A Season in Purgatory

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Summary: Mrs. C.
Review: A SEASON IN PURGATORY is consistent with Dominick Dunne's other books. He writes with an easy, readable, style while at the same time he packs his novels with an extraordinary amount of detail.

As he often does, Dunne took this story from the headlines, though he obviously had a deep personal connection to the plot about a murdered girl from an exclusive Connecticut town. He never has made a secret of the fact that his own beloved daughter also was murdered. In A SEASON IN PURGATORY, he insisted on telling the tale of the murder of Martha Moxley.

Due in large part to Dunne's persistance, Michael Skakel has been tried for that murder and convicted. A SEASON IN PURGATORY was Dunne's early fictionalized effort to refuse to let that murder remain unsolved.

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Summary: I could not put this book down
Review: After hearing about the Martha Moxley murder on television, I was curious about this book, loosely based on that murder, and decided to read it. By the second chapter, I could not put it down. I felt as though I was a fly on the wall in a privileged Kennedy-type household. Mr. Dunne must have grown up around these people or at the very least did his homework very well. Whether you are interested in the Moxley murder or not, this is a page turner and a wonderful read! Now I want to read the non-fictional accounts to see the differences!

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Summary: Fact and Fiction in a Chilling Blend
Review: For those who only know Dominick Dunne from his erudite talking-head spots on CNN et al., it's easy to overlook the fact that he is first and foremost an accomplished author of many fictionalized versions of true-life crime. And "A Season in Purgatory" is, in this reviewer's opinion, the best of the lot.

It is particularly worth reading in mid-2002, when the almost 30-year-old case it is based on has come to trial, with spectacular results. Dunne himself, who wrote this novel based on sketchy information, has said he was surprised at how close he came in his story to the facts as they were revealed in the real-life trial of Michael Skakel, accused of bludgeoning to death his beautiful, 15-year-old neighbor, Martha Moxley, when he too was a teenager.

"A Season in Purgatory" is Dunne's chilling, unvarnished version of what must have happened that long-ago night of October 30, in the affluent town of Greenwich, CT, involving the most celebrated and affluent family of them all. Himself the father of a murdered daughter, Dunne spares no sympathy for the perpetrator in the novel. Rather, he paints a murky psychological portrait of a young man who not only commits a heinous crime, but whose family and friends help cover it up. Fact or fiction? In lieu of recent events, a re-read of this fine novel is in order, if only to compare the fictional to the real. But either way, this is a beautifully written mystery drama that hooks the reader from the first page to the last.

For those who enjoy crime novels, this is a must-read classic.

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Summary: well Dunne
Review: I can't agree with other reviewers that this is "vintage Dunne" or "quintessential Dunne" because this is my first Dominick Dunne book, but it certainly kept my attention for all of its 500-odd pages. The book was recommended to me by a friend who had seen the made-for-TV movie, and it did not disappoint.

Based "loosely" (read obviously) on the Martha Moxley murders, the book is about a friend of the Bradley family, Harrison Burns, who helps the family's favorite son, Constant Bradley, move the body of Winifred Utley, whom he's murdered. Gerald Bradley, who bears a striking resemblance to Joseph Kennedy, buys Harrison's silence, but the book is less about Harrison's struggle with his secret and more about how he got involved with the Bradleys and then later disentangled himself.

The book was written before Michael Skakel went to trial, and I read the trial portion of the book hoping that the book would mirror the real life outcome, justice for all, etc. Ultimately, this book is an indictment of people in power who hush up unsavory incidents to help themselves. Take it with you if you need to stay awake.... you won't want to put it down.

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Summary: I loved this book!
Review: I thought this book was so well written. Dominick Dunne keeps you interested. I missed my bus stop reading this!

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Summary: Too real, too close to home!
Review: If you enjoy true crime stories, this is the one for you. Especially if you followed any of the not too long ago Skakel trial. This is Dominick Dunne's story, but I must say it is fictionalized.

It's a story of how the rich and powerful run in society and their attitudes of laws and ethics. A good, fast read.

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Summary: Compelling Novel
Review: In 1972, Constant Bradley, the son of a wealthy stock market tycoon, bludgeoned his neighbor, Winifred Utley, to death with a baseball bat. His best friend, Harrison "Harry" Burns, a less wealthy young man, helped him move the body, making himself an accomplice. After that, Harrison can't bare to continue his friendship with Constant. But, after almost 20-yearsof keeping his distance, and building himself up as a successful true crime author, Harrison meets up with Kitt Bradley (the youngest Bradley child), and begins having an affair with her. Leading to his first meeting with the Bradley family in 2 decades. That's when he decides to come clean. But the Bradley's will do anything to shut him up. Including murder.

This is an excellent novel, based loosely on the death and murder of Martha Moxley, who was taken at the young age of 15, by the hands of a mentally disturbed Kennedy, known as Michael Skakel. This is a must-read for all fans of true crime, and novels revolving around the lifestyles of the rich and the famous.

Erika Sorocco

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Summary: This is my all time favorite book!
Review: It is really hard for me to say that about a book since I have read and loved so many. But this was one of those books that I was seriously sad when I finished reading it because it was over. I loved every minute of it. I still recommend it to all my friends even though I read it about 8 years ago. I just let a friend borrow it the other day and she called to say she could barely put it down. I don't believe in recapping the plot in my reviews b/c you can get that elsewhere....I do believe in telling you my reaction to the book. I LOVED IT!!! STILL LOVE IT AND WISH I COULD READ IT AGAIN AS A FIRST TIMER!!! Do yourself a favor and get this book!