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Suzanne Oxford has commented on (11) products.

Death sentence :the true story of Velma Barfield's life, crimes, and execution by Jerry Bledsoe

Suzanne Oxford, May 4, 2013

I have read most of Bledsoe's books. I really enjoy them as he is very thorough in doing research on all of the characters and history. This greatly adds to the reader's understanding of events in Velma Barfield's life and how her childhood may have influenced her crimes life. She grows up in abject poverty and abuse from her father. They live in a home with no electricity, no running water, etc. As of this was not bad enough, she must help in household chores and farm chores, plus help her mother with the younger children. Unfortunately she is the only older girl with mostly brothers until 10 years later, another girl is born. She only has freedom when she is married to Thomas Burke. Her life is somewhat peaceful and happy for about 10 years until she is 32, when she must have surgery. This seems to have changed her personality, as she was no longer the patient and loving mother to her children as before. After this her life seems to go downhill with her husband dying when their house burns up. Also having severe back pain and other problems from the hysterectomy, she gets started on pain pills and other prescription drugs. This would prove to be her undoing as she became addicted to and had to have large amounts of medicine. This would also put a strain on her children and their relationship with her.

Subsequently, those who were closest to Velma started dying mysteriously of stomach flu. Her mother would die, along with some elderly patients she was taking care of. Also they would start noticing things disappearing including their money and checks being forged with their names. This pattern continues until Stuart Taylor, Velma's boyfriend dies of stomach flu shortly after Velma moves to live with him. Upon closer investigation by the Sheriff and other law enforcement, they begin to suspect arsenic poison as the cause of death. It would be her own son who has her arrested and put in jail.

This was a fascinating book. I suppose reading about a woman serial killer is going to be very interesting, as most of us are not ready to accept that women are capable of such cold and callous crimes. with Velma it is all the more startling, because she is a loving mother and grandmother. She appears to be a born-again Christian, who is very kind and caring to her friends and family. They are all truly shocked and have a hard time reconciling the truth with the woman they think they know. How could Velma be capable of such horrible crimes? This is the question which Bledsoe tries to answer, but even her psychiatrist and other professionals would have a hard time answering this. Some thought drugs had changed her; others that her childhood was to blame. Probably even Velma does not understand why she did this.

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Through the Window (St. Martin's True Crime Library) by Diane Fanning

Suzanne Oxford, May 4, 2013

I found this novel very disturbing to read. However I am a long-time fan of Diane Fanning. I do enjoy reading her books as she is a very talented writer. She does deal with some very horrific and tragic stories though. Tommy Lynn Sells is truly one of the worst serial killer in our history and he seems to be proud of this fact. He preys on young women, teenagers and children who cannot defend themselves. He seems to have no remorse and no regret as he gives the Texas Rangers and other law enforcement an account of his crimes. He relates this as though he is talking about what he ate for dinner that day. I have never read about such young children being cruelly and cold-bloodedlly strangled or having their necks cut, as with Krystal Surles and her friend Katy.

Fortunately, this man is where he belongs on death row. The author tries to find out why and what led him to do these horrible crimes. He seems to blame it on taking drugs and being intoxicated at the time. He did grow up neglected by his mother and left to live with a child molester during that time. Probably we will never know for sure why and what led Tommy on his cross-country crime spree. His aunt wanted to raise him as her own and regrets she never got the chance. Would he have been different if that had happened? Of course we will never know.

I do recommend reading this book, but if you are squeamish about such violence, probably you should not read this book.

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Shattered: The True Story of a Mother's Love, a Husband's Betrayal, and a Cold-Blooded Texas Murder by Kathryn Casey

Suzanne Oxford, March 21, 2013

The story of Belinda Temple is very tragic and heart-wrenching. She seemed to have a charmed life, being very popular, beautiful, athletic and having a wonderful family. Then her life would take a dramatic turn when she meets David Temple, the handsome, All-American football star of Katy, Texas. Of course she knew all about him, before they even met -- his poster was on display all over Katy and Stephen Foster Austin University. Her friends did not like him at first and tried to warn Belinda that something was not right about him. Unfortunately all in vain, as she had fallen in love with the popular and charming athlete. This is only the beginning of her life as Mrs. David Temple. If she knew what lie ahead, would she have run for her life? Of course this is mere speculation and no one could ever guess what the future held for her.

Kathryn Case is a superb true crime writer. She does a tremendous amount of research and investigation in order to give a thorough and fair portrayal of both sides in this story, David Temple's and the victim, Belinda and his unborn child. You hear from their family, friends, neighbors and teachers and coaches, who all have their own opinions and beliefs about what happened and why. It is interesting to note that some former friends and neighbors, who David considered to be his closest friends, would later have to move away in order to protect themselves from his wrath and revenge. Sadly, this was a pattern of behavior with him to deny and lie his way through any and all situations. After all his parents had protected and defended him all his life. They would continue to do so, even when evidence all pointed to him as the killer.

Ultimately, David would pay the price for this cold-blooded crime. Yet his actions devastated both families, who would have to deal with this for a long time. The Lucas family had lost not only their beloved daughter, but also their unborn grandchild To add to their misery and grief, the Temple family kept them from seeing Evan, Belinda's son and their only link to her. In view of how badly the Temple family treated Brenda Lucas and her parents, Tom and Carol, it is no surprise where David learned his arrogance and lack of empathy towards others.

Again I would highly recommend reading this book. Casey is at the top of her genre and truly one of the best.

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What She Always Wanted: A True Story of Marriage, Greed, and Murder by Camille Kimball

Suzanne Oxford, March 21, 2013

Before reading this book by Camille Kimball, I did see Diary of a Showgirl sometime earlier. Marjorie Orbin is very convincing in her denial of killing Jay, her husband. But after reading this book, I am inclined to believe she belongs in prison and is totally guilt of the crime of which she was convicted. This was very well written and it kept me up late at night. The crime is truly horrific in nature and the author acknowledges this at the end. She expresses great sympathy for their son, Noah and Jay's family. Still she explains as a good writer, she must cover all aspects of the murder, gruesome though it may be. (This is definitely one of the most gruesome crimes I have ever read). Do not read this book if you are easily upset by gory details of blood and guts. It just amazes me that this woman, who had lived with her husband for so many years and had slept with him and supposedly at one time she did love him and yet she is still capable of such gruesome acts as described in the book. I refuse to elaborate on the details of her crime. Kimball has done an outstanding job in covering this crime. I hope she will continue writing as I look forward to reading more of her books.

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Mila 18 by Leon Uris

Suzanne Oxford, February 14, 2013

Leon Uris ranks at the top in my opinion as a brilliantly gifted writer. He captures the historical drama of WWII and Nazi Germany, along with the torment and never-ending struggle of being Jewish in Warsaw, Poland. This is indeed a fictionalized account of that time period, but his characters probably do have counterparts in real life. Upon reading this book, one has to admire the courage, determination, endurance and raw guts of these people. You may have read about life in the Warsaw ghettos, but this book takes you into their homes, introduces you to people who face poverty, starvation, sickness, and terror on a daily basis. The author gives a first-hand account of Jews in the ghetto being constantly intimidated and threatened by the Nazis and how they manage to survive in such horrible conditions. Reading this will horrify you one minute, then make you cringe and then touch your heart as no other book you may have read in a long time. I highly recommend this as Leon Uris always delivers fascinating and emotionally charged books, leaving you spell-bound and unable to put the book down.

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