Rating: 
Summary: TRAIN WRECK
Review: This book was lke a train wreck, you know something bad is going to happen but you just can't look away. I usually read a book in bed to help me relax and get sleepy, but this book ; before you know it, you look at the clock, it's 2:00 A.M. and you are not EVEN sleepy.
This is some of the best non-fiction out there.
Rating:
Summary: Enter the mind of an evil
Review: History channel did an interview with Kent Walker who talked about his mother - Sante Kimes. She became notorious along with her son Kenny after conviction of murdering Irene Silverman to steal her estate. The murder was a small blip in the dark mind of a born criminal.
As a young girl, Sante showed sign of cruelty toward animals and was at odd with her school mates. Sante invented an air of mystery about herself to smokescreen her identity and be acceptable in the eyes of peers, but she couldn't escape her mother eyes, and was finally disowned and lived in a adopted home in her teen. Kimes Sante showed classic sign of a troubled person at very early age, friends were uncomfortable at her demeanor, she was not welcome. Very little known about her childhood.
Ambitious, impatient and cunning, Sante didn't satisfy with progressive and modest success of her first husband who was construction contractor in Sacramento. Impatient for quick money, she burnt down houses before completion to get quick money. In effect, she destroyed his career, then divorced him. This was just a start to unleash her true self in the next 30 years. Kimes loved to dominate, control, beg, terrorize, cheat, steal, enslave, and drug others to get her way. Her dare devil and lavish manner fascinated her two sons and pulled them in a steroid boosted life style; years later Kent Walter admitted that being chased in Mexico city taxi cab by hotel personnel for unpaid bill was a thrill, and when the air plan took off, a huge tension released from their chests, for they just escaped by a hair and pulled off another scheme.
Kent Walter decided to open his mother secret much too late, after she was jailed for murdering Irene Silverman, if he did it much earlier, then perhaps he could save his step brother life from prison whom he loved. He couldn't change his mother character, but he certainly could stop her acts by disclosure her deeds to preempt the process of thought to action. He guarded family shame and secret until it became runaway disaster. In many ways Kent protected her mother who demanded absolute loyalty and protection of her children to hide her true identity to harm others. The book doesn't mention much about Sante childhood, we knew that she was disowned by her mother in her teen, in this regard, I feel the Sante mother character was normal. Kent never mentioned about the his maternal grandpa who was a Indian Magician and his ancestors, so he might carry the seed of evil. Kent Walker escapes this seed, but not his step brother.
This book discloses string of deceptions which made other crimes stories tame ... read on, you will enter a evil mind who terrorize society. This book will grips you as much as Kimes Sante did on her children.
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 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.
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Summary: AND YOU THOUGHT YOUR MOTHER WAS CRAZY?
Review: I first heard about this book while jogging on a treadmill at the gym while the "Today Show" was being shown. The author, Kent Walker lived on a treadmill for most of his life. While the book is written in the first person, Mr. Walker somehow manages to make it appear that he is on the outside looking in. Considering his life with his mother I'd say that he has been through the looking glass and back. While we have all known people who are flambouyant and perhaps a bit eccentric, Sante Kimes surpasses them all. I would not classify her as sociopathic, but she is definitely one of the most twisted narcissists I have ever read about. If this was a work of fiction, one might blame the author for having an over-active imagination. I can only liken living in this woman's world to spending a lifetime with a psychotic Lucy Ricardo. Chaos, of her own making, rules her life and the lives of those around her. Her second husband, Ken Kimes, comes across as her true soul mate. The author, her poor eldest son, would have you believe that Ken was a dupe for whom we should feel pity, when, in fact, he is as conniving and unfeeling as his wife. A short review cannot express the sheer evil this woman exudes, one must read the book! Even then, it is hard to believe the audacity of this woman. I personally felt embarrassment for her and her family during some of the surreal situations in which she placed herself and those around her. She, on the other hand, has no sense of shame at all. Whether filling her handbag with stolen lipstick or committing murder to gain access to another's riches, she acts at all times like she is engaged in an entertaining board game. Her greed knows no limits. Her cruelty is unbounded. If you are a fan of true crime and psychological thrillers, you must read this book. Her son, the author, states that he will miss her every day of his life! When you read what was done to him it is extremely difficult to believe that he could miss anything about her. I wonder that he didn't murder her in her sleep! Don't think that this book is a simple little tale of a dysfunctional family. This book is about a woman who is so extraordinarily evil that it difficult to believe that it is a work of non-fiction. It is difficult to believe that she was conceived of human parents! Simply put, whe is disgusting! If you doubt that there is evil in the world, read the book. Your doubts will be forever gone.
