Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Guilty Creatures

Guilty Creatures by Mikita Brottman
7/23/24; 288 pages
Atria/One Signal Publishers

Guilty Creatures: Sex, God, and Murder in Tallahassee, Florida by Mikita Brottman is a recommended psychological examination of a true crime story.

Couples Brian and Kathy Winchester and Mike and Denise Williams all met while students at North Florida Christian High School. They all remained friends after high school and attended a Baptist church. On December 16, 2000, Denise’s husband Mike disappeared while duck hunting on Lake Seminole. His body was never found. Mike's mother never gave up hope that her son was still alive and the search for her son should continue. Denise had Mike declared deceased and collected $1 million in life insurance. 

Then within five years of Mike’s disappearance, Brian divorced his wife and married Denise, which started rumors about their relationship. With ongoing pressure Mike’s mother put on the police and the help of a Tallahassee Democrat reporter the investigation reopened and gathered momentum. Denise later divorced Brian, but the two were forever connected by their secret. Brian snapped, kidnapped her, and upon his arrest and questioning the truth came out.

Brottman examines the psychological aspects of the couple and their soul crushing bond based on holding a terrible secret for eighteen years. This is a murder story with ties to religion and sex. The book is more a focus on Brian and Denise self deception concerning their guilt. The presentation of the material and information surrounding the case is interesting and written in a matter-of-fact manner rather than one that creates any suspense. I knew nothing about this case before reading this account. Thanks to Atria/One Signal for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

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