Love You to Death: A Story of Sex, Betrayal and Murder Gone Wrong

by Megan Norris

Wealthy Melbourne business man Chris Soteriou had a life to die for.

Handsome, filthy rich and highly driven, the successful entrepreneur's lavish lifestyle of fast cars, designer clothes and luxury holidays was topped only by his perfect family - including a beautiful, sexy wife who swore she loved him to death.

And thanks to the chilling surprise Vicky Soteriou had arranged for her trusting husband's forty-fourth birthday, she very nearly did.

Investigative journalist and author Megan Norris unearths the sobering tale of a man whose only mistake was giving his heart to the wrong woman.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime

326 pages, Paperback

First published August 4, 2014

About the author

Megan Norris is a UK-born journalist experienced in the criminal justice system. Her career in journalism began in 1976 as a reporter in the UK covering courts, police rounds and general news. Later specialising in court coverage, she wrote about the impact of crime on victims and their families. She has covered stories including the aftermath of the Port Arthur massacre and some of Australia's most high-profile serial killers and stalkers.

She lives in Melbourne, Victoria, with her husband Stephen and their two sons Peter and Alex.

Reviews

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well-intentioned, but overly l-o-n-g.

[Margaret Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard working migrant claws his way up from refugee status to wealthy businessman, but consistently falls for the wrong sort of woman – vulnerable personalities, psychologically fragile.

My rule: always marry your equal. Unfortunately, he doesn’t know about my rule and ends up stabbed by his wife’s suicidal boyfriend who’s so high on drugs he can’t remember doing it. The wife has watched Perfect Stranger too many times and thinks murder is a good idea.

On the night of the crime, two doctors happen to be in the right place at the right time but, even so, the businessman’s injuries are so horrendous that, once at the hospital, he nearly dies from multiple organ failure. While his lacerated liver is draining, his lungs artificially inflated and the two sides of his throat stitched back together, he is transformed by his hideous in-laws from victim to villain.

I got home from work, sat down with this book and read a hundred pages without stopping. All the medical stuff. It was riveting. Well done to the doctors, although it makes you wonder what sort of constitution could survive that sort of treatment. Apparently, he was very fit.

[Zelda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be gripping from start to finish. The extent of evil that some human beings are capable of sometimes beggars belief. To the outside world, Vicky and Chris Soteriou seem to have it all. A perfect marriage, three lovely children, wealth and nice possessions. But something evil and unwholesome has been festering beneath the surface for quite some time. And then all hell breaks loose.

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough, well-paced and respectful. I would definitely read this author again.

[Rania T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Megan Norris has done a brilliant job of piecing together the story of an attempted murder by Vicky Soteriou and her lover Ari Dimitrakis on her husband Chris. For a woman who literally "had it all" to do this to her family is totally incomprehensible, but the detailed layers of this gripping real life tale point to a woman hell bent on lust, greed and materialism. Miraculously, Chris Soteriou survived his ordeal while his evil wife's life is not what it used to be. Melbourne crime at its best....

[Olympia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I was familiar with the series of events, this book by Megan Norris provides the husband's perspective only. Quite a shocking tale of revenge, jealousy, greed and hatred. At times I felt that the book was a bit repetitive, going over the same details. Overall, I felt that I had a much better insight to the series of events, as offered from the eyes of the Sotiriou family.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nicely put together true crime novel. Told in an engrossing manner that included lots of fascinating detail. I like my true crime novels to be very detailed and this one was full of interesting little bits and pieces.

[Victoria Tolley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

Good read...would have loved to seen pictures. Ending seemed to abruptly stop. Still a good read. Had me hooked from the beginning.

[sandra terrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

This is a great book, well written with the storyline easy to follow. " a good book to read. Good luck Chris.

[Tam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting true crime read. I especially liked the insight into Vicky's character and motives. The everyday details of their lives included in the book made the crime all the more real and harrowing.