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Deadly Little Secrets: The Minister, His Mistress, and a Heartless Texas Murder
Ann Rule says, "Kathryn Casey is one of the best true crime writers today"—high praise indeed from the author of a host of nonfiction New York Times bestsellers including Green River and The Stranger Beside Me , the story of serial killer Ted Bundy. With Deadly Little Secrets , Casey once again explores the dark side of the Lone Star State, offering a riveting true story of a murderous Texas preacher responsible for the cold-blooded slaying of the mother of his children. Meticulously researched and spellbindingly told, Deadly Little Secrets pulls back the curtain on the horrific crimes of a supposed man of God who was more devoted to the Devil, and it demonstrates why such true crime luminaries as Edgar® Award winner Carleton Stowers and Gregg Olsen are confirmed Kathryn Casey fans. And don't miss Kathryn Casey's latest book, Deliver Us , a riveting account of the brutal murders of young women in the I-45/Texas Killing Fields.
456 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 31, 2012
About the author
Kathryn Casey
33 books580 followersAn award-winning journalist and a critically acclaimed bestselling author, Kathryn Casey has written eleven true crime books and is the creator of the Sarah Armstrong and Clara Jefferies mystery series. ANGEL FALLS, her first historical fiction, was inspired by the life of Ruth Robertson, who in 1949 measured the world’s tallest waterfall.
Casey’s books have been Literary and Mystery Guild selections, and DEADLY LITTLE SECRETS was made into a Lifetime movie. Her first novel, SINGULARITY, was named a Best Crime Novel Debut by Booklist, and Library Journal chose THE KILLING STORM for its annual list of Best Mysteries. Elle Magazine picked DIE, MY LOVE as one of the ten best thrillers and crime books written by a woman. True crime matriarch Ann Rule praised Casey as "one of the best," and #1 NY Times bestselling author Gregg Olsen has called Casey "a true crime great."
In addition, Casey has written more than a hundred national magazine articles and pieces for The Washington Post, the Boston Globe, and the Houston Chronicle. In 2022, Casey was featured on the top ten Netflix limited documentary series “Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields.” She’s appeared on dozens of television and radio programs, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, 20/20, 48 Hours, Oprah, Investigation Discovery, the Travel Channel, A&E, and other venues.
Casey’s books have been Literary and Mystery Guild selections, and DEADLY LITTLE SECRETS was made into a Lifetime movie. Her first novel, SINGULARITY, was named a Best Crime Novel Debut by Booklist, and Library Journal chose THE KILLING STORM for its annual list of Best Mysteries. Elle Magazine picked DIE, MY LOVE as one of the ten best thrillers and crime books written by a woman. True crime matriarch Ann Rule praised Casey as "one of the best," and #1 NY Times bestselling author Gregg Olsen has called Casey "a true crime great."
In addition, Casey has written more than a hundred national magazine articles and pieces for The Washington Post, the Boston Globe, and the Houston Chronicle. In 2022, Casey was featured on the top ten Netflix limited documentary series “Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields.” She’s appeared on dozens of television and radio programs, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, 20/20, 48 Hours, Oprah, Investigation Discovery, the Travel Channel, A&E, and other venues.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
July 29, 2016
My family doesn't quite get my affinity for the true crime genre. "Why do you like reading about murder?" my kids have asked on more than one occasion. Of course, what I explain, but what they don't quite understand, is my interest has nothing to do with the murder itself. I'm fascinated by why people do the things they do. I'm also intrigued by the ability of different parties to create completely different narratives about the same event.
Fooling others is often a conscious act that requires awareness and effort, while fooling ourselves seems virtually effortless.
In the first chapter of Deadly Little Secrets we learn a minister kills his wife. The remainder of the book is spent detailing the events leading up to the murder followed up by a description of how the killer almost gets away with his crime if only because no one wants to believe a man of God is capable of such a heinous act.
As a case study, this was a fascinating book on many levels. And unlike some true crime that simply recants the facts (the who, what, when and where), I felt Casey did a good job of exploring the why.
Each time I finish something like this I am left feeling unsettled because it occurs to me that all too often there is no such thing as THE TRUTH. The truth is whatever we want it to be. We (actually our brains) create a narrative that allows us to dismiss that which doesn't jive with our view of the world. What resonates as truth depends on our reference point.
