To Have and to Kill cover art

To Have and to Kill

Nurse Melanie McGuire, an Illicit Affair, and the Gruesome Murder of Her Husband

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To Have and to Kill

Written by: John Glatt
Narrated by: Shaun Grindell
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About this listen

One by one, three waterlogged suitcases were pulled from the Chesapeake Bay. In each were body parts of a man. In a forensics room, the truth was discovered: William McGuire had been horribly murdered and dismembered.

William and his loving wife, a registered nurse named Melanie, had just closed on their New Jersey dream home. Little did William know about the nightmare that was in store . . . . For Melanie had been involved in a long-term affair with a married doctor at the fertility clinic where she worked - and she had plans for the future that didn't include William.

Investigators believe that on April 29, 2004, Melanie first drugged her husband, then murdered him in cold blood. Three years after America witnessed the details of the suitcase incident unfold - on 48 Hours, Dateline NBC, and ABC Primetime, and in People magazine, among other news outlets - Melanie was convicted of first-degree murder and desecrating human remains. To Have and to Kill is the true story of a marriage that turned deadly . . . .

©2008 John Glatt (P)2020 Tantor Murder True Crime Marriage Crime Forensics
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John Glatt mines evidence presented at trial (transcripted interviews, recorded conversations, archived text messages, 'Google' Search logs, etc.) to punctiliously lay out the case against mom of two Melanie McGuire - charged with the murder and dismemberment of her husband.
To be honest, this book had me wondering what Glatt uses as criteria to prompt writing a True Crime Report (the circumstances are pretty "routine".. maybe because he saw it on '48 Hours'/'Dateline' or something?) - but once he gets into the weeds of the case, it's undeniably captivating. Exact dates & times, 'Google Earth'-accurate addresses, and forensic estimates of probabilities lend authenticity to the prosecution-oriented narrative. The result is a meticulously documented but solidly "adequate" exposé.

Reader Shaun Grindell is similarly "average" with his performance of the book. His diction, timbre, pacing, and tone are unimpeachable.. but his natural lilting cadence is occasionally overwhelmingly noticeable and mildly annoying.

Altogether, 'To Have And To Kill' merits 7/10-stars. It's not spectacular, but it was a perfectly serviceable True Crime diversion for a couple of frozen afternoons. I personally wouldn't spend a Credit on it (better options beckon for your money).. but as an included 'Plus' selection, it was a fine download.

Strikingly Intricate Detail

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John Glatt writes a very balanced account of this story and quite thoroughly as well. The narrator is flat.

Story well written, narration bland

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