Search - A Dance with the Devil: A True Story of Marriage to a Psychopath

This was an excellent book. Barbara Bentley was married to a con man for 10 years. He ruined her credit, forged her names on legal documents, impersonated a naval officer and much more. I had a hard time believing what she put up with but I understand that her husband was the type that knew how to prey on her weakness and she was just completely conned by him. When he eventually tried to kill her for financial gain, she realized what was going on. He was prosecuted and convicted of attempted murder. He served only 14 months in jail. She was than victimized again when she filed for divorce. Since they lived in California he was entitled to half of everything she owned. Didn't matter he had tried to kill her!!! She than single handedly had a bill passed so that if a spouse was convicted of trying to kill the other one, they could not gain anything in the divorce. A remarkable woman.

If you've ever encountered someone like the man in this book, you will get chills up and down your spine! The things this poor woman endured in order to preserve her relationship and the courage she showed in order to finally get out of it is amazing. Powerful message!

What a page-turner. I counldn't seen to read it fast enough. Of 1 to 5 stars, this book really is a 5.

This book was really intriguing, mainly because you know it is true. That also makes it awful and horrific. There are some serious lessons encased in this book. A lesson on listening to your gut, your friends, and your family...because they can see things that you may very well be blind to. Remember, they will look out for you. Also, a lesson in how something can spiral out of control before you are aware it is a real problem. Lessons in creating change, recovery, speaking up for yourself. Lessons in survival. Also some very eye opening glimpses of politics.

I felt my anger rise repeatedly in this book from so much non-chalance for someone else's well-being. I was also surprised by what seemed so obvious to me, an outsider, is not always obvious to someone going through it. Maybe that is also a lesson to speak up to your friends when you think something is amiss?

An interesting story, BUT, I couldn't help but wonder why Barbara missed all the apparent signals that something was not right. She sounds like a smart woman yet she constantly overlooked the BIG signs that something was wrong. I really got tired of listening to her complain about her finances since she also enjoyed the trips, gifts and entertainment. She was part of the problem and lived quite a good life till he tried to kill her. She benefited greatly having him around and I was tired of hearing her complaints blaming him completely. He was a nutball for sure, but she also played a part in the mess. Just hard for me to understand her reasoning. Well written though and easy read. Just don't let her stupidity makes you crazy like it did me.

I had a hard time putting this book down....very enlightening expose on dealing with a psychopath. Scary to know that no matter how intelligent you are, you can still be taken in by one!