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Betty Broderick, the mother the murderer
The unauthorized biography of Notorious Murderer Betty Broderick's oldest child. Names have been changed for the privacy of the family, however the telling of this story is long overdue.
- GenresTrue CrimeMemoir
263 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2016
207 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Charles Dennis
49 books2 followersActor, playwright, radio actor, journalist, author, director and screenwriter. B. A. from U. of Toronto
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 14, 2022
3.75
This was an interesting read. There's no way to tell how much is true from this unauthorized memoir but the fact that no one took Charles Dennis to court might be telling - especially as the attorneys for the youngest children sued a lot of people connected to this tragedy. They made a fortune. But they didn't go after this author.
Mr. Dennis starts the book by stating it's an unedited and unrevised account. Names have been changed but it's easy to figure out the source.
Some of the timeline seems to contradict trial information given by the oldest daughter Kim (the narrator of this book) but then her testimony was brought into question by both the prosecutor and the defense attorney at the second trial. Given that this daughter was testifying about her mother murdering her father and her dysfunctional childhood, during a period with admitted drug use and heavy drinking, combined with denial - minor discrepancies didn't bother me. The details remained consisent. And horrific.
The book needs editing but the author did warn us. Certain sections were repetitive. Kim blames her mother for everything and while admits her father may be partially to blame for the toxic marriage, noted that she only experienced her mother's bad behavior. Kim ignores her father's abandonment, cheating, control issues and lack of care for the boys and places blame squarely on her mom. This is understandable given the circumstances - her father was murdered. By her mother.
As a reader, it was difficult to see the daughter's resentment and anger with her mother had not lessened over the years. The story begins with Kim visiting her mom in jail with her young daughters. Still filled with righteous anger. It's just sad from start to finish.
I liked how this book helped provide a fuller picture of what happened. A peek behind the curtains of this family that personified the "Amercian Dream" in their wealthy suburban home. But there was a line for me, I did not enjoy feeling like a voyeur into their personal lives as Kim tells us what happened to her family after her mother's arrest.
This book seemed to be written out of a need to make one's self look better than portrayed in other books and movies about Betty Broderick. Kim makes sure to call out other versions or explain her actions. Who wouldn't want to do that? It is a biased view from a person who lived through it - and continues to have to deal with - the tragedy that befell her entire family.
I gave it four stars for the included family history, personal stories and first hand accounts that made this an useful companion to the other books about Betty Broderick.
This was an interesting read. There's no way to tell how much is true from this unauthorized memoir but the fact that no one took Charles Dennis to court might be telling - especially as the attorneys for the youngest children sued a lot of people connected to this tragedy. They made a fortune. But they didn't go after this author.
Mr. Dennis starts the book by stating it's an unedited and unrevised account. Names have been changed but it's easy to figure out the source.
Some of the timeline seems to contradict trial information given by the oldest daughter Kim (the narrator of this book) but then her testimony was brought into question by both the prosecutor and the defense attorney at the second trial. Given that this daughter was testifying about her mother murdering her father and her dysfunctional childhood, during a period with admitted drug use and heavy drinking, combined with denial - minor discrepancies didn't bother me. The details remained consisent. And horrific.
The book needs editing but the author did warn us. Certain sections were repetitive. Kim blames her mother for everything and while admits her father may be partially to blame for the toxic marriage, noted that she only experienced her mother's bad behavior. Kim ignores her father's abandonment, cheating, control issues and lack of care for the boys and places blame squarely on her mom. This is understandable given the circumstances - her father was murdered. By her mother.
As a reader, it was difficult to see the daughter's resentment and anger with her mother had not lessened over the years. The story begins with Kim visiting her mom in jail with her young daughters. Still filled with righteous anger. It's just sad from start to finish.
I liked how this book helped provide a fuller picture of what happened. A peek behind the curtains of this family that personified the "Amercian Dream" in their wealthy suburban home. But there was a line for me, I did not enjoy feeling like a voyeur into their personal lives as Kim tells us what happened to her family after her mother's arrest.
This book seemed to be written out of a need to make one's self look better than portrayed in other books and movies about Betty Broderick. Kim makes sure to call out other versions or explain her actions. Who wouldn't want to do that? It is a biased view from a person who lived through it - and continues to have to deal with - the tragedy that befell her entire family.
I gave it four stars for the included family history, personal stories and first hand accounts that made this an useful companion to the other books about Betty Broderick.
May 21, 2020
There is a certain amount of confusion about this book. It was originally published in 2014 as Betty Broderick, My Mom: The Kim Broderick Story by Nanette Elkins. Yet there are comments left for reviews of this book at Amazon by one "Kim Broderick" who states she had nothing whatsoever to do with the book. Yet this book by Charles Dennis states in the beginning that it is: “The Unrevised and Unedited Copy of The Kate Broderick Story”. So, who is Kate Broderick? She is obviously Kim Broderick, who very well was possibly concerned about lawsuits. (All the names of the children, and possibly other names, have been changed.)
Or according to comments left after Amazon reviews, she got “cold feet”, or was bribed by a rich uncle to back out of a book and movie deal. Thus, I shall assume in this review that Kim Broderick certainly did have something to do with it, since it is neither sensationalized nor reads like a novel. Plus, it has details about things like family vacations and day-to-day life that no one would possibly spend the time making up. After reading the book, one could clearly understand if Kim Broderick had no interest in getting involved in public arguments or lawsuits, especially with family members. Or that she was possibly afraid of the reaction from her mother’s fans.
It’s too bad, too, that she can’t or won’t take any credit for the story, because it is an intelligent, insightful memoir; as well as probably the most fair and truthful account you’ll ever read about the Betty Broderick case. Moreover, it provides an excellent description of what life is like for children caught in the middle of a very, very ugly divorce situation. Even worse, their parents continuously made the news in San Diego, and then would go on to be the subjects of one of the most famous crime stories in the 1990s. In addition, the four kids were left orphaned, and the two boys, who were minors, were sent to live with relatives who were also having marriage problems, and were heading for divorce!
Now, if you are a Betty Broderick fan; one who clings to the belief that she was the victim in the case and was “driven crazy” by her husband; this book is not for you. It clearly shows she suffered from narcissism, or some other mental problem, long before the divorce. (Betty Broderick sort of seemed in this story like both a narcissist and a woman with a martyr complex--a combination of two opposite extremes.) If she was unhappy, she definitely made sure everyone else in the family was unhappy. While there were certainly good times, there were years of animosity between her and her husband, years of verbal fighting and throwing things. She threw things at the kids, too. And the kids fought with each other all the time. Obviously it was a case of divide and conquer parenting. (That is also often a sign of how family life was like for the parent while growing up.) Their father was a detached workaholic, whose growing income provided more and more material possessions and status in the community, but it didn’t buy love or happiness for anyone.
The separation and divorce could have provided some relief from all the fighting and unhappiness, but instead it sent Betty Broderick over the edge. She could not stand the thought of losing income or status, or of being replaced by a younger woman. The four children became just an audience to all the trauma and drama, just pawns moved back and forth from one home to another. Due to all of Betty Broderick’s violent words and actions, it was amazing no one was that concerned when she got a gun and started taking shooting lessons. (She got a gun!) She was arrested for violating restraining orders various times. (She got a gun!) She rammed her SUV into her ex-husband’s front door. (She got a gun!) She had no identity without him, and thought having married him and putting him through school meant he had no right to live his life without her. (SHE GOT A GUN!)
Early one November morning around 5 AM, she used the gun. She shot her husband and his new wife dead while they slept. She had taken Kim Broderick’s house keys, and even helped her look for her “lost” keys. They were not found before Kim had to go back to college. Her mother would call Kim the morning of the murder and tell her what she did. The hearing and all the publicity got Betty Broderick lots and lots of fan mail and media attention. It all helped to fuel her belief that she was a victim, that she was right. It gave her the attention she so craved as a narcissist. All that publicity and requests for interviews! She was a superstar!
