Dead in the Water

My Forty-Year Search for My Brother's Killer

By: Penny Farmer

Narrated by: Tess Gallagher, Ian Porter

Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

In this shocking, heart-wrenching true-crime drama, a 40-year-old double murder brings together a grieving family and two brothers - just kids when they witnessed their father commit the brutal act - to track down a psychopath once suspected as being the Golden State Killer.

In 1978, two tortured corpses were discovered in the sea off Guatemala. Hooded, bound with ropes and weighted down with heavy engine parts, Chris Farmer and his girlfriend Peta Frampton were still clinging to life when they were thrown from a yacht on which they had been crewing.

This is the gripping account of how Chris's family painstakingly gathered evidence against the boat's Californian skipper, Silas Duane Boston, working alongside the FBI, Interpol, and police in the UK and the USA. Almost four decades later in 2015, there was a major breakthrough in the case when, using Facebook, Chris's sister Penny tracked Boston down. Following the testimony of his two sons who, as young boys, had witnessed the horrific murder of Chris and Peta at the hands of their father, Boston was finally arrested and charged with two counts of maritime murder.

Chillingly, Boston was later linked to several other killings on US soil - at one point he was even the FBI's prime suspect in the notorious Golden State Killer case, until DNA ruled him out. The list of crimes for which he was suspected put him in the league of America's most prolific and elusive serial killers.

Not just a story of murder on the high seas, Dead in the Water is a tale that offers insights into the minds of the killer and his two sons. And it reveals a family's fortitude and diligence in tracking down a monster of a man, a task which ultimately fell to the author to complete. It exemplifies that life can be senselessly snuffed out but love never dies.

©2019 Penny Farmer (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Top Shelf True Crime!

This book was much more than your run of the mill True Crime Story. It exemplifies true love and the pursuit of justice. THIS BOOK WAS A PRIVILEGE TO READ/ LISTEN TO!

Incredible true story well read

This was an incredible story of the long wait and perseverance of a family. Loss, heartache, compassion and forgiveness bring families together across the ocean. So well read. I highly recommend!

Sad cold case

A very interesting and sad cold case. The parents did a great job looking into the death of their son and documenting everything

Grief never ends

Very interesting read and wonderful details on the sad ending of two people at the hands of a serial killer. Just the ripple of effect of one crazy evil man's life.

A tragic true crime event that deserves our attention.

This is the true story of a young, trusting, and beautiful couple who by chance met a psychopathic killer. It is a tragic story. Throughout the telling of the events, I kept thinking “if only this had happened” or “if only Chris and Peta had stopped somewhere for a few minutes” perhaps they would not have crossed paths with Boston. Penny’s writing of this book gave me a clear picture of the wonderful brother and friend in Peta so many family members and friends lost. My heart goes out to Penny and her lovely mother and father who did not live to see the diabolical Boston get caught. So many mistakes were made by the authorities. The family never gave up. I hope you have some peace after so many painful years of searching for the truth. Beautifully written. Thank you.

Justice too Late

Such an involved story, heartbreaking on so many levels. I truly felt the grief of the families who lost loved ones. It seems even sadder that much of the story might never have been written due to the failure of law enforcement in another country when they don’t follow up on accurate leads. I couldn’t believe how long it took for the whole story to unfold, I can recommend the book and it should be read with full attention.

Excellent read from start to finish.

Such a heartbreaking story shared in a way that made me feel as if Chris and Peta were my own family. My heart also breaks for the lives of Russell and Vince with their monster father. I used to say I could write a book about my family history but it wouldn’t come near as to what both boys experienced.

Surprising - tragic story well told

Despite living in Nor Cal . I’d never heard of this case (s) absorbing story well worth a listen - especially as it’s included and free. Give it a bit of time to get into the story and I also found that listening at 1:2 was optimal. No spoilers but links to GSK etc maddening police behavior. As the author states it’s a roller coaster - recommended.

Heart wrenching

This was a beautifully written, heart wrenching story! My heart was broken for the families involved and yet I was inspired by the family’s strength to move on and continue to show love, the love of their children lost and the love and empathy towards the murderer’s children. A must read if you’re like me and love true happenings.

Love the narrator!

This engrossing true crime story was beautifully written & spoken. God Bless both families & the sons.