Huge thank you to @netgalley for the free audioARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Critically acclaimed author and psychoanalyst Mikita Brottman offers literary true crime writing at its best, taking us into the life of a murderer after his conviction--when most stories end but the defendant's life goes on.
On February 21, 1992, 22-year-old Brian Bechtold walked into a police station in Port St. Joe, Florida and confessed that he'd shot and killed his parents in their family home in Silver Spring, Maryland. He said he'd been possessed by the devil. He was eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia and ruled "not criminally responsible" for the murders on grounds of insanity.
But after the trial, where do the criminally insane go? Brottman reveals Brian's inner life leading up to the murder, as well as his complicated afterlife in a maximum security psychiatric hospital, where he is neither imprisoned nor free. During his 27 years at the hospital, Brian has tried to escape and been shot by police, and has witnessed three patient-on-patient murders. He's experienced the drugging of patients beyond recognition, a sadistic system of rewards and punishments, and the short-lived reign of a crazed psychiatrist-turned-stalker.
In the tradition of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Couple Found Slain is an insider's account of life in the underworld of forensic psych wards in America and the forgotten lives of those held there, often indefinitely.
On February 21, 1992, 22-year-old Brian Bechtold walked into a police station in Port St. Joe, Florida and confessed that he'd shot and killed his parents in their family home in Silver Spring, Maryland. He said he'd been possessed by the devil. He was eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia and ruled "not criminally responsible" for the murders on grounds of insanity.
But after the trial, where do the criminally insane go? Brottman reveals Brian's inner life leading up to the murder, as well as his complicated afterlife in a maximum security psychiatric hospital, where he is neither imprisoned nor free. During his 27 years at the hospital, Brian has tried to escape and been shot by police, and has witnessed three patient-on-patient murders. He's experienced the drugging of patients beyond recognition, a sadistic system of rewards and punishments, and the short-lived reign of a crazed psychiatrist-turned-stalker.
In the tradition of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Couple Found Slain is an insider's account of life in the underworld of forensic psych wards in America and the forgotten lives of those held there, often indefinitely.
Genre? Non-Fiction
Backlist? No. This novel will be published on July 6, 2021.
New to me Author? Yes.
What did I think?
Backlist? No. This novel will be published on July 6, 2021.
New to me Author? Yes.
What did I think?
Couple Found Slain is a non-fiction book about 22-year-old Brian Bechtold. Seemingly a regular guy, he walks into the police department one day to admit to killing both of his parents. Author Mikita Brottman goes into the details of the murders, Brian's confession, the trial, the diagnosis, and the time spent in institutions and prison. She talks about the many appeals there have been to try to get Brian out of the institution, saying he is no longer struggling with mental illness.
I thought the subject matter was very interesting. I love true crime! The narrator did a great job as well. However, the book itself was a little dry at times. I'm not sure if that could have been avoided. There were also many times where the focus was on other people at the institution. However, the title specifies that it surrounds one case.
Overall, it wasn't a bad read. 3.25 stars.
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