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Seduced by Madness: The True Story of the Susan Polk Murder Case
A true crime account and analysis of a California housewife’s murder of her husband and the revealing trial that followed.In October 2002, Susan Polk, the soft-spoken mother of three teenage boys, was arrested for stabbing her husband and former therapist, Dr. Felix Polk, to death. Three years later she was tried for first degree murder, choosing to act as her own attorney in a trial that rapidly devolved into one of the most outrageous media circuses in modern history. To a crowded courtroom, Susan Polk presented her defense—a bizarre story of unethical therapies, abuse, repressed memories, and satanic rituals—and, in doing so, exposed her madness. Carol Pogash was there.Seduced by Madness is the remarkably compelling, profoundly disturbing true story of the severe dysfunction of an affluent American family, as told by the leading journalist who worked the case. It is a spellbinding re-creation of a troubled life, a marriage, a murder, and a terrifying, inexorable descent into madness.Praise for Seduced by Madness“While the background is fascinating, the coverage of the trial is mesmerizing. Pogash takes the characters . . . and creates an edge-of-your-seat excitement. For fans of true crime, psychology, courtroom drama and truth-is-stranger-than fiction, this is a triumph.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
431 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
August 24, 2008
Look, this is a good book, but I wish the authors of these books and their editors would stop with the lurid, faux-Ripley's Believe it or Not, Piranhas-ripped-my-flesh sorts of titles. A Descent into Hell! Seduced by Madness! I mean, honestly. If this stuff continues, they should just cut to the chase and name them "Sex Sex Sex, and Then Someone Gets Killed."
June 9, 2018
This if the first book I've read by Carol Pogash, and while she clearly conducted very thorough interviews of her subjects, There was far too much of the "didn't need to know" and not enough of the "want to know". As someone who is not familiar with the case of Susan Polk, I read a whole lot about Dr. Polk's reputation as a therapist (didn't need to know) and just a little on Mrs. Polk's mental instability (wanted to know). All-in-all this book eventually turned into a snoozefest and drove me to YouTube to find an old Dateline episode on the case.
December 6, 2011
Interesting read. While I have to admit I didn't find Susan Polk to be a very likeable woman, I must also point out that she was victimized in many ways. The man she was convicted of stabbing 27 times was her husband whom she met and began a sexual relationship with as a 15 year old, when he was her therapist. He was a psychologist, and failed to notice that she was actively delusional throughout their entire marriage, and at times even encouraged her paranoia. When she did finally seek help, he would not allow her to tell how they had met, for fear of having his licence revoked. In which universe is it okay for a 40 year old therapist to enter into a sexual relationship with his 15 year old client? Why did the psychiatric community, many of whom knew, stand by? And what of her mother? Excuse me, if my daughter's therapist did this, I would be outraged! I'm not saying that Felix Polk was evil and deserved to die, but I do not find it surprising that their lives ended in such tragedy. One of the witnesses called during the trial said, "You live by the sword, you die by the sword", and that rang quite true for me here. Sadly, Susan Polk continued to deny her illness (very common for patients who suffer from paranoid delusions), and spends her time in prison, instead of getting the help she so desperately needs.
September 26, 2007
Just as much a great re-visit of the 'anything goes' ethos of the Bay Area in the 70's as it is an amazing true crime report. The murderer (Susan Polk) is a rather complex person - the quotes and actions from the courtroom are unbelievable - and the author lets Polk's own words, and those of her remaining family, stitch together a fascinating quilt of personality. A great read, recommended.
March 24, 2018
A delusional (and ultimately homicidal) young woman marries her much older therapist, who just happens to be an enabling weirdo. An interesting story, but reading about these people for almost 400 pages was exhausting. This came out a couple months after FINAL ANALYSIS, Catherine Crier's book about the same case.
October 14, 2012
This book had great promise but it just didn't grab me, it was way to detailed. I wanted to quit it but it was a train wreck happening and I just had to finish it. So I muddle through, but I didn't really love it.