In her mind, she was, without a doubt, the victim, not the victimizer. To this day, she still believes it, she still apparently has fans, and she still sits in prison because she still believes it. They won’t give her parole when she comes up for it because she still believes it. She shows no remorse, only self-pity. She won’t be eligible for parole again until she is 85. Maybe having fans is more important to her than having freedom. Moreover, life outside of prison would certainly not match the way she lived when she had all the money she ever wanted, a beautiful house, and was the envy of others. Those were the three things apparently most important to her before she went to prison, not her four children.
Her four children have all grown up and moved on with their lives. Their mother certainly taught Kim Broderick well by example. There is no self-pity in this memoir. There is no playing victim in this memoir. There is no hatred in this memoir. There is only empathy for most. There is a divorced mother who takes her two young daughters to visit their grandmother in prison, telling them their grandma is in "grown-up time out". There is an oldest daughter who is trying to make sense of it all, trying to explain why things happened like they did, trying to set the record straight.
Who else but Kim Broderick could have or would have written this book, with or without the help of a co-author? What possible motive would she or he have? While there are die-hard Betty Broderick fans and supporters who probably read and buy everything written about her, they are still very limited in number. The case also is not that well-known any longer, and has been forgotten by many who did know of it at one time. Plus, women like Betty Broderick no longer receive the sympathy they once did in the past. Younger generations would surely see her as a materialistic pathetic woman who couldn’t get a grip on reality, who should have been well aware of the family finances, and who should have had a career of her own, or should have gotten one after the divorce.
P.S. Did it ever come up in the trial or anywhere else if Betty Broderick was taking medication during her marriage, or during the separation and divorce, or the morning of the murder? Like "mother's little helpers" or something similar?
Or according to comments left after Amazon reviews, she got “cold feet”, or was bribed by a rich uncle to back out of a book and movie deal. Thus, I shall assume in this review that Kim Broderick certainly did have something to do with it, since it is neither sensationalized nor reads like a novel. Plus, it has details about things like family vacations and day-to-day life that no one would possibly spend the time making up. After reading the book, one could clearly understand if Kim Broderick had no interest in getting involved in public arguments or lawsuits, especially with family members. Or that she was possibly afraid of the reaction from her mother’s fans.
It’s too bad, too, that she can’t or won’t take any credit for the story, because it is an intelligent, insightful memoir; as well as probably the most fair and truthful account you’ll ever read about the Betty Broderick case. Moreover, it provides an excellent description of what life is like for children caught in the middle of a very, very ugly divorce situation. Even worse, their parents continuously made the news in San Diego, and then would go on to be the subjects of one of the most famous crime stories in the 1990s. In addition, the four kids were left orphaned, and the two boys, who were minors, were sent to live with relatives who were also having marriage problems, and were heading for divorce!
Now, if you are a Betty Broderick fan; one who clings to the belief that she was the victim in the case and was “driven crazy” by her husband; this book is not for you. It clearly shows she suffered from narcissism, or some other mental problem, long before the divorce. (Betty Broderick sort of seemed in this story like both a narcissist and a woman with a martyr complex--a combination of two opposite extremes.) If she was unhappy, she definitely made sure everyone else in the family was unhappy. While there were certainly good times, there were years of animosity between her and her husband, years of verbal fighting and throwing things. She threw things at the kids, too. And the kids fought with each other all the time. Obviously it was a case of divide and conquer parenting. (That is also often a sign of how family life was like for the parent while growing up.) Their father was a detached workaholic, whose growing income provided more and more material possessions and status in the community, but it didn’t buy love or happiness for anyone.
The separation and divorce could have provided some relief from all the fighting and unhappiness, but instead it sent Betty Broderick over the edge. She could not stand the thought of losing income or status, or of being replaced by a younger woman. The four children became just an audience to all the trauma and drama, just pawns moved back and forth from one home to another. Due to all of Betty Broderick’s violent words and actions, it was amazing no one was that concerned when she got a gun and started taking shooting lessons. (She got a gun!) She was arrested for violating restraining orders various times. (She got a gun!) She rammed her SUV into her ex-husband’s front door. (She got a gun!) She had no identity without him, and thought having married him and putting him through school meant he had no right to live his life without her. (SHE GOT A GUN!)
