Evidence of Love

A True Story of Passion and Death in the Suburbs

By: John Bloom, Jim Atkinson

Narrated by: Charles Constant

Length: 12 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Candy Montgomery and Betty Gore had a lot in common: They sang together in the Methodist church choir, their daughters were best friends, and their husbands had good jobs working for technology companies in the North Dallas suburbs known as Silicon Prairie. But beneath the placid surface of their seemingly perfect lives, both women simmered with unspoken frustrations and unanswered desires.

On a hot summer day in 1980, the secret passions and jealousies that linked Candy and Betty exploded into murderous rage. What happened next is usually the stuff of fiction. But the bizarre and terrible act of violence that occurred in Betty's utility room that morning was all too real.

Based on exclusive interviews with the Montgomery and Gore families, Evidence of Love is the riveting account of a gruesome tragedy and the trial that made national headlines when the defendant entered the most unexpected of pleas: not guilty by reason of self-defense (Fort Worth Star-Telegram).

Adapted into the Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning television movie A Killing in a Small Town, this chilling tale of sin and savagery will "fascinate true crime aficionados" (Kirkus Reviews).

©1983 John Bloom and James R. Atkinson (P)2019 Tantor

Critic reviews

"An extraordinary book.... As compelling as the best fiction and as thorough as the best history." (Dallas Times Herald)

Sexist

Ultimately a Madonna/Whore dialogue. Contrived to be a true crime novel by shoveling misogyny atop a crime

Addicting

Nice thorough story of the crime that shook Texas in 1980. Narration was good also. Very easy to listen to as well as addictive.

True crime

I went looking for this book after seeing the advertisement for the show being released. This book was well executed, catching my attention from the start. The narrator was excellent

A good rendition of the story

At this point, many are familiar with the story either from the media of the two newer shows of from another version of the story. I liked this one a lot because of the background it gave on all the important players that you simply don’t have time for in a show or movie.

Knowing the legal background of Don, how Candy and Pat met, how Betty and Alan met, it really adds to why people function the way they do.

Good story

Just needed a better narrator maybe a mix of different voices from different people..but definitely a good story

Detailed from pre-crime through jury deliberations.

It was a great analysis on the why behind Candy and Betty. What led up to the murder and how the legal system tried the case.

Very interesting story

A true tragedy worth learning about. I think the best and worst thing about this book were all the details. It makes for impressive investigative journalism, but as a listener I found it to be a bit much at times. Still definitely worth the listen.

Kept me riveted

The narration is pleasant and the storytelling from interesting angles. Good insight into the zeitgeist, the introduction of novel defence strategies, "new" science, psycological analyses. The truth? An elusive matter.

Enjoyed more than the tv shows!

I have watched both mini-series available about this and still recommend this audiobook over both of them! I don’t enjoy the sight or sound of violence but am captivated with true crime and psychology of murder! This audio book was read in story format. It’s details were rich and insightful.
The way it spoke about the Texas towns back in the day were familiar and as a native, accurate.

Well done but…

A bit too much excess info such as background on all side characters (like the attorney) and performance wise I didn’t love the women voices the narrator did. An interesting listen though I just wish it had been 25% shorter