Welcome to Litsy!

@WanderingBookaneer @kaysworld1 I am so incredibly sorry I have not got your summer Santa in the post - I have had a terrible couple of weeeks and had half of it in work and half at home. I finally got it all to work today but then failed to get to the post office. This will absolutely go tomorrow but I am sorry you will miss opening day. I feel awful !

Just as he‘s being fired by the NY Times, Michael Finkel learns he‘s been impersonated by an excused killer on the lam in Mexico. He subsequently develops a sort of friendship with the man. This was a fascinating portrait of a narcissist that I just couldn‘t look away from (train wreck style). It is also well-written true crime.

#ReadingUSA2019 #Montana (author from)

True story!! 😯 👏

I ended up getting through this book mostly on audio while cleaning my house, unpacking (never-ending) boxes, and sorting through the many samples I received today to pick out blinds for the house 🤪 While this bizarre story did keep me entertained, I docked a ⭐️ due to my strong dislike for the author. He seems to be an egomaniac and is repeatedly dishonest in his journalistic career as well as in his relationships. His personal story left me 🙄

Well written true crime, but I‘m uncomfortable with it. Reads as redemption of a disgraced journalist, which Finkel explicitly acknowledges. However, A. I didn‘t really care for Finkel‘s story (not that interesting and only tangentially relevant) or character (egotistical) and B. Finkel uses the tragic murders of 4 people in what he knows to be a cat & mouse game for his own ends. Writers write for a living, but there is something tacky here.

Clearly I have a problem with over indulging in baths and immersing myself in true crime.

This is the utterly fascinating account of Chris Longo, who murdered his wife and three children, and Michael Finkel, who was fired from the NYT just days before he discovered that Longo stole his identity while on the run. If you are into true crime memoirs, this is a must read.

If you followed the Chris Watts murders recently (ahem @Bklover ) read this!

Another day, another bubble bar. 💁🏼‍♀️🛁

#bathandbook

I just started this true crime book (written by the same author as Stranger in the Woods!!) and its #awinterstale that starts days before Christmas in 2001 when Chris Longo murders his three children and wife and then flees to Mexico, where he assumes the identity of NYT writer Michael Finkel.

#winterwonderland #bathandbook

I‘m still wading through the documents of the Chris Watts murder case, and I really need to take a break and read something a little more chill. I‘m not sure why I‘m drawn to these #freakyfreaks that murder their whole family, but sitting next to me is this book about Christian Longo, who murdered his whole family almost 20 years ago. Please will someone save me from myself. 😂 #nofemmeber

Falling into this audiobook hard! I very literally have at least 100 tasks to do for work, and this is making it very difficult to get out of the car and go into the building. Truly bizarre circumstances

This is a very strange book, very . . . instructive for people interested in journalism, enlightening for those intrigued by the nature of falsehood, convincing on the question of psychopathy. Definitely worth the $1.99 for the e-version. Though I don‘t usually, I will offer a trigger warning as Finkel‘s subject murdered his children. 💡💡💡💡

I gave in to #tbrtemptation. Because how could I not ^

😍📚❤️

This is the same guy who wrote The Stranger in the Woods (about the hermit). I am soooo tempted. 📚📚📚📚📚📚

Since the weather is far too warm for #SockSunday here in the southern states...I bring you #SteakSunday !

As for the book, I am midway through and enjoying it. Finkel writes in a fast paced, engaging fashion. While sometimes he seems to take responsibility for his plagiarism (hence the "mea culpa"), in others he seems to try and avoid total responsibility. It's as if he hasn't fully made peace with his actions. Otherwise, it's a great read.

I went to the library to pick up ONE hold that came in yesterday. The rest are from my Litsy TBR...therefore I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE!! Those are the rules, right? #blameitonlitsy #libraryhaul

Monty's current toy obsession. I'll catch him at different points during the day just wandering around or lounging with that thing in his mouth. As for the book, I just started it, and it already has me hooked!
#dogsoflitsy

Congratulations @niha923 🎉🎉🎉! You are the winner of my giveaway #3!
Please send your mailing address to me at mdargusch at aol dot com.

1. Gravy 😝
2. I‘m sick of mystery thanks to BOTM, so let‘s go sci fi.
3. Twitter
4. 1 dog ❤️😍🐩
5. Absolutely

#friyayintro

I found this story of the heinous murder of a wife and three children tragic. There are two stories here - one of murder by Chris Longo and another of the firing of the author from the New York Times when he made up part of an article he wrote. Neither man knew each other, yet the author gets involved in this story due to Longo using Finkel's identity after the murders. The ending had me completely disgusted in Longo and shocked by his testimony.

The author was a successful writer for the NY Times. He got fired for false reporting in his last story . At the same time, a man was captured in Mexico , for murdering his entire family. When captured, he told them he was Michael Finkel, the NY reporter. After his arrest, he said the only person he'd tell his story to was the real Mike Finkel. What follows is a reporter trying to make a comeback and a killer wanting to play games with him.

Hmm, definitely a so-so for me. While I found the story fascinating, the way the author inserted himself into the story was a little off putting. Both the author and the murderer seemed narcissistic and spent most of the book more focused on justifying their mis deeds than becoming better people.

This book is fascinating!

A dark book on a beautiful day! The tag line, Some Mysteries are Beyond Belief sold me! #currentread

Not sure how I expected to feel after reading a book about two narcissistic liars, one of whom murdered his entire family. While this was somewhat interesting, I mainly feel like I want to take a shower.

Very interesting so far.

Hey - a book where I hated everybody, but still couldn't put it down. Compulsively readable, even if everyone is awful. Also, James Franco is probably perfect as one of the main characters in the movie because he's kind of creepy.