What do you think?
Rate this book
A Deal With the Devil: Discovering Chris Watts: - Part Two - The Facts
During this series we will look at the facts, the police investigation, the evidence, hear Chris Watts’ explanation and his reasoning.
We will try to make some sense of what occurred during the early hours of August 13th 2018.
We will endeavour to present to you all aspects of the case, right from the initial investigation and how it unfolded, to the first and subsequent confessions, all transcribed word for word (where possible), from actual video and audio footage obtained from the FBI’s Discovery Files.
We will continue where we left off.
At the end of book one, Chris Watts had finally confessed to murdering them and disposing of their bodies at an oil field.
In part two, we will focus on…
•… the grim discovery and recovery of the bodies.
•… the chilling details of the autopsies.
•… the remaining police interviews of Nichol Kessinger.
•… the Plea Deal.
•… the sentencing.
•… Chris Watts Prison Interview.
We will try to make some sense of what occurred during the early hours of August 13th 2018.
We will endeavour to present to you all aspects of the case, right from the initial investigation and how it unfolded, to the first and subsequent confessions, all transcribed word for word (where possible), from actual video and audio footage obtained from the FBI’s Discovery Files.
We will continue where we left off.
At the end of book one, Chris Watts had finally confessed to murdering them and disposing of their bodies at an oil field.
In part two, we will focus on…
•… the grim discovery and recovery of the bodies.
•… the chilling details of the autopsies.
•… the remaining police interviews of Nichol Kessinger.
•… the Plea Deal.
•… the sentencing.
•… Chris Watts Prison Interview.
- GenresTrue CrimeNonfiction
430 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2020
273 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 24, 2020
The first book in this series let's you know about the crime, the actions, and often amazing lies told by Chris Watts after the death of his pregnant wife and two young daughters. The horrific journey continues after sentencing as there have been so many stories and thoughts that have risen by the public and all officers involved alike. Here agents from different agencies, along with the first police detective, go to visit Chris in prison hoping to get some answers...Maybe he will finally want to get it off his chest...But,although he does answer some things, his stories Still do not match to what he has said before...Or things told to them by his 'girlfriend' Nikki...Will we Ever Know WHY he ended the lives of his wife and the two little girls he professed to love so much?...Maybe...Maybe Not...
Some reports are tough to get through, but you are always Hoping for an answer...To Why this happened...How can you murder parts of yourself...Innocent little girls you always did everything for...
I highly recommend this series to any with a real interest in crimes...The things you must go through, see,and hear to find justice for those now lost forever...
I received an ARC from the authors and I offer You my honest thoughts and feelings in this review.
Some reports are tough to get through, but you are always Hoping for an answer...To Why this happened...How can you murder parts of yourself...Innocent little girls you always did everything for...
I highly recommend this series to any with a real interest in crimes...The things you must go through, see,and hear to find justice for those now lost forever...
I received an ARC from the authors and I offer You my honest thoughts and feelings in this review.
November 28, 2020
At the end of book one, Chris Watts had finally confessed to murdering them and disposing of their bodies at an oil field. This book picks up from there.
This is really hard to read. Bad enough that a man can slaughter his pregnant wife and two young daughters and then continue as though nothing has happened.
Details on the body recoveries is front and center, as well as the autopsies. Not for the faint of heart. It's heart-breaking.
This book also takes a long, hard look at the police investigations, hopefully to gain some sense of what happened the day his family "disappeared".
The actual interviews of Nichol Kessinger, Chris Watts' girlfriend is repeated word for word.
Then came the plea deal .... the sentencing ....
And finally, Chris Watts' interview while he was in prison.
This is not only what you saw or heard on the news. This is an in-depth look at the breakdown of a family, of a monster wearing a mask of a normal, quiet man ... one who almost everyone saw as a loving husband and father.... his motives for what he did ... and his seemingly no remorse for his actions. How this man could have looked into his children's eyes as he strangled them is something out of nightmares.
These authors have done a fine job in presenting all the facts .. the actual transcripts ... It's well written and I really approved of the authors respecting the families by not including them here. Highly recommended for anyone who follows true crime.
