This book, was written by a journalist, Michael Finkel, who had lost his job because of fraudulent reporting amd then tried to revamp his reputation by befriending an accused murderer, Chris Longo, who had been found in Mexico, after the death of his entire family, using Finkel’s identity.

His whole idea in befriending him was to get to know IF he did murder his family and what the story was behind it.  He figured if he got the ’scoop’, he would be back in the swing of things with his story.

But, as time goes on, Finkel ends up actually becoming friends with Longo thru their conversations via phone and letters.  Then, after the trial proceeds further and further and Finkel is able to hear Longo tell his story to the public, he realizes that Longo was an adept liar and manipulator. Things start adding up and Longo ends up hating the man for what he has done and is disgusted with himself that he fell into the ‘trap’.

Thank goodness, the book doesn’t go into graphic details, but it was still horrifying to know what some people would do to keep their ’status’ with the community and church.

I’ll leave the rest of the story for you to read