🌐🕸️🔪🏛️ "A Tangled Web" 🏛️🔪🕸️🌐 (2020) - Book Review
MY REVIEW
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Citadel (April 28,
2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0806539976
ISBN-13: 978-0806539973
Click Picture for Purchase Link
“In the tradition of her acclaimed mother,
Ann Rule, author of The Stranger Beside Me, bestselling
author Leslie Rule delivers a riveting true story for our time—as she exposes
the years-long trail of a sadistic sociopath, identity thief, and killer at the
dark heart of a real-life fatal attraction . . .
It was a
bleak November in 2012 when Cari Lea Farver vanished from Omaha, Nebraska. Cari, thirty-seven, was a devoted mother,
reliable employee, and loyal friend—not the type to shirk responsibilities,
abandon her son, and run off on an adventure while her dying father took his
last breaths. Yet, the many texts from
her phone indicated she had done just that.
It
appeared that Cari had dumped her new boyfriend, quit her job, and relinquished
custody of her son to her mother—all by text.
While Cari’s boyfriend, Dave Kroupa, and her supervisor were bewildered
by her abrupt disappearance, they accepted the texts at face value. Her mother, Nancy Raney, however, was alarmed
and reported Cari missing. Police were
skeptical of her claims that a cyber impostor had commandeered her daughter’s
phone and online identity.
While
Nancy was afraid for Cari, Dave Kroupa was growing afraid of her, for he
believed Cari was stalking him. Never
seen or heard, the stalker was aware of his every move and seemed obsessed with
his casual girlfriend, Shanna “Liz” Golyar, often calling her “a fat whore” in
the twelve thousand emails and texts he received in a disturbing three-year
deluge.
How did
the stalker know Dave’s phone numbers immediately after he changed them, the names
of his lady friends, even what he wore as he watched TV? He and Liz reported
death threats, vandalism, and burglaries, but the stalker remained at
large. The threats were vicious, vile
and often obscene, sent mostly via text and always in Cari’s name. There was some truth in the messages, but all
of them contained one big lie. The
culprit was not Cari, but had killed and planned to kill again.
With
mesmerizing detail and compelling narrative skill, Leslie Rule tracks every
step of the heart-pounding path to long-awaited justice—from a sociopath’s
twisted past to the deadly deception and the high-tech forensics that condemned
the killer to prison.”
Thank you in advance to the publisher, Citadel
Press/Kensington Books, and BookishFirst for providing an advanced review copy (in exchange for my points).
A positive review was not required. All words and thoughts are my own.
First off, when I got this, it came with a “note from the author”. Unlike some promotions, this ARC is actually a “collector’s item” because very few were printed.
First off, when I got this, it came with a “note from the author”. Unlike some promotions, this ARC is actually a “collector’s item” because very few were printed.
This is the first novel by Leslie Rule I’ve
read, but I have been a fan of her mother Ann Rule for YEARS! Ann Rule is often
dubbed the QUEEN of True Crime. And, with the tons of books to her credit –
along with her writing – it is easy to see why.
I have the following books by Ann Rule:
** The Stranger Beside Me (Ted Bundy;
portrayed by Mark Harmon in “The Deliberate Stranger)
** If You Really Loved Me (David Brown
case featured in “Love, Lies, and Murder starring Clancy Brown as David Brown) –
some of Leslie’s photos appear in this book. The photos are of the prosecutor
and detectives; Brown; his daughter Cinnamon who was accused of killing his
wife Linda; and Linda’s sister Patti
** And, Never Let Her Go (Thomas Capano,
movie of the same name starring Mark Harmon as Capano; also featured Paul
Michael Glaser)
This book was another one that as SOON as I saw
it on BookishFirst’s website, I HAD to grab it. Ann Rule passed away 2015, and
most of her fans (including myself) wanted someone to come along and continue
what she started. After all, there are definitely a lot of cases out there to
choose from.
Leslie was reluctant (as is evidenced in the
PREFACE of this book) to step into what she considered her mother’s domain, despite
being a part of it form a young age.
However, daughter and photographer Leslie Rule
does just that in this book – she steps right into this domain. And, she does
so with the same style as her mother. I enjoyed that she shared her history in
the PREFACE for readers who might not be familiar with her, or her work. It was
a great introduction into this sordid tale. She seems like a natural and
comfortable fit with this genre.
As I received an UNCORRECTED Advanced Reader’s
Edition, there might have been some minor typos and errors. So, I can’t really
compare what I read to the finished version. I would definitely caution those
who have received advance copies from making harsh judgments regarding typos or
grammatical errors.
The case of Shanna Elizabeth “Liz” Golyar far
exceeds the term disturbing. Diabolical doesn’t come close. Sadistic, twisted,
evil are words closer to describing what Golyar did for over three (3) years.
And, her motive was weak – a man. Particularly David Kroupa.
Even researching the case online doesn’t come
close to what Rule uncovers and presents in this well-written, well-researched,
and dramatic book.
The methodology of stalking has come a long way
since the time Ann Rule wrote her first book. More so since the days of Ted
Bundy. Even more disturbing are the various ways that predators manipulate and
twist the facts. Thomas Capano and David Brown stand as warnings even before the
internet was in use as commonplace as it is.
