writteninblood

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#WrittenInBlood #ChrisCarter #BookSpinBingo #SeriesLove2024 #June2024

It‘s December 4 in Los Angeles and Angela Wood is celebrating a $687 profit for pickpocketing. She is having a cocktail and decides to steal a patron‘s expensive looking leather bag. There is no money, no laptop computer, nothing of any value, at least not to Angela.

DieAReader, Andrew65, TheSpineView, TheAromaofBooks

EadieB It‘s just a black, leather-bound book and Angela leafs through the pages This is no ordinary book…. This is the 11th Robert Hunter novel by Chris Carter. It is a gritty, thrilling novel and an excellent read. Angela Wood and Hunter finds themselves at the end of a serial killer‘s rope and become victims as he wants his kill journal back. 6mo

EadieB I am now looking forward to the next book in the series. If you like gritty novels, then you will love this book. Highly recommended! 6mo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 6mo

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TheSpineView Fantastic! 6mo

DieAReader ❤️‍🔥🥳Fantastic!! 6mo

Lesliereadsalot Wow! 6mo

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Librarybelle

Written in Blood | Diane Fanning

so-so

A woman is found dead at the bottom of the steps...was it an accident or murder? As the investigation unfolds, long buried secrets emerge, and nothing is at it seems. Fanning‘s narrative is very biased, presenting facts in the case who an undertone that readers clearly know how she feels. The writing is also a little choppy and disjointed...not the best true crime I‘ve read. Thanks to @EadieB for the #writteninblood #buddyread !

Cinfhen I felt the same way. I wasn‘t impressed or engaged 6y

Kaye I‘m not impressed with this author in general. She‘s in my list of “Grocery Store Book “ writers. 6y

Librarybelle I love it, @kaye ! Grocery Store Book writers! But, I can completely see that. 6y

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Librarybelle @Cinfhen Glad you feel the same way! Definitely not as engaging as Ann Rule. 6y

MicheleinPhilly Have you watched The Staircase? 6y

Cinfhen I‘m 14 hours in @MicheleinPhilly 🙄 6y

Librarybelle @MicheleinPhilly @Cinfhen I‘ve yet to watch it. Reading this book makes me curious to see it. 6y

MicheleinPhilly @Cinfhen @Librarybelle It‘s totally nuts. The whole family is bonkers. 6y

Crazeedi @kaye love your catchy name that fits many books perfectly 6y

TheBookHippie I've not watched the Netflix version yet. Blech. Such evil. I'm curious to see the point of view though. 6y

Cinfhen I agree @MicheleinPhilly I really felt for Kathleen‘s daughter. The rest of them were creepy. Ugh, the parts with MP & his grandsons when he‘s “playing”/whacking them with pillows!!! It was disturbing. I had NO sympathy for him at all...EVER. I was surprised that the judge admitted he allowed in testimony that should probably not been allowed. 6y

Cinfhen If you watch @TheBookHippie you will swear it‘s an ENTIRE different event. It is such polar opposite POV from the book! 6y

Chrissyreadit @Cinfhen @kaye @Librarybelle I finally finished....this book took me forever to get through. It was easy to put down when it should have been compelling. Good for a waiting room- short term engagement easy to walk away. 6y

Kaye Glad you finished it. Some true crime writers are a bit lackluster. I‘ve not been impressed with any of this one‘s books. 6y

Librarybelle @Chrissyreadit @kaye I just couldn‘t get into her writing rhythm. She seemed to throw facts together without creating a flowing narrative. I knew nothing about the case, so I may have to watch the documentary on Netflix to see the other side. 6y

Chrissyreadit @kaye @Librarybelle it was a big difference from Ann Rule. I agree about her flow. I‘m also relationship driven- there was so little about Kathleen or Even Liz, and the daughters- it would have helped me if I cared or engaged more with their lives. 6y

Cinfhen Yeah, I totally agree @Chrissyreadit I feel like a wiki article would have given me the same information 😬🤬 6y

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EadieB

Written in Blood | Diane Fanning

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Day 5 Section was also about the guilty verdict.

Question 13:
Do you agree with the jury‘s guilty verdict?

