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  • The Perfect Father

  • The True Story of Chris Watts, His All-American Family, and a Shocking Murder
  • Written by: John Glatt
  • Narrated by: Shaun Grindell
  • Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (35 ratings)

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The Perfect Father

Written by: John Glatt
Narrated by: Shaun Grindell
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Publisher's Summary

In the early morning hours of August 13, 2018, Shanann Watts was dropped off at her Frederick, Colorado, home by a colleague after returning from a business trip. It was the last time anyone would see her alive. By the next day, Shanann and her two young daughters, Bella and Celeste, had been reported missing, and her husband, Chris Watts, was appearing on the local news, pleading for his family's safe return. 

But Chris Watts already knew that he would never see his family again. Less than 24 hours after his desperate plea, Watts made a shocking confession to police: He had strangled his pregnant wife to death and smothered their daughters, dumping their bodies at a nearby oil site. Heartbroken friends and neighbors watched in shock as the movie-star handsome, devoted family man they knew was arrested and charged with first degree murder. 

The perfect mask Chris had presented to the world in his TV interviews and the family's Facebook accounts was slipping - and what lay beneath was a horrifying image of instability, infidelity, sexual ambivalence, and boiling rage. 

In this first major account of the case, best-selling author and journalist John Glatt reveals the truth behind the tragedy and constructs a chilling portrait of one of the most shocking family annihilator cases of the 21st century.

©2020 John Glatt (P)2020 Tantor

What listeners say about The Perfect Father

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

blaming the victim

this book basically blames Shannan for her own death. I have never been so disgusted by a book. I have nothing left to say except this book will leave a bad taste in your mouth. shame on the author

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1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • sd
  • 2020-07-27

Interesting if you are unfamiliar with story

Distracting narration in English accent doesn't connect with the narrative. Not very engaging as plot divulged in the introduction .I kept rewinding as I would drift off. Flat and boring with an abrupt ending.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Fascinating 'Family Annihilator' Case

I have little doubt that this crime is studied at the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit ("Profilers"). It doesn't really fit the pattern of typical perpetrators very well (although the "Living-Beyond-Their-Means" stuff is pretty textbook) - but that can be informative, too.
John Glatt does a marvellous job exploring the personalities and unique dynamics in the Watts family and makes it quite clear that Chris Watts selfishly killed his pregnant wife & daughters to "get them out of the way". The evolving psychological interactions surrounding this tragedy are genuinely captivating (I found myself picking my jaw up off of the floor over and over again). Glatt leads us along brilliantly.

As to performance: Shaun Grindell is characteristically "professional" - delivering a creditable, well-paced narration that nonetheless includes an occasionally annoying sing-song cadence and indistinctive witness interpretations. Tantor Audio Inc cast this project "adequately".

Altogether, I am pleased that I was able to get this audiobook as a 'Plus' option. The 9/10-star book would actually rate a Credit for fans of True Crime.

[Incidentally: The MLM/Prosperity Gospel strategy of living lavishly and ostentatiously in a "you-could-live-with-this-much-luxury-too" effort to manipulate observers into participating/donating is infuriating. No, their lives aren't as perfect as they portray on Facebook or project from the pulpit. Don't fall for it.]

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book for anyone interested in this case

I thought the British narration was great- I prefer it over an American accident; even tho it’s an American crime. Great story without too much unnecessary information or dwelling on certain aspects of the case.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Riveting

Excellently read. I felt like I had a better understanding of the dynamic of the marriage

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Book

Overall I give this book a 4/5 and would have given it a 5/5 but there were a few bits of info that were inaccurate!!

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