I literally could not put this book down until I finished it. This is a gripping story about a young mother of three boys who was a beloved daughter, sister, and friend, as well as a successful executive in the Southwestern Bell Corporation. Susan McFarland's struggle to compensate for a husband, who was "weird" to say the least in order to hold her family together, finally ended when she went missing. After extensive searches, her charred remains were finally located a few months later. Her husband was convicted of murder. The effects of this woman's life and death on those who loved her are brought into sharp focus, and one can only ache for the children. This touching story should be a "must read" for anyone caught in a terrible relationship.

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This was a pretty good true crime.

It's focus is primarily on the story of these people's lives (with very specific tales of the husband's odd behavior), the investigations comes second, and the courtroom scenes are held to a minimum.

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It was all about Richard! As long as he could buy, buy, buy and not have to earn the money, he was happy. Once he saw d i v o r c e, he knew his wife had to dissappear. Forget what it would do to the little boys.

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This story took place right near my own neighborhood. Fascinating story. Very sad situation with the three boys being separated in the end and adopted by non-family.

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Great book. Great investigation. A baffling disappearance. A silent husband. A shocking story.

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This book is parallel to the best in my eyes - Ann Rule style of writing.
Many readers will see their own relationship as they read this book and hopefully it will lead them to get help, strength, make the break before it is too late.

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Well researched book

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Great book for fans of the true crime genre.

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GREAT BOOK... ONCE I STARTED READING IT, I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN TILL I FINISHED IT....

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Good true crime book 3 stars

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Here's the story of a family that fell through the cracks. Everyone noticed but didn't seem to think it was their business to report the odd behaviour and parenting methods of this monster man father. I wish the author had been able to give more detail on his family, who I think are just as creepy as he is, but she did explain that they refused to give any history of his childhood.

Reading this book really gave me the creeps. I hope I never have to deal with a neighbor such as this but if I do I know I would have to intervene. I understand they were all scared of him but why weren't they thinking of the children? It seemed to me they all just swept it under the rug.
As for Susan, a few of the reviews have slammed her for being a horrible mother but I disagree. If you read the whole book the afterword explained about women who stay in relationships such as this. We all know one or two of them and wonder why? As she explains, Susan was caught in the eye of the storm, she didn't or couldn't accept the reality of her life. That didn't make her a horrible mother, it means she was a victim caught in the horror her life had become. I don't believe in slamming a dead victim, she doesn't deserve that. My heart goes out to her family and to her sons.

Have also seen references to the fact that the childrens names were changed to protect them and yet there is a photo of her headstone showing their names, but the ending of the book explains that the boys have all been adopted with new names so I saw no harm in the photo.

I found this to a be a fast paced, easy to read true crime story not bogged down by page after page of boring court testimony. I don't think the state should have accepted his plea, I feel he got off with a very light sentence for all the damage this monster done to not only his family but Susan's as well. He damaged everyone he came into contact with and I'm sure many still have nightmares due to that. I dread the day he comes up for parole and my hope is that he is recognized as the monster he truly is and spends the rest of his life behind bars.

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Susan McFarland was a vivacious, successful mother of three young sons. On November25,2002, she disappeared. Three days later, her car was found, keys in the ignition. Later that day, her husband reported her missing and a desperate search began. A true story of marriage, betrayal and murder.

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A well written account of the disappearance and murder of Susan McFarland. Diane Fanning brings to life all the characters in this horrific event with clarity and compassion. You can feel the suspense at Susan's disappearance, feel the stress then dread for those looking for her, then feel the horror when her burned remains are found. Follow the journey with the law enforcement officers, Susan's family, and friends as Diane Fanning brings the search full circle to its chilling conclusion.

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I don't have this book anymore.

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