-
Before He Wakes: A True Story of Money, Marriage, Sex and Murder
- Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
- Length: 13 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Release date: 05-29-15
- Language: English
- Publisher: ListenUp Audiobooks
Regular price: $24.95
People who bought this also bought...
-
Bitter Blood
- A True Story of Southern Family Pride, Madness, and Multiple Murder
- By: Jerry Bledsoe
- Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
- Length: 20 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 516
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 467
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 469
In this unrelenting real-life drama of three wealthy families connected by marriage and murder, Bledsoe recounts the shocking events, obsessive love, and bitter custody battles that led toward the bloody climax that took nine lives.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
incredible
- By bethann on 04-23-15
-
The Surgeon's Wife
- A True Story of Obsession, Rage, and Murder
- By: Kieran Crowley
- Narrated by: Danny Campbell
- Length: 14 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 148
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 134
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 131
In the summer of 1985, in his exclusive Upper East Side Manhattan apartment, Robert Bierenbaum, a prominent surgeon and certified genius, strangled his wife Gail to death. He then drove her body to an airstrip in Caldwell, N.J., and dumped it into the Atlantic Ocean from a single-engine private plane. The next day he reported her missing.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Well Written
- By Susan on 12-21-17
-
Fatal Beauty
- Pinnacle True Crime
- By: Burl Barer
- Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
- Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall3.5 out of 5 stars 41
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 37
-
Story3.5 out of 5 stars 37
Jimmy Joste was a powerhouse in the oil and gas industry, but he was a weakling when it came to his gorgeous, athletic, longtime lover, Rhonda Glover. Addicted to her sexual prowess and madly in love, Joste gave her homes, cars, cash, and a $350,000 engagement ring. Their 15 years of passion and excess ended the day Rhonda drove directly from a shooting range to the Austin home they once shared. After pumping 10 bullets into him from a Glock 9mm, she stood over Joste's blood-splattered body and shot him six more times, twice below the waist.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Justice in America for mentally ill
- By Chandelle on 06-09-18
-
The Dating Game Killer
- The True Story of a TV Dating Show, a Violent Sociopath, and a Series of Brutal Murders
- By: Stella Sands
- Narrated by: Charles Constant
- Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 34
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 31
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 31
In 1978, Rodney Alcala was a contestant on the The Dating Game, one of America's most popular television shows at the time. Handsome, successful, and romantic, he was embraced by the audience - and chosen as the winner by the beautiful bachelorette. To viewers across the country, Rodney seemed like the answer to every woman's dreams. Until they learned the truth about his once and future crimes.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Like listening to a news report
- By E.J. in Pa. on 09-18-18
-
Charmer: A Ladies' Man and His Victims
- By: Jack Olsen
- Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
- Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 320
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 302
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 297
The author of Predator traces the story of George Russell, Jr., a bright, young, popular black man whose thirty-year psychological unraveling led to a shocking killing spree.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
If you loved SON ~ Get THIS!!
- By Polly Poizendem on 11-18-17
-
Blood in the Snow
- The True Story of a Stay-at-Home Dad, His High-Powered Wife, and the Jealousy That Drove Him to Murder
- By: Tom Henderson
- Narrated by: Paul Michael Garcia
- Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 187
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 168
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 168
In Washington Township, Michigan, on Valentine's Day, 2007, Stephen Grant filed a missing persons report on his beloved wife, Tara. The stay-at-home father of two was beside himself with despair. Why would Tara abandon him and their family? Was she involved with another man? Stephen's frantic, emotional search for Tara made national headlines, and the case was featured on Dateline among other television shows and news outlets. But key elements in Stephen's story still weren't adding up....
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Good true crime writer
- By 6catz on 01-19-18
-
Bitter Blood
- A True Story of Southern Family Pride, Madness, and Multiple Murder
- By: Jerry Bledsoe
- Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
- Length: 20 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 516
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 467
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 469
In this unrelenting real-life drama of three wealthy families connected by marriage and murder, Bledsoe recounts the shocking events, obsessive love, and bitter custody battles that led toward the bloody climax that took nine lives.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
incredible
- By bethann on 04-23-15
-
The Surgeon's Wife
- A True Story of Obsession, Rage, and Murder
- By: Kieran Crowley
- Narrated by: Danny Campbell
- Length: 14 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 148
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 134
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 131
In the summer of 1985, in his exclusive Upper East Side Manhattan apartment, Robert Bierenbaum, a prominent surgeon and certified genius, strangled his wife Gail to death. He then drove her body to an airstrip in Caldwell, N.J., and dumped it into the Atlantic Ocean from a single-engine private plane. The next day he reported her missing.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Well Written
- By Susan on 12-21-17
-
Fatal Beauty
- Pinnacle True Crime
- By: Burl Barer
- Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
- Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall3.5 out of 5 stars 41
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 37
-
Story3.5 out of 5 stars 37
Jimmy Joste was a powerhouse in the oil and gas industry, but he was a weakling when it came to his gorgeous, athletic, longtime lover, Rhonda Glover. Addicted to her sexual prowess and madly in love, Joste gave her homes, cars, cash, and a $350,000 engagement ring. Their 15 years of passion and excess ended the day Rhonda drove directly from a shooting range to the Austin home they once shared. After pumping 10 bullets into him from a Glock 9mm, she stood over Joste's blood-splattered body and shot him six more times, twice below the waist.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Justice in America for mentally ill
- By Chandelle on 06-09-18
-
The Dating Game Killer
- The True Story of a TV Dating Show, a Violent Sociopath, and a Series of Brutal Murders
- By: Stella Sands
- Narrated by: Charles Constant
- Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 34
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 31
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 31
In 1978, Rodney Alcala was a contestant on the The Dating Game, one of America's most popular television shows at the time. Handsome, successful, and romantic, he was embraced by the audience - and chosen as the winner by the beautiful bachelorette. To viewers across the country, Rodney seemed like the answer to every woman's dreams. Until they learned the truth about his once and future crimes.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Like listening to a news report
- By E.J. in Pa. on 09-18-18
-
Charmer: A Ladies' Man and His Victims
- By: Jack Olsen
- Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
- Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 320
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 302
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 297
The author of Predator traces the story of George Russell, Jr., a bright, young, popular black man whose thirty-year psychological unraveling led to a shocking killing spree.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
If you loved SON ~ Get THIS!!
- By Polly Poizendem on 11-18-17
-
Blood in the Snow
- The True Story of a Stay-at-Home Dad, His High-Powered Wife, and the Jealousy That Drove Him to Murder
- By: Tom Henderson
- Narrated by: Paul Michael Garcia
- Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 187
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 168
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 168
In Washington Township, Michigan, on Valentine's Day, 2007, Stephen Grant filed a missing persons report on his beloved wife, Tara. The stay-at-home father of two was beside himself with despair. Why would Tara abandon him and their family? Was she involved with another man? Stephen's frantic, emotional search for Tara made national headlines, and the case was featured on Dateline among other television shows and news outlets. But key elements in Stephen's story still weren't adding up....
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Good true crime writer
- By 6catz on 01-19-18
-
Blood Games
- A True Account of Family Murder
- By: Jerry Bledsoe
- Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
- Length: 18 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 127
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 118
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 119
A true story detailing the events surrounding the murder of wealthy North Carolinian Lieth von Stein. The case seemed cold until police followed a trail leading to von Stein's stepson, a smart young man who was obsessed with Dungeons & Dragons and wrapped up in drugs.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Another Jerry Bledsoe success
- By Robyn on 06-23-15
-
Cold Kill
- The True Story of a Murderous Love
- By: Jack Olsen
- Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
- Length: 12 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 522
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 474
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 478
David loved Cindy and was loved in return. Or so he thought. The troubled young man clung to his new love and dreamed of their future together. So begins the chain of events that was to evolve into a horror of terrifying proportions. Jack Olsen, best-selling author of Son, now reveals the details of a true-life romance gone hideously awry.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
If Cindy Calls - DON'T Answer!
- By Polly Poizendem on 02-12-17
-
Unanswered Cries
- A True Story of Friends, Neighbors, and Murder in a Small Town
- By: Thomas French
- Narrated by: Mikael Naramore
- Length: 13 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 459
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 415
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 412
On a warm Florida evening, Karen Gregory saw a familiar face at her door. What the beautiful young woman could not know was that she was staring into the eyes of her killer - a savage monster who would rape her, stab her to death, and leave her battered body on the floor outside the bedroom. Detectives frantically sifting through the evidence were tormented by one disturbing question after another....
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Great Writing
- By Phaedrus on 02-03-18
-
The Beast I Loved
- A Battered Woman's Desperate Struggle to Survive
- By: Robert Davidson
- Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
- Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 135
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 123
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 123
June Briand shot four bullets into her husband's head and was sentenced to 15 years to life. This is the shocking, true story of survival - and the intense bond June shared with her pathologically violent husband, a monster who physically and sexually tortured, degraded, and dominated her so relentlessly she refused to believe he was dead even after she killed him.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Beyond Beast . . .
- By Polly Poizendem on 07-14-18
-
The Man with the Candy
- By: Jack Olsen
- Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
- Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 173
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 158
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 156
A full account of the most heinous crime of the century in which nearly 30 young boys were sexually tortured to death.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
The Boys Who Met the Man with the Candy
- By Kindle Customer on 05-13-18
-
A Deadly Affair
- The Shocking True Story of a High Profile Love Triangle That Led to Murder
- By: Tom Henderson
- Narrated by: Paul Michael Garcia
- Length: 15 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 49
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 47
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 47
A promising young attorney and a dedicated family man, Michael Fletcher seemed to have it all. But in the summer of 2000, Michael found himself standing trial for the murder of his pregnant wife, Leann. The verdict - guilty of second-degree murder - would leave friends, family, and the public at large scrambling to make sense of a twisted and frightening series of events that ended in the brutal killing of Leann Fletcher. What could possibly have led Michael Fletcher to commit such a gruesome act?
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
Repetitive and biased.
- By Casey on 02-18-18
-
Beautifully Cruel
- By: M. William Phelps
- Narrated by: Jonathan Yen
- Length: 12 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 80
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 73
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 71
Iowa housewife Tracey Pittman Roberts seemed to have it all: natural beauty, three loving children, and a fairy-tale second marriage to a wealthy, handsome businessman. But beneath the happy façade was a woman who used lies, manipulation, sex, ugly allegations, blackmail - and even murder - to serve her own selfish ends. In 2001, police rushed to Tracey's home after a shooting left her vulnerable young neighbor dead. Tracey claimed it was an act of self-defense. Nine gunshot wounds - and a decades-long trail of extortion and fraud - said otherwise.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Difficult to follow all the characters.
- By Thomas on 01-09-18
-
Deadly Little Secrets
- The Minister, His Mistress, and a Heartless Texas Murder
- By: Kathryn Casey
- Narrated by: Gillian Vance
- Length: 13 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 183
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 165
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 168
To his parishioners, minister Matt Baker seemed a pious and good man. To his wife, Kari, he was a devoted husband and caring father. Always sunny and vivacious, Kari never questioned their frequent relocations from one small Texas Baptist church to another. Even when tragedy struck, Kari remained strong - until one day, inexplicably, she took her own life.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Outrageous
- By Jerrilynn on 01-24-15
-
Almost Paradise
- The East Hampton Murder of Ted Ammon
- By: Kieran Crowley
- Narrated by: Danny Campbell
- Length: 13 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 71
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 66
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 65
On October 22, 2001, handsome multimillionaire financier Ted Ammon was found bludgeoned to death in the magnificent East Hampton mansion he'd built with his beautiful - and volatile - wife, Generosa. She stood to make millions, but it wasn't the money that made Ted's friends suspicious: Generosa Ammon had a history of violent outbursts and bizarre obsessions.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Super true crime story, well done by all
- By IndyMcDuff on 02-11-18
-
Innocent Blood
- A True Story of Obsession and Serial Murder
- By: Terry Ganey
- Narrated by: Chris Andrew Ciulla
- Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 35
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 32
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 31
Innocent Blood is the true story of Charles Hatcher and his life of crime - a powerful and blood-chilling glimpse into the darkness between sanity and madness. It also chronicles a justice system gone wrong. Throughout his criminal career, Hatcher was able to fool dozens of psychiatrists, who repeatedly failed to identify him as a multiple murderer. Hatcher's astonishing skill was not just in his ability to murder and escape imprisonment. He became an expert at manipulating the criminal justice system.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
a real missed opportunity
- By MrsCeeDoubleAargh on 06-28-18
-
Mom Said Kill (Pinnacle True Crime)
- By: Burl Barer
- Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
- Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 13
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 11
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 11
When Jerry Heimann's son arrived at his father's home in Everett, Washington, he found his grandmother, an Alzheimer's patient, alone in the house, starving and dehydrated. His father was missing. The furniture was gone. Within hours, police realized that Jerry's live-in housekeeper, Barbara Opel, had robbed him and fled. But where was Jerry? The next morning, Barbara Opel's 11-year-old son led police to Jerry's body. Soon, stunned detectives were getting confessions from a ragtag group of teens and preteens.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
pretty good overall. crazy story for sure!
- By Bernard Dupuy on 08-21-18
-
Blood Justice
- By: Tom Henderson
- Narrated by: Paul Michael Garcia
- Length: 14 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 57
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 54
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 54
In 1991, flight attendant Nancy Ludwig checked in to an airport hotel near Detroit. The next morning she was found gagged, raped, and tortured - her throat slit with such rage that she was nearly decapitated. Her husband Arthur never gave up hope that the future would bring enough evidence to close the case. But it was the past that held the clue. In 1985, 55-year-old Margarette Eby, a music professor, met the same grisly death at her cottage in Flint, Michigan. The case went cold - until six years later when the victim's son Mark came upon the story of Nancy Ludwig's slaying.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Wow !!! Nothing left out
- By Keiran McLaren on 08-15-18
Publisher's Summary
The true story of Barbara Stager, a devoted mother, loving wife, and dedicated church leader who committed an almost perfect crime.
By all accounts, Stager seemed to lead the perfect life in her community in Durham, North Carolina. After her husband, popular high school coach Russ, died tragically, the police were inclined to believe her story - that she accidentally shot him. Suspicions rose when the police discovered that Stager's previous husband had died similarly 10 years prior. Detective Rick Buchanan searches for the truth and finds a string of compulsive lies, obsessive spending, and sexual promiscuity. Ever shocking new discovery unraveled Barbara Stager's impeccable image more and more.
Russ left a damning piece of evidence behind that reveals the shocking nightmare truth about his wife.
More from the same
What members say
Average Customer Ratings
Overall
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
5 Stars92
-
4 Stars68
-
3 Stars32
-
2 Stars8
-
1 Stars2
Performance
-
4.5 out of 5 stars
-
5 Stars96
-
4 Stars52
-
3 Stars25
-
2 Stars5
-
1 Stars1
Story
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
5 Stars88
-
4 Stars54
-
3 Stars31
-
2 Stars4
-
1 Stars2
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Maite
- 07-14-15
Great story & great reader
Story is well written & entertaining. The reader did a great job. I only wish he had more true crime novels. If you like true crime you won't be disappointed.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- Hilary
- Connecticut
- 07-30-15
Jerry Bledsoe is Amazing, as is Kevin Stillwell
Okay, so on the heels of my listen to Bitter Blood, this book wasn't as exceptional as I had hoped. Bitter Blood was phenomenal, so it was a hard act to follow.
Barbara Terry Ford Stager is either: a) unlucky to the 100th power, b) extremely mentally ill or c) a diabolical killer.
Mrs. Ford-Stager has two dead husbands, a penchant for spending FAR beyond her means (which highlighted her check kiting and embezzlement skills), a compulsive lying streak more incredible than Pinocchio, a sexual appetite more impressive than Ginger Lynn and a church lady charade/appearance. She is the ultimate oxymoron.
Her two unfortunate husbands, Larry Ford and Russell Stager had no idea what they were getting their hands on - a black widow in sheep's clothing. Or, was it pure coincidence that both her husbands died in bed thanks to the "business end of a 25 caliber gun"?
You decide.
I think Barbara is where she belongs, serving life in a North Carolina prison.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- deborah
- 06-19-15
Wow!
This story had me glued to my headphones. I couldn't wait to hear what was going to happen next. Truly a sad commentary on the power of greed and its devastating results. Excellent narrator as well. Highly recommend this for all of the true crime fans out there.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Douglas
- 06-15-15
Church Lady Killer...
In gripping true crime style, Bledsoe tells the tale of Barbara Stager, a church-going, seemingly upright and righteous woman who just had one flaw: she liked to kill husbands... Stager was so convincing as her role as Church Lady that she nearly passed under the wire during investigations. Then a detective with a sharp eye, and enough cynicism to see past Stager's act, began to unravel the threads of her story.
12 of 16 people found this review helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bst
- CA USA
- 05-26-16
Kept Me Listening!
I already knew a bit about this case so I was interested in knowing more. I couldn't have asked for a better listen! The story was well told and the presenter was clear, had a lot of expression, and really gave a picture to the words!! What a great choice this book was!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- inov8v
- Hampstead, MD, United States
- 06-25-15
bledsoe/stillwell are the dynamic duo of audible..
bledsoe/stillwell are the benchmark for the audio books i listen to...bledsoe is such a great writer and stillwell is so good at conveying the story without sounding as hokey as so many others...
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Kattia
- 04-16-18
Intriguing
I will never understand how some people plan somebody else's death to get money and cover their shopping sprees. Heartbreaking cautionary tale. Beware who you marry, get to know them before you tie the knot.
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Michael
- 02-16-18
<br />one of the best
clear and suspenseful story. great narrator.
one of the best in true crime great author great writing.
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Thelma And Lou
- 12-12-17
Very good true crime book- sub-par narration
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I'd recommend the book, not necessarily the audio book
Who was your favorite character and why?
Doesn't apply
Did the narration match the pace of the story?
The narrator's voice is very pleasant; however, he reads many sentences and phrases with odd or awkward emphasis, and almost reminded me of a small child reading to the end of a line, then pausing, and then taking up the next part of the sentence as if it was a new sentence, if that makes sense. Also pronounced words like "pillow" as "pillah" and "window" as "windah" - seemed odd to me, though the action takes place is the south, so, not sure if that's intentional.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- La Eskie
- 06-09-17
Perfectly told.
Some people are annoyed with how descriptive and detailed this author gets. In this case, it was fitting. Every small detail and account made for a complete, 360° View of exactly who Barbara Stager was. After seeing this case on many different shows, and I still felt as if I learned about it all over again. Five stars to Bledsoe, and my deepest sympathy for the Ford and Stager families.