October 4, 2024
This was incredibly interesting and an excellent read! I don't remember this case, probably because it happened in California in the early 2000's, and I wasn't glued to the news. But the Susan Polk story did include Geraldo Rivera, Nancy Grace, and other major news outlets at the time.
Seduced by Madness is so well written to show the reader how the dysfunctional relationship between Felix Polk and Susan Bolling began - as therapist/patient - she in her mid-teens, Felix in his 40's and married. She soon became his lover even in his office while his suspecting fellow therapists turned a blind eye. Susan seemed to cast a spell on Felix, and he became the father figure she lacked. They should never have met.
After Felix divorced his wife and left her and their two children, he and Susan eventually married. She was 24. He was 49. Though some areas of their married life seemed to be fine, there were major areas in which things were very, very twisted. They had three sons, who unfortunately had to live through the insanity and try to navigate their parents' disagreements and delusions. The delusions were mainly Susan's, but Felix often bought into them only because he loved her in spite of himself. When she claimed their youngest son's daycare flew him to locations to perform sex acts (at the age of 18 months!) and witness Satanic sacrifices, beheadings and cannibalism, one would think Felix would have objected. He did NOT! He helped her create a movement called "Enough!" Her delusions were totally "off the wall", and her sons and husband and everyone she met, suffered for it.
This book goes into great detail of the years preceding the night Susan murdered Felix and her trial in which she acted as her own lawyer. It is all necessary and well researched. The trauma all three sons suffered is explained so well, with two sons testifying against their mother, saying she often mentioned how, in later years, the different ways she'd like to kill their father, while one son who was in jail himself for violence against a girlfriend, remained loyal. I could have Googled to find out how the jury decided, but read until the very end.
I highly recommend this book! I also appreciate the many photos included. It's a compelling and fascinating read!
Seduced by Madness is so well written to show the reader how the dysfunctional relationship between Felix Polk and Susan Bolling began - as therapist/patient - she in her mid-teens, Felix in his 40's and married. She soon became his lover even in his office while his suspecting fellow therapists turned a blind eye. Susan seemed to cast a spell on Felix, and he became the father figure she lacked. They should never have met.
After Felix divorced his wife and left her and their two children, he and Susan eventually married. She was 24. He was 49. Though some areas of their married life seemed to be fine, there were major areas in which things were very, very twisted. They had three sons, who unfortunately had to live through the insanity and try to navigate their parents' disagreements and delusions. The delusions were mainly Susan's, but Felix often bought into them only because he loved her in spite of himself. When she claimed their youngest son's daycare flew him to locations to perform sex acts (at the age of 18 months!) and witness Satanic sacrifices, beheadings and cannibalism, one would think Felix would have objected. He did NOT! He helped her create a movement called "Enough!" Her delusions were totally "off the wall", and her sons and husband and everyone she met, suffered for it.
This book goes into great detail of the years preceding the night Susan murdered Felix and her trial in which she acted as her own lawyer. It is all necessary and well researched. The trauma all three sons suffered is explained so well, with two sons testifying against their mother, saying she often mentioned how, in later years, the different ways she'd like to kill their father, while one son who was in jail himself for violence against a girlfriend, remained loyal. I could have Googled to find out how the jury decided, but read until the very end.
I highly recommend this book! I also appreciate the many photos included. It's a compelling and fascinating read!
July 7, 2016
This book tells an amazing story of a woman who probably had schizophrenia, paranoid schizophrenia, or at least schizoid thinking. Her diagnosis is never quite made explicit, but she is continuously delusional, thinking her husband was a member of Mossad, that she knew in advance what was going to happen in the 9-11 bombings, and other bizarre events/facts.
The book is fascinating from the point of view of abnormal psychology as well as what unfolds in the protagonist's life: She is seduced by her therapist in her late teens (she would sit on his lap during therapy), becomes fixated on the man, and eventually marries him, even though he is 20 years older than she.
Gradually the pair come to have a folie a deux relationship in which both scream insults at each other, push each other around, and she threatens to kill him. She does kill him eventually, and the story proceeds from there, going on to a trial in which she represents herself (because she thinks she's the smartest person in the room, and she may be). As a pro se attorney, she continually objects to nearly everything the prosecution throws up and is generally a major pain in the ass. The judge threatens to remove her from the courtroom several times.
She is on trial for first-degree murder, which she claims was in self-defense, after stabbing her husband 27 times with a paring knife and only retaining a slightly bruised eye in return and a cut on her jeans, which, God knows, are signs of a major attack by her husband. Eventually she is convicted of second-degree murder, even though she spends hours interviewing herself as a witness (remember Woody Allen's film Bananas, in which he runs back and forth from the dock to interview himself? It's almost as ridiculous as that.)
She has three sons, two of whom assert that she is delusional and has kept the family roiled for decades. The third son is like a Pavlovian dog who salivates anytime she says anything and holds an obsessive position that she could never do anything wrong. He is also a felon and has to leave his cell to testify at her trial.
The book is pretty well written and exhaustively researched, although the author uses the terms "podium" and "lectern" interchangeably when I think she means lectern all the time. I have a major issue with the author's harsh and inaccurate description of the est training, which she describes as a near-demonic cult. I've taken the est training four times, and its gentler successor, the Landmark Education Forum five times, and she doesn't know what she's talking about. It's a transformative seminar in which participants get to examine their points of view and are told to tell the truth and keep their agreements. She also has someone "pouring" over some transcripts and thinks that "blunt force trauma" is a peculiar police description, whereas it's common in criminal law to describe bludgeoning. She also has many dangling participles. She thinks there is a legal verdict called "innocent," whereas the two choices are "guilty" and "not guilty."
On the whole, the story itself is fascinating; the writing could have been better.
The book is fascinating from the point of view of abnormal psychology as well as what unfolds in the protagonist's life: She is seduced by her therapist in her late teens (she would sit on his lap during therapy), becomes fixated on the man, and eventually marries him, even though he is 20 years older than she.
Gradually the pair come to have a folie a deux relationship in which both scream insults at each other, push each other around, and she threatens to kill him. She does kill him eventually, and the story proceeds from there, going on to a trial in which she represents herself (because she thinks she's the smartest person in the room, and she may be). As a pro se attorney, she continually objects to nearly everything the prosecution throws up and is generally a major pain in the ass. The judge threatens to remove her from the courtroom several times.
She is on trial for first-degree murder, which she claims was in self-defense, after stabbing her husband 27 times with a paring knife and only retaining a slightly bruised eye in return and a cut on her jeans, which, God knows, are signs of a major attack by her husband. Eventually she is convicted of second-degree murder, even though she spends hours interviewing herself as a witness (remember Woody Allen's film Bananas, in which he runs back and forth from the dock to interview himself? It's almost as ridiculous as that.)
She has three sons, two of whom assert that she is delusional and has kept the family roiled for decades. The third son is like a Pavlovian dog who salivates anytime she says anything and holds an obsessive position that she could never do anything wrong. He is also a felon and has to leave his cell to testify at her trial.
The book is pretty well written and exhaustively researched, although the author uses the terms "podium" and "lectern" interchangeably when I think she means lectern all the time. I have a major issue with the author's harsh and inaccurate description of the est training, which she describes as a near-demonic cult. I've taken the est training four times, and its gentler successor, the Landmark Education Forum five times, and she doesn't know what she's talking about. It's a transformative seminar in which participants get to examine their points of view and are told to tell the truth and keep their agreements. She also has someone "pouring" over some transcripts and thinks that "blunt force trauma" is a peculiar police description, whereas it's common in criminal law to describe bludgeoning. She also has many dangling participles. She thinks there is a legal verdict called "innocent," whereas the two choices are "guilty" and "not guilty."
On the whole, the story itself is fascinating; the writing could have been better.
June 9, 2017
This is an unusual true crime book (don't judge it by the cover or title!) in that it seems to have been written by a writer who was drawn into a case because it happened in her hometown, and not someone who bangs out melodramatic/sensational crime books one after the other. It is extremely well-researched and balanced, and well-written. The author does a great job of pulling you in to the case - it's lurid and voyeuristic... all true crime is, but in this case you start to feel bad for your interest in it because the impossible situation the children are in (also, grew up in) is depicted in such clear detail. It's a trainwreck, but it's so interesting.
March 13, 2018
This book contains far too much tedious detail. It’s basically a court transcript with very little insightful commentary. The author also spends several chapters condemning Felix and Susan for getting caught up in the cultural hysteria over satanic cults and then she does the EXACT same thing by assuring readers that a teenage boy is a murderer because he “knows the difference between mass murderers and serial killers.”
February 22, 2008
This book had a little too much courtroom detail for my liking. The Susan Polk case (she killed her husband who had been her therapist from the time she was fifteen) is interesting, but there were parts of the book where I lost interest. I read until the end, though, because I never saw the case on the news and wanted to find out what happened.
July 26, 2024
This one is the best trial I’ve ever read about because it was a circus. Susan Polk defended herself to the best of her luck and her craziness. The prosecutor was fed up with her crap the judge told her she wished she could grant a mistrial.
The constant objections from her and calls for mistrial are insanity. One of the most entertaining trials I’ve read.
This is a must read for everyone.
The constant objections from her and calls for mistrial are insanity. One of the most entertaining trials I’ve read.
This is a must read for everyone.
January 19, 2024
This book, in a few words I would call complex and complicated! It is so detailed and yet, for all of the boundaries broken in this book (and there are MANY) it lacks any detail regarding the actual therapy sessions between Susan and her then therapist, Dr Felix Polk, Ph.D. Given that this was decades ago, HIPPA (meant to insure confidentiality of a person's medical records) did not exist. Also, society was much more "anything goes" culturally back then. Still, as someone who holds two undergrad degrees and several certifications in the social work/mental health field, I find it appalling that Dr Polk was so involved in his clients personal lives and vice versa. To have clients babysitting your children when you are treating them for various neuroses and mental illnesses does not seem like the wisest professional decision--not to mention allowing that as a parent! I must add I am NOT implying that people with mental health diagnoses are violent because most are not, just that it is always wise to separate work life and personal life--especially when children are involved. And in this case, the children involved were Dr Polk's as well (at least early on) Susan who would become his wife once she was older.
The courtroom drama was long and drawn out. In my opinion, it was TOO long --despite the fact that there were times it got interesting. But there were also times it seemed a bit dry and hard to get through. They say that a person who represents him or herself in a criminal matter has "a fool for an attorney." Despite Susan Polk's intelligence in some areas, I feel that statement was an accurate representation. She was hiring attorneys or consulting with experts left and right only to fire them just as quickly. Others testimonies and cross examinations were peppered with so many objections from Susan that I'm surprised the judge didn't have her removed permanently from self representing--or at least, the courtroom for a period of time but I got the impression (and who can blame her) the judge was a bit more lenient in tolerating certain things in order to NOT have to put everyone through the same circus twice!
If you like true crime and a lot of detail and people, this book is for you! It IS well written and researched and I'd read books by this author again just to get a better idea of her style and because she seems to be a good and well respected author.
The courtroom drama was long and drawn out. In my opinion, it was TOO long --despite the fact that there were times it got interesting. But there were also times it seemed a bit dry and hard to get through. They say that a person who represents him or herself in a criminal matter has "a fool for an attorney." Despite Susan Polk's intelligence in some areas, I feel that statement was an accurate representation. She was hiring attorneys or consulting with experts left and right only to fire them just as quickly. Others testimonies and cross examinations were peppered with so many objections from Susan that I'm surprised the judge didn't have her removed permanently from self representing--or at least, the courtroom for a period of time but I got the impression (and who can blame her) the judge was a bit more lenient in tolerating certain things in order to NOT have to put everyone through the same circus twice!
If you like true crime and a lot of detail and people, this book is for you! It IS well written and researched and I'd read books by this author again just to get a better idea of her style and because she seems to be a good and well respected author.
August 8, 2018
Physician heal thyself
I sympathize greatly with the child who was ripped away from his nanny during the terrible years of running from Hitler and his minions. He was a remarkable person. It seems he fell in love with someone who was toxic to him, and could not let go....and he worked hard on his career. As a therapist, he was popular, and had personal relationships with his patients- a no-no - but was done by some at that time. One thing I was struck by....his participation in the “Satan worship” accusations, which focused attention on his work. This book shows that he was a leader in getting the testimony of children, including their own son, traveling and working to prosecute these people who worked with children, daycare etc. I wonder, did he believe his wife’s fantasies? Did he believe stories like (according to this book) children in daycare were being whisked about on planes to meet with devil worshippers? Once interest in “satanic “ crimes waned, he, according to the book, dropped that effort and moved on. If there was any apology for the horrific pain and destruction these ridiculous charges brought to innocent people and their families, this book didn’t mention it. This is a well-written story about real people who struggled to get through the pitfalls of life, as we all do.
I sympathize greatly with the child who was ripped away from his nanny during the terrible years of running from Hitler and his minions. He was a remarkable person. It seems he fell in love with someone who was toxic to him, and could not let go....and he worked hard on his career. As a therapist, he was popular, and had personal relationships with his patients- a no-no - but was done by some at that time. One thing I was struck by....his participation in the “Satan worship” accusations, which focused attention on his work. This book shows that he was a leader in getting the testimony of children, including their own son, traveling and working to prosecute these people who worked with children, daycare etc. I wonder, did he believe his wife’s fantasies? Did he believe stories like (according to this book) children in daycare were being whisked about on planes to meet with devil worshippers? Once interest in “satanic “ crimes waned, he, according to the book, dropped that effort and moved on. If there was any apology for the horrific pain and destruction these ridiculous charges brought to innocent people and their families, this book didn’t mention it. This is a well-written story about real people who struggled to get through the pitfalls of life, as we all do.
March 23, 2020
Well Written and utterly engrossing
I read a lot of true crime and this is one of the best I have ever encountered. This is thoroughly researched and so well written it is hard to believe it's not a literary novel. The crime itself is nuanced and complex. This is not a whodunit but a howdunit. Susan Polk is easy to hate- she is viscous and manipulative, not to mention self absorbed and lacking morals. She is also diagnostically delusional and paranoid, which makes her seem less evil and more broken. Through this narrative we come to believe the obsessive and dependent marriage to her husband\victim tipped her from troubled to crazy. It's hard not to feel like the fruits born of an exploitative relationship would of course be rotten; Felix. some would say, had it coming. The most heart wrenching parts of this story revolve around how the Polk's three sons were hurt and torn apart as a result of their parents' lethal dynamics. This is a fabulous and fascinating read.
I read a lot of true crime and this is one of the best I have ever encountered. This is thoroughly researched and so well written it is hard to believe it's not a literary novel. The crime itself is nuanced and complex. This is not a whodunit but a howdunit. Susan Polk is easy to hate- she is viscous and manipulative, not to mention self absorbed and lacking morals. She is also diagnostically delusional and paranoid, which makes her seem less evil and more broken. Through this narrative we come to believe the obsessive and dependent marriage to her husband\victim tipped her from troubled to crazy. It's hard not to feel like the fruits born of an exploitative relationship would of course be rotten; Felix. some would say, had it coming. The most heart wrenching parts of this story revolve around how the Polk's three sons were hurt and torn apart as a result of their parents' lethal dynamics. This is a fabulous and fascinating read.
October 24, 2024
**3.5 stars**
I'm a huge true crime fan, so when I saw this book I didn't hesitate to check it out. I had heard little about this story, so I was intrigued to learn more about it.
I had some troubles with the beginning of the book. It wasn't necessarily slow, but it was a bit confusing with time lines, names and all the activity. Once I got to the trial part, I found it more interesting and quite fascinating. As a future court reporter all I could think was OMG! this would be so hard to take down. Obviously they didn't go into all the trial details, but if Susan Polk was that crazy, I'm sure there were some doozies for stories, questions and testimony.
I wanted to enjoy this more, but it was definitely an interesting read. I feel so awful for her sons. Living in that kind of environment and then Eli being so much like her and attached to her, it was almost too much.
I'm a huge true crime fan, so when I saw this book I didn't hesitate to check it out. I had heard little about this story, so I was intrigued to learn more about it.
I had some troubles with the beginning of the book. It wasn't necessarily slow, but it was a bit confusing with time lines, names and all the activity. Once I got to the trial part, I found it more interesting and quite fascinating. As a future court reporter all I could think was OMG! this would be so hard to take down. Obviously they didn't go into all the trial details, but if Susan Polk was that crazy, I'm sure there were some doozies for stories, questions and testimony.
I wanted to enjoy this more, but it was definitely an interesting read. I feel so awful for her sons. Living in that kind of environment and then Eli being so much like her and attached to her, it was almost too much.
June 6, 2018
True Crime
This was one of THE BEST true crime books written, on a par with "Fatal Vision". From background, to the murder itself to the courtroom events of the trial to the follow-up, all involved were well written. Very few true crime stories have been so intricately laid out for the reader. It was fascinating from a law enforcement, legal, psychological and personal level. The portrait of Susan Polk was thoughtful and sympathetic, but the same is true of Felix Polk, who was the victim. The sons who were so profoundly affected were presented in heartbreaking detail. Remarkable book for this genre.
This was one of THE BEST true crime books written, on a par with "Fatal Vision". From background, to the murder itself to the courtroom events of the trial to the follow-up, all involved were well written. Very few true crime stories have been so intricately laid out for the reader. It was fascinating from a law enforcement, legal, psychological and personal level. The portrait of Susan Polk was thoughtful and sympathetic, but the same is true of Felix Polk, who was the victim. The sons who were so profoundly affected were presented in heartbreaking detail. Remarkable book for this genre.
June 20, 2023
It was a terribly sad story of the delusions that people have that can/ will rip a family to shreds. The brutal murder & the dramatic lives of these people are stressful, sad, and like a horrendous car crash that you can't turn away from. I am around Gabriel's age & I can't fathom going through what all 3 boys went through with their selfish, dramatic & delusional parents.
It is beautifully written- with comic relief and well written descriptions of setting & tone. It is like you could feel the air in the courtroom. The story is too fantastical that it has to be true. You just can't make it up..... I couldn't put the book down.
It is beautifully written- with comic relief and well written descriptions of setting & tone. It is like you could feel the air in the courtroom. The story is too fantastical that it has to be true. You just can't make it up..... I couldn't put the book down.
January 24, 2024
Not bad, but a bit too long and has tedious parts that are not necessary. I remember this case when it happened and I honestly believe that many of Susan Polks issues ( mental illness) we caused or accentuated by her also looney husband
I have no doubt he had sex with her at 16. Her mother reported him for having sex with her then 15 year old daughter and removed her from his treatment, but she continued to see him, on the side. What kind of therapist would do that?!?!!?
. I have no doubt he groomed her, and I have no doubt she was severely mentally ill. Its too bad she went to jail instead of an institution that could have helped her.
I have no doubt he had sex with her at 16. Her mother reported him for having sex with her then 15 year old daughter and removed her from his treatment, but she continued to see him, on the side. What kind of therapist would do that?!?!!?
. I have no doubt he groomed her, and I have no doubt she was severely mentally ill. Its too bad she went to jail instead of an institution that could have helped her.
September 23, 2024
Fascinating true crime
I was so frustrated by the murderer, Susan Polk that I wanted to do something to her. She ruined everyone's life she touched. She was a terrible mother but luckily two of her sons escaped her insanity. Felix had many transgressions but didn't deserve losing his life. I don't think a defendant should Ever be allowed to defend themselves, it never ends well.
I was so frustrated by the murderer, Susan Polk that I wanted to do something to her. She ruined everyone's life she touched. She was a terrible mother but luckily two of her sons escaped her insanity. Felix had many transgressions but didn't deserve losing his life. I don't think a defendant should Ever be allowed to defend themselves, it never ends well.
June 15, 2025
Jean38no
A very real trip through the true story of the Susan Polk Murder Case. The author starts at the beginning and draws the reader in through the mind of the murderer (the wife of the victim ) . The reader feels you become to know the people involved in this case as well as the people sitting in the court room everyday. I felt at the end that I could give a verdict in this case just as well as the jurors. Great read
A very real trip through the true story of the Susan Polk Murder Case. The author starts at the beginning and draws the reader in through the mind of the murderer (the wife of the victim ) . The reader feels you become to know the people involved in this case as well as the people sitting in the court room everyday. I felt at the end that I could give a verdict in this case just as well as the jurors. Great read
September 12, 2025
A gift while I was healing from surgery, this was a guilty "just for fun" read, but proved exhausting. Meticulously detailed, this may delight true-crime fans, but I found it tiresome to get through. The case had a little of everything and the criminal was clearly delusional. If you previously had an interest in this specific murder, the book may be fascinating, but otherwise, it was a slog. Would give one star, but it's not poorly written, it's very detailed - just not my personal cup of tea.
June 3, 2018
Beyond Madness
Very well written and inclusive of the stunning facts of this woman's "devoid of reality" life, starting at a very young age. It begs one to ask why not plead insanity yet Ms. Pogash makes it clear in her writing why this was an impossibility. An extremely interesting read.
Very well written and inclusive of the stunning facts of this woman's "devoid of reality" life, starting at a very young age. It begs one to ask why not plead insanity yet Ms. Pogash makes it clear in her writing why this was an impossibility. An extremely interesting read.
August 18, 2019
Rather dull reading
This is the somewhat tedious courtroom drama about Susan Polk, the notorious murderer of her therapist -seduced husband Felix Polk. It is long, repetitive and predictable. I could have read the first two or three chapters, skipped to the last and not really felt like I missed anything.
This is the somewhat tedious courtroom drama about Susan Polk, the notorious murderer of her therapist -seduced husband Felix Polk. It is long, repetitive and predictable. I could have read the first two or three chapters, skipped to the last and not really felt like I missed anything.
February 22, 2024
Who is without blame?
An insightful look at a life long relationship between a doctor and his patient who becomes his wife.
It’s a long journey to disaster, with casualties that include children, family and friends.
What is delusional and what is merely a difference in perspective?
An insightful look at a life long relationship between a doctor and his patient who becomes his wife.
It’s a long journey to disaster, with casualties that include children, family and friends.
What is delusional and what is merely a difference in perspective?
December 9, 2024
Felix first met Susan when she came to him for therapy. They end up getting involved and married. They have three children, but also involved in some crazy things such as Satan worship in daycares and repressed memories. In later life, Susan starts to get paranoid about many things, seeing conspiracies everywhere.
Good account of true crime that's almost too crazy to believe.
Good account of true crime that's almost too crazy to believe.
June 10, 2017
Interesting read... truth more interesting than fiction!
You can't make up the truth, although sometimes its very hard to believe. The account of the murder and trial of Felix Pope was fascinating.
You can't make up the truth, although sometimes its very hard to believe. The account of the murder and trial of Felix Pope was fascinating.
June 2, 2018
More than a true crime book, Seduced by Madness is a study of a decent into mental illness. I was fascinated by this. I'm also very sorry for all of those impacted by the murder. Hearty appreciation is due the jury, judge, DA, and author for enduring the trial.
June 23, 2018
I enjoyed this book pretty much, but it did get tedious in places. Think it could have been cut by several thousand words. I felt like I'd sat through the trial and the perpetrator's diatribe by the time I reached the end.
October 30, 2018
Tragic Tale
Very well written story. Was happy Susan got what she deserved. Obviously, Felix was a messed up mind himself . Hope the boys do better with their lives than what they learned at home. Hoping she will never be released.
Very well written story. Was happy Susan got what she deserved. Obviously, Felix was a messed up mind himself . Hope the boys do better with their lives than what they learned at home. Hoping she will never be released.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews