The Next Day
I read books other than romance. That’s probably not a shocking announcement, but I figured you all needed a break from my YOUR MOUTH DRIVES ME CRAZY promotion train. [Notice how I managed to mention the title and post the link one more time?] About every fourth book is something different. Many times it’s a mystery or thriller. Sometimes it’s a book that’s considered more literary or that I see in a review or ad somewhere. Other times it’s nonfiction, true crime or a book on a subject matter I’m wondering about for a book or otherwise.
This time around my reading falls into the last category. It’s Till Death Do Us Part: Love, Marriage And The Mind Of The Killer Spouse by Dr. Robi Ludwig and Matt Birkbeck. A truly fascinating read. The book breaks down ten killer types, talks about the psychology of each in terms that are easy to relate to and compelling, and gives examples of each.
The book looks at the baggage we carry into marriage and the factors that might make one person crack and kill while another one does not. The overriding theory is that there are always warning signs. That this really isn’t a matter of someone just snapping. The basis is there somewhere in a person. Unfortunately, there are times when we can’t put the information all together until it’s too late.
One of the scariest things to me is that the killing of a wife happens often enough to have its own word - uxoricide. Not that this is a surprise either. If you watch the news, the show 48 Hours Mystery, with its almost weekly handling of spousal murder cases, or read People with its stories nearly every week about a missing or dead wife, you know spousal murder happens all too frequently. Still, seeing the cases broken down with real-life references, personal backgrounds and clear explanations drives the point home.
So, even though the subject matter is difficult and unpleasant, think about buying this book. It’s worth a read if you’re trying to understand human relationships and personality types for backgrounds in books or if you’re just trying to understand someone you know. Check it out.
June 28th, 2007 at 7:45 am
I’m definitely going to have to get this book. I watch a lot of 48 Hours Mystery as well as the shows on Court Tv. And you’re right. There’s a preponderence of spouse killings, and the reasonings behind them are often not delved into, and I’m always left wondering why.
Awesome research material, though incredibly depressing, too.
June 29th, 2007 at 2:32 am
It’s scary, and gives me chills to see it happen so much, but what really bothers me is all the children that are also being killed in similar situations, or the murder/suicides - the wrestler, the pregnant girl in Ohio, it’s so incredibly sad and disturbing.
I believe there are signs, but people choose to ignore them, for whatever reason. Ignorance is not always bliss.
July 1st, 2007 at 5:29 am
I’m picking it up as well. I just don’t understand men who apparently cannot contemplate divorce, while homicide seems like a perfectly reasonable response. I’m relieved someone’s written such a book, frankly, because the whole thing is so puzzling and upsetting and just plain WEIRD. Thanks very much for bring this to our attention.
July 11th, 2007 at 7:45 am
Hi
Love your books and site,