Whispers of Romance, Threats of Death: One Woman's Treacherous Ordeal With a Savage, Seductive, Unstoppable Serial Criminal--A True Story

Rating:
Summary: A compelling story
Review: Collaboratively written by Carol Bryan Cook (artist, poet, and spokesperson for Victims Outreach, an organization providing grief and trauma counseling to crime victims) and true crime expert and author Ted Schwarz, Whispers Of Romance, Threats Of Death is the true and personal story of Carol Cook who moved to Dallas, Texas in order to be near her three daughters when she was attacked and raped and threatened with being killed by a stranger in a ski mask who broke into her luxury condominium. Not long after this horrific event, Carol met Gilbert Escobedo, who befriended her, helped her regain control of her life, and then went on to become her business partner and lover. Self-made business success, generous with his money, giving thanks to God every week in church, friendly with members of the Dallas Police Force, Gilbert Escobedo even rode along with law enforcement personnel in pursuit of Dallas' most dangerous serial rapist. No one knew that loyal, friendly, gallant, religious, helpful, kind, and tender Gilbert Escobedo was also the wily, elusive, brutal Ski Mask rapist. Whispers Of Romance, Threats Of Death is a compelling story and highly recommended reading.

Rating:
Summary: A MAELSTROM OF DECEIT
Review: My wife chose this book and I read it aloud to her. This would be considered true crime, however, any suspense is non-existant as the author only talks about one suspect and no others so you know from page 5 who the culprit is. If others were mentioned as to rape suspects and a little bit of history given to others, then it might have been more interesting.

The interesting part of the whole story is how the culprit leads two different and distinct lives for a period of time and then how his personality begins disintegrating toward the end and the ruse used to get a confession out. The major victim is given a roller coaster ride that is heartbreaking.