providing a specific list of foods for Mark to buy was likely a result of him purchasing the wrong thing multiple times in the past. Their relationship was incredibly toxic for a myriad of reasons, but him being a parent to his children is not one of them.
The narrative that Mark and Wayne had some romantic entanglements that helped motivate this murder is tired and gross. I know the prosecution tried to work this angle during the case but the author disappointed me by giving this any more attention than it got during the case. His attraction to or lack of attraction to men had nothing to do with the motivation to have his wife killed. Additionally, I hated the comparison between the lives that Mark and Wayne lived, from trailer park hovel to mansion in paradise. Just as queerness doesn’t equal criminality, poverty also does not equal criminality.
Thank you to Libro.fm for the complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A gripping true crime account of the brutal murder of a Florida physician offering a “deep dive” into the investigation.
Teresa Sievers arrives home early due having to see patients from a family vacation in Connecticut where her husband, Mark, and their two daughters remain to spend more time with their grandmother. She lets her husband know she’s arrived at the airport. The next day when Teresa fails to arrive at work, a colleague contacts a friend who arrives to Teresa bludgeoned to death. Mark has an airtight alibi.
What follows are the steps the Florida investigators took to identify the killer. It’s chronological tale told with journalist evenness. While there is nothing really twisty or “turny” in the telling, the secrets in the marriage are a bit disturbing and the link to two other murders most revealing. This is a page turner for sure.
True crime lovers should enjoy this book - I did.
My thanks to NetGalley and Citadel/Kensington Books for granting me access to this ARC.
Teresa Sievers arrives home early due having to see patients from a family vacation in Connecticut where her husband, Mark, and their two daughters remain to spend more time with their grandmother. She lets her husband know she’s arrived at the airport. The next day when Teresa fails to arrive at work, a colleague contacts a friend who arrives to Teresa bludgeoned to death. Mark has an airtight alibi.
What follows are the steps the Florida investigators took to identify the killer. It’s chronological tale told with journalist evenness. While there is nothing really twisty or “turny” in the telling, the secrets in the marriage are a bit disturbing and the link to two other murders most revealing. This is a page turner for sure.
True crime lovers should enjoy this book - I did.
My thanks to NetGalley and Citadel/Kensington Books for granting me access to this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Kensington Publishing, for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As someone who listens to a lot of true-crime podcasts, I’m accustomed to books and podcasts exploring the personal lives of victims and the people around them. In true crime, that background can be important in helping readers understand the people involved and the circumstances that led to a crime. Unfortunately, in A Double Life, I often found myself questioning whether some of the personal information included was necessary to the story.
The book provides a considerable amount of detail about Teresa Sievers’s personal life, including intimate details about her sexual preferences and experiences. While some of this information may provide context for understanding the marriage and relationships at the centre of the case, I felt that much of it crossed the line from relevant background into unnecessary exposure of a victim’s private life. I repeatedly found myself wondering: "Why do we need to know this? How does this information help us understand the murder?"
That concern was particularly troubling because Teresa was not simply a character in a crime story: she was a real person, and she left behind children. I couldn’t help thinking about how her daughters might feel if they were to read these passages about their mother. Some of the details seemed like information they would be unlikely to want made public, particularly when those details did not seem essential to understanding what happened to her.
The book does offer an interesting examination of the relationships and psychological dynamics surrounding the case, and Brottman clearly provides extensive background. However, at times the amount of detail worked against the narrative for me. Some sections felt more like filler than information that moved the story forward or helped explain the crime. A tighter focus on the events, relationships, motivations, and evidence directly connected to the murder would, in my opinion, have made for a stronger and more compelling book.
I appreciate that true crime often involves uncomfortable and sometimes deeply personal material. There are occasions when those details are necessary to understand a victim, a perpetrator, or the circumstances of a crime. My issue here was not that the book was uncomfortable; it was that I wasn’t always convinced the discomfort served a meaningful purpose.
Ultimately, A Double Life provided plenty of information about the case, but I was left questioning the balance between telling a complete story and respecting the privacy and dignity of someone who can no longer speak for herself. For me, the book would have been more effective if it had shown greater restraint in revealing intimate details that didn't seem particularly relevant to the murder.
As someone who listens to a lot of true-crime podcasts, I’m accustomed to books and podcasts exploring the personal lives of victims and the people around them. In true crime, that background can be important in helping readers understand the people involved and the circumstances that led to a crime. Unfortunately, in A Double Life, I often found myself questioning whether some of the personal information included was necessary to the story.
