The Rapist's Wife

Rating:
Summary: True Crime It's VERY Best!
Review: "The Rapist's Wife" is the story of James and Linda Bergstrom. It's the best true crime this reviewer has read. He was a rapist/stalker/voyeur who plagued the Seattle and Houston areas in the late 80s and early 90s. She is the harried wife married to a sicko, patiently trying to force the wheels of justice to spin her way. And hoping he doesn't kill her or their baby first. The chilling plot matches the chilling title. This is first tier true crime writing.
In the interests of not divulging the ending, this reviewer will attempt a brief review: Authoress Casey slowly weaves a tale of twisted behavior, bizarre families, sloppy police work and some very unfortunate women. (Readers of Ms. Casey's "Warrant to Kill" will recognize the awkward performance of Houston area lawmen-with those overlapping jurisdictions.) Since Mr. Bergstrom's Seattle "activities" encompassed his Naval service there, one can add a startlingly unsupportive Navy to the mix. Did the Navy ever abandon Linda! This review won't reveal how, but it's Linda who emerges as a hero. She was the one who had to live with her husband-afraid both to flee and that justice would never be done. James Bergstrom, I truly believe, surpasses Paul Bernardo of "Lethal Marriage" and Jerome Brudos of "Lust Killer" for sheer depravity. What happens? Amazoners will just have to read RW and learn for themselves but the "Ann Rule rule" is in effect: Skip the centerfold photos-one of them gives away the ending.
I have two hopes: One is that Avon books will reissue RW, making it easier to obtain. The other is that Ms Casey produces her third novel. I'm waiting to buy it. Ms. Casey is a seriously underrated authoress for this genre.(I'd note that I purchased RW "used". I can report that amazon and "Wild Michigan", the previous owner, quite capably handled the transaction. I would not hesitate to purchase RW used).

Rating:
Summary: Too Much Like a Junky True Crime Book
Review: I like nonfiction, and some true crime books are good nonfiction. So, although this book's title makes it sound like junky true crime, I read it. I should have trusted my impression of the book's title.

This book bored me.

Perhaps if it had stressed more the lack of response from the navy or law enforcement, it might have been more interesting. But the reason that occurred (or I should say "didn't occur") would have taken more research, more interviews with more people. Instead, the author stressed what the rapist's wife endured, and the lack of response from the navy and police was not examined, only reported.

In-depth descriptions are more interesting than half-descriptions of kinky sex and bad marriage.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent read!
Review: Kathryn Casey offers an accurate & frustrating glimpse into the world of this abused & terrified wife who finally finds some justice...