The Perfect Father

I have been waiting and waiting for this book to come out, so I flew through it, and boy, did it deliver! I did know some about this case before going in, but this book puts it straight forward from the beginning of the Watt's relationship to the horrifying end. You do not need to know anything going in, as the author spells it all out without the use of non-essential information. I really enjoyed "fluff-free" the writing and the way he has the chapters broken up. There is a whole list of other books by this author in the back that I will be working my way through!!

Make sure you catch this one in July 2020!

Thank you to #NetGalley, St. Martin's and the author for an eARC (that I so desperately wanted) in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great book. I had little knowledge of the Watts murders, and even lesser expectations of the book, but my patience was well rewarded by this great book.

My current read is The Perfect Father: The True Story of Chris Watts, His All-American Family, and a Shocking Murder by John Glatt. Do you know this story?

I am a bit of a true crime junkie, having started reading this genre back in the 80s thanks to Ann Rule, queen of the true-crime book. Honestly, I didn’t know about Chris Watts and I only briefly read the synopsis before digging into this book. I had to stop and look up pictures of Chris and his wife.

The author’s writing style is straightforward and detailed as he takes us back to the beginning of the relationship between Chris and his Shanann.

Chris was a mild-mannered introvert married to the very outgoing and strong-willed Shanann. They were both hard workers and dedicated to their young daughters. In fact, Shanann often posted on social media about how amazing her husband was and how much she loved him.

I definitely get the sense that Shanann was controlling and bossed Chris around but according to friends, he didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he was described as being “obsessed” with her several times. But did her controlling ways push him over the edge?

In the early morning hours of August 13th, 2018, Shanann Watts was dropped off at her Frederick, Colorado home by a colleague after returning from a business trip. It was the last time anyone would see her alive. By the next day, Shanann and her two young daughters, Bella and Celeste, had been reported missing, and her husband, Chris Watts, was appearing on the local news, pleading for his family’s safe return.

But Chris Watts already knew that he would never see his family again. Less than 24 hours after his desperate plea, Watts made a shocking confession to police: he had strangled his pregnant wife to death and smothered their daughters, dumping their bodies at a nearby oil site. Heartbroken friends and neighbors watched in shock as the movie-star handsome, devoted family man they knew was arrested and charged with first degree murder. The perfect mask Chris had presented to the world in his TV interviews and the family’s Facebook accounts was slipping–and what lay beneath was a horrifying image of instability, infidelity, sexual ambivalence, and boiling rage.

I’m not quite finished with this and am anxious to get back to reading it. This is a book where perhaps the less you know, the better.

If you like true crime, get this book it’s very good and of course disturbing. It will be out on July 21, you can pre-order here.

You can also listen to a Crime Junkie podcast about the case here.

If you want a true crime book to read right now, you can go wrong with Ann Rule books. I really liked If You Tell by Gregg Olsen.

I was familiar with the Chris and Shanann Watts' murder case prior to reading John Glatt's book "The Perfect Father," and had read another book on the subject. I give Glatt top marks for pulling together all the information into a very readable, cohesive book that does an excellent job of presenting the case without a lot of editorializing.

Some people may have the impression of Shanann as a great mother with a boatload of less-than-desirable traits and qualities, but Glatt gives us a full range of perceptions from family, friends, coworkers and lets us draw our own conclusions. And he gives Chris the same treatment. He also offers up Nichol Kessinger's actions in a similar manner without making any judgment.

Glatt also does a great job of showing the toll this murder case took on various law enforcement officers, some of whom were diagnosed with PTSD. The way they went about solving this case, and coaxing a confession of sorts out of Chris Watts was very detailed. Glatt notes that law enforcement thinks we will never truly get the truth about what happened that awful day, and that Watts can't even be honest with himself.

I really enjoyed this even-handed, balanced look at the Watts case. 5 stars.

5 stars
This is an extremely well-written book regarding the tragic murders of Shannan, Bella, Celeste and Nico Watts committed by their husband and father Chris Watts.
The author John Glatt did not sensationalize the story but relayed it as it really happened. He wrote each individual in this horrific tragedy for who they really were/are. I still have questions though regarding Watt's girlfriend and childhood upbringing.
I remember when this all played out in the media about two years ago, I recall wondering why Chris Watts would annihilate his family. I still wonder, it is all so unfathomable. Watts has given so many explanations for what happened that day and none of them are very believable.
I recommend this book to anyone who sees this kind of thing online or on the news and wonders why and how a seemingly normal family man could murder his whole family.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own.