The book provides a considerable amount of detail about Teresa Sievers’s personal life, including intimate details about her sexual preferences and experiences. While some of this information may provide context for understanding the marriage and relationships at the centre of the case, I felt that much of it crossed the line from relevant background into unnecessary exposure of a victim’s private life. I repeatedly found myself wondering: "Why do we need to know this? How does this information help us understand the murder?"
That concern was particularly troubling because Teresa was not simply a character in a crime story: she was a real person, and she left behind children. I couldn’t help thinking about how her daughters might feel if they were to read these passages about their mother. Some of the details seemed like information they would be unlikely to want made public, particularly when those details did not seem essential to understanding what happened to her.
The book does offer an interesting examination of the relationships and psychological dynamics surrounding the case, and Brottman clearly provides extensive background. However, at times the amount of detail worked against the narrative for me. Some sections felt more like filler than information that moved the story forward or helped explain the crime. A tighter focus on the events, relationships, motivations, and evidence directly connected to the murder would, in my opinion, have made for a stronger and more compelling book.
I appreciate that true crime often involves uncomfortable and sometimes deeply personal material. There are occasions when those details are necessary to understand a victim, a perpetrator, or the circumstances of a crime. My issue here was not that the book was uncomfortable; it was that I wasn’t always convinced the discomfort served a meaningful purpose.
Ultimately, A Double Life provided plenty of information about the case, but I was left questioning the balance between telling a complete story and respecting the privacy and dignity of someone who can no longer speak for herself. For me, the book would have been more effective if it had shown greater restraint in revealing intimate details that didn't seem particularly relevant to the murder.
September 30, 2026
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
I really feel for Teresa. She had such a clingy husband that was not really bringing much to her life and was constantly jealous even though he knew himself to be hypocritical. She was successful and driven and had a plan. Mark stopped seeing how he fit into that. There are some men who refuse to let a woman walk away. This book delves into the horrors that can happen when a person decides to take a life into their hands. I wasn’t shocked by the outcome but it just made me extremely sad. There is always the option to leave and that should be the one taken regardless of how difficult it will be. I’m glad the outcome happened as it did.
Description:
This true crime book explores the murder of Dr. Teresa Sievers. To outside observers, Teresa and her husband, Mark, appeared to have a picture-perfect life in Bonita Springs, Florida. Teresa ran a successful holistic and anti-aging medical practice, while Mark—a former nurse—handled the business operations and homeschooled their two daughters.
The illusion shattered in June 2015 when Teresa was brutally beaten to death with a hammer inside her kitchen. Mark had a solid alibi: he and their daughters were away on a family trip to New York. Though the crime scene initially suggested a break-in gone wrong, investigators quickly determined it was a deliberate, targeted attack. Friends and family were stunned that anyone could harbor such violent hatred toward Teresa, a well-liked, charismatic doctor often referred to as a "modern-day Mother Teresa". As the investigation unfolded, hidden truths behind the couple's glamorous image began to surface. Teresa's desire for fame had led to questionable choices, and the couple maintained a passionate yet volatile open marriage. Further complicating matters was Mark's close relationship with his childhood best friend, Wayne Wright, who bore a striking resemblance to Mark. Despite living a vastly different life in an Ozarks trailer park, Wayne shared an intense bond with Mark. Brottman goes beyond standard true crime storytelling to examine the complex, destructive powers of extreme love, dark obsessions, and deep-seated hatred.
I really feel for Teresa. She had such a clingy husband that was not really bringing much to her life and was constantly jealous even though he knew himself to be hypocritical. She was successful and driven and had a plan. Mark stopped seeing how he fit into that. There are some men who refuse to let a woman walk away. This book delves into the horrors that can happen when a person decides to take a life into their hands. I wasn’t shocked by the outcome but it just made me extremely sad. There is always the option to leave and that should be the one taken regardless of how difficult it will be. I’m glad the outcome happened as it did.
Description:
This true crime book explores the murder of Dr. Teresa Sievers. To outside observers, Teresa and her husband, Mark, appeared to have a picture-perfect life in Bonita Springs, Florida. Teresa ran a successful holistic and anti-aging medical practice, while Mark—a former nurse—handled the business operations and homeschooled their two daughters.
The illusion shattered in June 2015 when Teresa was brutally beaten to death with a hammer inside her kitchen. Mark had a solid alibi: he and their daughters were away on a family trip to New York. Though the crime scene initially suggested a break-in gone wrong, investigators quickly determined it was a deliberate, targeted attack. Friends and family were stunned that anyone could harbor such violent hatred toward Teresa, a well-liked, charismatic doctor often referred to as a "modern-day Mother Teresa". As the investigation unfolded, hidden truths behind the couple's glamorous image began to surface. Teresa's desire for fame had led to questionable choices, and the couple maintained a passionate yet volatile open marriage. Further complicating matters was Mark's close relationship with his childhood best friend, Wayne Wright, who bore a striking resemblance to Mark. Despite living a vastly different life in an Ozarks trailer park, Wayne shared an intense bond with Mark. Brottman goes beyond standard true crime storytelling to examine the complex, destructive powers of extreme love, dark obsessions, and deep-seated hatred.
November 9, 2026
Thank you so much to @kensingtoncreatorhq and NetGalley for this eARC!!
As someone who loves true crime, I’m always interested in books that go beyond the crime itself and really dig into the people involved, their relationships, and what could drive someone to commit murder. This one definitely delivered!
The book follows the 2015 murder of Teresa Sievers, a successful Florida physician who was brutally killed inside her own home. What initially appeared to be a possible burglary quickly turned into something much more sinister. The deeper investigators looked, the more secrets, questionable relationships, and disturbing details began to surface.
One of the things I appreciated most was Mikita Brottman’s approach to telling this story. She combines investigative reporting with psychological insight, giving readers a deeper look into the personalities and relationships involved without constantly pushing her own conclusions. I really enjoyed being able to look at the facts and form my own opinions as the case unfolded.
And this case? Absolutely insane. The amount of manipulation, deception, and planning involved is disturbing. There were so many moments where I found myself shaking my head at the decisions people made. You really can't make some of this stuff up.
I also appreciated that the author didn't try to make the story more dramatic than it already was. She lets the details speak for themselves, and that alone was enough to keep me turning the pages.
Overall, I thought this was a really solid true crime read! It was well researched, easy to follow, and offered a fascinating look at the darker side of human relationships. If you enjoy true crime that explores the psychology behind a murder just as much as the investigation itself, I'd definitely recommend picking this one up!
As someone who loves true crime, I’m always interested in books that go beyond the crime itself and really dig into the people involved, their relationships, and what could drive someone to commit murder. This one definitely delivered!
The book follows the 2015 murder of Teresa Sievers, a successful Florida physician who was brutally killed inside her own home. What initially appeared to be a possible burglary quickly turned into something much more sinister. The deeper investigators looked, the more secrets, questionable relationships, and disturbing details began to surface.
One of the things I appreciated most was Mikita Brottman’s approach to telling this story. She combines investigative reporting with psychological insight, giving readers a deeper look into the personalities and relationships involved without constantly pushing her own conclusions. I really enjoyed being able to look at the facts and form my own opinions as the case unfolded.
And this case? Absolutely insane. The amount of manipulation, deception, and planning involved is disturbing. There were so many moments where I found myself shaking my head at the decisions people made. You really can't make some of this stuff up.
I also appreciated that the author didn't try to make the story more dramatic than it already was. She lets the details speak for themselves, and that alone was enough to keep me turning the pages.
Overall, I thought this was a really solid true crime read! It was well researched, easy to follow, and offered a fascinating look at the darker side of human relationships. If you enjoy true crime that explores the psychology behind a murder just as much as the investigation itself, I'd definitely recommend picking this one up!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
read if you like:
😭 non-fiction
🏳️🌈 true crime with psychological backstories
📚 murder
summary:
This is a non-fiction book about a real life crime that I actually hadn't When Florida physician Teresa Sievers is found brutally murdered inside her home, suspicion eventually turns toward the person closest to her—even though he was hundreds of miles away when she died. What follows is a disturbing story of obsession, manipulation and the idea that even when your story lines up, there might be more to it than meets the eye.
This is a true crime book that focuses less on the drama of the murder itself and more on understanding the psychology behind it. The author takes a detailed look at the complicated relationships around Teresa, including her eclectic marriage, her husband’s hidden rage and the childhood friends that would eventually become part of the crime itself. Personally, I found the psychological elements especially interesting. The idea that someone can maintain the appearance of an amazing husband and father while quietly planning something so calculated is so wild. There are parts when the level of detail makes the story feel slower than it needs to be, but the case itself is so bizarre—and the motivations so twisted—that I stayed hooked.
Thanks to Kensington Publishing and Citadel for the advanced copy, and if you like true crime, check this book out when it releases on September 29!
😭 non-fiction
🏳️🌈 true crime with psychological backstories
📚 murder
summary:
This is a non-fiction book about a real life crime that I actually hadn't When Florida physician Teresa Sievers is found brutally murdered inside her home, suspicion eventually turns toward the person closest to her—even though he was hundreds of miles away when she died. What follows is a disturbing story of obsession, manipulation and the idea that even when your story lines up, there might be more to it than meets the eye.
This is a true crime book that focuses less on the drama of the murder itself and more on understanding the psychology behind it. The author takes a detailed look at the complicated relationships around Teresa, including her eclectic marriage, her husband’s hidden rage and the childhood friends that would eventually become part of the crime itself. Personally, I found the psychological elements especially interesting. The idea that someone can maintain the appearance of an amazing husband and father while quietly planning something so calculated is so wild. There are parts when the level of detail makes the story feel slower than it needs to be, but the case itself is so bizarre—and the motivations so twisted—that I stayed hooked.
Thanks to Kensington Publishing and Citadel for the advanced copy, and if you like true crime, check this book out when it releases on September 29!
October 2, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Highbridge Audio for the Audiobook ARC!
Mikita Brottman’s A Double Life: The Anatomy of a Premeditated Murder is a masterful work of true crime that proves non-fiction can be just as pulse-pounding as a top-tier psychological thriller. Brottman takes a complex, chilling real-life case and reconstructs it with the precision of a surgeon and the dramatic momentum of a master novelist.
The thing that captivated me most, right from the start of the book, was the sheer quality of Brottman’s storytelling. Rather than leaning on dry timelines or clinical court transcripts, she builds narrative tension with expert pacing. She delves deep into the psychological underpinnings of the crime, carefully peeling back the layers of deception, dual identities, and calculated planning. The result is a narrative so immersive and propulsive that it’s easy to forget you’re reading a factual account.
Brottman excels at bringing the figures involved to life, painting vivid, nuanced portraits rather than sensationalized caricatures. Her prose is sharp, atmospheric, and ethically grounded, maintaining a sharp focus on the anatomy of the crime without ever devolving into cheap shock value.
A Double Life is a standout addition to the true crime genre—a gripping, meticulously reported narrative that will effortlessly captivate fans of narrative non-fiction and crime fiction alike.
Mikita Brottman’s A Double Life: The Anatomy of a Premeditated Murder is a masterful work of true crime that proves non-fiction can be just as pulse-pounding as a top-tier psychological thriller. Brottman takes a complex, chilling real-life case and reconstructs it with the precision of a surgeon and the dramatic momentum of a master novelist.
The thing that captivated me most, right from the start of the book, was the sheer quality of Brottman’s storytelling. Rather than leaning on dry timelines or clinical court transcripts, she builds narrative tension with expert pacing. She delves deep into the psychological underpinnings of the crime, carefully peeling back the layers of deception, dual identities, and calculated planning. The result is a narrative so immersive and propulsive that it’s easy to forget you’re reading a factual account.
Brottman excels at bringing the figures involved to life, painting vivid, nuanced portraits rather than sensationalized caricatures. Her prose is sharp, atmospheric, and ethically grounded, maintaining a sharp focus on the anatomy of the crime without ever devolving into cheap shock value.
A Double Life is a standout addition to the true crime genre—a gripping, meticulously reported narrative that will effortlessly captivate fans of narrative non-fiction and crime fiction alike.
October 20, 2026
The book was really interesting and well-written, there were just parts that I think could've been handled better. I got the idea that the author doesn't think highly of people who are overweight or those who live in poverty, for example. I did think that she handled the discussion of Theresa and Mark's personal lives pretty well, which is why the inconsistency in treatment is so noticeable.
I also spent a good amount of time wondering why we were citing Freud???? Almost all of Freud's theories have been completely debunked, yet he was cited as if he's still relevant to the field of psychology. One of them that really got me was the statement, presented as unquestionable fact, that people choose their opposite-sex romantic partners based on how similar they are to their opposite-sex parent, with no citation or reference to back up its validity. That isn't true! It's a Freud thing! (I did just look up the author and she is a psychoanalyst, which is Freud's field, so this makes more sense with that context. Still doesn't change the fact that his theories are, for the most part, no longer considered valid.)
I also spent a good amount of time wondering why we were citing Freud???? Almost all of Freud's theories have been completely debunked, yet he was cited as if he's still relevant to the field of psychology. One of them that really got me was the statement, presented as unquestionable fact, that people choose their opposite-sex romantic partners based on how similar they are to their opposite-sex parent, with no citation or reference to back up its validity. That isn't true! It's a Freud thing! (I did just look up the author and she is a psychoanalyst, which is Freud's field, so this makes more sense with that context. Still doesn't change the fact that his theories are, for the most part, no longer considered valid.)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a fun audiobook! If you’re a true crime podcast girlie, I think this one is absolutely worth a listen. The way the story is produced makes it feel less like you’re listening to a traditional audiobook and more like you’ve just discovered a new true crime podcast and immediately need to binge every episode.
It was incredibly easy to get sucked into the mystery. I kept questioning what actually happened, who was telling the truth, and whether I had figured everything out.
The story itself has all the messy ingredients I want from this kind of mystery, complicated friendships, secrets, murder, questionable decisions, and plenty of drama. There were a few moments where the pacing slowed down for me, kind of like... okay why does this matter?, which kept it from being a five-star listen. But I was entertained the entire time.
4 stars. Definitely recommend the audiobook specifically for my fellow true crime podcast girlies. 🎧🔪
I received an advanced listening copy of this audiobook through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own
It was incredibly easy to get sucked into the mystery. I kept questioning what actually happened, who was telling the truth, and whether I had figured everything out.
The story itself has all the messy ingredients I want from this kind of mystery, complicated friendships, secrets, murder, questionable decisions, and plenty of drama. There were a few moments where the pacing slowed down for me, kind of like... okay why does this matter?, which kept it from being a five-star listen. But I was entertained the entire time.
4 stars. Definitely recommend the audiobook specifically for my fellow true crime podcast girlies. 🎧🔪
I received an advanced listening copy of this audiobook through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own
October 6, 2026
This was exactly the type of true crime book I enjoy because it went beyond simply explaining what happened and really explored the people and relationships surrounding the crime. The murder of Teresa Sievers is disturbing enough on its own, but the relationships, secrets, and circumstances behind it make the case even more difficult to wrap your head around.
I especially liked the psychological focus of the book. Rather than treating the case like a simple mystery, it examines how complicated relationships, obsession, betrayal, and people's private lives can exist underneath what looks completely normal from the outside. There were definitely moments where I found myself questioning how everything could have reached the point that it did.
It was detailed without feeling like I was just reading a timeline of a criminal case. I would recommend this to people who enjoy true crime but especially those who are interested in the psychology and relationships behind a crime rather than only the investigation itself.
I especially liked the psychological focus of the book. Rather than treating the case like a simple mystery, it examines how complicated relationships, obsession, betrayal, and people's private lives can exist underneath what looks completely normal from the outside. There were definitely moments where I found myself questioning how everything could have reached the point that it did.
It was detailed without feeling like I was just reading a timeline of a criminal case. I would recommend this to people who enjoy true crime but especially those who are interested in the psychology and relationships behind a crime rather than only the investigation itself.
August 11, 2026
3.25 stars, rounded down
Title and author: A Double Life: The Anatomy of a Premeditated Murder by Mikita Brottman
Publisher: Citadel Press
Publication date: September 29, 2026
For those who: hate bald men and use Keith Morrison’s voice as the narrator in your head as you read.
Thank you to the publisher for providing this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
In terms of tone, I’d consider this a meat-and-potatoes type of true crime novel. But in terms of coverage, I was left a bit unsatisfied.
A Double Life is Mikita Brottman’s fourth major outing in the genre, following on the heels of the hit Guilty Creatures, which is slated for adaptation into a tv thriller starring Julia Garner. Brottman’s true crime books often mix straightforward crime reporting with more insightful psychoanalysis-tinged passages. I don’t see this pointed out very often, but some of the very best true crime writers seem to adopt a local affinity; Ann Rule and the PNW come to mind. Brottman has moved from Maryland-centric stories in An Unexplained Death and Couple Found Slain to a southeastern/Florida bent that I have enjoyed and hope she continues to lean into.
This book covers the murder of Dr. Teresa Sievers, a holistic health practitioner who was bludgeoned to death in her home in the summer of 2015. Ultimately, the investigative trail led to a trio of weirdos: Teresa’s disgruntled husband Mark, his long-time friend Curtis “Wayne” Wright, and a career criminal named Jimmy Ray Rodgers.
I won’t give away all the freaky little twists in this story if you don’t already know them, but the tangled web of the crime can be summarized thusly: despite their loved ones’ assertions, Teresa and Mark do not, in fact, have a good marriage. They are in an open relationship/swingers and, surprise surprise, neither appear to have the emotional maturity to handle that dynamic (Mark especially). Teresa is a bully with a temper a who frequently speaks poorly of her husband and her patients, Mark is a clingy and bitter little man who has a freaky little codependent (and erotically-tinged) relationship with Wayne. As the marriage between Mark and Teresa deteriorates, Mark and Wayne cook up a Strangers on a Train -esque plot to remove her from the equation.
There were quite a lot of crazy factoids I didn’t know about this case, some titillating and some gruesome. either way, I left a lot of “woah” and “jesus christ” notes through my e-copy.
I have to be straightforward with why I did not love quite a bit of this. Given the erotic themes swirling around, particularly the homoerotic ones, I found the psychoanalysis perspective offered by the author Freudian. and not in a good way. in a way that triggered my fight or flight.
In specific, Mark and Wayne look very much alike, to the point that they are mistaken for each other. Brottman spins this as a fun take on Freud’s doppelgänger - an opportunity for both actors to indulge in a double life dissociated and strange, diving too deep into the mirror image you go through to the other side. Or as I referred to it in my head throughout: the Mario-Wario effect.
Freud's legacy in psychology is very complicated, for various reasons that if I get started on I will never stop. I understand the need to integrate him when talking about doppelgängers. But what Freud’s theories should probably not be included in is discussions of queerness. There are quite a few places where the author not-so-implicitly indicates that Mark and Wayne were experiencing repressed queer urges for one another. These urges were stoked by or lead to the doubling they would do, purposefully trying to look like one another. And this, in some way, potentially led to Teresa’s death. At one point it is stated that psychologists recognize that a duo cultivating themselves as doubles of each other “suggests a homosexual identification, however repressed.” citation needed.
(and, just a tangent, but it is also posited that in seeking a romantic partner, we unconsciously are attracted to someone like our opposite sex parent but b/c the relationship occurs outside of the family, we aren’t hampered by the “incest barrier.” then when we become parents with our partner, that incest-y feeling occurs, leading to a dry spell in sexual contact. as a lesbian, i didn’t need that diversion in my true crime book if i’m being honest.)
there are many ways that the doppelgänger theme occurs in this narrative - Teresa’s care for others while having a verbally abusive dynamic w/her husband, Mark’s desire to be both Mr. Mom and traditionally masculine, etc - that the Here’s What Freud Would Think About the Gay™️ Of It All did not need to be leaned into like that. It would have been enough to work into the narrative that Mark and Wayne had a semi-sexual relationship with one another and that fueled their little folie à deux. I fear that getting psychoanalytic like Brottman does here encourages readers to view queerness as, if not a catalyst for homicide, something strange and dark and on par with a psychological disturbance. I doubt that was the intention, but I couldn’t help but feel like we were encouraged to gawk at the queerness like it was part of the freak show. I can’t personally countenance that.
Altogether, I felt that otherwise solid true crime writing was hampered by semi-baked tangents into psychoanalysis. The author could have dove into a variety of thematic wells: the latent rage and misogyny of certain male house-husbands, the skeevy health-and-wellness circles teresa ran in, the way we use others as mirrors. While these were touched on, they were insufficiently explored or otherwise overshadowed by the Freudian angle.
While A Double Life had good bones, it ultimately fell flat for me. I’m buoyed by solid writing and architecture here, so will be giving Brottman another try down the road.
Title and author: A Double Life: The Anatomy of a Premeditated Murder by Mikita Brottman
Publisher: Citadel Press
Publication date: September 29, 2026
For those who: hate bald men and use Keith Morrison’s voice as the narrator in your head as you read.
Thank you to the publisher for providing this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
In terms of tone, I’d consider this a meat-and-potatoes type of true crime novel. But in terms of coverage, I was left a bit unsatisfied.
A Double Life is Mikita Brottman’s fourth major outing in the genre, following on the heels of the hit Guilty Creatures, which is slated for adaptation into a tv thriller starring Julia Garner. Brottman’s true crime books often mix straightforward crime reporting with more insightful psychoanalysis-tinged passages. I don’t see this pointed out very often, but some of the very best true crime writers seem to adopt a local affinity; Ann Rule and the PNW come to mind. Brottman has moved from Maryland-centric stories in An Unexplained Death and Couple Found Slain to a southeastern/Florida bent that I have enjoyed and hope she continues to lean into.
