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Reasonable Doubt

A Shocking Story of Lust and Murder in the American Heartland

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Reasonable Doubt

By: Steve Vogel
Narrated by: Keith Sellon-Wright
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About this listen

A mother and her three young children are found hacked to death in their beds. The apparent weapons, an ax and butcher knife, are found nearby. A month later, the husband and father, who was away on a business trip when the bodies were found, is accused of the killings. Police believe he methodically murdered his wife and children before he left. But why?

A successful businessman and devoted member of a fundamentalist religious group, David Hendricks has the total support of his extended family. Police paint a darker picture, and prosecutors face the daunting task of convicting him on a case based on completely circumstantial evidence.

A New York Times best seller, this book has now been updated with additional content. People often comment they must continually remind themselves that this story is real, that Reasonable Doubt is testament to the fact truth is stranger than fiction. The book has also been used in college-level criminal justice courses to explain and illustrate the legal concept of reasonable doubt.

©1989 Steve Vogel; Postscript to the Paperback Edition copyright 1991 by Steve Vogel; Postscript to the Spring 2018 edition copyright 2018 by Steve Vogel (P)2018 Tantor Crime Murder True Crime Marriage Nonfiction Crime

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All stars
Most relevant  
The story was intriguing. I was tempted to skip the part when he was on trial, but even though it seemed a bit laborious to listen to, it was actually interesting.and kept me listening. I didn't actually finish the book. I'll admit that after he was sentenced, I cheated, and googled what happened after the trial. I won't give out any 'spoilers' as to how everything panned out.
It was well written, and I found the narrator easy to listen to.

A mystery, well told

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The book was utterly absorbing, the research obviously meticulous, and the whole very well written in a pleasing prose style.
The narrator did not fall into the habit of many narrators, of trying to give each person in the tale a "voice", and so there were no slightly lighter female tones or faintly gruffer masculine ones, which I think was a good choice on the narrator's part, as it would have detracted from the performance.
A fascinating story, the reader is left with a slight unease regarding the murders and the fact that there is obviously nobody incarcerated for their commission, regardless of who actually carried out the terrible, bloody crime.

Intriguing and Absorbing

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Enjoyable but far too long winded at the trial with the witnesses participating girls in particular

Ok but drawn out towards end

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If you understand the ethos of the Plymouth Brethern it makes more sense.
Really enjoyed it and agree with the outcome.

Enjoyable

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Brilliant in every way . Almost certainly will listen again in a year or so ! Always a good sign

Great true crime listen

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I found the overall story interesting, but not compelling. It was hard to stay engaged. It was fine but easily forgettable.

An engaging but drawn out story

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This is one of the worst audiobooks I have ever listened to It is puzzling why it is so bad because it’s a true story with lots of interesting elements but as presented it is utterly tedious. Police procedure presented is completely unconvincing leaving huge gaps in the prosecution case where there is not one iota of physical evidence. Ridiculous for 4 axe murders with blood splattered around the room though the defendant is completely clean. The author can’t be bothered to look up the name luminol when the testing is done months after the killings, though he or an editor remember it later The pacing is weird. In some parts there is endless repetition that contributes nothing to the story. In others details are glossed over. A 3 month period when the defence lawyer travels to Europe to consult forensic experts takes 3 sentences and we hear nothing about the information gained. When the book gets to the trial the endless repetition and glacial pace is tiresome The defence appears to miss huge tracts of argument that would have acquitted the defendant. That may be accurate but it’s hard to see why that’s not explored in the story. The end result is a dull frustrating story that could have been much better with good editing. I guess authors are paid by length so there’s no advantage for them in brevity. I had only this story downloaded for a long drive so I had to listen to the end. Don’t bother though there are many good audiobooks. This isn’t one. The glowing reviews are a mystery to me.

Avoid at all cost

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this one is just too bland, I'm several chapter in and still waiting for something to happen. Sorry am out of patience, can't be bothered to hear the rest.

monologue

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This title looked promising but it droned on and on and on. In fact a couple of times I fell asleep while listening and jumped back to previous chapters only to find I hadn’t missed anything significant.

Endlessly Boring

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I’m a true crime obsessive and was looking forward to this book. The basic premise is good, but the testimony of the models is painfully long and could have been précied into a short chapter instead of an overly long, boring repetitive monologue.

Much pointless information

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