April 29, 2023
4/28 I'm listening to crime junkies right now and their episode occurred right around the time of the family annihilation. I want to know why they are angering me. I think it may have to do with the fact that I learned so much about - is it plagiarism? that these two hosts were accused of and must have been found guilty? Because I know I have negative feelings toward Chris and this family disaster. Nikki is also pretty disgusting. But this may be the most analysed case I've read/heard so much about before hearing others' takes on it. It's just horrid and disturbing. So I think I'm feeding reaction all over the place. The babies upset me so badly. My heart has never reacted to a true crime the way mine has with this one. It's one huge anomaly. I can't talk anymore
God forfend BUT…
If I ever find myself in an interrogation room, I’m going to talk slowly and think before I speak because these people cannot use correct grammar. Now I’ll admit I’m not perfect; it’s been years since I taught, but good lawd, no one gets anything out without puking up unrelated tenses, wrong pronoun usage, I could go on. Now none of this will pull me away from reading this book. This series is so fascinating.
God forfend BUT…
If I ever find myself in an interrogation room, I’m going to talk slowly and think before I speak because these people cannot use correct grammar. Now I’ll admit I’m not perfect; it’s been years since I taught, but good lawd, no one gets anything out without puking up unrelated tenses, wrong pronoun usage, I could go on. Now none of this will pull me away from reading this book. This series is so fascinating.
December 22, 2020
Utterly devastating.
November 28, 2020
This fact-based book is heavy reading but it accurately details the crimes committed by Christopher Watts and the aftermath of his confession and subsequent (non) trial.
After making a deal and pleading guilty, any rational questions one would expect to be asked were not. Watts was sentenced to multiple life terms from which he will never be released, but do we really know the full truth of what happened the night he murdered his wife and children?
I don't think we do!
Compelling work from Newnound and Brown, and what I imagine amounts to months of works transcribing court reports and autopises.
For those with a penchant for true crime, this is for you.
After making a deal and pleading guilty, any rational questions one would expect to be asked were not. Watts was sentenced to multiple life terms from which he will never be released, but do we really know the full truth of what happened the night he murdered his wife and children?
I don't think we do!
Compelling work from Newnound and Brown, and what I imagine amounts to months of works transcribing court reports and autopises.
For those with a penchant for true crime, this is for you.
November 5, 2020
This is Book 2 of ‘Discovering Chris Watts’ and it had me just as glued to the pages as Book 1. ‘A Deal with the Devil’ continues where ‘In Cold Blood’ left off providing more insight into the happenings of the investigation to get to the bottom of what happened to his wife and children. I love that this book provides sequential details of the investigation including interviews and confessions, it made reading through all the terrible events that took place easy to follow. Kudos to Marcus and Netta for all the time and effort they put into gathering all this information and putting it together chronologically. I’m still not sure that we have gotten the whole truth, but it is likely Chris will take some details to the grave. I highly recommend this read.
June 29, 2021
Time taken to read - in and out over 6 weeks
Pages - 506
Publisher - Junction Publishing
Source - Bought Amazon Kindle
Blurb from Amazon
During this series we will look at the facts, the police investigation, the evidence, hear Chris Watts’ explanation and his reasoning. We will try to make some sense of what occurred during the early hours of August 13th 2018.
We will endeavour to present to you all aspects of the case, right from the initial investigation and how it unfolded, to the first and subsequent confessions all transcribed word for word (where possible) from actual video and audio footage obtained from the FBI’s Discovery Files.
We will continue where we left off.
At the end of book one, Chris Watts had finally confessed to murdering them and disposing of their bodies at an oil field.
In part two, we will focus on…
•… the grim discovery and recovery of the bodies.
•… the chilling details of the autopsies.
•… the remaining police interviews of Nichol Kessinger.
•… the Plea Deal.
•… the sentencing.
•… Chris Watts Prison Interview.
Marcus and Netta have worked together for a few years now, mainly in a publishing capacity, but in 2019 they joined forces and wrote Avaline Saddlebags—the first in a psychological fiction thriller series.
Combining their joint obsession with this case, they studied the files together, often into the small hours.
We want to stress that if you have already read the discovery files, then this series of books is probably not for you.
As seen on the new Netflix documentary - American Murder: The Family Next Door
My Review
I read book one and it covered the interviews, verbatim up to the confession and where he put the weans. The book ended abruptly so I HAD to buy book two. This book is not for the faint hearted. It includes the autopsies and is very upsetting and disturbing. The interviews with Watts and his girlfriend, as with book 1 they are verbatim. If there is an um, throat clear, every single word/action is transcribed. That is partly why it took so long to read because it is very dry, repetitive but hard going and horrific.
