Unholy Covenant: A True Story of Murder in North Carolina

by Lynn Chandler-Willis

Radiant in her white satin wedding gown, Patricia Blakley was living a dream come true. At last, she was marrying the man she loved, Ted Kimble—a fellow Christian and son of a local preacher. But little did she realize her new husband had a dark side. Shock waves rocked the small, North Carolina town of Pleasant Garden when Patricia’s charred body was discovered inside the Kimble’s burned-out home. Soon family and friends learned an even worse truth—Patricia had died from a bullet wound to the head. Now, in Unholy Covenant, North Carolina journalist Lynn Chandler-Willis uncovers the story behind the crime. Taking readers from the crime scene to the courtroom, she delivers a passionate account of a crime that forever changed the lives of many in the small North Carolina community.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

294 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2000

Reviews

[riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing like reading a book that took place minutes down the road from you!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that if you enjoy crime true books then you will like this one. I really enjoy this book but at the same time, felt bad for the woman (and her family) who was murdered by the husband and his brother. I had to do a true crime report for school a few years ago and so I when to a bookstore and this book was an impulse buy because I knew nothing or had ever heard anything about this story. It look like it would be pretty easy to read and this was at a time in which I was not reading a lot because school was really turning me off for reading. I thought it was a very interesting tale of a controlling man and “I want to see the best in person/wanting that true love” woman come together and how the man was able to convents his brother to kill the wife. On top of all that, the brother’s father was a pastor. This also took place right near where I live. I knew where they lived and when to church at. I also know people who know some or all the people involved. So it’s just crazy to read this book and then talk about it with people who knew first hand what all when down and knew the people.

[Jeannie Tillery · Rating 5 out of 5]

true crime story of 2 sons of a Baptist preacher in North Carolina, both of whom were involved in the murderer of the wife of the oldest son. Never ceases to amaze me what some people are capable of doing...even people who call themselves Christians

[Reena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book - story well told!

[Wil A Emerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sheep's Clothing

A sad account of the senseless death of a young woman by a cruel person who used his father's church as a cover. Much like fiction, the writer weaves an engaging tale. Detective Church' s commitment to convict Ted Kimball and his brother Ron is more than commendable. Death penalty would be appropriate for the brothers.

[Becky michaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great 👍👍👍👍👍

Recommend this for every one. Best written true crime I have read. The book keeps you on edge..I couldn't put it down.

[Susan M. Stubblefield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't believe its not fiction

Couldn't put it down. The lives of so many - family ,friends, entire communities affected . tragic loss of a young life

[Ed-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just can’t give a true story of murder and arson more than three stars.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story of the murder of a woman in Pleasant Garden, NC.

[Thomas C Wilson Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic true crime novel

Full disclosure: I live in one of the counties adjacent to Guilford, the location of most of the story, and an alumnus of one of the schools mentioned.

This book was well worth the money and time to read. It is a very sad story of love, loss, fear, and betrayal. The research was first rate and the people seem to step out of history. They are fully developed characters, with good points and bad points. The dedicated cops are real human beings with senses of humor, lives outside of their jobs, and replete with feelings, especially of anger, sympathy, and frustration. Even most of the villains are not totally evil nor are they beyond the reader's sympathy. Chandler-Willis writes with a direct, concise style that still shows personality and reads very well. She also presents Pleasant Garden as it truly is: A wonderful, small Southern town, where everyone is related or knows everyone else and, with the passing of time, there are very few secrets. This is a great addition to anyone's true crime library.

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has lots of 'reconstructed dialog' that makes it seem like a novel--not my favorite style, but I still enjoyed reading it. The case seemed pretty cut and dried going in, but managed a few interesting twists and turns along the way. This same book appeared three years later with a new title: THE PREACHER'S SON.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

North Carolina Murder

This was an intriguing true crime that includes Jerry Falwell as one of the witnesses during the trial. Well done.

[Stephanie Starcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book and very accurate. These people were my church family and it is truly a tragedy. Patricia was beautiful, kind and innocent. She did not deserve what happened to her

[susan orenstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

True crime at its best!


Your typical," greedy husband kills for the insurance money," but told in an uncomplicated fast moving manner. Even though you knew from the start how this would end, ----it still held your interest to the last page.