Early one November morning around 5 AM, she used the gun. She shot her husband and his new wife dead while they slept. She had taken Kim Broderick’s house keys, and even helped her look for her “lost” keys. They were not found before Kim had to go back to college. Her mother would call Kim the morning of the murder and tell her what she did. The hearing and all the publicity got Betty Broderick lots and lots of fan mail and media attention. It all helped to fuel her belief that she was a victim, that she was right. It gave her the attention she so craved as a narcissist. All that publicity and requests for interviews! She was a superstar!
In her mind, she was, without a doubt, the victim, not the victimizer. To this day, she still believes it, she still apparently has fans, and she still sits in prison because she still believes it. They won’t give her parole when she comes up for it because she still believes it. She shows no remorse, only self-pity. She won’t be eligible for parole again until she is 85. Maybe having fans is more important to her than having freedom. Moreover, life outside of prison would certainly not match the way she lived when she had all the money she ever wanted, a beautiful house, and was the envy of others. Those were the three things apparently most important to her before she went to prison, not her four children.
Her four children have all grown up and moved on with their lives. Their mother certainly taught Kim Broderick well by example. There is no self-pity in this memoir. There is no playing victim in this memoir. There is no hatred in this memoir. There is only empathy for most. There is a divorced mother who takes her two young daughters to visit their grandmother in prison, telling them their grandma is in "grown-up time out". There is an oldest daughter who is trying to make sense of it all, trying to explain why things happened like they did, trying to set the record straight.
Who else but Kim Broderick could have or would have written this book, with or without the help of a co-author? What possible motive would she or he have? While there are die-hard Betty Broderick fans and supporters who probably read and buy everything written about her, they are still very limited in number. The case also is not that well-known any longer, and has been forgotten by many who did know of it at one time. Plus, women like Betty Broderick no longer receive the sympathy they once did in the past. Younger generations would surely see her as a materialistic pathetic woman who couldn’t get a grip on reality, who should have been well aware of the family finances, and who should have had a career of her own, or should have gotten one after the divorce.
P.S. Did it ever come up in the trial or anywhere else if Betty Broderick was taking medication during her marriage, or during the separation and divorce, or the morning of the murder? Like "mother's little helpers" or something similar?
March 21, 2018
This book is from the daughter who lived this life with her mother knowing she was the one who killed her father. I feel bad for the children having to grow up with the anger and hate as part of their everyday live's. It was interesting to get a family member's view on what happened in their home. Recommend!
July 1, 2020
GREAT READ !
This was a 5 star book for sure! I have followed this case since the day it happened , and I always wondered what the kids perspective was. I always felt that Betty deserved to do time, however I also sympathize with her and feel she has done her time. Reading this well written account from her oldest daughter answers so many questions I had as well as highlighting the issues from both sides of this bitter divorce that turned deadly. I was impressed with these kids abilities to even make it to adulthood, and I found it truly inspirational that for the most part the kids turned out pretty well in spite of the impossible circumstances that their own mother created and the mess she left them in. This was a really great book and I highly recommend it to anyone who knows anything about the infamous Betty Broderick case and interested in the aftermath of what these kids had to grow up dealing with. Kudos to Kate, the oldest of the Broderick children for telling her truth, which had to be difficult, but she told her story well. Great book!!
This was a 5 star book for sure! I have followed this case since the day it happened , and I always wondered what the kids perspective was. I always felt that Betty deserved to do time, however I also sympathize with her and feel she has done her time. Reading this well written account from her oldest daughter answers so many questions I had as well as highlighting the issues from both sides of this bitter divorce that turned deadly. I was impressed with these kids abilities to even make it to adulthood, and I found it truly inspirational that for the most part the kids turned out pretty well in spite of the impossible circumstances that their own mother created and the mess she left them in. This was a really great book and I highly recommend it to anyone who knows anything about the infamous Betty Broderick case and interested in the aftermath of what these kids had to grow up dealing with. Kudos to Kate, the oldest of the Broderick children for telling her truth, which had to be difficult, but she told her story well. Great book!!
