Rating: 
Summary: Hard to Believe, but Riviting
Review: This is a book unlike any I have ever read. For Kent Walker, one of the sons of Sante Kimes, to have survived such a miserable upbringing is proof that God puts other people in our lives to help us out. If you looked up the word "sociopath" in a dictionary you may find a picture of Sante Kimes next to the definition. Sadder still are the countless number of other people she victimized throughout her life, including that of her younger son, Kenny Kimes. A gift of gab was Sante's method of getting a foot in the door with another person and greed was her motive. Eventually she antagonized whomever she encountered. This greed was what eventually led to her and her son Kenny now spending the rest of their lives in prison. Sante's older son, Kent Walker, has done a masterful job of putting together one of the most interesting books I have read in some time. It would be hard for me to say that you will enjoy what you are reading, but I guarantee you will not be bored.
Rating: 
Summary: 'A Must' for anyone's True Crime Personal Library Section
Review: I couldn't get over some of the things Sante Kimes got away with in her lifetime. I remember being in Los Angeles and first hearing about the murder of Irene Silverman. I started to follow the NY TIMES articles on the entire matter. Then, I saw Kent Walker on Larry King and decided to get the book--which I finally managed to read & finish during a flight to London & France. It was quite interesting to read this book from her eldest sons' eyes. He was true to heart about his feelings. It could NOT have been easy for him. It's miraculous how he was fortunate enough to take the 'right' road in life (although I'm sure he had his fair share of mischievous stories that were never revealed). The book really kept me interested. It's really worthwhile reading for anyone who likes True Crime stories. It's also so UNBELIEVABLE. It is a relief to know that Sante Kimes is 'locked up' for good now. She seemed to be a detriment to society at large. She literally got away with murder. It reminded me of Winona Ryder (on a smaller scale) as I read in the NY POST about how shoplifters simply do what they do for the THRILL...TO SEE HOW EASILY THEY COULD GET AWAY WITH IT. Once they get away with 'one' thing...they pattern continues--like alcoholism or any other disease. I guess one could say that Sante Kimes did have a disease and she passed it on to her youngest son, Kenny. It seems Sante Kimes did everything every day of her life for the thrill...simply to see if she could get away with it--and she actually did until it all caught up with her. YIPES! What a creepy woman. I wish I could meet Kent Walker and talk to him--I do feel for him and wish I could embrace him and let him know that it's all 'okay' (the feelings & emotions he has & will continue to live with). Kent (if you are reading this)...you have a friend in me.
Rating:
Summary: A truly dysfunctional family...
Review: Written with insight by Sante Kimes eldest son, Kent Walker, this is a story of an extremely dysfunctional family. Sante Kimes and her youngest son, Kenny Kimes, committed various crimes, starting with shoplifting and fraud, and working their way up to murder. It is an unbelievably sickening and twisted tale, but fascinating nonetheless. It is indeed fortunate that Sante and Kenny were both convicted of their many crimes, and will probably never see the light of day.
Rating:
Summary: Son of a Grifter
Review: This particular book was one I HAD to read after seeing the Kime's on 60 Minutes a couple of years ago. Watching their segment, it was obvious Sante and Kenny were astonishing liars, but why--and how--do people GET that way? The Mother, the Son and the Socialite was an account of their crime-ridden lives but dealt in facts regarding the crimes they'd committed, not a personal portrait of either of them. Those facts can only be revealed by a family member. Kent Walker seems to be honest in his assessment of his mother and brother, and certainly doesn't whitewash his role in the family dynamic. His story is a sad one in that the only extended family he has will never be a part of his life again, yet at the same time, they will be the "800 pound gorilla" till he dies. I am glad he was able to write this book to give us some insight into how a Sante Kimes can influence her own children so negatively. I am also very saddened for him, since no matter what this woman and her other son have done, they are still his mother and brother. The last 20 pages are heart-breaking to read. God bless Kent Walker.
Rating:
Summary: A Grifted Writer
Review: This book is great.It is a page turner, but I couldn't help but thinking, "This is your family"... I think the author has years of psycho therapy ahead of him. But he tells a good story. I don't know if I beleive everything he writes, though. Maybe he's not as innocent as he says he is. He cops to a lot of bad behavior, but stops short of admitting anything that could result in leagal trouble for him. Not that I blame him. His mother and brother are scary people. I think he's a little scary too. Notice I didn't say "was".
Rating:
Summary: A can't put down book!