Take this quote from the last paragraph of the book. The person speaking is the mother of the murdered woman who spent the better part of two years fighting to see the murderer was brought to justice. And even after her son-in-law is convicted, she must fight for custody of her granddaughters.
The person speaking is thanking God for his love and grace...but this is the same God who allowed her daughter to be murdered by said daughter's philandering husband. This is the same God who allowed her son-in-law to evade the law for too many years. This is the same God who allowed her grandchildren to be brainwashed by their paternal grandparents. Love really does trump evil...but Kari is dead? She loved her children and her family...actually, she professed to love her husband. How exactly did love trump evil? Because it got the last laugh? By whose litmus?
God didn't bring justice to this family. The family who refused to believe that Kari would kill herself along with those who investigated and prosecuted did. The whole thing is fascinating. Again and again events in this book demonstrated how we interpret what happens in a way that fits our ideas about the world. For example, Matt Baker killed his wife because he was evil...not because he was a sociopath who may not be capable of feeling empathy (possibly through no fault of his own). God's love and grace prevailed because, in the end, Matt Baker was convicted...not God's indifference allowed a mother to be killed and taken from her children in the first place. Matt Baker couldn't possibly of killed his wife because he was a man of God that had dedicated his life to helping others...not Matt was a sexual predator who just happened to look like a normal guy.
Another point of interest that often comes up in these types of books has to do with the fact that there are always warning signs. The people who do really bad things...they don't start off by murdering their wives. They generally escalate to murder. Matt Baker had a history of sexually assaulting women/sexually inappropriate behavior...yet few were willing to hold him accountable. After all, no one wanted to ruin this handsome young man's budding career as a minister and servant of God. Even Kari's own family excused sexually inappropriate behavior they had witnessed because no one wanted to "hurt" Kari. It's a common theme that plays out over and over again. And Kari turned a blind eye to multiple allegations about her husband's inappropriate behavior because, of course, his explanation--that these women misinterpreted his actions/words--fit her narrative that she had a loving and committed husband, who was also a man of God.
Bottom line: Good stuff for those interested in such things.
Fooling others is often a conscious act that requires awareness and effort, while fooling ourselves seems virtually effortless.
In the first chapter of Deadly Little Secrets we learn a minister kills his wife. The remainder of the book is spent detailing the events leading up to the murder followed up by a description of how the killer almost gets away with his crime if only because no one wants to believe a man of God is capable of such a heinous act.
As a case study, this was a fascinating book on many levels. And unlike some true crime that simply recants the facts (the who, what, when and where), I felt Casey did a good job of exploring the why.
Each time I finish something like this I am left feeling unsettled because it occurs to me that all too often there is no such thing as THE TRUTH. The truth is whatever we want it to be. We (actually our brains) create a narrative that allows us to dismiss that which doesn't jive with our view of the world. What resonates as truth depends on our reference point.
Take this quote from the last paragraph of the book. The person speaking is the mother of the murdered woman who spent the better part of two years fighting to see the murderer was brought to justice. And even after her son-in-law is convicted, she must fight for custody of her granddaughters.
This has been the most difficult journey of our lives. Parents aren't supposed to survive their children. A wife isn't supposed to be murdered by her husband. And precious granddaughters aren't supposed to have their childhoods ripped from them. But I have witnessed God's love and grace in the most incredible way during these five years. You see love really does trump evil.
The person speaking is thanking God for his love and grace...but this is the same God who allowed her daughter to be murdered by said daughter's philandering husband. This is the same God who allowed her son-in-law to evade the law for too many years. This is the same God who allowed her grandchildren to be brainwashed by their paternal grandparents. Love really does trump evil...but Kari is dead? She loved her children and her family...actually, she professed to love her husband. How exactly did love trump evil? Because it got the last laugh? By whose litmus?
God didn't bring justice to this family. The family who refused to believe that Kari would kill herself along with those who investigated and prosecuted did. The whole thing is fascinating. Again and again events in this book demonstrated how we interpret what happens in a way that fits our ideas about the world. For example, Matt Baker killed his wife because he was evil...not because he was a sociopath who may not be capable of feeling empathy (possibly through no fault of his own). God's love and grace prevailed because, in the end, Matt Baker was convicted...not God's indifference allowed a mother to be killed and taken from her children in the first place. Matt Baker couldn't possibly of killed his wife because he was a man of God that had dedicated his life to helping others...not Matt was a sexual predator who just happened to look like a normal guy.
