The Body Snatcher’s Wife: My Life with a Monster

by Barbra Lynn Reifel, Johnny Russo

As seen on ID Discovery’s The Devil You Know, Who the (Bleep) Did I Marry?, and Tabloid The shocking true story of how Barbra’s picket fence turned to prison bars, trapped in her twisted husband’s dangerous web of addiction, abuse, and world-infamous crime. Barbra Reifel, former wife of notorious Body Snatcher Michael Mastromarino, has appeared on Oprah, Nancy Grace, ID Discovery, and Lifetime. Never before has her raw account been laid so bare. Fairytale shattered, deceit and danger beyond her wildest nightmares, betrayal, addiction, abuse, ultimate crime, and utter destruction beyond reason—her riveting story is one of so many. To survive, protect her children and family, and combat the monster who was her husband, Barbra evolved…a dreamer turned badass, playing his game to the bittersweet end.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Crime, Audiobook

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 29, 2019

Reviews

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I had this book on my reading list for a wee while and when I got to it I had forgotten it was based on the author's life. It is told in a way that could be a fictional story, when in reality it was telling the hardship and awful experiences the husband of the author put his family through. I have never heard of the case before, so having it told in a detailed manner with every step as messed up as the one before, was very intruiging albeit frustrating about the power of manipulation and blinding love. Barbra really developed into a mother lioness looking after her two kids and surviving despite the odds being against her and all she got from her husband was worry, police calls, debt and threats. I guess some people are just so messed up the only way for them to continue is to live in their own made-up world. A very interesting read and by God the end (to the terror) could not come soon enough.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

really enjoyed this story although I personally think her story was a bit far-fetched. I understand she has to protect her kids but was she really that silly as to not know anything?
I don't believe some of that!?

[Terri Durling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barbara Reifel's writing style is short and abrupt - nothing fluid or romantic and I guess that is ok given the story content. She gets right to the point - that she was born a Jersey girl and it's basically what got her through what would have certainly killed many others. There is mental illness in my family and it is one of the most complicated things in life to deal with. She never really gives us an official diagnosis except for narcissistic psychotic and that was something she just called him one day. Personality disorders can be horrendous and devastating diseases that destroy not only the person afflicted with then but their families and friends. They often go undiagnosed because the person is so good at manipulation and deception that much damage is done to others both mentally, physically & financially, as well as to themselves. Some never recover from it. They often have addictions which reeks havoc for all involved. How she endured this fir as long as she did is beyond my comprehension. When her toddler son came out of bedroom with needle her husband had hidden in his sons drawer, that would have been a straw breaker for me as an injection of Demerol to a child if that age could have been lethal in my opinion. But I'm not here to judge ... She was incredibly strong, did her best and obviously her two sons survived a horrendous childhood of watching their father abuse her and do so many bad things, it's a miracle they turned out so well but much was thanks to her.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story and real

Great and very detailed true crime story..very personal side of the story..story told by one of many victims of this criminals story but in the end she was no victim. My only hang ups are parts of the story felt made up for the convenience of story telling and writing some situations and comments felt forced & dramatic for writing purposes not saying everything that was written didn't happen it just seemed scripted in some areas I don't know how to explain it but if you read the book you will 🤷🏾‍♀️ all &all worth reading way more than told in any documentary or dateline episode interview

[Sarah Beth Shingler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read

An absolutely beautiful tale of grace, and love to someone who did not deserve it. Barbra Reifel , proves there are angels who walk among us.
There were so many twist and turns but an honest raw look at life with an abuser.

[andrea lee koonce · Rating 5 out of 5]

One amazing story of this poor woman and her young boys

Barbra is one he'll of a good person,may God bless her and her two boys 🙏 I pray for the rest of their lives to be wonderful and peaceful

[Andi Soergel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinatingly tragic

Despite the book being a little hard to understand at times, the story was so shocking and sad that it was hard to put down.

[Bev(baglady) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars