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Masquerade is the best true-crime book about Detroit that I've ever read, and I've read most of them.

Cauffiel weaves a riveting account of one of the most bizarre murders in this city's recent history, naming names, pinpointing locations, and painting a vivid portrait of Motown's seamy underbelly and drug culture.

Gripping and gritty, and very well executed.

At the time of this crime I lived in a suburb outside of Detroit. I watched this puzzle unfold from the murder of Dr. Alan Cnaty to the release of Dawn from prison. I have read this book many times over the years, searching for clues as to why John & Dawn turned to drugs, prostitution and murder. Most perplexing to me was how the "Doc" could live two seperate lives for so long. The author puts the reader in Detroit, in the house on the streets, looking in a window to the place and times of this horrendous crime. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good true crime book.

This book is great. I had bought the original copy from the drug store and had read it so many times, it was falling apart. So I taped the binding up and gave it to my boyfriends mother, who lives just up the street from where Dr. Canty was killed. The house where Alan Canty was killed isn't there any more. Been demolished for a few years now. The apartment building behind it, has also been torn down.I had done an exhaustive search on the 'net looking for any new and relevant information about John Fry and couldn't find anything. I did an offender search with the MDOC(Michigan Dept of Corrections) and I got his offender number by sending an email to them. His number was 129784. He was released on 9/15/1995. Can't believe they would let anybody out who did such a horrendous crime. Killing, dismemebering and scattering the body parts. His(the Dr's) head, hands and feet were put in a valise and buried up in Alanson, MI. The one detective Marylyss Landeros ran for Detroit City Council at last election. She lost. Dawn Spens lawyer,Robert Ziolkowski, is now a Judge of Recorder's Court.John Fry's distant cousin, Linda Sue Stennett, I saw one day down at the Secretary of State, although I don't know her personally. She's tall and got blonde hair.Don't know the whereabouts of the other people in the book.Hope this helps anyone who wants to know the whereabouts of these people. Wish I could find out about the rest.

My sister recommeded this book to me and my sister-in-law was reading it at the time that I was starting the book and she said that she couldn't finish the book because of everything that Sexton did to his family and she couldn't go on to the end, but once I started I couldn't put it down. This by far is one of the best true crime books that I have read. As far as the pictures are concerned I do agree with the reader that said they could have done without seeing the picture of the infant that was murdered. I do feel sorry for the Sexton children because they were raised to believe the life they were living was normal thus is why they never questioned their lives and the things that were happening to them. Now they are entering into a life that is nothing compared to what they lived while living with their parents and I am sure that it is a huge culture shock for them, but at the same time a wonderful change. Great book if you can finish it I recommend it to anyone that is trying to understand and get a concept of what is actually out in the world happening to others and their families, it is not just strangers that get victimized.

I just finished House of Secrets and it was one of the best true crime books I have ever read. I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning finishing this book because I wanted to see what was going to happen next. I cannot imagine going through the things that these children did as they grew up. It saddens me to see that there are people out there who will raise children this way. The tragic thing is that for years the children believed that the circumstances in their home were normal. It is extremely sad that their lives were practically ruined by this sick man, not to mention that lives were also lost in the process. I feel the children had no chance at a true normal life because of all the things they had to endure. I only hope there are not many other families out there that have had to go through these same problems and difficulties.

I read house of secrets about a year ago and this book really opened my eyes as to what kind of sick and demented people exist out there. I feel very sorry for the family and the pain they had to endure from Ed Sexton and his sick ways. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in finding out more about what True Crime is all about. I gave this book 5 stars because I think Lowell Cauffiel really did a wonderful job in including all aspects of the family, the crimes that were committed, and the background of Ed Sexton and "his" family. Like another review I read this book really changed the way I look at abuse and the effects that has on the families that endured it.

Caulfiel's look at the sensational murder of Battle Creek, Michigan anchor woman Diane King is extremely detailed and encompasses a wide range of issues. To Caulfiel's credit, he avoids overdramatizing events and putting a distinct spin on the story. This is a pitfall some true crime writers fall into but Caulfiel does not. He also paints a vivid picture of the small town atmosphere of Marshall, Michigan. The comments from King himself are also intriguing.