Another point of interest that often comes up in these types of books has to do with the fact that there are always warning signs. The people who do really bad things...they don't start off by murdering their wives. They generally escalate to murder. Matt Baker had a history of sexually assaulting women/sexually inappropriate behavior...yet few were willing to hold him accountable. After all, no one wanted to ruin this handsome young man's budding career as a minister and servant of God. Even Kari's own family excused sexually inappropriate behavior they had witnessed because no one wanted to "hurt" Kari. It's a common theme that plays out over and over again. And Kari turned a blind eye to multiple allegations about her husband's inappropriate behavior because, of course, his explanation--that these women misinterpreted his actions/words--fit her narrative that she had a loving and committed husband, who was also a man of God.
Bottom line: Good stuff for those interested in such things.
January 6, 2019
A true crime of a Baptist chaplain (Matt Baker) who murdered his wife (Kari), but at first successfully made it look like she committed suicide. He would have gotten away with this if not for the persistent investigations of Kari’s sisters and parents.
The local police force was definitely Mickey Mouse; they didn’t even want to do an autopsy when the suicide/crime scene looked very suspicious. The last one hundred pages had a shocking revelation thanks to an investigator who was doing his job.
The author goes into many details of the families of the murdered spouse and the Baptist minister. Its definitely a gripping read and fortunately conclusive. The Baptist minister or chaplain was definitely a creepy guy with a long-recorded history of predatory sexual behaviour. So I guess Baptists, like other organized religions, overlook transgressions to protect the image of their church. Also, for Chaplain Matt Baker lying and deception was first nature.
My Reaction:
The local police force was definitely Mickey Mouse; they didn’t even want to do an autopsy when the suicide/crime scene looked very suspicious. The last one hundred pages had a shocking revelation thanks to an investigator who was doing his job.
The author goes into many details of the families of the murdered spouse and the Baptist minister. Its definitely a gripping read and fortunately conclusive. The Baptist minister or chaplain was definitely a creepy guy with a long-recorded history of predatory sexual behaviour. So I guess Baptists, like other organized religions, overlook transgressions to protect the image of their church. Also, for Chaplain Matt Baker lying and deception was first nature.
My Reaction:
April 7, 2013
Matt Baker. Husband. Father. Rapist. Murderer. Sinister Minister. Yuck! I hate giving him the title of minister as he is so not worthy. I thought I knew everything there was to know about this narcissistic psycho from all of the news coverage. Turns out I was so wrong. Kathryn Casey delivers another extremely well-researched and written account of the man we thought we knew. What makes someone turn out the way Matt Baker did? Was it innate or learned behavior. Go inside this dark story and see for yourself the truly remarkable audacity of Matt Baker...throughout his entire life. Why didn't anyone stop him when they had the chance? This book contains all the details. I absolutely could not put it down! Kudos, Casey for another book deserving of 5 stars!
November 26, 2012
This book can be tedious at times, but all the details are important to understand all the people involved. This story is a true story which happened a few years ago and what the deceased's family had to go through to show that she was murdered by her husband instead of committing suicide. While reading this, you can see red flags all over the place. As a Pastor's wife myself, I understand that you will defend your husband/pastor publicly. Though I would hope that many of us would start seeing a pattern and start questioning events in private and investigate those events. Kari did not see the red flags until just before her death. It was too late for her.
This book delves into so many issues about personalities, possible mental disorders,manipulation, life, love, faith and much more. This is a very sad story and my heart aches for the daughters who have lost so much.
This book delves into so many issues about personalities, possible mental disorders,manipulation, life, love, faith and much more. This is a very sad story and my heart aches for the daughters who have lost so much.
September 20, 2017
Another weekend spent totally absorbed in one of Kathryn Casey’s true crime books, this one “Deadly Little Secrets.” Within two or three pages, I was totally absorbed. The pacing is compelling, and relentless. While we know from the beginning who is going to die, we don’t know how or why, and Casey expertly leads the reader into the flow of events. The killer is someone we know, his motive is a familiar one, and yet we are shaken by his cold-bloodedness. And just when we think the story is over, Casey takes us around another bend, and then another. Another remarkable work by one of my favorite writers.
January 7, 2024
This story is close to my heart as Kari was a childhood friend of mine. I followed every detail of the story and there were still a few details in the book that I did not know. It made me loathe Matt Baker even more. I am so happy their daughters are with the Dulins now do they can have as normal a life as possible. The book does read like a 48hrs episode, but I like that. There are so many details that can't be left out. This is one of those stories that will make you think about people and relationships.
