Forsaking All Others: The Real Betty Broderick Story

by Loretta Schwartz-Nobel

Integrating courtroom drama and psychological analysis, this portrait of Betty Broderick describes her trial for killing her ex-husband and his new wife, the motivations for the murders, and the sociological implications of the crime. 35,000 first printing. $35,000 ad/promo. Tour.

Genres: True Crime, Crime, Nonfiction

237 pages, Hardcover

First published March 16, 1993

Reviews

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a mess... they were both crazy. Her husband used his power in a mean way. They were both just nuts. And his new wife...I just don't respect women that date married men....have some self respect and dignity.

[Maureen · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s not “The Real Betty Broderick Story”. It’s Betty Broderick’s delusional account of her life where she is always the victim. The real story would better portray both sides of the story and not take Betty’s ramblings as gospel.

There was one piece towards the end where she praised Lee (because Lee was supporting her) and belittled Kim (because Kim was standing up to her). That one paragraph further proved it was always all about Betty. She could care less about her (then) husband and kids. She was a “perfect” mother because it was how she wanted to appear to the people she was trying to impress. It made her look good. If she lived alone with her family in the woods and no one could see her being a good mother, she wouldn’t have bothered.

Ultimately, if you read carefully and sift through her narcissistic self promotion and constant victimhood, it portrays Betty as a total crack pot who completely relied on her husband; She had no mental fortitude or perseverance to move on with her life when he was sick of her nonsense.

[Susan W · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reads like a story of two narcissists who found each other, married, and slowly self destruct. Adultery, ego, and cruelty collide until one finally snaps—with tragic, irreversible consequences. Betty's husband had the power and control and Betty just snapped. What’s frustrating is that Betty seemed smart and capable—someone who could’ve been successful in her own right if she’d focused on herself instead of letting anger take over. It’s a sad reminder of how destructive resentment can become when it’s left to fester.

Betty's unlikable traits:
Extreme entitlement – belief that she deserved certain outcomes (money, status, loyalty) regardless of circumstances
Inability to accept rejection or loss of control – particularly after the divorce
Fixation on perceived injustice – replaying grievances without moving forward
Lack of accountability – consistently blaming others for consequences
Vindictive behavior when her self-image or control was threatened

Important nuances to note:
Betty was also emotionally abandoned, humiliated, and provoked over a long period
Her ex-husband’s behavior (infidelity, power imbalance, public flaunting) clearly contributed to her psychological unraveling

This emotional escalation does not excuse her crimes.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A true-crime novel about Betty Broderick who shot and killed her ex-husband and his wife. Kind of depressing subject matter.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book and learning more about Betty Broderick shed a lot of light on her mental health. Unless you have been through the abuse and torment Dan and Linda put Betty through, you’ll never understand what drove her to what she did. I’m not saying they deserved to be killed, but they didn’t help the situation. The gaslighting and the horrible abuse she was put through can drive a person “crazy.” Dan was just so cruel, not only to Betty, but their children as well. Taking her kids away from her was unnecessary. After reading this book, I don’t agree with her sentence. I feel not only did Betty get punished but the kids did as well.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of Betty Broderick who killed her ex husband and his new wife as they lay in bed. There is a tv series starting based on her life and the crime which peaked my interest in reading this for the second time. Well done, seems factual and not overly dramatic. Some time spent on the trial but not a minute by minute rendition which can become boring unless the reader really enjoys the all the details of each day in court.

[Stacey Bryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whoa. Men are like... fucking pieces of shit and Dan Broderick 100% deserved to be shot in the head. Sure, Betty did a few things that she should not have but shit. She put up with a lot. Dude was an alcoholic fucking his secretary. I think this case is where that cliche came from.

[Ellie Slager · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good book what a monster! She killed her ex as well as his wife and even threatened to kill her kids. But i wish that the book was more about the murder and her today! But otherwise it was good.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it in one day. Amazing book

[Valerie Carper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sad truth, where women forget their own worth. Both in this tragic story

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reminder that we can never really know what other people are going through.

[Nik's Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm obsessed with this case much like Betty was obsessed with Dan.

[Sardonic_Nate · Rating 1 out of 5]

Inaccurate trash - watch the trial. So much inaccurate information in this book.

[Brittany Humphries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and so heartbreaking! I love everything about this book!

[April Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 I read the book twice, wow!! The movie and show has nothing on the book.