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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: The Boy Who Could Not Say No
Review: Interesting, wittily written tale of the "other", elder son of Sante Kimes. Kent Walker tells the story of his upbringing by a psychopathic monster. Sometimes his story is inconsistent, even hypocritical. Mr. Walker states he is sure that his mother loves him and would do anything for him - she sometimes threw him huge birthday bashes, threatened to have a boy who beat him up expelled from school (although never followed through) and intervened by schmoozing with Army big wigs to have him accepted into Flight School - although six months later she demanded that he leave his dream to come to her "rescue" (she was arrested for enslaving maids). Mr. Walker also claims that his mother is "hot-blooded", not cold-blooded - although she punched him in the mouth when he was eight years old (requiring stitches and leaving a numbness that never went away) because Sante had been caught shoplifting. She blamed the assault on the store manager who caught her and had the audacity to demand her merchandise back. The police for some reason bought Sante's story and arrested the innocent woman, while Sante went on her merry way with her stolen merchandise. In the habit of burning down houses for insurance money, Sante sent her young son back into a house for a folder she "forgot" - the explosion came as he was coming down the steps with the requested item. Sante also beat him with wire hangers, tried to destroy the relationship between Mr. Walker and his girlfriend (later wife), poisoned his wife, and endangered his child. However, Mr. Walker continued his relationship with his mom. Mr. Walker states that his mother was great 95% of the time; it was only one day a month that things were horrible - however, every day, she and his step-father drank and had heated arguments. Sante enslaved, physically, mentally and verbally abused illegal aliens, stealing their passports and identification. Mr. Walker even helped a few of them escape, but he really didn't think she was that bad, although the trial later proved he must have been in la-la land. Sante stole her own best friend's wallet while she visited. Sante Kimes ruined both close friends' and stranger's lives and reputations, destroying their credit and sending innocent people to jail. She is a liar, thief, con artist, and multiple murderer - yet Mr. Walker felt compelled to laugh when she verbally abused an overworked waitress. He belittles others (his father, his step-father) for enduring her abuse and manipulations for so long - but it seems that Mr. Walker endured it for the longest - for these admitted reasons: love and greed. His stepfather was a millionaire and backed him in business. However his stepfather was also a thief, and an admitted murderer (Sante's accomplice). He wouldn't "give" Sante a checking account - so she continued to shoplift, run scams (he participated), manipulate her son's life, and alienate her husband from all of his relatives. Sante insisted that they were trying to kill her and kidnap Kenny, the "heir". After Ken Kimes died (was he poisoned by Kenny and Sante?) first Mr. Walker tells us there WAS money in the stepfather's accounts, found out there was NO money, then towards then end, there is money in the accounts - which Mr. Walker believes he is entitled to. Did he ever pay back all those loans or the money he stole out of Mr. Kimes pants' pockets? First, Mr. Walker lays the blame for how Kenny turned out squarely on Kenny's dad - as Sante was in prison when Kenny was 10 - 13 years old, and "according to shrinks" that is when a child's moral code is formed. Later when Kenny is actually committing crimes (murder etc.) with his mother, it's his mother who is to blame for Kenny's actions - he is being manipulated! And even though Mr. Walker tried numerous times to get Kenny to leave his mother, and start his own life, even offering him a job, Kenny refused saying he enjoyed the lifestyle and luxury comforts the scams gave them. Kenny made fun of Mr. Walker's "holier than thou" attitude, and told him he should join them. Suddenly, when Kenny was in prison, it was all Mr. Walker's fault that Kenny ended up there. Mr. Walker was the one guilty for his brother turning out the way he did. He said it was all his fault, and he should have tried harder! One discrepancy that bugged me was Mr. Walker's description of the dress his mother wore to several parties one certain night in D.C. He describes it as white "fringe" over her décolletage. However, the picture clearly shows a white dress with a high ruffled neck, ruffled bodice, and long, leg-of-mutton sleeves - sort of a Little House on the Prairie in White look. If Mr. Walker can't see this dress for what it is, what else is he not seeing clearly? There is not enough in the book about Sante's background, because apparently he either didn't try to get interviews with relatives, or they refused. Mr. Walker doesn't really know what the truth of Sante's childhood is, but something pretty bad had to have happened in order for her to become what she did. But what? Since Sante is nothing but a liar or until somebody reliable from her past talks, I guess we'll never know. Mr. Walker believes the sentences are too harsh for the crimes committed by his brother and mother. After at least four murders and countless other ruined lives, including both of her sons, it appears that Sante and Kenny got off easy.
After reading this book, one can tell that Mr. Walker still has issues that need to be addressed. If you are interested in the study of psychopaths, I suggest "Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of Psychopaths Among Us," by Robert D. Hare. Sante fits right in with the rest of them, especially her reasoning, or lack thereof.
Rating:
Summary: One Son of a Sociopath
Review: Loosing someone through the actions of a Sociopath is devastating. To be able to read an honest recounting of a surviving Victim's life is both sad and inspiring.
As you read this book you will be stunned by the true evil that is embodied in Sante Kimes and you will be amazed at how she groomed, manipulated, and used every vulnerability her children have to her own advantage. Everyone had a price, and favors range from lies and theft to murder. Everyone is kept in line through sex, booze, greed, false friendship, and a feeling of not being able to ever get free of Sante.
As for Ken Kimes, Sr. the feeling of pity comes and goes. He was not a sociopath, but he had the basic weakness' to attract one. Once Sante bedded him, he mistook sex for love and failed to escape the brainwashing and fear.
Kent Walker has chosen to stay in the human race, and try to be a decent person by walking through fire. It is not surprising that he is willing to accept blame for his younger, half bother's choices, and at times is confused about what Love is. I can only hope that as time passes and his own children grow up to be healthy decent adults he will be able to shake off his private demons. Realizing that each action is the result of personal choice; and, see through the actions of his wife, Lynn, and her ever vigil and constant "mother love" that Sante's parties, gifts, and permissiveness had absolutely nothing to do with love, or any kind of affection, for him or his brother.
Ed Walker, Kent's father, and Evelyn, Kent's surrogate mom in Palm Springs, have my "Thanks" for being/staying in Kent's life. My admiration goes to Kent for his honest and (I'm sure) painful "Heads Up!" view into the life style of a Sociopath.
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.
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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".
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