Deadly American Beauty by John Glatt

Greg DeVillers was a top biotech executive, and Kristen Rossum was embarking on a career in toxicology at the San Diego Medical Examiner's office. They seemed to be happily married, living the American dream. But only months shy of their second anniversary, Kristen found her handsome husband dead from a drug overdose,his corpse sprinkled with rose petals. By his side was their wedding photo. The scene was reminiscent of American Beauty, one of Kristen's favorite movies. Authorities deemed it a suicide.
Until they discovered that the rare poison found in Greg's body was the same poison missing from Kristen's office. Until they discovered the truth about Kristen's lurid affair, about her own long-time drug addiction, and about the personal and professional secrets she would kill to keep hidden-secrets that would ultimately expose the beautiful blonde as the deadly beauty she really was.

Once more John Glatt tells this story in the same easy writing I have grown to expect from him.If you have read one of John Glatt's book and you find that you enjoyed it then I can tell you that you will enjoy any John Glatt story.The same true crime story can sometimes be written by a few true crime writers.I have reached the stage where I will only buy the John Glatt version of a certain crime story.I know that I will not be disappointed.

This book Deadly American Beauty was,if I remember correctly, the first book I read by John Glatt.I have also since then watched a program on this story on the Crime & Investigation network and I would still advise on buying the book as it contains really interesting information that is not covered by the TV program.This is especially true of the background and childhood details of the main characters,Kristin Rossum and Greg de Villers.

I am always astounded as to how certain people get to the point where they decide to kill a spouse,especially when they are no signs of spousal abuse or any other motive whatsoever.In this day and age where divorce seems to be so easy to attain,you still find people willing to commit murder.Kristin Rossum was beautiful and intelligent with the world at her feet.I do have to mention though that due to her many secrets and addictions,her husband had threatened to expose everything if she left him.Perhaps that is motive enough but I also know how criminals can get away with hiding their past just by moving states.Judging by Kristin Rossum's intelligence I am sure she must have known that she could start her life elsewhere if he did indeed reveal her secrets.The mind boggles...

This book covers background and childhood details including the way the couple met and some of their married life up to the day of the crime,the investigation and the court case.There is no graphic details of the crime.It is a book I would recommend to any of my readers.

If you would like to know more about this book than South African readers should go via Kalahari Books and for more reviews then see the Amazon link below
Deadly American Beauty (St. Martin's True Crime Library)

I read this book in October 2007 and it also has 8 pages of photographs relevant to this true crime story.The title "Deadly American Beauty" is so very appropriate as she was indeed a great beauty.I was a bit diapppointed in the fact that there wasn't more information on trying to avoid the same trap Kristin Rossum fell in when she became addicted to drugs but the story is still extremely insightful and I was able to come to a few conclusions of my own,regardless.

Here are some more book details:

Country: United States of America
Format: Mass market paperback
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 9780312984199
Publication date: March 2004
Pages: 304
Illustrations: Illustrated