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Evidence of Love: A True Story of Passion and Death in the Suburbs
Edgar Award Finalist: The “sensational” true story of two desperate housewives and the killing that shocked a Texas community (Los Angeles Times Book Review).
Candy Montgomery and Betty Gore had a lot in common: They sang together in the Methodist church choir, their daughters were best friends, and their husbands had good jobs working for technology companies in the north Dallas suburbs known as Silicon Prairie. But beneath the placid surface of their seemingly perfect lives, both women simmered with unspoken frustrations and unanswered desires.
On a hot summer day in 1980, the secret passions and jealousies that linked Candy and Betty exploded into murderous rage. What happened next is usually the stuff of fiction. But the bizarre and terrible act of violence that occurred in Betty’s utility room that morning was all too real.
Based on exclusive interviews with the Gore and Montgomery families, Evidence of Love is the “superbly written” account of a gruesome tragedy and the trial that made national headlines when the defendant entered the most unexpected of pleas: not guilty by reason of self-defense (Fort Worth Star-Telegram).
Adapted into the Emmy and Golden Globe Award–winning television movie A Killing in a Small Town, this chilling tale of sin and savagery will “fascinate true crime aficionados” (Kirkus Reviews).
Candy Montgomery and Betty Gore had a lot in common: They sang together in the Methodist church choir, their daughters were best friends, and their husbands had good jobs working for technology companies in the north Dallas suburbs known as Silicon Prairie. But beneath the placid surface of their seemingly perfect lives, both women simmered with unspoken frustrations and unanswered desires.
On a hot summer day in 1980, the secret passions and jealousies that linked Candy and Betty exploded into murderous rage. What happened next is usually the stuff of fiction. But the bizarre and terrible act of violence that occurred in Betty’s utility room that morning was all too real.
Based on exclusive interviews with the Gore and Montgomery families, Evidence of Love is the “superbly written” account of a gruesome tragedy and the trial that made national headlines when the defendant entered the most unexpected of pleas: not guilty by reason of self-defense (Fort Worth Star-Telegram).
Adapted into the Emmy and Golden Globe Award–winning television movie A Killing in a Small Town, this chilling tale of sin and savagery will “fascinate true crime aficionados” (Kirkus Reviews).
392 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1984
About the author
John Bloom
23 books56 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
John Bloom is a journalist and entertainer born in Dallas, Texas, who grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and now lives in New York City.
While serving as New York bureau chief for United Press International, he was an eyewitness to the events of 9/11 and was nominated by UPI for the Pulitzer Prize. His work for Texas Monthly magazine has been nominated three times for the National Magazine Award, and he has written for dozens of newspapers and magazines, as well as being a columnist for the New York Times Syndicate, the Los Angeles Times Syndicate, and Creators Syndicate. He graduated summa cum laude from Vanderbilt University, where he was a Grantland Rice Scholar for his work as a teenage reporter and columnist for the Arkansas Democrat.
In 1982 he created the pseudonym of "Joe Bob Briggs," using that pen name anonymously until he was outed in 1985. He then performed under that name on a number of television shows and at live venues, winning two Cable ACE Awards for a show called "Joe Bob's Drive-In Theater" on The Movie Channel and a similar show called "MonsterVision" on TNT.
John Bloom is a journalist and entertainer born in Dallas, Texas, who grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and now lives in New York City.
While serving as New York bureau chief for United Press International, he was an eyewitness to the events of 9/11 and was nominated by UPI for the Pulitzer Prize. His work for Texas Monthly magazine has been nominated three times for the National Magazine Award, and he has written for dozens of newspapers and magazines, as well as being a columnist for the New York Times Syndicate, the Los Angeles Times Syndicate, and Creators Syndicate. He graduated summa cum laude from Vanderbilt University, where he was a Grantland Rice Scholar for his work as a teenage reporter and columnist for the Arkansas Democrat.
In 1982 he created the pseudonym of "Joe Bob Briggs," using that pen name anonymously until he was outed in 1985. He then performed under that name on a number of television shows and at live venues, winning two Cable ACE Awards for a show called "Joe Bob's Drive-In Theater" on The Movie Channel and a similar show called "MonsterVision" on TNT.
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August 8, 2018
FIVE ENGROSSING STARS
I actually read this for the first time back in 1985 when I was a mere toddler. Well, maybe a little older than that. I grew up in Plano, TX (go Wildcats!) and I remember this particular Friday the 13th, 1980, almost like it was yesterday.
I had just graduated from high school a few days before. It was the hottest summer in a sweltering Texas history of summers. And most importantly, the very first Friday the 13th movie was being released in theaters that night.
But that afternoon, an average housewife walked in to her friend's house after vacation bible school and butchered her with an ax. FORTY splintering and brutal whacks to her face.
This happened about 5 miles away in a new subdivision of homes right down the road from the noteworthy Southfork Ranch of Dallas TV fame.
At first, there was news that an escaped mental patient was the killer. OMG. We were actually living out the Friday the 13th movie plot. The unresolved panic went on for a couple of weeks before an arrest was made. And it wasn't a known psycho, it was Candy Montgomery. Sweet, beloved popular church member.
This case, more than any other in my life, shook me to the core. It was so close to home. It was so crazy. So bizarre. Our little town was obsessed with wanting to know why...I started reading anything I could get my hands on--which wasn't much. We didn't have Reddit to scour and hash out our theories and we didn't have Twitter to get the latest updates. Heck, even the newspaper articles were already a couple of days old by the time they were published and delivered to the front driveway.
