A Deadly Secret: The Strange Disappearance of Kathie Durst (Berkley True Crime)

Rating:
Summary: An incredible story
Review: "A Deadly Secret" is deceptive. Fair warning: There is much less of substance here than meets the eye! The main focus is on the 1982 disappearance of Kathie Durst. She was married to Robert Durst, son of a highly prominent and extremely wealthy New York City real estate tycoon. Kathie's family, most of her friends, the investigating police officers in 2 New York counties and indeed (it is safe to presume), most readers of "DS" think her husband murdered her. The main problem the scenario is that the investigation has gone nowhere! While one should keep political opinions out of book reviews, that is not possible in this case. To fully appreciate the scope of DS, readers need to be aware of the ENORMOUS political clout the real estate Lords have in New York State. Their power is awesome! In this reviewer's opinion that power had to have affected how vigorously Durst was investigated. It is hard to point fingers since Kathy disappeared in one jurisdiction (Westchester County) but reported missing -by her husband (!) -in another county (New York County better known as Manhattan). Neither District Attorney has pursued the case. Author Birkbeck plainly has an egregiously low opinion of the highly ambitious, Republican, headline seeking Westchester DA. This reviewer believes his opinion is both justified and substantiated. The septuagenarian Manhattan DA, a Democrat and son of FDR's Treasury Secretary,has held his position with dignity for over 30 years and whatever his possible failings is not interested in higher office. Rest assured, entrenched as the 2 are, neither wishes to offend the rich and powerful. With the New York investigations at a standstill, Birkbeck would have had no story except Robert became a murder suspect in other localities! One was Los Angeles, where an old female friend of his was shot to death. The second was Galveston, Texas where a chopped up body was found floating in Galveston Bay. Durst was the prime suspect! Blending the missing Kathie, the floating body parts, her circle of friends, her family, those who pretend to be her friends, the dead body in L.A., interesting Galveston characters, 3 hardworking cops in 3 police jurisdictions, plus the 2 aforementioned DAs, Birkbeck patches together his tale. Even with all these elements, it is not enough to produce one that is ultimately cohesive. This may the only true crime story where one has to literally surf the web to close the circle. (HINT: Search under Robert Durst"). And be prepared! DS left an unpleasant taste with this reviewer. I felt manipulated, used and deceived. Granted there were moments of interest. Given the cast of characters there had to be, but DS ends with a crashing letdown. DS is only recommended for the hardest of hardcore true crime aficionados. A final thought: The "Ann Rule rule" is suspended! Not only do the centerfold photos not reveal the ending, they reveal absolutely nothing. This reviewer acknowledges that the author worked hard on DS. But there are simply too many loose ends to elevate it to first class true crime status. Hopefully, future editions and reprints may change that.

Rating:
Summary: Ultimately, a disappointment.
Review: "A Deadly Secret" is deceptive. Fair warning: There is much less of substance here than meets the eye! The main focus is on the 1982 disappearance of Kathie Durst. She was married to Robert Durst, son of a highly prominent and extremely wealthy New York City real estate tycoon. Kathie's family, most of her friends, the investigating police officers in 2 New York counties and indeed (it is safe to presume), most readers of "DS" think her husband murdered her. The main problem the scenario is that the investigation has gone nowhere! While one should keep political opinions out of book reviews, that is not possible in this case. To fully appreciate the scope of DS, readers need to be aware of the ENORMOUS political clout the real estate Lords have in New York State. Their power is awesome! In this reviewer's opinion that power had to have affected how vigorously Durst was investigated. It is hard to point fingers since Kathy disappeared in one jurisdiction (Westchester County) but reported missing -by her husband (!) -in another county (New York County better known as Manhattan). Neither District Attorney has pursued the case. Author Birkbeck plainly has an egregiously low opinion of the highly ambitious, Republican, headline seeking Westchester DA. This reviewer believes his opinion is both justified and substantiated. The septuagenarian Manhattan DA, a Democrat and son of FDR's Treasury Secretary,has held his position with dignity for over 30 years and whatever his possible failings is not interested in higher office. Rest assured, entrenched as the 2 are, neither wishes to offend the rich and powerful. With the New York investigations at a standstill, Birkbeck would have had no story except Robert became a murder suspect in other localities! One was Los Angeles, where an old female friend of his was shot to death. The second was Galveston, Texas where a chopped up body was found floating in Galveston Bay. Durst was the prime suspect! Blending the missing Kathie, the floating body parts, her circle of friends, her family, those who pretend to be her friends, the dead body in L.A., interesting Galveston characters, 3 hardworking cops in 3 police jurisdictions, plus the 2 aforementioned DAs, Birkbeck patches together his tale. Even with all these elements, it is not enough to produce one that is ultimately cohesive. This may the only true crime story where one has to literally surf the web to close the circle. (HINT: Search under Robert Durst"). And be prepared! DS left an unpleasant taste with this reviewer. I felt manipulated, used and deceived. Granted there were moments of interest. Given the cast of characters there had to be, but DS ends with a crashing letdown. DS is only recommended for the hardest of hardcore true crime aficionados. A final thought: The "Ann Rule rule" is suspended! Not only do the centerfold photos not reveal the ending, they reveal absolutely nothing. This reviewer acknowledges that the author worked hard on DS. But there are simply too many loose ends to elevate it to first class true crime status. Hopefully, future editions and reprints may change that.