Today we have email; dating apps; and social
media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. It would be disturbing if
Bundy, Capano, Brown and the like were to have had access to what Golyar did
between 2012-2016.
The Golyar case wasn’t just about a jealous
woman and murder. It was about a vindictive attitude as well. The case involved
murder; a twisted virtual identity theft; kidnapping; cyber stalking; a
shooting; arson; vandalism; texts and emails with venomous and violent language
directed at her enemies.
From November 2012 and for over three (3)
years, Golyar impersonated her victim, Cari Lea Farver. A woman who had gone
missing leaving behind a sick father, her teenage son, a good family, and a job
she enjoyed. Yet, one day she apparently up and leaves it all? It didn’t make
sense.
For three years no one had seen Farver or heard
her voice. Yet those closest to her were getting disturbing texts from her. Or,
someone claiming to be her. Those who knew Farver knew she was incapable of
what Golyar was trying to frame her with.
Golyar’s three (3) year escapade into the world
of cyber stalking, harassment, and vindictive behavior would, in retrospect,
have certainly been a red-flag. However because there were two different police
departments involved, it’d take some time before everything was connected – the
alleged stalking and the disappearance.
Those who knew Golyar believed her, despite her
less than reputable (and sometimes less than stable) status; particularly David
Kroupa. He had been one of the last few to have seen Cari alive that November
day. He’d seen her in his apartment as he headed off to work.
The chain of events that transpired that day
would set in stage what would be a three (3) year nightmare for him, his
ex-girlfriend (the mother of his kids), and Cari’s family. He wouldn’t know the
reality behind it. And, he wouldn’t know how truly innocent Cari was. All he would
know for years is how much he came to despise Cari.
It would, as it seemed, take a miracle before
any authorities realized how conniving, duplicitous, and deceitful Golyar was.
She even went as far as to shoot herself to substantiate a stalker claim
against someone else. And, also it would be years before those around Golyar
suspected anything was amiss.
Rule takes readers through the initial stages
of how everyone met as well as the investigations – both of them: the stalking
and Cari’s disappearance. How, over three (3) long years Golyar was able to
fool everyone, including the police. The author accurately and realistically expresses
the frustration Farver’s mother and family felt at “knowing” something was
wrong, but being dismissed.
Rule takes an unbiased approach making sure the
facts and the investigators are never in doubt nor should some be shamed for
not seeing what Golyar was doing or that Cari was in danger.
Rule also tackles the safety of social media,
in addition to advances in dating – particularly with online sites and apps.
Rule has done her homework with the case files,
interviewing those involved (those who wanted to cooperate), as well as the
background into Golyar’s past. One that even now seems so tangled and
convoluted.
But, once it was cracked open, even Golyar didn’t
know the police were now playing her. And, she would (even at trial) deny her
actions or involvement.
This tale is appropriately titled – “A Tangled
Web”. Not only due to Golyar’s spider-like, predatory practices; but because of
the connection to the World Wide “Web”.
While there is a lot of focus on background and
the investigation, there is little on the trial. Probably because Golyar didn’t
have a defense at all. She even went as far as to agree to a bench trial.
This is an intriguing look inside the case and
makes one pause before “friending” someone on Facebook; or agreeing to a date
on a dating app.
It’s honestly hard to say that something like
this is an enjoyable read. It would suggest that I enjoy the “circumstances”
surrounding the story (hence the 4 star rating).
It was an educational, informative, and
disturbing read.
I have NO DOUBT that Leslie Rule will make a
great successor to her mother Ann Rule in the TRUE CRIME genre. I would
definitely read another TRUE CRIME book by Leslie Rule.
As of note, Leslie Rule was the photographer for some of her mother’s courtroom photos, most notably the book “If You Really Loved Me” :
As of note, Leslie Rule was the photographer for some of her mother’s courtroom photos, most notably the book “If You Really Loved Me” :
The author, upon my request for an autographed book plate, was so kind to offer some addition insight to her book. In addition, I also got some insight on the courtroom saga from “If You Really Loved Me”. Thank you very much to the author for those tidbits.
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐–
Goodreads
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐–
Bookbub
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐–
Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
Additional reading on the Shanna Golyar/Cari Farver case:
Leslie Rule is a photographer and bestselling author of two suspense novels, five nonfiction books, and dozens of articles in national magazines, including The Reader’s Digest. At seventeen, she began to assist her mother, author Ann Rule, as a research assistant and trial photographer. Many of Leslie's courtroom photos appear in her mother’s books.
Additional reading on the Shanna Golyar/Cari Farver case:
“Shanna Golyar sentenced to life for
first-degree murder” – Camilia Orti; KETV-7 Omaha; August 15, 2017
“Woman
convicted of killing, impersonating romantic rival asks Nebraska Supreme Court
for new trial” – Joe Duggan; World-Herald Bureau; August 30, 2018
“Supreme
Court rejects appeal in bizarre case of woman who posed as romantic rival after
killing her” – Joe Duggan; BH News Service; November 10, 2018
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leslie Rule is a photographer and bestselling author of two suspense novels, five nonfiction books, and dozens of articles in national magazines, including The Reader’s Digest. At seventeen, she began to assist her mother, author Ann Rule, as a research assistant and trial photographer. Many of Leslie's courtroom photos appear in her mother’s books.
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