The conditions of the bodies is very upsetting, the weans had been in oil tanks and whilst this was known from the Netflix documentary and the forensic files they took these interviews from you don't really (well I hadn't) think about the decomposition/injuries.
The interviews are so so so so so long that I think had they actually just written the heart of them rather than translating every word, pause, throat clear yes the book would be shorter but easier to read.
What I did find interesting is they cover sentencing etc that you see in the Netflix but after he is sentenced and jailed the officers go back to talk to Watts. They actually get details of what he claims happened, what he did, his thoughts on it and some background info on his relationships. The main thing I think and the detectives touch on this is that everyone says he was such a nice guy, never any of the stories some folk say once someone does something like that. Even after it everyone is shocked because "not Chris" he was always such a nice guy, quiet etc. He also talks about what was discussed with lawyers and how they went about his plea and what prison life is like for him.
It is an interesting read as most killers don't talk openly about what they did or speculate about themselves and their actions. I also hadn't realised there was some questionable stuff with the girlfriend and the authors include a few wee sentences commenting on the interviews.
Part three is apparently theories and opinions but not those of the authors, I wonder if this is just stuff lifted from online? The two books have literally been the interviews transcribed verbatim, including every pause with just a few sentences from the authors. Book three is likely the same as the blurb actually specifies "These theories are not the opinions of the authors and in no way are they saying these events are actually true. But they are most definitely food for thought…" for £6 despite this I know I will likely end up buying it for completeness, ugh! The authors do specify if you have seen the documentary (not the Netflix I think it is forensic files) then this book is not for you but I still think you would miss stuff - I doubt the program covered every pause/throat clear. Interesting read for sure, shocking and emotive but very dry at times just because of the fact it is the interviews turned into books, 3/5. Sorry I kinda went a bit long and on and on for this one, it is a shocking, devastating and heart breaking case - you could discuss it for hours!
Pages - 506
Publisher - Junction Publishing
Source - Bought Amazon Kindle
Blurb from Amazon
During this series we will look at the facts, the police investigation, the evidence, hear Chris Watts’ explanation and his reasoning. We will try to make some sense of what occurred during the early hours of August 13th 2018.
We will endeavour to present to you all aspects of the case, right from the initial investigation and how it unfolded, to the first and subsequent confessions all transcribed word for word (where possible) from actual video and audio footage obtained from the FBI’s Discovery Files.
We will continue where we left off.
At the end of book one, Chris Watts had finally confessed to murdering them and disposing of their bodies at an oil field.
In part two, we will focus on…
•… the grim discovery and recovery of the bodies.
•… the chilling details of the autopsies.
•… the remaining police interviews of Nichol Kessinger.
•… the Plea Deal.
•… the sentencing.
•… Chris Watts Prison Interview.
Marcus and Netta have worked together for a few years now, mainly in a publishing capacity, but in 2019 they joined forces and wrote Avaline Saddlebags—the first in a psychological fiction thriller series.
Combining their joint obsession with this case, they studied the files together, often into the small hours.
We want to stress that if you have already read the discovery files, then this series of books is probably not for you.
As seen on the new Netflix documentary - American Murder: The Family Next Door
My Review
I read book one and it covered the interviews, verbatim up to the confession and where he put the weans. The book ended abruptly so I HAD to buy book two. This book is not for the faint hearted. It includes the autopsies and is very upsetting and disturbing. The interviews with Watts and his girlfriend, as with book 1 they are verbatim. If there is an um, throat clear, every single word/action is transcribed. That is partly why it took so long to read because it is very dry, repetitive but hard going and horrific.
The conditions of the bodies is very upsetting, the weans had been in oil tanks and whilst this was known from the Netflix documentary and the forensic files they took these interviews from you don't really (well I hadn't) think about the decomposition/injuries.
The interviews are so so so so so long that I think had they actually just written the heart of them rather than translating every word, pause, throat clear yes the book would be shorter but easier to read.
What I did find interesting is they cover sentencing etc that you see in the Netflix but after he is sentenced and jailed the officers go back to talk to Watts. They actually get details of what he claims happened, what he did, his thoughts on it and some background info on his relationships. The main thing I think and the detectives touch on this is that everyone says he was such a nice guy, never any of the stories some folk say once someone does something like that. Even after it everyone is shocked because "not Chris" he was always such a nice guy, quiet etc. He also talks about what was discussed with lawyers and how they went about his plea and what prison life is like for him.