September 3, 2012
A Baptist minister who isn't what he seems kills his wife by making it look like a suicide. He almost got away with it except for her family and friends who never gave up in the search for justice.
June 1, 2013
OMG. I know this book has raving reviews but after reading a few chapters, I wasn't sure if I wanted to read anymore.
I thought it would be another book where the victim is portrayed as an angel with no faults at all. Ann Rule has a tendency to write like that and it seems more and more true crime authors are copying this annoying habit.
Right now I am at page 138 and if I am honest I can't stand anyone. Not the victim, not the husband, not the people from all those churches who now what is going on but just want to get rid of their problem, not thinking one second of the people that will be also victimized because they do nothing. Funny that those people are exactly the ones that call themselves so religious. To me living religiously means doing good and being good to others.
Yes I get annoyed at people who are always so full of them selves, how religious they are and how well they behave,and live the life according to God, Allah,Buddha whatever but in the mean time, watch others suffer and do nothing.
Sorry pet peeve over.
Finished the book.
Well I must say it did get better after about 135 pages.
I feel awful for her the way she died and I know people make mistakes and hers was her husband. So sad for her children and her loved ones.
Okay there was more that confused me.
That there are so many churches and religious communities in America plus that as a young guy begin a minister you can go from one job to the other apparently no need to have any verification on how you were on your last job?
What also confused me all the stuff before the trial and it must not feel safe when there apparently are so many prosecutors who only take a case to trail, if they are sure to win it. To me that does not sound like a great legal system. Or that they only take cases because the publicity will be good for them.
Then I also was annoyed by the police department. O how they hate to be wrong, like the religious people in this book,they preferred to wipe it all under the table and pretend it did not happen.
Please do not think I am some American basher. Yes I know those people exist, they hate everything that has to do with the USA. Well not me, I like the country and would love to go back one day to see more of it.
Okay back to the book. Not sure what to give it. I wish we were able to give half a stars cause then it would be 3.5.
Story was very slow at times and as I mentioned above sometimes very one sided. I did enjoy the book and the writing except for that.
O wait and why why why? Why do so many true crime authors find it necessary to spill all in the first chapter or prologue.
If it is the prologue I at least know that can be the case but in this book chapter 1 told everything what was going to happen in this book.
Boy I was glad I skipped it and instead searched for where it all began ..
3.5 stars
I thought it would be another book where the victim is portrayed as an angel with no faults at all. Ann Rule has a tendency to write like that and it seems more and more true crime authors are copying this annoying habit.
Right now I am at page 138 and if I am honest I can't stand anyone. Not the victim, not the husband, not the people from all those churches who now what is going on but just want to get rid of their problem, not thinking one second of the people that will be also victimized because they do nothing. Funny that those people are exactly the ones that call themselves so religious. To me living religiously means doing good and being good to others.
Yes I get annoyed at people who are always so full of them selves, how religious they are and how well they behave,and live the life according to God, Allah,Buddha whatever but in the mean time, watch others suffer and do nothing.
Sorry pet peeve over.
Finished the book.
Well I must say it did get better after about 135 pages.
I feel awful for her the way she died and I know people make mistakes and hers was her husband. So sad for her children and her loved ones.
Okay there was more that confused me.
That there are so many churches and religious communities in America plus that as a young guy begin a minister you can go from one job to the other apparently no need to have any verification on how you were on your last job?
What also confused me all the stuff before the trial and it must not feel safe when there apparently are so many prosecutors who only take a case to trail, if they are sure to win it. To me that does not sound like a great legal system. Or that they only take cases because the publicity will be good for them.
Then I also was annoyed by the police department. O how they hate to be wrong, like the religious people in this book,they preferred to wipe it all under the table and pretend it did not happen.
Please do not think I am some American basher. Yes I know those people exist, they hate everything that has to do with the USA. Well not me, I like the country and would love to go back one day to see more of it.
Okay back to the book. Not sure what to give it. I wish we were able to give half a stars cause then it would be 3.5.
Story was very slow at times and as I mentioned above sometimes very one sided. I did enjoy the book and the writing except for that.
O wait and why why why? Why do so many true crime authors find it necessary to spill all in the first chapter or prologue.
If it is the prologue I at least know that can be the case but in this book chapter 1 told everything what was going to happen in this book.
Boy I was glad I skipped it and instead searched for where it all began ..