This book covers the murder of Dr. Teresa Sievers, a holistic health practitioner who was bludgeoned to death in her home in the summer of 2015. Ultimately, the investigative trail led to a trio of weirdos: Teresa’s disgruntled husband Mark, his long-time friend Curtis “Wayne” Wright, and a career criminal named Jimmy Ray Rodgers.
I won’t give away all the freaky little twists in this story if you don’t already know them, but the tangled web of the crime can be summarized thusly: despite their loved ones’ assertions, Teresa and Mark do not, in fact, have a good marriage. They are in an open relationship/swingers and, surprise surprise, neither appear to have the emotional maturity to handle that dynamic (Mark especially). Teresa is a bully with a temper a who frequently speaks poorly of her husband and her patients, Mark is a clingy and bitter little man who has a freaky little codependent (and erotically-tinged) relationship with Wayne. As the marriage between Mark and Teresa deteriorates, Mark and Wayne cook up a Strangers on a Train -esque plot to remove her from the equation.
There were quite a lot of crazy factoids I didn’t know about this case, some titillating and some gruesome. either way, I left a lot of “woah” and “jesus christ” notes through my e-copy.
I have to be straightforward with why I did not love quite a bit of this. Given the erotic themes swirling around, particularly the homoerotic ones, I found the psychoanalysis perspective offered by the author Freudian. and not in a good way. in a way that triggered my fight or flight.
In specific, Mark and Wayne look very much alike, to the point that they are mistaken for each other. Brottman spins this as a fun take on Freud’s doppelgänger - an opportunity for both actors to indulge in a double life dissociated and strange, diving too deep into the mirror image you go through to the other side. Or as I referred to it in my head throughout: the Mario-Wario effect.
Freud's legacy in psychology is very complicated, for various reasons that if I get started on I will never stop. I understand the need to integrate him when talking about doppelgängers. But what Freud’s theories should probably not be included in is discussions of queerness. There are quite a few places where the author not-so-implicitly indicates that Mark and Wayne were experiencing repressed queer urges for one another. These urges were stoked by or lead to the doubling they would do, purposefully trying to look like one another. And this, in some way, potentially led to Teresa’s death. At one point it is stated that psychologists recognize that a duo cultivating themselves as doubles of each other “suggests a homosexual identification, however repressed.” citation needed.
(and, just a tangent, but it is also posited that in seeking a romantic partner, we unconsciously are attracted to someone like our opposite sex parent but b/c the relationship occurs outside of the family, we aren’t hampered by the “incest barrier.” then when we become parents with our partner, that incest-y feeling occurs, leading to a dry spell in sexual contact. as a lesbian, i didn’t need that diversion in my true crime book if i’m being honest.)
there are many ways that the doppelgänger theme occurs in this narrative - Teresa’s care for others while having a verbally abusive dynamic w/her husband, Mark’s desire to be both Mr. Mom and traditionally masculine, etc - that the Here’s What Freud Would Think About the Gay™️ Of It All did not need to be leaned into like that. It would have been enough to work into the narrative that Mark and Wayne had a semi-sexual relationship with one another and that fueled their little folie à deux. I fear that getting psychoanalytic like Brottman does here encourages readers to view queerness as, if not a catalyst for homicide, something strange and dark and on par with a psychological disturbance. I doubt that was the intention, but I couldn’t help but feel like we were encouraged to gawk at the queerness like it was part of the freak show. I can’t personally countenance that.
Altogether, I felt that otherwise solid true crime writing was hampered by semi-baked tangents into psychoanalysis. The author could have dove into a variety of thematic wells: the latent rage and misogyny of certain male house-husbands, the skeevy health-and-wellness circles teresa ran in, the way we use others as mirrors. While these were touched on, they were insufficiently explored or otherwise overshadowed by the Freudian angle.
While A Double Life had good bones, it ultimately fell flat for me. I’m buoyed by solid writing and architecture here, so will be giving Brottman another try down the road.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and Highbridge Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest true crime story by Mikita Brottman, narrated by Evan Sibley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!
Teresa and Mark Sievers seemingly led a perfect life in Bonita Springs, Florida. Teresa ran a thriving medical practice specializing in anti-aging and holistic care. Mark, a former nurse, managed the business while home-schooling their two daughters. Then, in June 2015, the unimaginable Teresa was found bludgeoned to death in their kitchen.
This is my third true crime tale by Mikita Brottman and all of them have been so well done. I had not heard of this sad story before listening to this book. The author writes a gripping story of a complex crime, where the evidence and facts are laid out succinctly. The audio narration just added to the reporting, and kept me engaged from the very beginning. Very well done.