It is an interesting read as most killers don't talk openly about what they did or speculate about themselves and their actions. I also hadn't realised there was some questionable stuff with the girlfriend and the authors include a few wee sentences commenting on the interviews.
Part three is apparently theories and opinions but not those of the authors, I wonder if this is just stuff lifted from online? The two books have literally been the interviews transcribed verbatim, including every pause with just a few sentences from the authors. Book three is likely the same as the blurb actually specifies "These theories are not the opinions of the authors and in no way are they saying these events are actually true. But they are most definitely food for thought…" for £6 despite this I know I will likely end up buying it for completeness, ugh! The authors do specify if you have seen the documentary (not the Netflix I think it is forensic files) then this book is not for you but I still think you would miss stuff - I doubt the program covered every pause/throat clear. Interesting read for sure, shocking and emotive but very dry at times just because of the fact it is the interviews turned into books, 3/5. Sorry I kinda went a bit long and on and on for this one, it is a shocking, devastating and heart breaking case - you could discuss it for hours!
December 10, 2020
Another fascinating read!
This is the second book I have read by Netta Newbound and Marcus Brown concerning Christopher Watts. It's an extremely well planned out book and reading it made more sense to me. After watching Watts being interrogated on utube etc, I couldn't always understand his pathetic mumbling monotone voice, so reading this book really got me to understand what he was actually saying. I definitely think that the mistress of Watts had something to do with the murders of Shanann, Bella, Celeste and Baby Nico. Whether indirectly or directly, she had some part to play and she should have been brought to justice. Her fake innocent demure didn't fool me. Why delete all the texts she received from Watts? Why advise him to delete all communications from her also? She definitely had something to do with this devastating crime and I hope that someone does eventually find out the truth. I think that Watts also strangled Shanann whilst she was asleep on her stomach, because there was no defensive marks on him. Nobody would just stare up at you as you physically strangled the life out of them. As I have already said, another fascinating read into a crime that has broke everyone's hearts. Shanann, Bella, Celeste and Baby Nico should have had their lives in front of them, but Watts destroyed a beautiful family. I hope he is haunted for the rest of his miserable life with the knowledge of what he did. As always my thoughts go out to the Rzucek family.
This is the second book I have read by Netta Newbound and Marcus Brown concerning Christopher Watts. It's an extremely well planned out book and reading it made more sense to me. After watching Watts being interrogated on utube etc, I couldn't always understand his pathetic mumbling monotone voice, so reading this book really got me to understand what he was actually saying. I definitely think that the mistress of Watts had something to do with the murders of Shanann, Bella, Celeste and Baby Nico. Whether indirectly or directly, she had some part to play and she should have been brought to justice. Her fake innocent demure didn't fool me. Why delete all the texts she received from Watts? Why advise him to delete all communications from her also? She definitely had something to do with this devastating crime and I hope that someone does eventually find out the truth. I think that Watts also strangled Shanann whilst she was asleep on her stomach, because there was no defensive marks on him. Nobody would just stare up at you as you physically strangled the life out of them. As I have already said, another fascinating read into a crime that has broke everyone's hearts. Shanann, Bella, Celeste and Baby Nico should have had their lives in front of them, but Watts destroyed a beautiful family. I hope he is haunted for the rest of his miserable life with the knowledge of what he did. As always my thoughts go out to the Rzucek family.
July 27, 2021
This is book two in this series and is interesting because the law enforcement people who put him away come back, for some closure I believe, to ask him some questions way after he has been incarcerated.
The first part of the book is another interview... two actually with his mistress. I find these interviews boring because I think Nichol is not honest about a lot of things. Her answers feel manipulative to me.
As for the writing? It's good but it's not hard to copy down interviews etc. Hopefully book three will be a strong look at all the lies everyone has said in this case.
The first part of the book is another interview... two actually with his mistress. I find these interviews boring because I think Nichol is not honest about a lot of things. Her answers feel manipulative to me.
As for the writing? It's good but it's not hard to copy down interviews etc. Hopefully book three will be a strong look at all the lies everyone has said in this case.
