Gone Forever: A True Story of Marriage, Betrayal, and Murder (St. Martin’s True Crime Classics)

6 Reviews For This Product

1. 

   by P. K Sykes February 15, 2025

   Another great book by Diane Fanning
   Few writers can really express the evil that some murderers seem to embody, as well as Diane Fanning. Like many other reviewers, I questioned why this bright intelligent and loving woman would stay with this good-for-nothing man for so long, and allow him to have primary care of their children. Obviously, this was a mistake that cost her her life. But, looking at the whole picture described in the book one has to consider many different factors. The killer did love his children, and at first since she had to work, and he wouldn’t, it seemed practical for him to provide child care. Once this had gone on for a while, she realized that he might be able to get custody of the children in a divorce. There were also factors such as the religious atmosphere she was raised in, and the fears of a critical response from her mother if she divorced her husband. I don’t think she was a faultless person–she should have paid more attention to what was going on in her home, and done something when he started playing with the kids’ medication–but what? He was also a parent and the primary caregiver. What a no-win situation. Something was seriously wrong with this man and perhaps early on she could have spotted it, and urged him to get help. But, as anyone who as worked with the mentally ill, or has had a friend or family member with a mental illness, if a person refuses help, they must be shown to be a danger to himself or others, to have treatment forced on them, and then even then, it is often inadequate and ineffective! Sad story, but well told.

2. 

   by Shanna McQueen February 15, 2025

   A Good Read
   I found this book interesting and entertaining. However, this book was also frustrating to read simply because the criminal, Rick McFarland, was so utterly stupid! I agree with another reviewer in that his comments to others following the disappearance of his wife, even others with which he had only a passing relationship, were incredibly telling… and STUPID! He was broadcasting his guilt to anyone who would listen! I would like to hope that if I were planning a major crime, I would be a bit more thoughtful, rational, and intelligent.The author is correct in her afterword that it is easy to blame Susan McFarland, or at least hold her partially responsible, for the violence that ensued. Her husband was obviously mentally ill and often acted in a threatening manner to those who opposed him. While he had no previous history of violence, he was certainly a strange and frightening individual. While she continued to worry about his lack of supervision of their young sons, she also continued to allow him to supervise the children. Why?I am most astounded by the reactions of Rick McFarland’s own mother! Initially, she refused to believe her son could be involved. Later, she justified his actions. She also made many negative comments, laced with blame and criticism, about Susan McFarland following her death… as if her observations and opinions somehow explained her son’s behavior and alleviated him of any responsibility. When the information concerning the “Bank of America” scam was revealed and she recognized that she and her husband had been ripped off by their own son to the tune of $60,000… she still continued to defend her son and blame Susan McFarland! Incredible. As a practicing psychotherapist, I have learned that family dysfunction really is a family affair. With regard to Rick McFarland and his mother, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” His bizarre behavior is almost a bit more understandable when you consider the mother who raised him. What makes my blood run cold is what his mother must have said to those three boys about their mother during the weeks that she and her husband cared for the children while Rick was awaiting trial. If she was willing to criticize Susan McFarland to others she hardly knew, what did she say to those 3 boys when no one else was around? I shudder to think.

3. 

   by anne February 15, 2025

   Lots of Information about terrible true crime
   I remember this case very well. This book told details of the story that I had always wondered about, since no trial was held. While it’s easy to look back, with all of the information in this book,–the accounts of neighbors,friends, family and acquaintances, and wonder why Sue McFarland stayed in this relationship as long as she did, hind sight is 20/20. I read this book in 2 days, but the events happened over several years. I’m sure there were some good times in between that caused her to stay longer. As for the names of the boys being changed in the book, and the photo of the grave stone showing the real names also shown, I wondered why that was done as well. (as another reviewer did) I didn’t know the publisher had the final say. You would think publisher wouldn’t have done that, after the author had gone to the trouble of concealing their real names.

4. 

   by Avid Reader February 15, 2025

   Dull Writing
   Although the story is fascinating, the author tells the story in a rather disconnected manner, in my opinion. I am about half way through the book and I am struggling with finishing it because the information is almost written piece-meal, perhaps more like newspaper article, rather than a book. I would like to know the characters more personally and intimately, and read their story rather than be described bits and pieces and snipits of their lives. Conversations are more heresay and typically incomplete dialogs. Although some background is offered, it is more factual as a sequence of events. The author failed to identify the art of telling a story, and instead chose to offer a reporting of their lives. Frankly, if this book was fiction, I would probably not finish it, as I am frustrated by the way it is written. By contrast, “Such Good Boys” by Tina Dirmann was an incredible story, and equally if not more so, incredibly well written. I felt like I personally knew the boys or was living in the moment with them. I almost was wanting them to get a lesser murder charge for the empathy I developed by learning so much about these characters. Tina Dirmann wrote in a manner to get you emotionally connected to the characters. Unfortunately, I think Diane Fanning has completely missed it in her writing. Perhaps she should be reporting for the NY Times instead of writing books. Even Readers Digest adds more interest and drama in writting its stories!

5. 

   by gwen hearn February 15, 2025

   Good read

6. 

   by Kathleen Cassidy February 15, 2025

   Great writer.. great book. Thank you!