Deadly Mistress: A True Story of Marriage, Betrayal and Murder

by Michael Fleeman

LOVE GONE BAD. MURDER GONE WRONG.

West Coast doctor Kenneth Stahl would do anything to free himself from his wife Carolyn. Then Adriana Vasco--Kenneth's former receptionist and mistress of nine years--obliged by introducing him to ex-con Dennis Earl Godley. The deal was set. Godley would murder Carolyn for thirty-thousand dollars. On the day after her 44th birthday, the trusting victim was lured to a lonely stretch of road. The deadly rendezvous took a shocking turn. Not only was Carolyn gunned down with a .357 Magnum, but Kenneth would also be killed.

The hit man's getaway driver was the other woman, Adriana Vasco.
In a sensational trial, a tangled web of lies, sex, and betrayal unfolded as Adriana and Dennis turned against each other…

Genres: True Crime, Audiobook, Crime, Nonfiction

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 29, 2005

Reviews

[Ronnie Cramer]

An unusual tale of murder-for-hire. I gave it three stars because it starts off at about the four-star level and ends up at about two.

[Peg]

Interesting Enough

Michael Fleeman isn't the best true crime writer but this story is interesting if a bit difficult to understand. There isn't anyone in the story to admire and like. Carolyn might have been if her sister was correct in describing her as a wonderful person but mostly the story and opinions of her are told by a young woman who hated her.

[Nancy Hudson]

Not Fleeman’s best True Crime book. There was very little background on the victims and who they were. It was mostly centered on the suspect who got embroiled in a murder-by-hire that went totally FUBAR. Twisted story with twisted people. It was hard to feel sorry for anyone in this story and the whole wretched affair was just that.

[Danny Smith]

Intriguing Murder Case

A twisted true crime story that embodies the notion that truth is stranger than fiction. Great job by the author weaving this tragic story into an interesting narrative.

[Katrin]

This book deals with a man that hates his wife and involves a mistress that helps find a hitman to deal with the problem. Kicker is that her ex-lover gets killed too in the hit.

[Kay]

I love true crime stories. Normally, the books get a little dry during the trial, this was a different story. The beginning was very dry, read more like a term paper. When I made it to the trial, the writing picked up and became pretty interesting. This is not one of the best I have ever read, too slow. It was a horrible crime, but the players were so "meh" that it made the story very dull. I do not recommend it.

[Suzanne]

The story is a little dry at times but basically interesting. I enjoyed the courtroom scenes. I like how the law is explained and what is or is not allowed in the trial. I agree that the jury got it right but at the same time I'm not sure the mistress understood what she was getting into or how she would be charged. They do say, "ignorance of the law is no excuse" and it should especially apply when someone is killed.

[Joe Stafura]

Triad of Dunces

In many ways this book is built on a series of misfortune in life intersecting with a mid life crisis.

Terrible childhoods, poverty, drugs and illicit relationships lead to what seems by the end a sad and inevitable outcome.

Tons of misogyny and abuse throughout the process, with the weakest link being a matter of personal perspective.

[Sandra Laymon]

Just okay

I just noticed that only a few book reviews are being posted now for others to read so I really don't want to waste my time writing a thoughtful, genuine review p of the book if no one is going to read it so...It was a good book. Done.

[Tori Johnson]

Perhaps, I liked this true crime novel for the novelty of the situation. Hit-man kills the boss? Adriana at first did the one thing I'm always thinking when I read or watch true crime. Kept her mouth shut. Which was also different.

[Renee Stamper]

Almost nobody in the story is likeable, and I feel sorry for Carolyn who was the act
ual victim. The author could have spent a bit of time developing more info about her, instead of just repeating what the people who wanted her dead had to say.

[Gail Michaud]

Tough read.

Hard to follow and absorb that this actually happened. If you like True Crime this book is for you, although it really hits hard.

[Holly]

I honestly don't remember why I rated this two stars. I know the story was crazy with what all happened and etc. The author kinda went back and forth in the writing and it wasn't easy to follow sometimes due to the going back in forth from one point in time to another with various different people in the book. The way he referred to one of the people as "the weasel" for the majority of the book got on my nerves for some reason. I get they nicknamed him the weasel but dang. You don't have to keep calling him the weasel. lol I think the majority of the folks in this book were nuts. Well, I guess that is kinda a given when you're reading about murder, but still. The mistress.... she sure was something, I'll tell you that. Crazy. Just crazy.

[Katie Harder-schauer]

This was an ok true crime novel, although I'm probably not the best judge of that as I don't read a lot of true crime books in general. I was very disappointed by the 9 pages of "stunning" photos that were included, finding them quite dull. I did find it interesting to see how the trial played out though.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez]

I'd have to call this a must read for any real true crime fan. I read this a lot of years ago and I still remember details about this man and his mistress.

[Jerry-Mac]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13115842