November 24, 2020
This case will open your eyes to the heartless, cruel and cold man that Chris Watts really is. Reading The Autopsy reports and his recollection of how he did what he did, just broke my heart. This was a truly sickening true life crime, that was carried out by a selfish and calculating Man, who had no remorse for the life of others.
I"m looking forward to book 3 to just see what else is uncovered.....
A Must read
I"m looking forward to book 3 to just see what else is uncovered.....
A Must read
July 28, 2021
Rip off
Like many, I was shocked by the events relating to this story and, no doubt, there are still things about the events of that night to be discovered. However, this book and the first one are a waste of time and money. They add nothing to our understanding of the issues, motivations and actions of any of the characters involved. In fact I would say that only around 10% of the sum total of both books is worth reading. Don’t bother.
Like many, I was shocked by the events relating to this story and, no doubt, there are still things about the events of that night to be discovered. However, this book and the first one are a waste of time and money. They add nothing to our understanding of the issues, motivations and actions of any of the characters involved. In fact I would say that only around 10% of the sum total of both books is worth reading. Don’t bother.
December 5, 2020
This is part 2 of the heartbreaking story of Chris Watts who murdered his pregnant wife and 2 beautiful daughters. Part 2 gives details of the autopsies, I couldn't read a lot of the reports as I found them too harrowing. Why did he do this!!!!! It's unthinkable. A fascinating but sad true crime book.
December 19, 2020
I'm part of the book
I love this author this case really has fascinated me for a lot of reasons and I like it that they have gone back to clarify certain aspects of the case. I feel like I'm in the room asking the questions and in the truck when he is describing his daughters and his wife in the backseat wrapped in a sheet I would read any book this author writes
I love this author this case really has fascinated me for a lot of reasons and I like it that they have gone back to clarify certain aspects of the case. I feel like I'm in the room asking the questions and in the truck when he is describing his daughters and his wife in the backseat wrapped in a sheet I would read any book this author writes
August 17, 2022
The first half is básically police interviews of Nikki and I ended up finding those quite tedious. Nikki used way too much filler words like “like”, she jumps from one subject to the other, she repeats herself constantly, etc.
But I LOVED the second half which is a lengthy interview of Chris. He’s much more articulated and he provided extremely interesting information.
But I LOVED the second half which is a lengthy interview of Chris. He’s much more articulated and he provided extremely interesting information.
April 19, 2023
Much Ado about Nothing
The authors used a very painful.situation for the actors involved and seemingly repeat which was said between the police and the murderer who was jailed. It was quite straightforward murders reflecting the dilemma the murderer found themselves in. If I were to make a decision QuickBooks to buy I shall.stoop after part 1.
The authors used a very painful.situation for the actors involved and seemingly repeat which was said between the police and the murderer who was jailed. It was quite straightforward murders reflecting the dilemma the murderer found themselves in. If I were to make a decision QuickBooks to buy I shall.stoop after part 1.
April 24, 2023
Mainly Police Transcripts But Interesting
If you’re going down the rabbit hole of the Watts family murders, this book will be a repeat of what you’ve probably watched already with police interviews of Nicole Kissinger and Chris Watts final and infamous prison interview where he states he killed his daughters at their final site.
Overall not a bad read.
If you’re going down the rabbit hole of the Watts family murders, this book will be a repeat of what you’ve probably watched already with police interviews of Nicole Kissinger and Chris Watts final and infamous prison interview where he states he killed his daughters at their final site.
Overall not a bad read.
February 21, 2021
More of the same as the first book in the series. Seeing some nuance I missed in watching videos of the interviews but reading the transcripts make it more intellectually accessible for me.
March 5, 2025
Watts speaks
Well it was a little dry and you want to take a shower after reading his version of what happened.
Well it was a little dry and you want to take a shower after reading his version of what happened.
December 7, 2021
Search for and download the discovery files online, as well as audio interviews, and you basically have all three books. So, you don't need to buy this book series, the content can be found online for free
December 4, 2020
Wow again!
The fascination with this true crime story continues in this second book with more factual evidence. A difficult read for me, with parts breaking my heart and causing me to wish I'd never read them but also needing to in order to begin to comprehend the sequence of events.
Highly recommended and really looking forward to reading book 3.
The fascination with this true crime story continues in this second book with more factual evidence. A difficult read for me, with parts breaking my heart and causing me to wish I'd never read them but also needing to in order to begin to comprehend the sequence of events.
Highly recommended and really looking forward to reading book 3.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews