Title: Two Face : Beneath the Oil (K9, Book #2)
Author: Nick van der Leek
Publisher: A Shakedown Title
Release Date: October 1, 2018
Genre(s): Family Killer, Filicide
Page Count: 119
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
This is the second in a quickly-written series of books about the Watts family murders, and again while many of the basic facts are incorrect - given that the book was published less than two months after the murder - many of the author's musings are very insightful.
The author tends to toss out several larger theories (Becker's theory of identity for example), and then winnows down to bits and pieces that pertain to the Watts family. If you are a fan of this style of writing (which I personally am), you will probably be willing - as I was - to wait to see how this all relates. Otherwise, you may find the whole series somewhat off-putting.
But having said that, I am fascinated by the way the author puts forward some very concise nuggets of wisdom. He compared Chris Watts to Scott Peterson in that they share the same persona : "the strong, silent charisma, which cast a temporary spell on Shan'ann and Laci - until it didn't." Each kept up appearances until "these women were trapped in a lie they themselves were breathing life into, and it was the death of them." It's the eventual heartbreak where "marriage is a reality check, especially if your marriage is founded on a fairy tale."
The author also gives us a blow-by-blow account of a horrendous Christmas video with Chris as Santa and their two daughters sobbing in fear .... as Shan'ann continuing to film for 15 minutes cajoling them to sit on Santa's lap and smile for the camera. It's beyond sad and very telling in how Shan'ann's tone-deaf desire for that "fairy tale" moment is such a gut-punch for Chris and their family.
3.5 stars, and I'm moving on to the next book in the series, which is currently available on Kindle Unlimited, FYI.