What we did have was gossip. Chatter, stories and tales, but all speculation. None of it made sense. You can imagine by the time this fantastic book was published a few years later, it was snatched off the shelves so fast I'm sure it broke records. Finally, we could have some answers about what happened that unforgettable day. AND WHY???? (The Perfect Nanny anyone?)
John Bloom and Jim Atkinson were local journalists at the time and somehow, who knows how, they were able to get up close and personal with all the major players in this demented story. I think journalists were a lot more trusted and respected back then. You don't see a lot of murder defendants spilling their stories to news reporters these days.
We hear first-hand from Candy Montgomery, her childhood, her strict upbringing, salacious details of her marriage. She tells Bloom exactly what happened that murderous day in a chilling, hypnotic tone. I don't believe Montgomery has ever given anymore interviews--so it is especially effective in this book. Bloom takes us from beginning to end (yes, the shocking trial verdict!!!) and leaves no details out. Yes, it's juicy and sensationalist, but utterly mesmerizing.
I hadn't thought of this book in awhile, but I saw it mentioned in a Goodreads Blog featuring psychological suspense authors Laura Lippman and Alice Bolin sharing their favorites. Thanks for reminding me to have another look at one of the best true crime novels out there! I'm pleased to report it still holds up. 38 years later, it is as bizarre and fascinating as ever.
Brush with infamy note: I sat right behind Candy Montgomery at a movie in Dallas. This was either right before her trial or afterwards, I don't remember which movie (definitely not Friday the 13th) probably a rom-com because I remember her smiling and laughing during it. Yes, I stared at her for a long time. Trying to read her face. I could not see any traces of an ax-murderer. Just an ordinary woman with pretty skin, permed hair and white teeth. Which was all the more terrifying to me.
I actually read this for the first time back in 1985 when I was a mere toddler. Well, maybe a little older than that. I grew up in Plano, TX (go Wildcats!) and I remember this particular Friday the 13th, 1980, almost like it was yesterday.
I had just graduated from high school a few days before. It was the hottest summer in a sweltering Texas history of summers. And most importantly, the very first Friday the 13th movie was being released in theaters that night.
But that afternoon, an average housewife walked in to her friend's house after vacation bible school and butchered her with an ax. FORTY splintering and brutal whacks to her face.
This happened about 5 miles away in a new subdivision of homes right down the road from the noteworthy Southfork Ranch of Dallas TV fame.
At first, there was news that an escaped mental patient was the killer. OMG. We were actually living out the Friday the 13th movie plot. The unresolved panic went on for a couple of weeks before an arrest was made. And it wasn't a known psycho, it was Candy Montgomery. Sweet, beloved popular church member.
This case, more than any other in my life, shook me to the core. It was so close to home. It was so crazy. So bizarre. Our little town was obsessed with wanting to know why...I started reading anything I could get my hands on--which wasn't much. We didn't have Reddit to scour and hash out our theories and we didn't have Twitter to get the latest updates. Heck, even the newspaper articles were already a couple of days old by the time they were published and delivered to the front driveway.
What we did have was gossip. Chatter, stories and tales, but all speculation. None of it made sense. You can imagine by the time this fantastic book was published a few years later, it was snatched off the shelves so fast I'm sure it broke records. Finally, we could have some answers about what happened that unforgettable day. AND WHY???? (The Perfect Nanny anyone?)
John Bloom and Jim Atkinson were local journalists at the time and somehow, who knows how, they were able to get up close and personal with all the major players in this demented story. I think journalists were a lot more trusted and respected back then. You don't see a lot of murder defendants spilling their stories to news reporters these days.
We hear first-hand from Candy Montgomery, her childhood, her strict upbringing, salacious details of her marriage. She tells Bloom exactly what happened that murderous day in a chilling, hypnotic tone. I don't believe Montgomery has ever given anymore interviews--so it is especially effective in this book. Bloom takes us from beginning to end (yes, the shocking trial verdict!!!) and leaves no details out. Yes, it's juicy and sensationalist, but utterly mesmerizing.
I hadn't thought of this book in awhile, but I saw it mentioned in a Goodreads Blog featuring psychological suspense authors Laura Lippman and Alice Bolin sharing their favorites. Thanks for reminding me to have another look at one of the best true crime novels out there! I'm pleased to report it still holds up. 38 years later, it is as bizarre and fascinating as ever.
Brush with infamy note: I sat right behind Candy Montgomery at a movie in Dallas. This was either right before her trial or afterwards, I don't remember which movie (definitely not Friday the 13th) probably a rom-com because I remember her smiling and laughing during it. Yes, I stared at her for a long time. Trying to read her face. I could not see any traces of an ax-murderer. Just an ordinary woman with pretty skin, permed hair and white teeth. Which was all the more terrifying to me.
October 8, 2021
Evidence of Love: A True Story of Passion and Death in the Suburbs by John Bloom is a 2016 Open Road Media publication.(Originally published in 1984)
This is another older true crime story- one that I had forgotten about until I started reading this book. I was about a quarter of the way in when it finally came to me why everything sounded so familiar. In fact, I think I may have even read this book many, many years ago.
Although this case has been out of the spotlight for a good while- my understanding is that both Hulu and HBO are planning mini-series about it. The HBO series is based on this book, as it so happens.
Despite the age of the case, this book-it is still an incredible and riveting drama. It’s got all the elements that drive people to commit crimes of passion- but the way this investigation played out was so unusual- I have never heard anything like it since.
The crime takes place in 1980 when Betty Gore was brutally murdered- on Friday the 13th, no less, while her husband was away on a business trip.
One of the last people to see Betty alive was her friend, Candy Montgomery, who had stopped by earlier in the day. As the police begin their investigation, it comes to light that the two church -going families had a few secrets between them- secrets which may have culminated in murder.
