True Story: Murder, Memoir, Mea Culpa

There are no coincidences in my opinion. We are dealt a hand to play called fate, how we play our hand becomes our destiny. A few days ago I watched a movie that I had seen before entitled “True Story.” Knowing it was written by a former writer for the New York Times intrigued me as I love to read excellent writing, and as one who has a doctorate in criminology, love to ponder the minutia of murderous intents. I thus downloaded the original scripted tome.This book is exceptionally researched and intimately portrayed by two men, each who had been caught red handed for “crimes” for which they must repent. Longo, the alleged murderer, uses Finkel’s name and career as an alias as he is running from the authorities.The “why” is the elusive answer. For Finkel, the author, the reason was to absolve himself from his abject humiliation of having lied about a source to slant an article for what he saw as the truth behind it-and for Longo, the alleged murderer, who knows? I will say that I understand more of the narcissistic sociopath for having to witness Donald Trump’s daily shenanigans, although he has not murdered anybody, at least not that we know.If you love a well written true crime book you will love this one.

I knew parts of the Michael Finkel story. I also knew parts of the Chris Longo story. I definitely remember reading about him spending time in Mexico on a beach with a German woman. But like so many stories that get filtered through a media lens, the stories were somewhat distorted. I didn’t think very highly of a reporter who was fired for falsifying a story. And my initial thoughts about that same reporter writing a book about a supposed connection with an accused murderer seemed too convenient. I was wrong on both accounts. I found both stories fascinating.I knew parts of the Michael Finkel story. I also knew parts of the Chris Longo story. I definitely remember reading about him spending time in Mexico on a beach with a German woman. But like so many stories that get filtered through a media lens, the stories were somewhat distorted. I didn’t think very highly of a reporter who was fired for falsifying a story. And my initial thoughts about that same reporter writing a book about a supposed connection with an accused murderer seemed too convenient. I was wrong on both accounts. I found both stories fascinating.Not long after his ignominious departure from the Times, Finkel learned that an accused murderer was using his identity while on the run in Mexico. Thus began a relationship between Finkel and the man who stole his identity, Chris Longo. While Longo awaits trial for the murders of his wife and three small children, Finkel visits Longo in prison and the two begin exchanging letters. Slowly a portrait of a psychopath emerges. Longo has only a high school education and no skills, but he has a family to support. He can’t stand the thought of failure. So, he invents success through lies and deceit. He writes bad checks because he needs money for his family and his failing business. He steals an SUV because his wife always wanted one and he wants to be seen as a good provider. Finkel tells Longo’s story while at the same time reflecting on his own indiscretions and the mistake that cost him his job. Here’s how Finkel sums up Longo’s story. “My year with Longo made me see how a person’s life could spiral out of control; how one could get lost in a haze of dishonesty, and how these things could have dire consequences.”Throughout the book Finkel leaves Longo’s guilt or innocence in question. This part memoir, part portrait of a psychopath, is also a murder mystery. You want to know hat happened and why. As it turns out, Longo gives three different versions of what happened to his family. And since Longo is the only one who knows the truth, you’re left to decide on your own which version is correct.

A great story about two men from totally different backgrounds and the choices that they made to lead to their current lives and how they unfortunately meet as criminal and journalist. The story keeps you hook on the mystery and the truth about Christian Longo's criminal action against his family and Michael Finkel trying to find the true full story of Longo's life, but it leads to him spiraling down a world of lies. This is also a great book about narcissistic personality disorder and manipulation of Truth and Lies. Leaving you with the sense that with every lie there could be a little truth and with every truth there are lies. Based on a True Story.

I initially bought this book thinking it was merely another True Crime story. Wow! It is so much more. I was vaguely aware of Mr. Finkel's firing by the New Your Times. I was vaguely aware that it was for some sort of violation of journalism ethics. I believe I heard or read a blurb about 'some reporter' having their identity used by a criminal. That is all I knew. I had not heard of Longo or his crime(s).The book was an amazingly well-written account of the convergence of the author and the criminal.I found the murders to be only a part of the story and in fact, only a backdrop to a large swathe of the book.It is a book of irony in that the author, who did not appear to be asking for forgiveness, earned it. Meanwhile, the criminal who weasels for understanding and compassion has neither understanding (of self) and deserves no compassion.Bravo, Mr. Finkel, Bravo!

The author’s preoccupation with the killer of his entire family says as much about the author as the man waiting on death row. I would have suspected he had heard the ole bromide “if it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck, it’s a duck!” I read this book after reading Stranger in the Woods, the 26 year hermit in Maine. I do enjoy Michael Finkel’s writing style. The book flows with some repetition and the reader early will never question the outcome. I hope to read more of his work in the future.

I was a little disappointed in this book after reading the reviews. I thought that the author was either very naive or was feeling so bad after his own public debacle that he became very codependent on the killer in this book, Christian Longo.Becoming his friend for most of the story really took away from the objectivity that he had and also caused him to not confront Mr. Longo with his crimes.Really I was not interested in reading about their cozy relationship and how Mr. Longo was a nice guy and liked the author. I was looking more for insight into why he did these terrible deeds

Serendipity places two men in an unusual and in Finkels case self probing relationship facing painful truths about himself. His lengthy communication with a narcissistic murderer is compelling reading as he struggles with fondness for the murderer (narcissists have an almost hypnotic charm) and his underlying instincts that he’s an incorrigible liar without conscience. fascinating read.

I bought this after watching the movie as I wanted to know more information. The things he done was a bit much, it gives you a better view on his life before and after meeting his wife and having kids, the way his mind worked and what shaped him to do what he did. It is a good book if you're into this sort of crime type books and programmes. Easy to read and understand.

Loved this book.Not something I would normally read.Real life murder...but...Superb.Complex story.Excellent.Very well written.

Impressed. With any luck, Finkel will not need the NY Times in future.

Great book - really enjoyed it. Real page turner