Bone Deep

Untangling the Betsy Faria Case

By: Charles Bosworth, Joel Schwartz

Narrated by: Gary Bennett

Length: 11 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Two days after Christmas, 2011, Russel Faria returned to his Troy, Missouri, home to find his wife, Betsy, dead, a knife still lodged in her neck. She had been stabbed 55 times in a brutal murder that would set off a chain of events leading to one man's wrongful conviction and imprisonment, another man's death, the revelation of a diabolical scheme, and an astounding miscarriage of justice left unresolved for another 10 years.

First responders concluded that Betsy was dead for hours when Russ discovered her. No blood was found implicating Russ, and surveillance video, receipts, and friends' testimony all supported his alibi. Yet incredibly, police and the prosecuting attorney ignored the evidence. In their minds, Russ was guilty. But prominent defense attorney Joel J. Schwartz quickly recognized the real killer.

The motive was clear. Days before her murder, the terminally ill Betsy replaced her husband with her friend, Pamela Hupp, as her life insurance beneficiary. Still, despite the prosecution's flimsy case and Hupp's transparent lies, Russ was convicted - leaving Hupp free to kill again. Bone Deep takes listeners through the perfect storm of miscalculations and missteps that led to an innocent man's conviction-and recounts Schwartz's successful battle to have that conviction overturned.

©2022 Charles Bosworth Jr. (P)2022 Tantor

One of the Best

As a “crimeaholic” I can honestly tell you this is one you do not want to miss! Masterfully told and perfectly Narrated, restores my faith in the justice system and particularly those who refuse to witness wrong doings just because it’s easier. The attorney in this case with a true champion for justice.

Am I living under a rock?

Until this week, I learned about this insane case and Pam Hupp. This story is sad, but most of all, enraging and another reason why "Qualified Immunity" laws need to be revised to suit the 21st century better. There is no reason why the prosecutor should have been immune from liability and even criminal charges after all the evidence of her prosecutorial misconduct.

Unbelievably Evil

First, if you are not familiar with the facts of this case, and prefer to have the story unfold naturally, do NOT read the publisher's summary of the book. The summary lays out in precise detail all the twists and turns of the case, leaving nothing for the reader to discover on his or her own. There are, after all, people on this planet who do not tune in to the details of America's domestic news on a daily basis.

Author Charles Bosworth unwraps the story of the vicious crime, layer by layer, building tension to an almost unbearable level. The clutter of lies, wilful blindness, and sheer evil obscure the circumstances of Betsy's murder, creating a suspense that is relieved only when the killer is eventually unmasked.

Narration is ok, except for Bennett's tendency to go skidding from one sentence into the next, completely ignoring the period as a stop sign. Meanwhile, the confused listener loses the thread of the narration while trying to sort out the details of both sentences.

Excellent True Crime Read

The first true crime book I ever read was written by Charles Bosworth, Jr. Now I am a fan of the genre. Initially I was impressed by the obvious research, clear writing, and the focus on the jury trial in that case. I was not disappointed with Bone Deep. Again the research and writing are thorough and there is plenty of courtroom action. I hadn’t known about the Betsy Faria murder. I was fascinated by some of the information and infuriated at other times. I highly recommend this book.

Gary Bennet did a great job narrating this audiobook.

A prime example of the “my feelings are facts” culture

To anyone remotely objective, the lunacy and stunning obstinacy of the young female prosecutor and young female judge are a disgrace.

Unfortunately, this trend continues to worsen as members of a grievance addicted generation take on more leadership roles without ultimate accountability for who they hurt and how.

EVIL DIDNT WIN!

I’m just dumbfounded as to how anyone let alone our legal system could possibly arrive at the conclusion that Russ had murdered his wife! But yet we have politicians and prominent business people who we know unequivocally are GUILTY as sin but allowed to roam free! Our system is truly broken but one thing that is not, whatsoever you reap, you will sow! Good always triumphs over EVIL! Thanks for a riveting read!

Great true crime story!

I did not know the story before listening to Bone Deep. I was captivated with it from the beginning, and I thought the narrator did a great job!
I was touched at how hard the defense attorney worked and never lost faith in Russ!
I am now going to watch Dateline, listen to the podcasts and watch the movie… I’m a bit obsessed!

So very boring

Bought this one to listen to while on a 16 hour drive to make it go faster. It did not. The book goes over the same things over and over again. It became monotonous and boring. The SAME thing over and over.

I love true crime, but this is off the wall

I watched the first few episodes of the The Thing about Pam and then had to know more. I downloaded this and was not prepared for the true crime soap opera this turned out to be. I enjoyed the book and will most like listen to it again.

Slow moving story

The story behind Bone Deep is quite fascinating and riveting, but this book plodded along and moved too slowly in telling it. The thing about Bone Deep is that it’s told from the perspective of the defense attorney in this case, and that rendered it rather dry. Narration was okay.

What a evil woman

That pam is pure evil setting up the poor man for murder for her own greed god people like her need to be locked up in jail forever fantastic book listened right through

A gripping tale of being better - not bitter ...

I can't think of anything worse, as in this true story, than being wrongly accused of killing my beloved - and not being able to prove my innocence due to judicial failures and, sadly, wrong-doing. However, karma is a mighty thing - although long-awaited in this case. This audio book is defo worth a listen - engaging and well told. I loved the last lines - wise, wonderful words ...

Explained so well, very clear.

So very sad that this was a true story, poorBetsy & other victims. So glad some never gave up. Don't want to give the story away, written & read so well.

Riveting read

What a tale! Thoroughly enjoyed. Would definitely recommend, lots of twists and jaw dropping moments!

Interesting case

Didn’t love the narrator but the story was intriguing. Nice short chapters meant I could pick it up and put down as needed.

Insightful

All it takes for Evil to thrive is for good people to do nothing.

How many like Russ had or have no one to speak up and bring forward the truth.

Everyone should read/listen to this book, education in the evil that can visit any family and how never to give up on the truth

Fantastic walk through of the truth!

I couldn't stop listening. I pray now for justice for Betsy and peace for Russell

Unbelievable story

I was not aware of this case and it is truly jaw dropping and shocking. The twists and turns right up to the end make it very compelling. No need for lots of boring repetition as the story was so complex and long running. One of the best true crime audio books I've listened to. Loved the narrator's voice too. Well worth a listen.