3.5 stars
May 1, 2013
I knew Matt and Kari the summer they met, when we all worked at the FBC Waco Day Camp. Kari's mom is good friends with my mother-in-law, both residing in Waco, and my heart breaks all over again reading this book and the misery Kari's family has been through. The book is thoroughly researched and presented in an easy-to-read, page-turner fashion. I haven't slept much the past 24 hours as I couldn't put it down! Huge thanks to Kathryn Casey for her honest and straightforward treatment of all involved.
September 18, 2013
My husband gets a little worried when I go on my Snapped and ID Channel marathons, and every once in awhile I need a true crime book fix. This one is one of those stories that you know how it ends but the author manages to keep you interested throughout. Casey does presents the facts without too many winks and the victim and family members are relatable. You will read this, and think you just may know these people.
April 21, 2013
Just feeding my true crime habit.
It's disgusting how much this shitter got away with. You'd think that hitting on teens would put a black X on a pastor... He was tried just like the pedophile Catholic Priests -- except he was never held accountable for those crimes. And he almost got away with murder.
It's disgusting how much this shitter got away with. You'd think that hitting on teens would put a black X on a pastor... He was tried just like the pedophile Catholic Priests -- except he was never held accountable for those crimes. And he almost got away with murder.
March 17, 2014
Very good true story! I got the chills when the author mentioned that Matt baker had looked at a church in Longview! Such a sad story about a very twisted man. I know he may not of confessed to killing Kassidy but I know he had something to do with it! He will get what is coming to him! I pray his daughters can find a way to move on and live their lives Ina positive way.
October 22, 2022
This book was good for a true crime.
June 15, 2020
Excellent read. Ending could have been a little more in depth. It left me wondering what happened with the children.
November 12, 2019
This is the story of a church-recreation student, later pastor, with a habit of sexually harassing women--and worse. He gets married, graduates, and then moves from job to job, sending up red flags and overstaying his welcome wherever he goes. At one point he's at the hospital visiting his critically ill daughter, and a young woman (the friend of an in-law) stops by to show support for the family. She is warned about his reputation, but assures herself, "He's not going to hit on me in the hospital with his daughter maybe dying. No one would do that." But that's exactly what happens (facepalm). Later, to no one's surprise, he kills his wife to be with a sexy, divorced parishioner. Her death has been made to look like a suicide, and the local cops sweep the case under the rug after their brief, botched "investigation." The rest of the book is about the victim's mother and her heroic efforts to get someone in law enforcement to take a more serious look at the case.
June 3, 2020
Kathryn Casey is fast becoming my favourite true crime writer. Her style is just so readable and she writes in a sympathetic way that is respectful whilst also giving the necessary detail. This was a shocking story and one that makes you worry about the state of humanity. All the same a very interesting read.
September 29, 2018
This is well written. I wish it was fiction it reads just like it! Very well worth the read. I did not know the story so it was very interesting to me
January 18, 2019
Good true crime thriller about the tragedy of not trusting your instincts and the destructiveness of sociopaths!
March 5, 2023
Well written, true crime story about a monster murderer and his evil parents. This book was interesting - not like a term paper or report, Ms. Casey brought all of the participants to life in front of this reader. I would have given it a 5 star, but I felt the ending lagged too much. Still, I would recommend it to anybody who enjoys this genre. I also look forward to reading more from this author.
July 18, 2020
Fascinating. One of the best true-crime books I've ever read. Kathryn Casey does a magnificent job in telling the story of a demented faux-Christian preacher (his theology is interesting, to put it charitably) who murdered his wife. When she interviewed him in prison, the first words out of his mouth comprised a boldfaced lie. What a demented character.
July 14, 2020
I love Kathryn Casey's work, especially now that I live in Texas and understand it a little more. This is a horrifying story, but it's very well told. One of the things I love about true crime is that these books are written because someone cared immensely about the case. In this case, it was a mom and some aunts and cousins who really kept the pressure on to prosecute. If something happened to someone I love, I would feel the same--the truth no matter what is what matters. I highly recommend this.