Review: I could not stop reading this book. After reading this book I don't think it is a coincidence that the names Sante and Satan sound alike. Sante Kimes is truly evil. She had no problem stealing, swindiling, lying, and conning for every thing she has ever gotten. One example of her scheming invloved insurance fraud. It was not enough for her to rip off an insurance company. When they handed her a check for a bogus claim she tried to keep the money instead of turning it over to the body shop where the car was at. She tried to steal the car back without paying the body shop for the sound system that was put in so she would have a free sound system and the money from the fraudulant insurance check. Unbelievable! And that was one of her milder schemes. She also took illegal immigrants and kept them in inhumane conditions as slaves. Soon fraud and slavery escalated into outright murder. If Sante couldn't con someone into giving her what she wanted she would just outright eliminate them. Her lack of remorse or any sign of a conscience is amazing. As a mother I find it particulary appalling that she recriuted her own kids into her schemes. She only paid attention to them when it suited her own needs. It's a miracle that Kent, the author of this book, turned out to be the person that he is. Sante's other son Kenny was not so fortunate. The rest of his life will be spent in prison. His life is virtually over at the age of 26. I remember watching on Court TV when Kenny took the Court TV reporter hostage. Kenny and Sante's bizare and outrageous behavior seems to have no end. After reading this book I can't decide which was worse, to be considered their friend or their enemy. Anyone who crossed paths with them in any capacity came out the worse for it.
Rating: 
Summary: A Somewhat Winding But Interesting Narrative
Review: One of Sante Kimes defense attorneys purportedly asked her eldes son, and author of this book, if his mother worshiped the devil. It could be that Sante Kimes is the devil or one of his representatives here on Earth. Starting with his first memories of his mother Kent Walker takes us on a bumpy, blow-your-hair-back ride through his mother's bizarre and deceitful world. From his mother's enslavement of illegal immigrants to her numerous arson/insurance schemes: Kent doesn't cut his mom any slack. It is still obvious, however, that his mother still has a small hold on him, even from prison, and probably always will. This is an honest biography of a twisted sociopath who was able to control just about everybody who entered her life. My only complaint is that at times it gets out of chronological order and can be hard to follow but the subject matter more than makes up for it.
Rating:
Summary: The Sociopath's Role Model
Review: If every true crime, or non-fiction biography were written this well, publishers wouldn't be able to meet the reader's demands. Kent Walker and Mark Schone did a superb job of putting together the history of this deranged and dangerous family. If it weren't a true story, we might categorize it as science fiction stretched to the limits. Nobody did it better than Sante Kimes, the Malevolent Matriarch,
who managed to magnetize so many into her den of hubris and hold them there for as long as she needed - even when they were free to go. Kenny Kimes, Kent's younger brother, is a study in how strong a parent's influence can be on their child's character and how that influence can dominate their entire life. Although Kenny is rightfully being held accountable for the offenses he willingly commited, I think it's fair to say he's an ignorant and innocent victim of despicable parents from the time he was born. Kent explains with honesty and authenticity how well Sante
understood a child's - and an adult's - natural and primitive need for acceptance, affection and aproval. Calling it "unconditional love" she lavished it on them, using it to extract from them whatever she needed whenever she needed it. It's ironic how well she understood the power of guilt when she had no capactity for it herself. What's equally interesting is how "normal" friends, acquaintances and business associates allowed themselves to participate in her scams, get severely burned - then go back for more! Kent Walker,though he may still feel connected to his mother and his little brother by nature's design, has finally made the conscious decision to detach from them for the good of his family and for himself. I believe it's a wise decision he will never regret. To those journalists or scientists who may be considering an interview with a sociopath's sociopath, it may be a good idea to get with Sante Kime's & Son now, while they're still incarcerated. After all, who knows how long they'll be there?
Rating:
Summary: Jaw-dropping, heart-breaking, incredibly well-written story
Review: ...of shame and guilt overcome. Kent Walker deserves to live a full, rich life. This is a "true confession" at its best.
Confessions have always been the greatest literature, from St. Augustine to Rousseau. Mark Schone is to be con-
gratulated for his brilliant "sculpting" of a truly fine person's
tortured story. He gives voice to Kent's arduous tale, and I wish them both well. Sante Kimes is, in my opinion, the most evil human being (besides Hitler and his SS gestapo) that I have ever heard about. In the book it is stated that she's been considered right up there with Charles Manson, and though I have no love for that hideous maniac, it is the sheer lifelong weight of Sante Kimes's criminality that tips the scale in her favor. What an ugly, ugly woman, inside and out. I know she is supposed to have been "beautiful," but when I looked at that picture of her as a very young girl, I saw in her eyes sly villany and a maniacal intention to harm. I think Sante was plotting evil from the moment she was born. How she tried to destroy everyone and everything around her is the theme of this book. That Kent "escaped", narrowly, with his own life, is testimony that "nature" is of far more importance than "nurture," something I have always contended...
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book
Review: Too much has been written about this duo and most of it isn't worth reading. This book is the exception. If you really want to read about the Kimes, this is the book to read.
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