August 1, 2020
Refreshing to see both sides
This book put the focus on how these tragic events touched the Broderick children. They had had no choice in dealing with their mother and father's issues, and just when there seemed to be a possibility of forward motion, their mom killed their dad. All this time, the stories were told by outsiders, who may have left things out for their own agenda. Hearing this from one of the Broderick children made me see, like the ripples when a stone is thrown into a lake, that BEtty did more than just murder, she damaged her children who, at their young ages, had no idea how to deal with the death of one parent, and the incarceration of the other. Maybe if she'd been less worried about herself and more about her kids, she would have chosen a different path. I'm glad that all the kids turned out well, after struggles they never should have had to deal with at that age.
This book put the focus on how these tragic events touched the Broderick children. They had had no choice in dealing with their mother and father's issues, and just when there seemed to be a possibility of forward motion, their mom killed their dad. All this time, the stories were told by outsiders, who may have left things out for their own agenda. Hearing this from one of the Broderick children made me see, like the ripples when a stone is thrown into a lake, that BEtty did more than just murder, she damaged her children who, at their young ages, had no idea how to deal with the death of one parent, and the incarceration of the other. Maybe if she'd been less worried about herself and more about her kids, she would have chosen a different path. I'm glad that all the kids turned out well, after struggles they never should have had to deal with at that age.
August 14, 2022
Family beyond
A very true perspective from a daughter who's mother killed her father and his wife. A mother who plays the victim card with no care on how any of her actions effects her 4 children. I barley remember the movie made about this family. But it didn't focus on how the behaviors of the parents effected the children. The kids had it rough! Not knowing or understanding what was going on. And at different ages viewing the circumstances through their own views and personality. They each were victims in the family. But grew up through difficulty, being used for money. They, in the end refuse to be victims, but SURVIVOR'S!!! They have come along way!!! Sad, but beautiful story of a healing journey for the children!!!
A very true perspective from a daughter who's mother killed her father and his wife. A mother who plays the victim card with no care on how any of her actions effects her 4 children. I barley remember the movie made about this family. But it didn't focus on how the behaviors of the parents effected the children. The kids had it rough! Not knowing or understanding what was going on. And at different ages viewing the circumstances through their own views and personality. They each were victims in the family. But grew up through difficulty, being used for money. They, in the end refuse to be victims, but SURVIVOR'S!!! They have come along way!!! Sad, but beautiful story of a healing journey for the children!!!
June 14, 2020
I don’t get this book. I know that the names were changed. I am confused about how it is written as a basic memoir - the daughter who “supposedly” wrote the book - but she did not write the book. I would have given it five stars if the story was truly based on facts from Betty’s daughter. . I am giving a two since i have no idea who wrote this book.The lack of knowledge of where the author got the info basically takes the book from a 5 to a 0. If Betty’s daughter wrote this account - i give
It a 5. If someone is pretending to be her and made this up- i give it a zero.
It a 5. If someone is pretending to be her and made this up- i give it a zero.
June 28, 2023
Well told
I like most people have been very interested in the Broderick family. I feel for all members Betty a woman losing her husband and kids, Dan and Linda losing their lives but the children lost so much more. No available parents, people only wanting money, the shame and fame. And I can't imagine the thought of one parent dead and the quilt of your other parent locked away. I'm so glad to hear the kids have fought the odds and are true survivors. I highly recommend this book
I like most people have been very interested in the Broderick family. I feel for all members Betty a woman losing her husband and kids, Dan and Linda losing their lives but the children lost so much more. No available parents, people only wanting money, the shame and fame. And I can't imagine the thought of one parent dead and the quilt of your other parent locked away. I'm so glad to hear the kids have fought the odds and are true survivors. I highly recommend this book
June 3, 2021
Intriguing Story
The story being told from the eldest daughter's perspective gives this book a fresh twist, unlike any other I have read on the Broderick case. Most of all my heart goes out to the true victims in this story, the children who unfortunately were put in the middle of a dysfunctional marriage. Whether or not you're familiar with this saga you should definitely give this book a try.
