MENDACITY: JODI ARIAS: Secret Witness

by Lisa Wilson, Nick van der Leek

“The horror of Jodi Arias is that by murdering Travis she discovered her true self, she became the fully formed chameleon that was crawling in the shadows, and once the spotlight of the court and media fell on her, it didn’t feel like the cold light of truth, but something to warm herself under..."MENDACITY is a follow-up to the bestselling AUDACITY. Beyond Jodi’s failures it deals with the failures of Juror 17 to be honest not only towards her fellow jurors, but likely, even towards herself. MENDACITY’s interrogation of Juror 17 exposes the woman who single-handedly bungled the conclusion of a 7 year case that cost $3.2 million. “One juror said #17 called the death penalty a ‘form of revenge’…”But wasn’t that Juror 17’s motive in being a holdout? Did Juror 17 want payback for the prosecutor who sentenced her husband to jail?True Crime writer Lisa Wilson travels to Phoenix to find Jodi, follow the jurors and pursue Justice for Travis, but these prove to be elusive. Meanwhile, South African photojournalist Nick van der Leek does detective work in a whole new MENDACITY. Why do they lie? Once again, both authors' interrogations will surprise and terrify the reader.MENDACITY focuses almost entirely on the Penalty Phase of the jaw-dropping Jodi Arias trial. Many new dialogues between Travis and Jodi are brought to light, dissected and analyzed. The reader can expect plenty of surprises, and more than a few awkward moments, when the lessons learned about Jodi and Travis are turned and reflected - sharply – at ourselves.Note from the "One of the things that differentiates our narratives from the many that are out there is besides interrogating the criminals, we also try to understand the victim’s story, and then we turn those same interrogations back to society and ourselves. If we can’t – or won’t – do that, then these horrible crimes (and their perpetrators) are doomed to repeat themselves. What if, by paying attention, we can heal ourselves and our societies?"Extract from the final "The mere attention of the world – even if it’s cynical, gloating or accusatory – is satisfying [for Jodi], because it is far better than what preceded it. Rejection. Insignificance. Finitude. ...”

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 20, 2015

About the author

Lisa Wilson (aka Juror13) is a trial blogger who resides in California, USA.

She and South African freelance photojournalist Nick van der Leek, under the partnership of #SHAKEDOWN, have paired up to co-author many trial narratives.

Reviews

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is actually the first commentary on the Arias case that expressed the same conclusion I came to about this killer; that in her twisted, sick, psychotic mind, she did indeed believe she needed to kill Travis so that she could continue to live. Only it wasn't her physical life that was in mortal danger from Travis, but a very puny, diminished and pathetic sense of self. Tragically, it worked and her sense of self has been magnified by the notoriety and attention she has received these past years. My only hope is that the long years ahead restore her to the puny, diminished and pathetic self she really is.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight in to both Jodi and Travis' lives. Provided numerous links to references made in the e-book.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

is it really that confusing and difficult?

this narrative deals with what about Jodi and Travis made them go down the road they did...and it claims basically that they both led inauthentic lives ..Jodi becoming whoever she needed to be at any given time , this being how she gained boyfriends , jobs ...Travis wanted to be the faithful good Mormon that he wasnt so he acted like he was and in the process lied to himself and everyone else..this lie to himself is what made him believe that Jodi wasn't good enough for him ..i m not sure I agree with what really led Jodi to plan and carry out murdering Travis..I could just be that she knew he was slowly shutting her out of his life and it was just easier for her to go on without him by him not being available ever again. Jodi didn't have to hear about him and other women ...nothing ...

[Lisa Scott · Rating 1 out of 5]

Utter rubbish!

I literally flipped through the pages, the authors get so caught up in their own psychobabble and opinions it is comparable to reading a text book in school, I am an avid true crime fan and was looking forward to reading about the Arias case, and sadly left feeling overwhelmed by long, dry psychological narratives and pointless personal stories from the authors. Also another gripe is the huge amount of highlighted material to download but lots of the links are unavailable, or silly pictures of cats saying WTF!!!
If you are looking for a good true crime story sadly you won't get it here.

[Jolene]

good read. Goes very deep

[d wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

As always another very different true crime account by Lisa Wilson and co. Drawing on philosophical, psychological and sociological theories with a splattering of science fiction and humour the reader is taken on a real journey of discovery.