Teresa and Mark Sievers seemingly led a perfect life in Bonita Springs, Florida. Teresa ran a thriving medical practice specializing in anti-aging and holistic care. Mark, a former nurse, managed the business while home-schooling their two daughters. Then, in June 2015, the unimaginable Teresa was found bludgeoned to death in their kitchen.
This is my third true crime tale by Mikita Brottman and all of them have been so well done. I had not heard of this sad story before listening to this book. The author writes a gripping story of a complex crime, where the evidence and facts are laid out succinctly. The audio narration just added to the reporting, and kept me engaged from the very beginning. Very well done.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Double Life is a deeply tragic story, and the kind of book that makes me sit with and evaluate society’s true crime fascination. That said, I think those who do enjoy true crime will find this book incredibly compelling. I had never heard of this case, and while the reality of it is truly unbelievable it’s told here in a way that’s equal parts interesting and factually clear. I think the author reclaimed a narrative that was sensationalized by the media and brought it back to the true horror at the core of the case. When I watch, listen to, or read true crime I look for something to learn or take away with me that will support justice for victims (I always want it to be FOR something beyond entertainment), and I do think there are clear learning opportunities around premeditation and how little we truly know about someone’s private actions based on the life they present to the outside world.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ALC.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ALC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was an excellently-researched and well-laid-out book. It's one thing to capture a true crime story right from the headlines, and entirely another to lay out the facts and background information in a succinct way to the reader. I enjoyed all the details, giving full backgrounds of each person entangled in this salacious story. I didn't feel like they were unnecessary or redundant. I am baffled by the amount of people in our country (and certainly others) who kill their spouses...if indeed you believe the charges and subsequent conviction. I thought Brottman did a great job presenting facts with no opinions. Definitely a must-read for any fan of true crime or just those interested in a sensational story that had so many layers than at first seemed likely.
Thanks to NetGalley and Citadel for this ARC. All opinions are mine.
Thanks to NetGalley and Citadel for this ARC. All opinions are mine.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I remember hearing about this case from one of the true crime podcasts I listen to, so I was curious to learn more about it.
I did think that the focus and discussion of this couple's sex life was really weird. And really unnecessary. I also don't think the number of times she was referred to as "sexy" was necessary. That part of really weird to me.
This book is full of detail and information about everyone involved in this case, so I did really appreciate that. I did learn a lot about the whole situation: crime and investigation and trial.
Random thought: why would you have your identical bestie murder your wife? I fear that is quite dumb. And commenting on their matching "glistening domes" (bald heads) is honestly hilarious.
Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I did think that the focus and discussion of this couple's sex life was really weird. And really unnecessary. I also don't think the number of times she was referred to as "sexy" was necessary. That part of really weird to me.
This book is full of detail and information about everyone involved in this case, so I did really appreciate that. I did learn a lot about the whole situation: crime and investigation and trial.
Random thought: why would you have your identical bestie murder your wife? I fear that is quite dumb. And commenting on their matching "glistening domes" (bald heads) is honestly hilarious.
Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
October 10, 2026
I won this through Goodreads Giveaways and was not disappointed. While most murder stories of this type are predictable in regards to who orchestrated the murder and generally why they wanted the victim out of their lives A Double Life was no different but still a very interesting and fast read. The twist in a sense came in the form of who the husband hired to dispatch his wife. Ms. Brottmann did not delve too deeply into the trial, which was a good thing because as she wrote most trials are boring especially when the technical and forensic experts get onto the stand it's a ho hum moment. They are necessary however to proving the defendants guilt but it you want all those details then read the trial transcript. The murder of Teresa Sievers was beyond brutal but the guilty are behind bars and will never be free again.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Teresa Sievers had it all. Great looks, a brilliant brain, a bright future in the medical field, a supportive family, two daughters, and a husband who worshipped her. Yet, it was not enough. Mikita Brottman takes us through the early days of Teresa’s marriage to Mark Sievers, their careers, Teresa’s ambitions, and the trouble within the marriage. Brottman explains the investigation, the Florida criminal justice system, and how intertwined all parties in this case were. Deception, resentment, unrealistic expectations, and combustible passion combined with doppelgangers in an open marriage eventually led to a plot to kill. This book will come out September 29, 2026.
I received an Advance Reader’s Edition from Ann Pryor at Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review.
I received an Advance Reader’s Edition from Ann Pryor at Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review.
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