Without Mercy

Obsession and Murder Under the Influence

By: Gary Provost

Narrated by: Kevin Pierce

Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

On any Sunday morning in the Florida Redlands, Dee Casteel might have served you pancakes at the IHOP.

She was a hard-working, cheerful waitress, one of the nicest people you'd ever want to know. She was also a three-bottle-a-day alcoholic, hopelessly in love with the IHOP's manager, Allen Bryant. Bryant wanted his live-in lover, IHOP owner Art Venecia, dead. And Dee Casteel helped him to arrange it.

After Venecia's murder, Dee and Bryant moved into his house, forged checks, spent his money, and embezzled from the IHOP to buy gifts for Bryant's boyfriends. But there was an even more gruesome killing to come.

Without Mercy is an engrossing, bizarre true story that traces the twisted path to a loathsome crime. But it is also the story of middle-class citizens gone wrong, of an almost-perfect murder, the traumas of alcoholism, and a legal system that can be deadly in itself. Dee Casteel was an ordinary woman - who now stands convicted of one of the most cold-blooded crimes of this century.

©1989 Gail Stockwell (P)2017 David N. Wilson

Good story, maybe not the best telling

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Sure - It's an interesting story. The author gives LOTS of details.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

If I had a shot every time the author uses the word, "alcoholic", I'd be dead after the first chapter. We get it, dude. She had a drinking problem. Can we hear about any of the other folks now?

Have you listened to any of Kevin Pierce’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Always good. Can't complain about his narrations.

Do you think Without Mercy needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No

superb story teller

Remember that in this book, this is a true story:

While I thought how pathetic it was that human beings could behave this way, I was drawn into this true story by the reader's superb storytelling. I find it amazing how the reader can have such an influence on my opinion of an audiobook.

There are so many thoughts I had on the nature of human beings as I listened to this book. I think this book would be a good addition to a book club.I still think about how someone who is basically a good person could act so heinously. How could someone do this?

I read audiobooks while exercising, and I can easily stop listening to a book until the next time...but not this book. I had to finish it, so I listened any time I could.

Well written and superbly told.

decent listen

If Kevin Pierce narrates it, you know it's good. he is like the Keith Morrison of audible. Very good book.

Such a sad story

I will listen to anything read by Kevin Pierce.
This is a story of a real crime and it is just sad that the woman got sucked in to this crime mainly due to her alcoholism and low self esteem. It is mindboggling that someone could fall for such flattery and trickery to be convinced to commit this crime.
I also found it frustrating that all of the parties involved received the same prison sentence when there were clearly different levels of involvement that called for levels of punishment.

Great book

This is the second Gary Provost book and I just love his books. Very well written. Keeps your attention through the whole book and keeps you wanting to listen.

Great book about 2 murders in Florida

What did you love best about Without Mercy?

This book is one that I have read a couple of times before. It always stayed with me. It is about the murders of Art Valencia and his mother Bessie. It follows Dee Casteel, a waitress at the IHOP in the Florida Redlands. She was in love with the gay manager, James Allen Bryant, who was the boyfriend of the owner, Art Valencia. Bryant wanted Valencia killed so he could be with his other boyfriend, and have Art's money, too. He got Dee to arrange the both murders by plying her with alcohol (she was an alcoholic). This book was well-written and well researched. The author really humanizes Dee, and gives the face of a woman who made some very bad decisions, but does stand up and takes responsibility for her actions. I really enjoyed the book and will probably read it yet again!

Interesting enough

Good read. No real suspense but interesting enough to keep me reading. Narration by Kevin Pierce perfect as always.

Incredible insight into a part of Florida life and alcoholism affectingly life's judgment .

The narrator Kevin Pierce is by far the best story teller ever. I liked the way the story dwelled on the life of the woman at the center of the book. One can see a history of alcoholism throughout her life and how this behavior eventual led to her being charged with the murder of two people. It is a very sad story of a promising life ruined by her poor decisions. For true crime fans it is one of the best reads. The story flows well and is captivating to the listener.

A good addition to a true crime collection.

I really like the narrator. I enjoy the writings of this author. It's good for any true crime fan.

Great narration of a chilling but well told story!

I love the way the author gave the perspectives of the victims! Awesome read through!