The book follows a format common in true crime books of this era. Background is given about the families involved, the reader is walked through how Betty’s body was found, the days following her murder, and the subsequent revelations that eventually led to a shocking outcome, a sensational murder trial, and a stunning jury decision.
Although the story was familiar to me, I had forgotten many of the details. As I read further, I found myself completely engrossed.
So, it might be a good time to brush up on this case before you watch the new series about it. (In the meantime- you can watch 'A Killing in a Small Town on YouTube.)
This book was very well written and organized. The layout is very effective, even now, when we are so accustomed to true crime reading like fiction.
Overall, I give this one the five star treatment. True crime fans don’t miss this one!
*Fun fact- If you read Grady Hendrix's 'Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires'- you will recall this was the first book the club read.
This is another older true crime story- one that I had forgotten about until I started reading this book. I was about a quarter of the way in when it finally came to me why everything sounded so familiar. In fact, I think I may have even read this book many, many years ago.
Although this case has been out of the spotlight for a good while- my understanding is that both Hulu and HBO are planning mini-series about it. The HBO series is based on this book, as it so happens.
Despite the age of the case, this book-it is still an incredible and riveting drama. It’s got all the elements that drive people to commit crimes of passion- but the way this investigation played out was so unusual- I have never heard anything like it since.
The crime takes place in 1980 when Betty Gore was brutally murdered- on Friday the 13th, no less, while her husband was away on a business trip.
One of the last people to see Betty alive was her friend, Candy Montgomery, who had stopped by earlier in the day. As the police begin their investigation, it comes to light that the two church -going families had a few secrets between them- secrets which may have culminated in murder.
The book follows a format common in true crime books of this era. Background is given about the families involved, the reader is walked through how Betty’s body was found, the days following her murder, and the subsequent revelations that eventually led to a shocking outcome, a sensational murder trial, and a stunning jury decision.
Although the story was familiar to me, I had forgotten many of the details. As I read further, I found myself completely engrossed.
So, it might be a good time to brush up on this case before you watch the new series about it. (In the meantime- you can watch 'A Killing in a Small Town on YouTube.)
This book was very well written and organized. The layout is very effective, even now, when we are so accustomed to true crime reading like fiction.
Overall, I give this one the five star treatment. True crime fans don’t miss this one!
*Fun fact- If you read Grady Hendrix's 'Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires'- you will recall this was the first book the club read.
December 8, 2022
I am not a real fan of true crime books, however, this book, Evidence of Love, by John Bloom and Jim Atkinson was well done, and I really enjoyed reading it.
Friday the 13th, June, 1980, turned out to be a bad day for Betty Gore who was killed that day, in Wylie, Texas. Betty was a teacher, off on summer break. She was also a wife and mother of two children. Her youngest daughter was one (1) year old at the time and was left crying in her crib. Her other daughter was in Vacation Bible School and would soon leave to spend the night with her mother’s killer, and her family, which included one of her playmates. You Can’t Make this Stuff Up!
I like the way the book was organized. First a little background of the people involved and then the crime. Then more background and information about the people. These were middle class or upper middle class people. They were, formerly, involved in their local Methodist Church (they had joined another church). The killer was also a member of the local Methodist Church. She knew the victim, and knew the victim’s husband very well (in the biblical sense). The killer had just started a business. Her husband had a PhD and worked for Texas Instruments.
The victim’s husband left that morning and was spending time at the office and then taking a business trip. He tried reaching Betty before his plane was to leave, but there was no answer at home. Later, not being able to reach her, he had neighbors break into the house to see what was wrong. The neighbors found his wife dead.
The police were called to the scene of the killing. Did I mention that Betty was stuck over 40 times with an ax? Oh, I forgot. Well it took the police some time to figure out who had committed this crime. And when they thought they knew who did it, she denied it. The church stood behind the accused. Betty had left that church because she did not like the new minister.
A lot of the book covers the time the accused spent with her attorney and those working for her defense. This was her attorney’s first criminal case. Wow.
The coverage of the people in this story was great. The author’s spent a lot of time interviewing many of them and reviewing the case files.
I am not going to talk about the conclusion of the trial. But I recommend this book to those who enjoy true crime.
Friday the 13th, June, 1980, turned out to be a bad day for Betty Gore who was killed that day, in Wylie, Texas. Betty was a teacher, off on summer break. She was also a wife and mother of two children. Her youngest daughter was one (1) year old at the time and was left crying in her crib. Her other daughter was in Vacation Bible School and would soon leave to spend the night with her mother’s killer, and her family, which included one of her playmates. You Can’t Make this Stuff Up!
I like the way the book was organized. First a little background of the people involved and then the crime. Then more background and information about the people. These were middle class or upper middle class people. They were, formerly, involved in their local Methodist Church (they had joined another church). The killer was also a member of the local Methodist Church. She knew the victim, and knew the victim’s husband very well (in the biblical sense). The killer had just started a business. Her husband had a PhD and worked for Texas Instruments.
The victim’s husband left that morning and was spending time at the office and then taking a business trip. He tried reaching Betty before his plane was to leave, but there was no answer at home. Later, not being able to reach her, he had neighbors break into the house to see what was wrong. The neighbors found his wife dead.
The police were called to the scene of the killing. Did I mention that Betty was stuck over 40 times with an ax? Oh, I forgot. Well it took the police some time to figure out who had committed this crime. And when they thought they knew who did it, she denied it. The church stood behind the accused. Betty had left that church because she did not like the new minister.
A lot of the book covers the time the accused spent with her attorney and those working for her defense. This was her attorney’s first criminal case. Wow.