October 23, 2012
This author has written both fiction and non-fiction. This is the first book by her that I have read. As she lives in Texas, her true crime books are about famous crimes that have taken place in various parts of the state. This particular story is very well-written, horrifying, and heartbreaking all at the same time. It concerns a Baptist pastor, Matt Baker, who is sociopathic, narcissistic, and who was, after quite a few years, convicted of murdering his wife due to the fact that he wanted to marry his young and quite naive "mistress." The worst part of the story is the fact that the man has two living children and one who died under mysterious circumstances when she wasn't even two years old. The underlying implication is that he probably murdered this child also, a few years before he murdered his wife. The man has never had any real friends, just congregation members, and has had problems with sexual assaults on women since his teens. Turns out that his parents, who were also foster parents, have done terrible emotional harm to some of their foster children, and the father sexually abused several of the foster daughters. It would not surprise me to learn that the man who murdered his wife in this story had also been abused by his own biological father. I often wonder why so many terrible people are attracted to the fields of religion, coaching, scouting and other child-centered activities. Not all of them are pedophiles of course, but an inordinate number of them seem to be criminals of one sort or another. Are they looking for easy prey for their sick desires? Who knows for sure, but one thing I have always taught my own children is that sick and dangerous people do not wear signs, or look a certain way, and that they should always be cautious around people they do not know, and that they should teach their own children the same thing. I have taught my own and other kids to trust their instincts also. I thought this book was very well written although the subject matter is ugly.
December 19, 2016
Hard to putting this book down
A terrible story well told. It was hard to put this book down once I started reading it. Above all it is a story of the persistence of a family in their search for truth in the face of a disinterested justice system once law enforcement fails to do their job and double downs to reinforce their original mistakes. It is also a story that makes you think about the strange, automatic protection from accountability men of the cloth receive just by virtue of their occupation. An ordinary man would have faced much tougher questions on the night of Kari Baker's death. Baker isn't the first devil in sheep's clothing to grace the doors of the church and he won't be the last. But this story traces the sad truth of how many people are willing to cover up bad behavior in order to not give the church a bad rep. Wouldn't standing up for what's right be a better way to bring souls to God? Many Christian employers had the opportunity to foil this predator before Kari Baker was murdered. Even poor Kari couldn't see him for what he was for being blinded by his so-called Godliness. Definitely a sad but illuminating tale. Again, one that is exceptionally well laid out for the reader.
A terrible story well told. It was hard to put this book down once I started reading it. Above all it is a story of the persistence of a family in their search for truth in the face of a disinterested justice system once law enforcement fails to do their job and double downs to reinforce their original mistakes. It is also a story that makes you think about the strange, automatic protection from accountability men of the cloth receive just by virtue of their occupation. An ordinary man would have faced much tougher questions on the night of Kari Baker's death. Baker isn't the first devil in sheep's clothing to grace the doors of the church and he won't be the last. But this story traces the sad truth of how many people are willing to cover up bad behavior in order to not give the church a bad rep. Wouldn't standing up for what's right be a better way to bring souls to God? Many Christian employers had the opportunity to foil this predator before Kari Baker was murdered. Even poor Kari couldn't see him for what he was for being blinded by his so-called Godliness. Definitely a sad but illuminating tale. Again, one that is exceptionally well laid out for the reader.
November 6, 2017
There's books on my to-read list that have been there since day 1. I have a habit of only buying the most recent additions to the list so i broke the cycle and bought Deadly Little Secrets.
This isn't going to be a long review. There are a lot of similarities between Kathryn Casey and Ann Rule, although based on this i do prefer Ann Rule's writing style. Of the books I've read she'll usually write about crimes that have multiple layers, with different stories that spin off from the main crime. Despite the epic title that Deadly Little Secrets has the story is fairly straightforward and perhaps 430 pages is a bit overkill. By no means is this a bad book as it's well researched and well written it just never became more than an average true crime book. I hadn't read about the case beforehand but it was obvious what the conclusion would be. Whether this is down to the writing style or how simple the case was i'm not sure. I just know that something like Everything She Ever Wanted had me guessing until the end.
I've added another Kathryn Casey to my list but it might be on there a while.
This isn't going to be a long review. There are a lot of similarities between Kathryn Casey and Ann Rule, although based on this i do prefer Ann Rule's writing style. Of the books I've read she'll usually write about crimes that have multiple layers, with different stories that spin off from the main crime. Despite the epic title that Deadly Little Secrets has the story is fairly straightforward and perhaps 430 pages is a bit overkill. By no means is this a bad book as it's well researched and well written it just never became more than an average true crime book. I hadn't read about the case beforehand but it was obvious what the conclusion would be. Whether this is down to the writing style or how simple the case was i'm not sure. I just know that something like Everything She Ever Wanted had me guessing until the end.
