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)

Captivating Listen

Where does Shattered rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I couldn't stop listening. This shocking, sad, true crime story was extremely well detailed and depicted by both author and narrator. It truly invoked thoughts of what another human being can be capable of. It also shows the power of words in a way that, despite the truth, someone will find a way to bend, hide, manipulate or even omit something so precious. Sad story, but true.

Had to fight to make it through the first hour

I really struggled with this narrator’s reading. Her cadence was unnatural, overly-formal and, at times, uncharacteristically chipper for describing a tragic double murder. She also mispronounced a number of words (such as “aficionado”). Stuck with it due to the compelling story but I’ll make a point of avoiding another selection with this narrator.

Excellent listen

Very interesting story that had me checking different sites on the net for more detail. Well researched with very little doubt about the author's thoughts on who was responsible.

Well written. Great Author

I live in Houston so it was irritating to hear the narrator pronounce certain places etc incorrectly over and over. Although well read and easy to understand if you are going to try and be believable please speak and say things the way they are pronounced by the locals.
I do really like Kathryn Casey’s writings and of course living in Houston area found this case very interesting. I cannot believe David was released from prison this year!!!
Kelly Siegler is a great prosecutor and strong female role model

Great!!!

Great book very good audio. You won’t be disappointed!!! It’s told so well. Thank you

Excellent!

Evan looks so much like his mom. I hope he is finding peace and healing. And i hope he has a relationship with the Lucas family.❤️ He would gave been such a great big brother to Erin. I think he will meet her in Heaven as well as reunite with his mom.❤️ blessings to him and to all who have suffered loss.

Good story

Enjoyed this title. Sad story, also shows how far people will go to protect their family members, even when they know the truth.

Suspense and Heartbreaking

The story was told in a manner anyone can relate to! The football jock as the hometown hero whose ego was so untouchable he could convince those around him that he in fact was untouchable!! Even himself! The bright and bubbly girl next door whom won the hearts of others just by being her genuine self. *With so much controversy over abortion rights, I especially loved how baby Erin was always referred as Baby Erin and not ‘the fetus’. That too helped paint the picture of a mother who so loved this unborn baby girl. **I have read that their son believes his father’s innocence and honestly that too just plays right into the ego of a man that probably would not take kindly to him thinking anything else. I wouldn’t want to piss that guy off either! GREAT BOOK! CANT WAIT TO READ/HEAR MORE FROM KATHRYN CASEY! I WISH ALL OF HER BOOKS WERE AVAILABLE ON AUDIBLE!!

Belinda Lucas

I am from East Texas and knew of Belinda and had seen her through shared acquaintances. Her pictures do not do her justice. She really was beautiful. I would like to see a follow up to the other trials that followed years later

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.