Not a Very Good Murderer

By: Ronan Farrow

Narrated by: Ronan Farrow

Kidnapping plots, arson, jewel heists, attempted murder–just another day in Paradise...Valley, Arizona.

In this wild, genre-bending audio documentary, New York Times best-selling author and Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Ronan Farrow dives deep into the strange and storied life of high-society socialite and former Miss Arizona Celia (Cece) Doane.

As a well-to-do ex-beauty queen in the 1970s, Cece had no trouble attracting husbands. She did appear to have some trouble getting rid of them, though. Under seemingly perpetual investigation for attempted murder plots against two of her spouses, she has been a “person of interest” to Arizona law enforcement for decades but never arrested. Did she actually conspire to have her husbands killed? And if so, how has she managed to elude detectives for so many years?

Through countless hours of interviews and painstaking investigative legwork, Farrow examines Cece’s checkered past, exposing a web of half-truths and omissions that shed new light on this shocking and confounding case. But what happens when he realizes that his most important source may also be his most unreliable?

Part true crime thriller, part captivating character study, Not a Very Good Murderer is a fascinating exploration of what it takes to uncover the truth and what it means to keep it buried.

©2025 Ronan Farrow (P)2025 Audible Originals, LLC.

Not for political Conservatives

Lots of good stuff-interesting storyline, outlandish true life character, and very appealingly narrated by the author. But I’m left with the sense that Ronan Farrow is determined to work his political views into any story, no matter that this tale was in no need of any political views. Pity that he wasn’t satisfied with a quicker insertion of his disgust for Trump. I defend his right to his own opinions, but the droning on and on have left me stopped with 20 minutes to go. Very talented writer and I enjoyed so much of this story, but it could use a strong edit.

interesting and sounds very familiar

Narcissism, delusions? Bipolar personality disorder possibly or a borderline? I have a parent that I no longer have communication with as it was full of lies, gas lighting, triangulation and watching my back. She has also needed the spotlight with being in the news repeatedly over the years. Had addiction issues. I have many questions about did she have all the medical diagnosis and treatments she would tell me and other family members pr was all of this fabricated to cover her other adventures. So many similarities. I feel for the daughters and the former spouse. Those of

Hard to care

Not my fav Ronan work. I really didn’t like Cece and found it hard to listen to her.

I loved this podcast

I found this very well written, very well researched. I highly recommend this to anyone. you will not be disappointed.

Rabbit holes

Ronnan did his due diligence- but the state run is just an icky downward spiral . Loved the daughter the most in this selfish world of indulgence turned victim .