The coverage of the people in this story was great. The author’s spent a lot of time interviewing many of them and reviewing the case files.
I am not going to talk about the conclusion of the trial. But I recommend this book to those who enjoy true crime.
January 26, 2014
So I was home alone and watched the Amazon Prime Instant Stream of this old Lifetime type movie.....in a fit of excessive girlishness I bought a couple of true crime books based on my day of movie watching. I digress.
I've come to the conclusion that the genre of True Crime was better written in the 1970's - 1980's. This book was actually very interesting and well written. It tells the story of a suburban wife and mother who commits an axe murder in Wylie, Texas. The victim was a friend, and the murder itself was total Overkill (cue Men at Work). The victim was hacked 41 times. The chilling part was when the coroner determined that the victim was most probably alive for most of the blows.....The woman who committed the crime; her story is very interesting.
This book seems to be heartier than most of the modern True Crime I've Read. I compare it more to Fatal Vision, and The Sea Will Tell...., than I would any of the modern works in the genre which seem to be churned out with frightening regularity by certain authors who specialize in the field.
I've come to the conclusion that the genre of True Crime was better written in the 1970's - 1980's. This book was actually very interesting and well written. It tells the story of a suburban wife and mother who commits an axe murder in Wylie, Texas. The victim was a friend, and the murder itself was total Overkill (cue Men at Work). The victim was hacked 41 times. The chilling part was when the coroner determined that the victim was most probably alive for most of the blows.....The woman who committed the crime; her story is very interesting.
This book seems to be heartier than most of the modern True Crime I've Read. I compare it more to Fatal Vision, and The Sea Will Tell...., than I would any of the modern works in the genre which seem to be churned out with frightening regularity by certain authors who specialize in the field.
May 21, 2020
Wow! I was once a true-crime addict, but now I mostly avoid these novels and prefer not to fill my head with ugly images. This one was free from Amazon Prime and sounded so intriguing that I downloaded it and proceeded to devour the whole thing in one sitting.
In case we need further proof that the truth is stranger than fiction, the horrific ax-murder of a teacher in an upscale Dallas suburb 40 years ago seems almost unbelievable. Although there is some graphic detail, it’s not gratuitous. This was just a strange, fascinating story with a surprising outcome.
In case we need further proof that the truth is stranger than fiction, the horrific ax-murder of a teacher in an upscale Dallas suburb 40 years ago seems almost unbelievable. Although there is some graphic detail, it’s not gratuitous. This was just a strange, fascinating story with a surprising outcome.
March 20, 2024
I am not giving out a small backstory with this book. Only going to share my thoughts.
Thoughts:
This story I had never heard of before as it happened in the early 80's and I wasn't watching the news much back then as I had my head buried in books. This was a horrific crime between two friends (Candy Montgomery and Betty Gore). Candy was accused of killing her friend Betty and it was all wrapped around an affair between Candy and Betty's husband Alan.
This story goes into lots of details of what took place up to the point of the murder and I felt the authors did a good job on getting all the details of not only what happened but how it all came together along with what took place at the trial. This is a big book - near 400 pages - there is tons of information of everything that happened and everyone's lives that are involved.
I thought that the pace of the book was slow and fast as some parts of it dragged along with all the information whereas other parts of the book moved fast. All in all a good story as far as how it was written and how far the authors went on getting the information needed for this book. Giving this book four "Horrific Crime" stars!
Note: If you like true crime then check this one out. :)
Thoughts:
This story I had never heard of before as it happened in the early 80's and I wasn't watching the news much back then as I had my head buried in books. This was a horrific crime between two friends (Candy Montgomery and Betty Gore). Candy was accused of killing her friend Betty and it was all wrapped around an affair between Candy and Betty's husband Alan.
This story goes into lots of details of what took place up to the point of the murder and I felt the authors did a good job on getting all the details of not only what happened but how it all came together along with what took place at the trial. This is a big book - near 400 pages - there is tons of information of everything that happened and everyone's lives that are involved.
I thought that the pace of the book was slow and fast as some parts of it dragged along with all the information whereas other parts of the book moved fast. All in all a good story as far as how it was written and how far the authors went on getting the information needed for this book. Giving this book four "Horrific Crime" stars!
Note: If you like true crime then check this one out. :)
July 2, 2022
MINI REVIEW: I thought this was a well written true crime novel but it felt really long while reading. One of the chapters even said it would take an hour and a half to read which is a bit over the top for me! Despite that though I did enjoy it and now I'm ready to watch the Hulu original show that features the case from this book called Candy!
May 2, 2023
Evidence of Love read like a well-written thriller and courtroom drama. The story was captivating. We aren't told what actually happened when Candy Montgomery visited the home of Betty Gore until the very end of the book. Throughout the book, I kept guessing and second guessing what could have happened. It helped that I didn't know anything about the case before I read it.
It was interesting to learn the dynamics between the Montgomeries and the Gores and the histories of their relationships. A lot of backstory was given and every detail seemed to have a purpose in the overall story. Evidence of Love gets 4 out of 5 stars from me.
It was interesting to learn the dynamics between the Montgomeries and the Gores and the histories of their relationships. A lot of backstory was given and every detail seemed to have a purpose in the overall story. Evidence of Love gets 4 out of 5 stars from me.
December 10, 2023
4 Stars
August 1, 2023
Świetny reportaż i bardzo ciekawa sprawa.
October 1, 2023
This was such a fascinating true crime read. I was hooked from the very start! Really goes into depth about this case.
March 3, 2017
True Crime is my guilty pleasure genre. I read a couple of them every year. This one was rather boring but I slogged through it anyway. Apparently there wasn't enough information to make it long enough so they went into a lot of unnecessary details. I didn't really need to know the life story of the defense attorney or the church pastor as it really had nothing to do with the case.
June 27, 2008
This is the best True-Crime book I have EVER read. Fascinating--you won't be able to put it down.
August 18, 2023
Alane Gore, you luckiest unlucky SOB on earth!
This story is based on the truth event and I am telling you its more than fiction!
Well, I still cant find appropriate words!
This story is based on the truth event and I am telling you its more than fiction!
Well, I still cant find appropriate words!
January 20, 2021
This is a really comprehensive book about one of the most bizarre and cruel “murder” in human history, though certain parts of book dragged a bit, overall it is a great reading experience.
May 28, 2023
Bardzo dokładny reportaż, przedstawiający nie tylko wszystkie okoliczności zbrodni, ale i cały przekrój społeczeństwa amerykańskiego mniej więcej od lat 50 do połowy 80. Kto mieszka na przedmieściach wielkich miast, czym się zajmuje i jak zachowuje. Dzięki temu potrafimy zrozumieć, choć w głębi duszy nie zgadzamy się z wyrokiem sądu. Idealny wizerunek gospodyni domowej nie ucierpiał przez morderstwo, ale przez zdradę.
Niesamowicie ciekawa lektura!
Niesamowicie ciekawa lektura!
January 6, 2019
This is a true crime story of the gruesome ax murder of Betty Gore by a friend of hers, Candy Montgomery, in the Dallas suburbs. It happened on June 13, 1989. What is so fascinating about this story is the details about the personalities of the two women involved, and the other people important to the story. This was not an act of premeditated murder; far from it. I was enthralled by the defense's use of hypnosis to get to the bottom of what actually happened in this story. It has all the sensational elements of these kinds of stories; adultery, poor communication between people and more. It is one of the better true crime stories I have read throughout my life.
August 3, 2017
A very well-written book about a puzzling case. I enjoyed reading it because Mr Bloom's style is straightforward, concise, organized and presented for maximum understanding by the reader. There is perhaps too much information he presents about the earlier years of the primary characters, but that can be debated. However, I will mention two specific things that struck me about the content provided:
1) Mr Bloom used the word "wretch" when he meant "retch".
2) At one point toward the very end of the book, Mr Bloom writes to the effect that Candy knew where some candy was in Betty's living room, and that this was a detail "a bald-faced liar wouldn't know". I don't know what being a liar has to do with having the ability too know where objects are in a room. Maybe that's me, though.
Other than those minor points, it is a good read
But ultimately I'm not convinced the outcome is valid. Some of testimony was unbelievable to me, and I disagree with the verdict, which has nothing to do with the quality of the writing.
1) Mr Bloom used the word "wretch" when he meant "retch".
2) At one point toward the very end of the book, Mr Bloom writes to the effect that Candy knew where some candy was in Betty's living room, and that this was a detail "a bald-faced liar wouldn't know". I don't know what being a liar has to do with having the ability too know where objects are in a room. Maybe that's me, though.
Other than those minor points, it is a good read
But ultimately I'm not convinced the outcome is valid. Some of testimony was unbelievable to me, and I disagree with the verdict, which has nothing to do with the quality of the writing.
May 21, 2022
If you need to find a reason to be piss-d off, read this book. I lived in Texas from 1976-1980 and there seemed to be a sensational murder trial every other week. The story that Candy Montgomery told to excuse the fact that she mutilated and murdered another human is so preposterous that I have no words. The fact that a jury actually bought her bullshit is mind boggling . Yep, still pissed. The book is competently written, but, that's about it. The facts are all there. The people involved are depicted honestly with warts and all showing. The verdict is still totally wrong. It's like the jury was at a completely different trial. Even when they explain how they came to their conclusion it makes little sense. It felt like everybody had somewhere else to be and just wanted to get the hell out of Dodge.
April 3, 2008
Evidence of Love", by John Bloom and Jim Atkinson , is about a real-life axe murder that took place several years ago in Texas.
it has great reviews on amazon and I am definitely looking forward to reading this one.
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on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 I wrote...
Very interesting read. Different than the normal true crime books.
You will find out only at the end of the book what really happened.
Very well written and a book I recommend for any true crime reader.
Completed this yesterday. January 29th 2008
4.5 stars out of 5
it has great reviews on amazon and I am definitely looking forward to reading this one.
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on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 I wrote...
Very interesting read. Different than the normal true crime books.
You will find out only at the end of the book what really happened.
Very well written and a book I recommend for any true crime reader.
Completed this yesterday. January 29th 2008
4.5 stars out of 5
January 23, 2016
Very interesting, but very poorly written axe-murder case. I knew I was in trouble when I read, on the very first page, that the main character "started to wretch." The killer's defense was one of the most laughable in criminal history. I'm happy to say the author gave a great deal of respect and consideration to the victim, who was evidently a very troubled woman. Tell me something, seriously... What is it about Texas and axe murders? Is it the heat?
August 16, 2023
Rok 1980, małe miasteczko w Teksasie. Większość wydarzeń tutejszych mieszkańców kręci się wokół parafii, czas upływa w pozornym poczuciu wspólnoty i niezakłóconego spokoju. Młode małżeństwa, idealne panie domowe, pobożni ludzie spędzający czas we własnym, hermetycznym gronie. Opiekujący się wzajemnie swoimi dziećmi, nieprzygotowani na nieprzewidywalnie paskudny los, który ma ich dosięgnąć.
