This is the story of Dee Casteel who was convicted of murder for her role in organising and covering up two murders: the first a man murdered for his money, and the second an attempt to ensure that the first murder would not be discovered. I just couldn’t get onto the same wavelength as the author who appears to believe that Casteel’s active participation in the planning and cover-up of the murders and subsequent fraudulent activities to gain financially from the crimes is over-ridden by the fact that deep down she is/was a lovely woman whose every life choice was governed by the demon drink and, later, by her love for a homosexual (and therefore unattainable) man 20 years her junior. More than an explanation for Casteel’s crimes the book reads almost as a justification. Provost seems to have been swayed by meeting her and listening to her side of the story. Understanding and forgiveness are one thing, but this goes beyond that. The victims of her crimes remain shadowy figures – we hear from many who give glowing character references for Casteel, but barely a word from people who knew or loved the victims. It just doesn’t read right and I was puzzled at the slant Provost took, hoping all along that it would eventually make sense but for me it never did. The chapters in which Provost speaks directly to Dee and the victims are superfluous – there are enough facts to make this a story worth telling without imaginary conversations. Kevin Pierce is wonderful as always.