#writteninblood #dianefanning

Megabooks, Cinfhen, Crazeedi, TheBookHippie, emilyhaldi, Mdargusch, kricheal, Librarybelle, Chrissyreadit, jillannjohn

Cinfhen Based upon what I read in the book, YES!!! 💯 but after watching 14 hours of the Netflix series, I do think there was some cause for reasonable doubt. I still think he did it. But I‘m not sure he beat her with a blowpoke at the bottom of the stairwell. 6y

TheBookHippie I think he's guilty on multiple levels. The end result is still dead bodies ..the details aren't as important in this case. He is guilty of their deaths. Both of them I'm sure. 6y

Librarybelle I think Michael is guilty. The whole “was it the blowpoke or a different instrument” can cloud some judgment. But, as @TheBookHippie says, at the end of everything, there‘s a dead body who did not fall down the stairs accidentally. Too much blood, and for a very similar situation to occur in 1985...put those two together, and it really makes you wonder. I‘ve yet to see any of the documentaries about him. But, his actions make me very suspicuous. 6y

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jillannjohn The blowpoke issue may have confused things but I believe he beat her to death with something. She didn‘t fall down those stairs. I‘d still like to see the series though. 6y

Mdargusch I also think he was guilty 💯! @cinfhen There is definitely some reasonable doubt but for that to happen to two people in his life? I‘m also wondering about the owl theory. I still think that is far fetched and too bloody for an owl but the feathers that were found in her hair? 6y

Chrissyreadit I definitely think guilty, just because of red neurons- how did he miss 2hours of her at the bottom of the stairs? My other thoughts are more subjective. He‘s an ass. 6y

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EadieB

Written in Blood | Diane Fanning

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Day 5 Section was about Rebuttals and Closing Arguments.

Question 12:
Do you agree with the Prosecution‘s Closing Arguments?

#writteninblood #dianefanning

Megabooks, Cinfhen, Crazeedi, TheBookHippie, emilyhaldi, Mdargusch, kricheal, Librarybelle, Chrissyreadit, jillannjohn

Cinfhen I think they did a good job selling their case 6y

Librarybelle Again, the prosecution summed up their part of the case well. No new surprises. It seems like Black‘s power is to use her emotions to convey her sentiments to the jury and to the court, whereas Hardin is the more reserved component. That seemed to work well. 6y

Chrissyreadit I agree with @Cinfhen @Librarybelle they had a long trial but in the end there was evidence on their side. I‘m surprised that there was not more input from the daughters. 6y

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EadieB

Written in Blood | Diane Fanning

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Day 5 Section was about Rebuttals and Closing Arguments.

Question 11:
Do you agree with the Defense‘s Closing Arguments?

#writteninblood #dianefanning

Megabooks, Cinfhen, Crazeedi, TheBookHippie, emilyhaldi, Mdargusch, kricheal, Librarybelle, Chrissyreadit, jillannjohn

Cinfhen I think they did a good job selling their case. 6y

Librarybelle Rudolf seemed to sum up the defense‘s case in a somewhat hokey way. I‘m one who thinks humor has its time and place - the courtroom and closing arguments is not one of those places, so it was a bit of a turnoff for me. But, Rudolf stuck to the defense‘s side of information and backed up their witnesses. However, it should be noted that all of the witnesses promised to be called at the beginning of the trial were not called on Michael‘s behalf. 6y

Mdargusch I‘m still very confused about why that blowpoke wasn‘t found. I‘m always leery of defense team theatrics but I guess I would be happy if I was the defendant? 6y

Chrissyreadit I think I was annoyed. To me they were doing what they were paid to do. But that does not mean presenting the truth. 6y

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EadieB

Written in Blood | Diane Fanning

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Michael Peterson trial.

Question 10:
What do you think of the defense‘s case?

#writteninblood #dianefanning

Megabooks, Cinfhen, Crazeedi, TheBookHippie, emilyhaldi, Mdargusch, kricheal, Librarybelle, Chrissyreadit, jillannjohn

jillannjohn Lies, distraction and diversion - in my opinion... 6y

Megabooks @jillannjohn That‘s what David Rudolph is known for. If I‘m remembering correctly, he had gotten one of the Carolina Panthers‘ players off for allegedly murdering a girlfriend right around this time. What surprised me most though is that the other attorney, Thomas Maher, went to work for The Innocence Project right after losing this case. I‘ve always wanted to ask him why. (edited) 6y

jillannjohn @Megabooks They mentioned the Panthers case. I‘m going to look it up. So many questions! 6y

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Librarybelle I was not impressed by the experts called by the defense. It seems like part of the time, these witnesses served to confuse facts or to trip up the jury. I wasn‘t buying any of their arguments. 6y

TheBookHippie It seemed underhanded at times. Massive diversion tactics. Not the way it should be done in my opinion. Too shady. 6y

Chrissyreadit I agree with @Librarybelle and @TheBookHippie - but their job was just to create reasonable doubt not necessarily prove innocence. 6y

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EadieB

Written in Blood | Diane Fanning

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The 4th section of the book dealt with the trial.