The story being told from the eldest daughter's perspective gives this book a fresh twist, unlike any other I have read on the Broderick case. Most of all my heart goes out to the true victims in this story, the children who unfortunately were put in the middle of a dysfunctional marriage. Whether or not you're familiar with this saga you should definitely give this book a try.
June 13, 2020
Comforting
I read this book straight through a nd round that it relaxed my upset emotions over this case. My mind was reeling with the unfairness of the marriage a d the divorce of the Brodericks. Heartbroken over treatment of betty, this book illuminated that there was fault on both sides,which really helped.Heartbroken
I read this book straight through a nd round that it relaxed my upset emotions over this case. My mind was reeling with the unfairness of the marriage a d the divorce of the Brodericks. Heartbroken over treatment of betty, this book illuminated that there was fault on both sides,which really helped.Heartbroken
August 15, 2022
Kate's story
A poignant story told in the eye's of someone who lived through this tragedy. I have love and respect been though I only know her from reading this story. What a loving sibling and daughter she truly is. Kate became the backbone and glue of her family, whether its what she we have chosen. I wish her and all of her siblings, nothing but peace and love enterally.
A poignant story told in the eye's of someone who lived through this tragedy. I have love and respect been though I only know her from reading this story. What a loving sibling and daughter she truly is. Kate became the backbone and glue of her family, whether its what she we have chosen. I wish her and all of her siblings, nothing but peace and love enterally.
April 22, 2024
Great read!
I enjoyed this book and you can truly see the emotions that this family was all put through. You see the frustrations in all the children along with the two adults. I couldn’t imagine the pain the children must have felt, it was interesting to her theirs daughter point of view.
I enjoyed this book and you can truly see the emotions that this family was all put through. You see the frustrations in all the children along with the two adults. I couldn’t imagine the pain the children must have felt, it was interesting to her theirs daughter point of view.
June 4, 2024
A Good Read.... Literally
This book gives details that could only come from the child of the suspect. Although I was very familiar with this story, this book definitely adds deeper insight into the mind & maladaptive behaviors of Betty Broderick. I enjoyed it & really felt the sympathy & the emotional pain of her loved ones, namely, her children.
This book gives details that could only come from the child of the suspect. Although I was very familiar with this story, this book definitely adds deeper insight into the mind & maladaptive behaviors of Betty Broderick. I enjoyed it & really felt the sympathy & the emotional pain of her loved ones, namely, her children.
could-not-finish
August 21, 2020I didn’t read the entire book, as it was a sample from Kindle.
April 26, 2016
An enthralling story
After all the recounting of the Betty and Dan story, we now are allowed to try to understand the saga from the perspective of the children as told by the oldest. At times, I was quite angry..and then saddened. I was also shocked by Betty's narcissistic personality and cruelty toward the children. I read this quickly and recognized the honesty of the recounting..but really I still wanted to beat the crap out of Betty. This reaction was not what daughter intended, obviously. I don't think Dan was oblivious to the harm he caused, but that he was so disgusted with the Shrew, his perspective was skewed. Overall, an enormously powerful book.
After all the recounting of the Betty and Dan story, we now are allowed to try to understand the saga from the perspective of the children as told by the oldest. At times, I was quite angry..and then saddened. I was also shocked by Betty's narcissistic personality and cruelty toward the children. I read this quickly and recognized the honesty of the recounting..but really I still wanted to beat the crap out of Betty. This reaction was not what daughter intended, obviously. I don't think Dan was oblivious to the harm he caused, but that he was so disgusted with the Shrew, his perspective was skewed. Overall, an enormously powerful book.
November 28, 2021
Really good book and the perspective from her daughter is interesting
I really did find this to be an interesting read. Her daughter seem to be very fair and tried to give a very good visual of what the family was truly like.
I really did find this to be an interesting read. Her daughter seem to be very fair and tried to give a very good visual of what the family was truly like.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews