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| | Description | First, he bound and beat his girlfriend, a 43-year-old librarian. Then he went after her teenaged daughter - warning her, 'Scream and I will kill you both' - before knocking her unconscious. When the teenager awoke, he proceeded to rape her. And in a final horrifying act of depravity, he forced the girl to watch as he slit her mother's throat. But the killing didn't stop there...Stephen Stanko was described as 'a perfect gentleman' who 'seemed so pleasant...and so normal.' But behind Stanko's mild-mannered appearance, round spectacles, and quiet intelligence was a coldblooded ex-convict who kept a grisly scrapbook on serial killers - and convinced everyone he was a nice guy - until he killed and killed again. A well-orchestrated manhunt caught up with Stanko, who tried to get away with his crimes by pleading insanity. But the jury saw through his ruse and the ruthless killer was sentenced to death. | |
| | Product Details | | Author: | Michael Benson | | Mass Market Paperback: | 400 pages | | Publisher: | Pinnacle | | Publication Date: | May 01, 2011 | | Language: | English | | ISBN: | 0786024992 | | Product Width: | 1.06 centimeters | | Product Height: | 1.68 centimeters | | Product Weight: | 0.01 pounds | | Package Length: | 6.7 inches | | Package Width: | 4.2 inches | | Package Height: | 1.2 inches | | Package Weight: | 0.45 pounds | | Average Customer Rating: |  based on 15 reviews |
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| | Customer Reviews | Average Customer Review: ( 15 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 23 found the following review helpful:
 Fool Me Once, Shame On You; Fool Me Twice... May 06, 2011
By Kim Cantrell
"Soap Box Bandit"
Stephen Stanko was a predator of the worst kind. Charming, romantic, and handsome, he caught the attention of many women; yet when behind the facade was a monster who was a pathological liar, a conman, and a killer.
His first victim, girlfriend Elizabeth McLendon, fell for his lies for four years. And when finally she confronted him with his lies about finances, he became enraged and attempted to kill her. Fortunately, he wasn't yet well schooled in murderous methods.
As he served his time for prison for the attempted murder of Elizabeth, he would continue to run his scam. This time he would peddle a tale about while collar crimes and the mistreatment of prisoners to Dr. Gordon Crews, who co-authored a 2004 book with Stanko titled Living in Prison: A History of the Correctional System with an Insider's View.
Less than a year after the book's and Stanko's release, he would begin his charades again. This time, however, he would up the ante by raping a 15-year-old girl and murdering her mother and his girlfriend, Laura Ling.
Finally the con games were over.
Or maybe not. But this time time the stakes were higher: Stanko would be fighting for his life.
I've long been critical of Michael Benson's true crime books; finding them repetitive, boring, and filled with too much fluff. With his latest book Watch Mommy Die, that's all changed.
Aside from the title that's a little lacking, a bit long on each cop's history, and there being no photos of Laura, it's still a very interesting book about a conman killer that was difficult to put down.
In Watch Mommy Die, Benson follows the good rule of allowing a case to mature and thoroughly researching the subject at hand (there isn't a lot of background on Stanko, but it's obvious it was not from lack of effort on Benson's part).
Kudos and applause to Michael Benson. After authoring 41 books, I can finally say this is one that I highly recommend.
12 of 13 found the following review helpful:
Great True Crime Book May 04, 2011
By Grace
If you can get past the cover, which has to be one of the scariest things I've ever seen, you'll find a terse and detailed tale of a man smart enough to write a published book about prison reform, yet chose to live the life of a sexually perverted con man, so into the con that his life became a hundred times more complicated than it needed to be. When he painted himself in a corner of deception, he struck out violently, killing and raping. Both the outside and inside of this book gives you goosebumps, (I was pleased to figure out, part way through the book, that both of the beautiful women on the cover are survivors of this madman's attack.) Must read.
8 of 9 found the following review helpful:
 Excellent True Crime May 20, 2011
By Midwest mom
This is a very interesting book that follows the step by step violence and justice to killer Steven Stanko. I was unfamiliar with these crimes prior to reading the book and now feel very much the expert. It is a well written, well researched and detailed account of the violence, the victims, the criminal and the justice system of South Carolina. It is definitely one of the better true crime books I have read.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
How can people be so trusting? Aug 04, 2011
By Jeremy T. Brogdon
I was very interested in this story because I visit the Myrtle Beach area and Conway a couple of times per year and also have my entire life. I could follow the story and know exactly where in the town they were referring to. I can't believe how when someone gets lonely, they let their guard and trust just about anyone who shows interest in them. Good story about a killer's quick snap and how is conman ways finally turned on him. Hard to put down once you start.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Shocking twists of lies, deception and the unveiling of truth Jul 18, 2011
By Elizabeth McLendon
Scary but true, Stanko (was) a charismatic con-man with well prepared conversation and a charming manner, always scheming and planning against his prey. Michael Benson carefully recreated so many of the aspects of this real-life story and brought the reader into Stanko's world with every page turned...Frightening fact is that there are more like Stanko which we hear about often in the news; how do we recognize them without falling prey to these psychotic, controlling predators? That is the real question once you read this well-written true story! Thanks for a great book, Mike!
See all 15 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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