My main complaint with this book is that it is far too long. Much of the more boring mintuae of the investigation is unnecessary and plodding to read. A lot of issues are rehashed several times. Also, very little detail is given about how King's children were faring with her family after the trial. That would have been time better spent.

All in all, it's a good effort but could use some paring down.

Another masterpiece by Mr.Cauffiel.He has the ability to make me feel I was actually there watching this sick scene play itself out. How could king do this to the mother of his kids?!This guy is actually one of Cauffiel's oddest killer's yet.How did he think he could get away with it? How could he have actually ever become a cop?? Also included in this book are some good family photos,including some unintentionally hilarious pictures of killer king himself,obese and bald in a cheap looking plaid suit.What did these women see in this absolute moron?A MUST READ

Eye of the Beholder is thoroughly researched and a very well written true crime novel. Lowell Cauffiel tells of the investigation and prosecution of Brad King for the murder of his wife and TV news anchorwoman, Diane King, in a way that makes you really understand the human failings in the investigation which are made up for only with dogged determination and some wonderful strokes of luck. As a former law enforcment officer and current prosecutor, I found it to be a fair telling of the investigation, warts and all, as well as an accurate portrayal of the interaction between many law enforcement agencies. Proof once again that human beings investigate crimes and do make mistakes; but that mistakes made, if recognized and admitted, can be remedied.

I don't usually read the truly gritty novels, but this one caught my attention from the very beginning. Who could resist a novel that begins with yellow smiley faces on the walls of the Jackson prison and a convict who thinks he knows it all? Then there's the judge, a cocky personality who thinks he's got it all under control.

The judge is a boozer & also does drugs. Unwillingly he goes to Alcoholics Anonymous and then his house of cards begins to tumble down around his head. Everything seems to be going wrong.

Excellent writing, marvelous flow to the narrative and an insightful peek into the psyches of the various people involved. Highly recommended.

It's has been a while since read this book but it has never left my mind.It was interesting so it kept my attention.The end result left me wanting to know what happened after their sentence was handed down.This is one I would read over and over.

At first I hesitated buying this book in a store because the cover had the rather cheesy, slap-dash look of inferior true crime books. It has been several years and dozens of other true-crime books since I read this one but the story and writing quality still stand out in my mind.

I just finished this book yesterday and it is set in my old hometown of Grand Rapids. It is interesting to read of places I know of and it is truly a interesting book that leaves you to come to some of your own conclusions as there are two sides to the story

This book is the literary equivalent of an interception run back for a touchdown by the other team. Mr. Esiason is well on his way to winning as many literary awards as he did Super Bowl titles.

This book was a disgrace to the literature culture, Esiason's book was so terrible and a waste of my time, I got absolutely nothing out of his book. The language and word choice was that of a junior high student. Sorry Esiason, you may be a great football legend but you can't write!

Toss is a fascinating read from beginning to end. The twists and turns in the story will keep you gasping for breath with every page. This is not just a book for football fans, it's a book for readers who love a good crime story and a good writer(s) to tell it. Though the dirty secrets of the NFL are a big part of the book, it is the fascinating main character of quarterback Derek Brody that keeps the pages turning. You can't help but wonder just how much of Boomer Esiason is in Derek Brody, which makes it all the better of a read. Esiason (and Cauffiel) has definitely thrown for a touchdown on his first play from scrimmage.

I love True Crime books and I have read 3 of Cauffiel"S and loved them which is why I had my library get this through interlibrary loan. What a disappointment. I suppose the plot was somewhat realistic but I really did not know what was going on much of the time. The airline jargon along with controller language was way over my head. I guess someone in the airline business who is familiar with the language would like it but not me. Plus the mistakes and typo errors were astounding. The author needs to stick with his True Crime novels. And get a better editor to correct mistakes.

This seemed to be picking up steam for a while, but ultimately left me disappointed.His other work is SO much better

As a checkpoint 33 guard at Detroit Metro airport, I find this book is very real. Out all alone on a little road in the back of the airport, the only road that leads to the big white control tower...and to the fire station. Little booths with breakable windows, and radios that work only half the time. Its very realistic. It is always a possibility.