Błogi stan mieszkańców niewielkiego Wylie zostaje drastycznie nadszarpnięty, gdy totalnie zwyczajny dom obok okazuje się być sceną makabrycznej zbrodni. Zatroskany mąż Betty zwraca się z prośbą po sąsiedzku, by pod jego nieobecność zajrzeć, czy wszystko w porządku, gdyż ta nie reaguje na jego nieustające próby nawiązania kontaktu telefonicznego. Późną nocą, mężczyźni oddelegowani przez jej małżonka doznają szoku. Ciało Betty spoczywa w kałuży krwi. Czerń i czerwień okala ją z każdej strony. Usta zostały rozciągnięte w półuśmiechu. Włosy rozrzucone niedbale na wszystkie strony tworząc mroczny gąszcz. Jedno oko patrzyło w kierunku ran naramiennych, z kolei to drugie zniknęło. Zniknęło zmasakrowane w bezdennej nicości. Obok spoczywała masywna siekiera, którą zadano jej czterdzieści jeden ciosów w napływie ewidentnie niepohamowanej agresji.
Któż mógł dokonać na tyle makabrycznego czynu, wykąpać się w mieszkaniu denatki, a następnie pozostawić ją na podłodze, gdy w pokoju obok spało jedenastomiesięczne dziecko?
Książka została napisana w sposób bez wątpienia wciągający. Od lektury nie sposób się oderwać, gdyż zarówno malownicza, błoga sceneria, wątki obyczajowe, zarys historyczny, psychologiczny i społeczny nie pozwalają o sobie zapomnieć nawet na chwilę po zamknięciu książki. Wszystko zostało dopracowane idealnie.
Bohaterowie tej historii nakreślonej ludzkim życiem, pragnieniami, żądzą i kontrastującym cierpieniem pozostają w głowie na stałe, ich słowa wybrzmiewają. Narracja jest fascynująca - przeskoki czasowe nie pozwalają się nudzić, lecz dogłębnie zachłysnąć się wiedzą o przeszłości, emocjonalnych odczuciach, zażyłościach panujących wewnątrz tej hermetycznej społeczności. Fani szczegółowo opisanych spraw kryminalnych będą ukontentowani, jak również Ci, których pasjonuje krok po kroku prowadzony proces prawny, sądowniczy.
Jeżeli nie słyszeliście nigdy o tej sprawie, zachęcam Was do lektury bez poznawania jakichkolwiek szczegółów. Reportaż dostarczy Wam wrażeń niczym najlepiej spisana powieść, przez którą przepłyniesz szybcikiem w celu poznania nie tak znowu łatwego do odgadnięcia zakończenia. Utrzymuje w poczuciu niepewności i niepokoju, osaczając myśli, zamraczając wręcz. "Bardzo spokojna okolica..." powstała na kanwie wspomnień bohaterów, realnych ludzi, których przeżycia zostały spisane przez autorów i przedstawione w bardzo realistyczny sposób.
Na deser proponuję ciekawie zrealizowaną adaptację serialową na HBO pod tytułem "Miłość i śmierć".
Błogi stan mieszkańców niewielkiego Wylie zostaje drastycznie nadszarpnięty, gdy totalnie zwyczajny dom obok okazuje się być sceną makabrycznej zbrodni. Zatroskany mąż Betty zwraca się z prośbą po sąsiedzku, by pod jego nieobecność zajrzeć, czy wszystko w porządku, gdyż ta nie reaguje na jego nieustające próby nawiązania kontaktu telefonicznego. Późną nocą, mężczyźni oddelegowani przez jej małżonka doznają szoku. Ciało Betty spoczywa w kałuży krwi. Czerń i czerwień okala ją z każdej strony. Usta zostały rozciągnięte w półuśmiechu. Włosy rozrzucone niedbale na wszystkie strony tworząc mroczny gąszcz. Jedno oko patrzyło w kierunku ran naramiennych, z kolei to drugie zniknęło. Zniknęło zmasakrowane w bezdennej nicości. Obok spoczywała masywna siekiera, którą zadano jej czterdzieści jeden ciosów w napływie ewidentnie niepohamowanej agresji.
Któż mógł dokonać na tyle makabrycznego czynu, wykąpać się w mieszkaniu denatki, a następnie pozostawić ją na podłodze, gdy w pokoju obok spało jedenastomiesięczne dziecko?
Książka została napisana w sposób bez wątpienia wciągający. Od lektury nie sposób się oderwać, gdyż zarówno malownicza, błoga sceneria, wątki obyczajowe, zarys historyczny, psychologiczny i społeczny nie pozwalają o sobie zapomnieć nawet na chwilę po zamknięciu książki. Wszystko zostało dopracowane idealnie.
Bohaterowie tej historii nakreślonej ludzkim życiem, pragnieniami, żądzą i kontrastującym cierpieniem pozostają w głowie na stałe, ich słowa wybrzmiewają. Narracja jest fascynująca - przeskoki czasowe nie pozwalają się nudzić, lecz dogłębnie zachłysnąć się wiedzą o przeszłości, emocjonalnych odczuciach, zażyłościach panujących wewnątrz tej hermetycznej społeczności. Fani szczegółowo opisanych spraw kryminalnych będą ukontentowani, jak również Ci, których pasjonuje krok po kroku prowadzony proces prawny, sądowniczy.
Jeżeli nie słyszeliście nigdy o tej sprawie, zachęcam Was do lektury bez poznawania jakichkolwiek szczegółów. Reportaż dostarczy Wam wrażeń niczym najlepiej spisana powieść, przez którą przepłyniesz szybcikiem w celu poznania nie tak znowu łatwego do odgadnięcia zakończenia. Utrzymuje w poczuciu niepewności i niepokoju, osaczając myśli, zamraczając wręcz. "Bardzo spokojna okolica..." powstała na kanwie wspomnień bohaterów, realnych ludzi, których przeżycia zostały spisane przez autorów i przedstawione w bardzo realistyczny sposób.
Na deser proponuję ciekawie zrealizowaną adaptację serialową na HBO pod tytułem "Miłość i śmierć".
September 10, 2023
Szczerzeeee, ostatnie 20% było mega ciekawe, reszta taka po prostu okej. To moja pierwsza książka true crime, moze dlatego mi się tak ciągnęła
January 26, 2009
Reading Evidence of Love I became so absorbed in the story and especially the characters that I felt like I was right there in the middle of what happened. I was so amazed and fascinated by this book that when I was in the area where it took place, I went to the neighborhood of the murder and also drove by the little motel where the lovers met. I even talked to one of the citizens of the community and asked her opinion about all of it(she knew the people involved quite well)and man, did she have a lot to say! I was almost sorry I asked. She got all bent out of shape remembering it and was practically yelling at me before she was through. Read the book and you'll understand how the people in this small town near Dallas would have such strong emotional reactions.
February 25, 2020
This is a trashy true crime book that was perfect weekend reading. I’d never heard of this incident and it became a real page-turner. I enjoyed every minute of it.
January 23, 2022
Very thorough account of the crime. I don't agree with the verdict, but I wasn't on the jury. I would have picked a different name for the book though.
September 22, 2023
Jeśli lubicie czytać recenzje książkowe spod znaku mieszanych uczuć i serca rozbitego na pół, to uprzejmie zapraszam, dzisiaj będzie o „Bardzo spokojnej okolicy” Johna Blooma i Jima Atkinsona.
Zacznę od zalet: to naprawdę wciągający (no, częściowo, ale o tym zaraz) reportaż. Tak bardzo wciągający, że poszłam dziś spać dobrze po drugiej i naprawdę nie żałuję niczego. To świetna pozycja dla wszystkich miłośników true crime oraz dla tych, którzy uwielbiają przyglądać się zamkniętym społecznościom i rozgryzać międzyludzkie zależności, które są właściwe dla małych, sennych miasteczek. To wszystko tu jest i może pochłonąć, jestem tego najlepszym przykładem.
To jest, brutalnie mówiąc, dobry case i świetny materiał na książkę. Tytułowa spokojna okolica, w której wszyscy znają się z cotygodniowych nabożeństw i szkółki niedzielnej, sam środek upalnego lata i morderstwo, które zupełnie nie pasuje do obrazka i dekonstruuje rzeczywistość. Historia morderstwa Betty Gore może być przyczynkiem do dyskusji nie tylko o kontrowersyjnym wyroku i skandalicznym manipulowaniu (z obydwu stron) opinią publiczną i mediami, ale również o miejscu kobiety w amerykańskim społeczeństwie lat osiemdziesiątych.
Największy problem mam chyba z nierówną narracją tej książki, która, jak się wydaje, wynika z decyzji autorów o pisaniu odrębnie i niezależnie od siebie. Zupełnie nie wiem, czy faktycznie to była ich metodologia twórcza, ale wszystko na to wskazuje, bowiem tam, gdzie działy się rzeczy związane bezpośrednio z morderstwem, procesem i społecznym odbiorem sprawy, tam narracja była reporterska, rzetelna i oparta na faktach. Natomiast tam, gdzie rysowało się tło wydarzeń i gdzie głównym celem było odmalowanie rzeczywistości amerykańskich prowincji i małych, religijnych środowisk, tam narracja gwałtownie skręcała, a ja niespodziewanie zostawałam z powieścią gatunkową w dłoni wi silnym poczuciu dezorientacji.
Pewnie komuś taka różnorodność mogłaby przypaść do gustu, ale mnie bardzo przeszkadzała i w zależności od tego, co aktualnie wyświetlali na ekranie, albo pędziłam przed siebie z wypiekami na policzkach i w totalnym zaangażowaniu, śledząc zawiłości prawne i doniesienia prasowe, albo brnęłam z trudem przez kwieciste opisy i zupełnie niepotrzebne sentencje w stylu „współżycie nie jest takie proste, współżycie zmienia ludzi”.
Gdyby nie to, byłabym zachwycona.
Zacznę od zalet: to naprawdę wciągający (no, częściowo, ale o tym zaraz) reportaż. Tak bardzo wciągający, że poszłam dziś spać dobrze po drugiej i naprawdę nie żałuję niczego. To świetna pozycja dla wszystkich miłośników true crime oraz dla tych, którzy uwielbiają przyglądać się zamkniętym społecznościom i rozgryzać międzyludzkie zależności, które są właściwe dla małych, sennych miasteczek. To wszystko tu jest i może pochłonąć, jestem tego najlepszym przykładem.
To jest, brutalnie mówiąc, dobry case i świetny materiał na książkę. Tytułowa spokojna okolica, w której wszyscy znają się z cotygodniowych nabożeństw i szkółki niedzielnej, sam środek upalnego lata i morderstwo, które zupełnie nie pasuje do obrazka i dekonstruuje rzeczywistość. Historia morderstwa Betty Gore może być przyczynkiem do dyskusji nie tylko o kontrowersyjnym wyroku i skandalicznym manipulowaniu (z obydwu stron) opinią publiczną i mediami, ale również o miejscu kobiety w amerykańskim społeczeństwie lat osiemdziesiątych.
