Final Vows

Murder, Madness, and Twisted Justice in California

By: Karen Kingsbury

Narrated by: Kate Zane

Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

A New York Times bestselling author and former Los Angeles Times reporter chronicles the marriage between a Christian woman and an ex-con that ends in murder.

When Carol Montecalvo began writing to a man in prison through a program at her church, she considered it her Christian duty. But the letters soon became her lifeline, something she actually looked forward to sending and receiving. She fell in love with the man behind the letters and just before Dan was released, they wed in the prison chapel. Their marriage lasted nine years, until the fateful night when Dan stoically called 911 to report his wife's murder.

With a half-million dollar insurance policy riding on his wife's death, and a string of adulterous affairs in his past, Dan is the most obvious suspect. But is this former felon really guilty? Or could he actually be a grieving widower, in the wrong place at the wrong time?

In this powerful true crime account of the gruesome murder and sensational trial that followed, New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury weaves an emotional story that leaves listeners guessing until the final, harrowing conclusion.

©1995, 2014 Karen Kingsbury (P)2023 Tantor

Basically, worth reading!

This is based on a true incident, and you realize this as it comes to an end--not like fictional crime story with a neat ending and questions answered. The author writes so well and--if nothing else--tells of the story of the victim so well! Worth reading--or in this case here, worth "hearing"! Very good narration!
The reason I gave a somewhat rating is that I wish the author had g
even a bit more evaluation of the case at the end.

Cause and Effects

This book was stressful and real! In like people don’t take responsibility for their actions and pay for it in the end. It sucks being accused of something you didn’t do and it happens every day.

I loved it. Not her normal style but very good

I Loved it. Different from her normal work but great all the same. Keep it up

Book was ok. Had I not used a credit for it I wouldn’t have finished.

Didn’t care for the reader, the strong enunciation, and the fact that it jumps around.

Brilliant Story & Narration!

I just read the reviews of this book and was astonished. I listened to this book on a road trip and was spell bound for every minute of it. This is very different from other Karen Kingsbury books. At first I was trying to figure it all out but within minutes of listening I was hooked into the story. The detail, background and motives about the character's was fascinating and believable. At first I wasn't sure if I liked the narrator but it did not take long before I thought Kate Zane was just amazing as all the different characters. This is Karen's Ture Crime Collection and I will be reading the rest of them. I highly recommend giving this book a chance. Understand that Karen Kingsbury does not have to write the same pattern, story line and it's ok to go outside the box once in a while.

The Book is Ok but Not her Best Work

I really like this author. I read all of the Baxter family books. It pains me to write this type of review. The first pain point is the profanity. I bought her books over the years because they were clean Christian books. Although there were only two curse words, the language did not add any value or significance. This Christian author compromised her beliefs by adding profanity to a story about faith. Secondly, the story is just too long and repetitive. The ending is frustrating. Narrator was very good. Story just missed the mark for me.

Not recommended

I am a die hard Karen Kingsbury fan and was really disappointed with this book. It seemed to drag on with details that were not necessary.

Very Disappointed!

Love Karen Kingsbury…. But this book sounds like a completely different author! Way too long with a even worse ending.

Disappointment

I have read all of Karen Kingsbury books and I have loved them all, until this one. It’s definitely not her style of writing and I was a little disappointed in the language in parts of the book. And, the ending was a total let down. I do not recommend this book.

Disappointing

I love Karen Kingsbury. But this book was disappointing. It had sexual description and did not like it. I deleted it. Did not finish the book.