Rating:
Summary: So strange, so good
Review: Can money buy murder? Not only can it buy murder, it can buy serial murder. Great insight by Birkbeck through his analytical study of a real estate empire, a family and murders. The final outcome is left up to the reader.
This book gives the reader a true insight in another facet of our amoral society.

Rating:
Summary: An incredible story
Review: First, the bad news. There is no ending. Now, all the good news. This is a book written for people who have the capacity to put all the facts together and figure the ending themselves. Author Matt Birkbeck does something few journalists have the guts to do...he takes a case, and twenty years worth of facts, and puts together a cohesive, well written and gripping story that all but slams the door on Robert Durst. Birkbeck's storytelling is to be admired as he takes us through the complicated, twenty two year old Kathie Durst investigation, and leaves us emotionally spent wondering why law enforcement either won't or can't do anything with one of New York City's favorite sons. Their failure ultimately led to two more murders, and Birkbeck manages to piece it all together to where there can be only one result.
It's Birkbeck's investigative skills that are to be admired, and that he reveals all the dirty laundry behind such a high profile investigation. This is a must read for any true crime collection and for those interested in battered or abused women issues, given the abuse heaped on the long missing Mrs. Durst.
If you are a reader who needs someone to spell it all out and tie it neatly together with a nice ribbon, then don't buy this book. If you are a reader who can follow a great story then make his/her own determination as to guilt or innocence, then by all means A Deadly Secret is a must read.

Rating:
Summary: Gritty and gripping
Review: This is NOT just another true crime book. Matt Birkbeck can really tell a story and his writing style is excellent. He skillfully portrays a cast of real life characters who are affected by Robert Durst, a super wealthy, eccentric and evil man. Kathie Durst, his pretty wife went missing in 1981. Her body was never found. Ironically, she was planning to divorce her husband when she vanished. Some 20 years later, a raggedy-looking Durst was picked up for shoplifting in Pennsylvania, and detained mainly because a shrewd cop followed his intuition about the strange man. It turned out that Durst was wanted for the grisly murder of an elderly man in another state.
But what else did Robert Durst do, and whatever happened to his wife? We may never know.
Meet some great detectives, a cool private investigator, and Kathie's friends. Like 'em or not, you'll be turning the pages to find out what happens next.
This is a current case so take the time to read it. I guarantee you won't be disappointed!
There are so many plots and sub-plots to the story it's almost Shakespearean.

Rating:
Summary: Masterful Writing About An Intriguing Case
Review: This is NOT just another true crime book. Matt Birkbeck can really tell a story and his writing style is excellent. He skillfully portrays a cast of real life characters who are affected by Robert Durst, a super wealthy, eccentric and evil man. Kathie Durst, his pretty wife went missing in 1981. Her body was never found. Ironically, she was planning to divorce her husband when she vanished. Some 20 years later, a raggedy-looking Durst was picked up for shoplifting in Pennsylvania, and detained mainly because a shrewd cop followed his intuition about the strange man. It turned out that Durst was wanted for the grisly murder of an elderly man in another state.
But what else did Robert Durst do, and whatever happened to his wife? We may never know.
Meet some great detectives, a cool private investigator, and Kathie's friends. Like 'em or not, you'll be turning the pages to find out what happens next.
This is a current case so take the time to read it. I guarantee you won't be disappointed!
There are so many plots and sub-plots to the story it's almost Shakespearean.