Największy problem mam chyba z nierówną narracją tej książki, która, jak się wydaje, wynika z decyzji autorów o pisaniu odrębnie i niezależnie od siebie. Zupełnie nie wiem, czy faktycznie to była ich metodologia twórcza, ale wszystko na to wskazuje, bowiem tam, gdzie działy się rzeczy związane bezpośrednio z morderstwem, procesem i społecznym odbiorem sprawy, tam narracja była reporterska, rzetelna i oparta na faktach. Natomiast tam, gdzie rysowało się tło wydarzeń i gdzie głównym celem było odmalowanie rzeczywistości amerykańskich prowincji i małych, religijnych środowisk, tam narracja gwałtownie skręcała, a ja niespodziewanie zostawałam z powieścią gatunkową w dłoni wi silnym poczuciu dezorientacji.
Pewnie komuś taka różnorodność mogłaby przypaść do gustu, ale mnie bardzo przeszkadzała i w zależności od tego, co aktualnie wyświetlali na ekranie, albo pędziłam przed siebie z wypiekami na policzkach i w totalnym zaangażowaniu, śledząc zawiłości prawne i doniesienia prasowe, albo brnęłam z trudem przez kwieciste opisy i zupełnie niepotrzebne sentencje w stylu „współżycie nie jest takie proste, współżycie zmienia ludzi”.
Gdyby nie to, byłabym zachwycona.
June 15, 2022
This book taught me that ax murders are rare because an ax is such an unwieldy weapon. Previously, I had assumed that they're rare because few people hate others that much. I hope that's true too.
Forgettable title, excellent true crime book. The structure is elegant. At first, I was thinking, "Wait, who is this? Did that really happen? Why would this person do that?" And then, about a third of the way through the book, the reader learns the motive. And that takes a while to unspiral. The authors' full reconstruction of the crime doesn't happen until the end, when the reader has learned all about the circumstances and personalities involved.
Forgettable title, excellent true crime book. The structure is elegant. At first, I was thinking, "Wait, who is this? Did that really happen? Why would this person do that?" And then, about a third of the way through the book, the reader learns the motive. And that takes a while to unspiral. The authors' full reconstruction of the crime doesn't happen until the end, when the reader has learned all about the circumstances and personalities involved.
Read
January 25, 2024My policy is to not give stars to true crime books. Feels wrong.
I read this one after having watched the two tv series on Candy Montgomery, Hulu's Candy and HBO's Love & Death (this was the better of the two). How can you not get caught up in the female on female murder, especially when you add family, church and affairs?
To me, the most interesting thing about Evidence of Love is that clearly, if you watch the shows, you can skip this book. Written in 1984 (I checked because I thought it might have just been written after the shows), this book is the script. You will learn little new, and nothing will surprise you. Still a good book, just fleshed out a bit more of this tragedy.
I read this one after having watched the two tv series on Candy Montgomery, Hulu's Candy and HBO's Love & Death (this was the better of the two). How can you not get caught up in the female on female murder, especially when you add family, church and affairs?
To me, the most interesting thing about Evidence of Love is that clearly, if you watch the shows, you can skip this book. Written in 1984 (I checked because I thought it might have just been written after the shows), this book is the script. You will learn little new, and nothing will surprise you. Still a good book, just fleshed out a bit more of this tragedy.
December 1, 2020
The story about two young church-going mothers and a bloody axe...
This true crime takes place in a small town near Dallas in 1980. Candy Montgomery and Betty Gore were friends, both married and raising small children, and both very active in their small church. One day, one of them is murdered, hit 41 times with an axe, and apparently the other one did it.
I'm giving this book five stars because every time I put it down, I couldn't wait to get back to it. What a well-written book! In chapter one, Candy is in her car, hurrying back to the church to help with lunch on the last day of Bible School. She is concentrating very hard on the tasks at hand. No one sees her bandaged toe or notices the cut near her hairline.
At the beginning, the reader knows of the grizzly murder, and who did it. But not why. And not the details of exactly what happened in that utility room on that morning.
If you enjoy true crime, and haven't read this book yet (written in 1984) or are familiar with the story, it should hold your interest. Seems to me it's hard to find true crime books published today that are this good. One minor fault: The title on the cover. Doesn't seem like a good fit for the contents inside.
Five stars.
Dec 1, 2929 UPDATE: Reviewing some of my ratings. I can't possibly give this book the same number of stars as Michelle Obama's book, "Becoming", or Lisa Jewell's book, "Then she was Gone", or Marjan Kamali's The Stationary Shop." Four stars max.
This true crime takes place in a small town near Dallas in 1980. Candy Montgomery and Betty Gore were friends, both married and raising small children, and both very active in their small church. One day, one of them is murdered, hit 41 times with an axe, and apparently the other one did it.
I'm giving this book five stars because every time I put it down, I couldn't wait to get back to it. What a well-written book! In chapter one, Candy is in her car, hurrying back to the church to help with lunch on the last day of Bible School. She is concentrating very hard on the tasks at hand. No one sees her bandaged toe or notices the cut near her hairline.
At the beginning, the reader knows of the grizzly murder, and who did it. But not why. And not the details of exactly what happened in that utility room on that morning.
If you enjoy true crime, and haven't read this book yet (written in 1984) or are familiar with the story, it should hold your interest. Seems to me it's hard to find true crime books published today that are this good. One minor fault: The title on the cover. Doesn't seem like a good fit for the contents inside.
Five stars.
Dec 1, 2929 UPDATE: Reviewing some of my ratings. I can't possibly give this book the same number of stars as Michelle Obama's book, "Becoming", or Lisa Jewell's book, "Then she was Gone", or Marjan Kamali's The Stationary Shop." Four stars max.
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