Question 9:
What do you think of the prosecution‘s case?

#writteninblood #dianefanning

Megabooks, Cinfhen, Crazeedi, TheBookHippie, emilyhaldi, Mdargusch, kricheal, Librarybelle, Chrissyreadit, jillannjohn

jillannjohn I still think their case is stronger than the defense team. 6y

Librarybelle The prosecution‘s case seems to be solid. 6y

Chrissyreadit The prosecution had evidence with scientific support- that‘s always a good thing, I think. 6y

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EadieB

Written in Blood | Diane Fanning

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Day 3 reading is about the relationships that crumbled and how Michael and Kathleen came together and some financial background. It also mentioned some bruising on Kathleen‘s arms when Michael got angry when they were robbed in Paris subway on their honeymoon. More abuse to dogs at the pool and 2 dogs disappearing afterwards. Kathleen upset about gym visits too.

Question 8:
What are your thoughts about these different situations?

#writteninblood

Megabooks, Cinfhen, Crazeedi, TheBookHippie, emilyhaldi, Mdargusch, kricheal, Librarybelle, Chrissyreadit, jillannjohn

Cinfhen I feel like your timeline sums up my suspicions about MP. He had a short fuse, was prone to violence and he lived beyond his means. I can‘t see him as an innocent man. 6y

EadieB @Cinfhen I agree! He killed both women for their money. 6y

Cinfhen That‘s absolutely where I‘m at @EadieB I haven‘t gotten to the end of the book, I think I‘m at 75% and so far nothing has changed my mind. 6y

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Cinfhen I‘m baffled because this seems a very clear case of homicide 6y

EadieB @Cinfhen I watched The Staircase and still think he‘s guilty. The prosecution just messed up the evidence and couldn‘t prove it without a shadow of doubt. I find him a very strange person and all his children are strange too except Caitlin. 6y

EadieB @Cinfhen Margaret and Martha should be ashamed of themselves for sticking by him after he killed their mother. So strange they are or are they just controlled and manipulated? 6y

Cinfhen I still haven‘t seen The Staircase. Is it worth watching? Do u think if u had not read this book you would‘ve felt differently??? I feel for Caitlin. She lost her mother and her step siblings @EadieB (edited) 6y

EadieB @Cinfhen I don‘t think anything would change my mind. I am 100% sure he did it. Yes I think you should watch The Staircase. I did enjoy it. (edited) 6y

emilyhaldi You should def watch the documentary @Cinfhen I think it was fascinating to watch the family interactions.. like @EadieB said, they are all so strange. But by the end of it I really was questioning Michaels guilt! The show left me SO confused.. would love to know what you think after watching! (edited) 6y

Megabooks @EadieB @Cinfhen I think saying Margaret and Martha should be ashamed is going a bit far. They probably have major Stockholm Syndrome or something with Mike. Even though they were yanked around so much, he was the one constant in their lives. I feel really bad he screwed them up so terribly. 6y

jillannjohn I know that being a jerk doesn‘t make him a murderer but he‘s horrible. His temper and how he treats Margaret, Martha and the dogs is very telling. I am surprised that Margaret and Martha stood by Michael but I think it‘s because of years of threats and manipulation. And the sons are just awful! 😡@EdieB @Cinfhen @emilyhaldi 6y

jillannjohn Oh and the money definitely had something to do with it! 6y

Megabooks @Cinfhen Yes, watch The Staircase. You should have the immersive hearing and seeing the stuff. 6y

Cinfhen @Megabooks @emilyhaldi I just spent 7 hours watching the first 7 episodes of The Staircase😜Had I not read the book and been presented the other point of view I‘m pretty sure at this point I‘d be having some thoughts about reasonable doubt although there are some definite red flags for me (even had I not read the book first) it‘s also important to remember this doc is heavily edited so we are only getting the “better” parts of MP👇🏼 6y

