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Book Review of Cruel Doubt

Cruel Doubt
Cruel Doubt
Author: Joe McGinniss
Genre: Nonfiction
Book Type: Paperback
reviewed on + 94 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2


This is a fascinating true crime story of parricide in a wealthy North Carolina family. Joe Mcginniss' hours of interviews with the Von Stein family, friends, law enforcement officers and lawyers are recounted in painful detail and bring to light the story of a sadly disfunctional family and a horrible murder. The son, a college student, plots with his 'dungeons and dragons' player buddies to kill both his mother and stepfather for the multi-million dollar inheritance he thinks will make his life perfect. His mother survives and spends several years desperately trying to find her husband's killer, yet refusing to see where all the evidence is leading. Only after the son admits to the crime is the mother able to accept it - even as she continues to love and support him. A troubling question is never satisfactorily answered. Did the younger sister of the murderer play a part in the crime?