I've added another Kathryn Casey to my list but it might be on there a while.
June 15, 2020
Wow! That this man has the audacity to call himself a man of God is just blasphemous!
October 22, 2018
It only took two days to read this true crime book, it's just very well-written and researched. The title is a bit sensational. It's also set right in my own backyard, so to speak, and while I can vaguely remember the news picking up on this at the time, I didn't follow the case.
A lot of this story hit personally for me. I work in a church, and unfortunately, the Matt Bakers of the church circuit do exist. It's too easy to fib on a church resume as to reasons for being let go, or quitting. Because of the nature of churches, they do want to believe in the best, and hiring the best, and giving people second chances if a previous job wasn't a good fit. I do understand all of that. But that's how the snakes like Matt Baker slither into preaching jobs and destroy from the inside-out.
LISTEN...when someone is telling you what is going on. LISTEN TO THEM. So much of this case COULD have been avoided if people had taken things seriously when it was brought to them.
True-crime, fans, yes. Go ahead.
A lot of this story hit personally for me. I work in a church, and unfortunately, the Matt Bakers of the church circuit do exist. It's too easy to fib on a church resume as to reasons for being let go, or quitting. Because of the nature of churches, they do want to believe in the best, and hiring the best, and giving people second chances if a previous job wasn't a good fit. I do understand all of that. But that's how the snakes like Matt Baker slither into preaching jobs and destroy from the inside-out.
LISTEN...when someone is telling you what is going on. LISTEN TO THEM. So much of this case COULD have been avoided if people had taken things seriously when it was brought to them.
True-crime, fans, yes. Go ahead.
September 27, 2017
Matt and Kari Baker seem like a couple who have it all. Matt is a minister whose parishioners seem to like him. Kari is a well liked teacher and mom to 2 little girls. They did suffer tragedy in the death of their 2nd daughter, but seemed to have come out of this. So why did Kari commit suicide? Her family insist that she would not commit suicide. Their insistence finally pays off, but it takes years.
Kathryn Casey peels off layer after layer in this case; starting with both Matt's and Kari's childhood and youth.
The whole story makes you question why Matt's history of sexual harassment was never addressed by the Powers that be. Instead he was allowed to go from parish to parish.
Through her writing Kathryn makes you feel the agony of the family in not being believed by the authorities and having to find their own way to get results.
Kathryn Casey peels off layer after layer in this case; starting with both Matt's and Kari's childhood and youth.
The whole story makes you question why Matt's history of sexual harassment was never addressed by the Powers that be. Instead he was allowed to go from parish to parish.
Through her writing Kathryn makes you feel the agony of the family in not being believed by the authorities and having to find their own way to get results.
April 18, 2018
I loved the story but I'm not sure I liked the way the author wrote it. It captured me at times and other times I felt extremely bored; like the writing style became dull. It's disappointing and discouraging that our justice system can be so whacky. It sounds like the JP was burnt out on his job and wasn't as motivated, as maybe he once was, that he made an apathetic decision. We are talking about someone's life and a possible criminal on the streets where it is their jobs to keep others citizens shape. It isn't something to take lightly. Matt Baker was/is a master manipulator and thank God for Waco's Charlie's Angels who fought for the truth. Through love, faith, God, and the bond of family they were able to persevere. Even though there are parts of the book that would drag for me, I highly recommend it.
May 22, 2012
DEADLY LITTLE SECRETS is an excellent book. It is very comprehensive and tells both sides of the story as far as I can tell. It is a true story of a minister who thought he couldn't be touched no matter what he did. He believed God had forgiven him for all he did. Minister Matt Baker was a womanizer who wanted to be with another woman but he was married. A minister couldn't get a divorce ; it wouldn't look good. Matt decided to kill his wife and make it look like suicide. He almost got away with it. His wife's aunts didn't think Kari would ever commit suicide so they started their own investigation.
August 13, 2012
Casey does an outstanding job chronicling the murder of 31 year old Kari Baker. Unlike some true crime books, Casey starts her readers out right at the beginning of the story, without giving away the details of the crime itself. She leads her readers through the background of each of the individual characters involved, including childhood, marriage, and the subsequent murder and trial. She also gives a detailed update on the conclusion of the case, including the resulting custody trial between the two sets of grandparents for the daughters of the murder victim and her killer. Excellent book. Looking forward to reading more by this author!
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