Cinfhen I wonder why MP didn‘t mention to his attorneys from Day 1 the way Liz died in Germany. If it was coincidental don‘t u think he would have told them straight away. I was shocked how blindsided they were. 6y

Cinfhen So I watched through to the verdict @emilyhaldi @Megabooks @EadieB I thought his defense did a really GOOD JOB & I did feel for his children. Had I not read this book I might think there was enough reasonable doubt. I still haven‘t gotten to the Owl yet 🦉😉 6y

EadieB @Cinfhen I have no doubt that he is guilty. Just too many questionable similarities between both deaths. The owl theory was just a passing mention from Rudolf. They do not even elaborate anywhere about it. Someone must have ran with that theory afterwords because in the show it‘s just almost an innocent comment as an aside. I have to go view family pictures we had taken so I may be a little late with my posting for the day. I have notes made up. 6y

Cinfhen This is not nice and pretty slanderous but did anyone else notice the extreme physical likeness between MP, Todd Peterson and the youngest daughter Margaret. It‘s REALLY eerie!!! They look like blood relatives. Yes, I‘m saying I think MP had an affair with Liz and that‘s his daughter. @Megabooks @emilyhaldi @EadieB 6y

Cinfhen I‘ll look for the questions later, Eadie. Thanks 6y

EadieB @Cinfhen I was thinking that too. The resemblance between Liz and Kathleen is very uncanny too. 6y

Megabooks @Cinfhen @emilyhaldi @EadieB I never thought to look for resemblance, but I had always wondered if Liz and Mike had slept together especially since she was single when they met and then George was gone a lot. 6y

Megabooks @EadieB @Cinfhen Oh yeah, when I first saw the picture of Liz on the evening news I thought they had put up two pictures of Kathleen! 6y

Librarybelle It definitely has to do with the money. There‘s one point where Michael collects money from Nortel and runs out and buys expensive items, including a gigantic TV. When you look at the crumbling relationships, Michael seemed to create such an unstable environment. And the lies! There are just so many things stacking up on the side of his guilt... 6y

TheBookHippie @Cinfhen I agree with you something creepy went on with Liz. 6y

Cinfhen I just had this feeling that Liz & MP were having an affair and she was going to tell Patty or she threatened him somehow & he killed her in a jealous rage. @TheBookHippie and honestly Margaret looks just like him and Todd. It‘s super weird! Had Liz not died the way she did, I may have found some reasonable doubt...but 2 dead woman at the bottom of the stairs, no way!!! 6y

TheBookHippie @Cinfhen I totally agree with all of that I kept saying it's just too similar. All of it. 6y

Chrissyreadit @Cinfhen I did not consider that- although the book indicates she is not his daughter (I think) but if they were having an affair and he did think she was his daughter that would explain why he kept them when the money was not rolling in anymore, and did not let them have time with family. 6y

Cinfhen It‘s strictly my own theory @Chrissyreadit but I have a strong intuition about it!!!! 6y

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EadieB

Written in Blood | Diane Fanning

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In the 2nd section of our reading we are given background information on Michael Peterson, Patty Peterson, Liz Ratliff and Kathleen Peterson.

Question 7:
What are some of the things that stand out to you about these people? Michael‘s Vietnam experience? Visit to Patty‘s friend, Pat? Liz‘s fall and her will? Liz‘s forensics? Michael‘s lies? Nanny‘s mention of bruises on Margaret and Martha? Margaret‘s feelings about Michael?

#writteninblood

Megabooks, Cinfhen, Brenley, Crazeedi, TheBookHippie, emilyhaldi, bookandcat, kricheal, eanderson, DarcysMom, Librarybelle, CoverToCoverGirl, Tove_Reads, Chrissyreadit, jillannjohn, AmberWB

Crazeedi I haven't gotten my book yet so I'll be joining in late, I will post comments asap 6y

EadieB @Crazeedi ok no problem. 6y

TheBookHippie I could not get Litsy to post yesterday hardly 🤣😳 I'll go back and catch up!!! 6y

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EadieB @TheBookHippie ok no problem. 6y

Mdargusch So many odd things but what strikes me is so many people in mike‘s life had questions about him. Or suspicions. And then so many were staunch supporters. I found the way he manipulated Margaret and Martha to be criminal. 6y

jillannjohn @Mdgargusch yes! These people knew he wasn‘t a good person. He was awful! And the way he dragged those little girls from home to home with the promise of adoption made me sick! 6y

