Shattered

The True Story of a Mother's Love, a Husband's Betrayal, and a Cold-Blooded Texas Murder

By: Kathryn Casey

Narrated by: Coleen Marlo

Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

In Creekstone, Texas, a small, quiet suburb of Houston, football was king and David Temple was a prince. A former high school and college gridiron-star-turned-coach, he had a fairy-tale marriage to bright, vivacious Belinda Lucas, a teacher at the local high school who was so warm and popular her colleagues called her "The Sunshine Girl".

The fairy tale ended savagely on January 11, 1999, when Belinda's lifeless body was discovered in a closet. Her skull had been shattered by a shotgun blast at close range. She was eight months pregnant.

There was no damning evidence directly linking the brutal murder to husband David, who stood by emotionless and dry-eyed as police searched the crime scene. But a dogged eight-year investigation would expose a shocking history of cruelty and domination, infidelity and rage - ultimately resulting in an epic courtroom battle for the ages - as the scandalous truth was revealed about love betrayed and innocent lives shattered.

©2010 Kathryn Casey (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Kathryn Casey is one of the best true crime writers today." (Ann Rule)

Just as good as an Anne Rule book

I read a lot of true crime books and about once a year I read an extraordinary one. Shattered is so well written and the speaker is such a good actress. I never got tired of her voice. Im so sad I finished this book but excited to start reading Kathryn Casey’s other books. May you rest in peace Belinda and Erin.

Change the narrator!

I believe this is probably a well-written and interesting story, so I give the 3 stars. However, the narrator was so annoying I finally stopped listening. Authors, are you listening?

beautifully written

I thought it was fair minded and wonderfully paced. The narrator's voice was unique and.l at first I didn't like it, but I ended up really really enjoying her performance. is never heard of this story and it kept me guessing. 9/10 would listen to it again.

great writing!

I felt like I was right there there every single process! This was truly great writing!

Fast paced crime story telling at it's best! A

I'm a big Ann Rule fan but at times I tire of climbing the mountain of details she includes in her stories. Kathryn Casey is a breath of fresh air helping the listener reach the pinnacle of truth without the minute details unnecessary to tell the story.

Didn’t want to stop listening. Excellent narration well read other Catherine Casey Books as soon as I can

Well written, and extremely well narrated every minute and I felt as if I ere there.

Tragic

After reading this book it’s hard to believe their son Evan, now a young married adult has zero contact with his mom‘s family. Heartbreaking. Glad to know justice was finally served. I hope one day he reached out and creates a relationship with his sweet mom‘s family. She loved him so much and it would make her happy to know he had a relationship with them.

IDIOTIC narration

I mean … nobody talks like this. What a distraction. Literally she pronounces family as, “fahwmleh.” Ridiculous.

Good. Kinda drawn out

It was good. I listened to all of it but sometimes it had too many details that were it needed and didn’t add to the story and often seemed to be repeated throughout making it feel redundant.

True crime can be so cruel.

I read the reviews before listening to the audio. All towns have their heroes - some good and some bad - and their life long buddies. I can imagine David, his family, and his friends. The murder was a true event but still hard to believe. I thought the narrator was fine. I enjoyed this story so give it a shot. (Sorry, a poor pun.)