Cinfhen I agree 💯 @Mdargusch @jillannjohn His treatment of the little girls especially Margaret was inexplicable. His motive for killing their mom seems so obvious as he honestly was not a person they could look up to. He treated them as a commodity 😡🤬😡 (edited) 6y

Cinfhen He seemed to have an explosive temper and inflated ego...bad combo 6y

Cinfhen And he totally fudged his Purple Heart status as a decorated war hero 🙄 6y

Cinfhen Patty‘s friend Pat recognized the signs of a compulsive liar in regards to Michael. And the Nanny did as well. Plus the neighbor saw Michael running from the house the night of the “accidental” fall. I can‘t see how he isn‘t guilty in both cases. 6y

EadieB Michael is definitely a piece of work. He got Liz to make a will leaving everything to Patty and Michael. Then went to Texas courthouse and lied about the Will. Inherited everything and then abused the children. His whole life was a big lie and he is not a nice person. He intercepted the mail for the daughters and stole money from patty‘s friend, Pat. Nasty person! @Cinfhen @Mdargusch @jillannjohn (edited) 6y

Librarybelle I agree with everything said so far! He was such a manipulator! And so suspicious! And controlling! Almost like he had to be Alpha male. My heart broke for the girls...so young to face such horrid circumstances, not made any easier by his constant changes in mind. @jillannjohn @Cinfhen @Mdargusch @EadieB 6y

Megabooks @Librarybelle @jillannjohn @Cinfhen @Mdargusch @EadieB I‘m behind on the reading because life happened today. ☹️ Anyway, my personal story of the Peterson Men is when I tried to get a quote from Mike after his third-place finish in the mayoral primary. Mike saw the result let out a primal scream. He and entourage (Kathleen, Todd, Clayton + more) turned to rush out. I grabbed my tape recorder to get a quote and Todd put a hand on my chest and 👇🏻 (edited) 6y

Megabooks Pushed me so hard I nearly fell backwards over a chair. Mike continued yelling. It was because of this and other interactions I originally thought, this man can be mean and angry enough to kill. Now, reading this book, I‘m back to the confusion I had in the mid-2000s. 🤨 6y

Megabooks Plus, it is totally creepy how alike Liz and Kathleen look!!! @Librarybelle @jillannjohn @Mdargusch @EadieB @Cinfhen 6y

Cinfhen That‘s a scary and very telling story @Megabooks I feel like you clearly came in contact with a killer. I believe those Peterson men (dad & boys) believed they were invincible and they had no self control. Anger management seems to be an issue too. There‘s a part in the book about how MP nearly killed his dog & later 2 of his dogs mysteriously disappeared. 6y

Librarybelle Oh my, @Megabooks ! Thank you for sharing! 6y

jillannjohn @Megabooks Thanks for that interesting insight. I‘m not really surprised though. He seemed like a kid throwing a tantrum when he didn‘t get his way. I can‘t believe his family didn‘t think he was dangerous... @Cinfhen totally agree with your statement about the Petersen men! (edited) 6y

Chrissyreadit One characteristic a successful sociopath has seems to be charisma. As I read the book I think about the skill of separating who you are depending on the person you are with- some people easily act as chameleons(vs people who truly are diverse and easily engaged) because it suits an underlying purpose only they are aware of. The biggest losers in this seem to be the three girls, but especially Margaret and Martha. 6y

Chrissyreadit @Megabooks you certainly had a glimpse of his true personality. 6y

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Librarybelle

Written in Blood | Diane Fanning

The US Army War College is less than ten minutes away from where I grew up. If I had a dollar for every time I drove by there...the creep factor just went up a notch! #writteninblood #buddyread

EadieB

TheBookHippie I grew up at that army base. My dad was drafted to Vietnam when I was 6 weeks old. 6y

Librarybelle @TheBookHippie It has changed so much in the last 10 years - it‘s expanded beyond the original boundaries with additional housing across from the secondary gate. It‘s kind of fun - I mention I‘m from Carlisle, and people either know it because of the car shows or because of the military base there. 6y

TheBookHippie @Librarybelle I hoping to pass through this summer on my way to New York. I haven't seen it in decades !! 6y

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