I remember hearing about this case as it unfolded and it was absolutely devestating when it came out that Chris Watts was responsible for the death of his entire family. I was already familiar with the case and was hoping to get more insight into it, which I did get at the beginning with the early years of both Chris and Shannan. At the beginning the book almost felt sympthetic towards Chris, but as the book went on it was evident that it was just giving all of the information that we may not have had before. After reading the book, I don't feel like I understand the case any better, but I don't know that it will ever be possible without Chris Watts telling someone exactly what happened and not changing his story. I felt terrible reading the story and thinking about his own parents trying to process what this person they raised, who was a "good guy" buy all accounts, did. The book was difficult to read in places and isn't for the faint of heart, but if you find true crime interesting I definitely recommend this book to you.

This book was well written and was such a quick read, it’s sad to think that this story is true and what they have all gone through

Excellent account of the murders of a while family by a seemingly good dad and father. Very good information. Nicely done book.

Thanks to author,publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free,it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

The outline of the story of what happened to Shan’ann Watts of Colorado in August 2018 is fairly well known. She, along with her two daughters and the son who was due the following January, disappeared and her husband Chris was all over the media, pleading for their safe return. TBH I had no idea what had been going on in their lives that led up to the grisly conclusion to this mystery, and being a true crime junkie, I was happy to receive an advance copy of The Perfect Father by John Glatt from St. Martins Press and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

The subtitle of the book is “The true story of Chris Watts, his All-American family, and and a shocking murder,” so there’s no spoiler to say that there was a horrible resolution to the disappearance and subsequent search that was all over the media that summer. Also, it is pretty well accepted that Chris is a monster, and NOTHING justifies his actions…but it’s a real train wreck, and sometimes it’s hard to look away…

I wasn’t aware that although Chris and Shan’ann Watts appeared to be the “perfect family” and she posted EVERYTHING on social media to reflect that perfection, the true story is that the reality didn’t match the presentation. (As my friend says, “I wish I had the life I put on Facebook.”)

After moving from North Carolina to Colorado, Chris worked for Anadarko Petroleum and Shan’ann sold weight loss supplements (Thrive). He made over 60K a year and she was VERY successful in the world of multi-level marketing, selling $720, 699 (!!) worth of Thrive products in 2017, winning vacation trips, a Lexus, etc.

But no matter how much they earned, they spent way more. Shan’ann was pregnant with their second daughter in mid-2018, and they filed for bankruptcy in June. At that time, despite their combined earnings, they owed almost $450,00 (including $70,000 in credit card, medical, and student loan debt). They lived in a huge house and she drove a Lexus but they had less than $10 in their two savings accounts and $860 in their checking account. So no matter how it all looked on social media, things were not good financially, although she tried very hard to always appear as the happy, successful, beautiful family.

In addition to the financial issues, there were ongoing problems between Shan’ann and Chris’s parents, and because she was ALWAYS the dominant person in the marriage, she basically told him his parents couldn’t visit the grandkids. In a very creepy passage, one of Shan’ann’s friends was relating a conversation she had with Sha’nann about that visit: “I told him over my dead body…they don’t get to disrespect me and him and his kids and get rewarded.”

At some point in 2018, Chris began an affair with a woman who also worked for Anadarko, and it got very hot and heavy over that summer when Shan’ann and the kids were gone for several weeks on vacation. Shortly after she returned from that vacation, Shan’ann went on a business trip, and the morning after she got back to Colorado, she and her kids were reported missing. They apparently just vanished, and Chris was seen all over the media as the distraught spouse. It wasn’t long before the horrible truth came out…and OMG was it horrible. That man is the WORST.

The book is well done, and although it didn’t make my feelings about Chris in ANY way positive, I found it very interesting to. find out that the reality was SO different from my perception (admittedly derived mostly from media sources including mainstream news and People magazine). For a true crime book aimed at a general audience, this is definitely five stars. It includes grisly details, possibly (OK, definitely) more than some readers want to know, but I’m not sure there is any way to tell this story without that level of detail. True crime fans will love it.

John Glatt has a way of making you feel like you aren't just reading facts about a crime. It feels like you are right there in the middle, watching things unfold as the story plays out. It's hard to say I loved it, but I did finish the story filled with emotion for each character involved. The story was told in a very unbiased way. We see some of Shan'ann's faults along with Chris's. We see that they may not have had the perfect marriage they portrayed to the world on social media. This by NO means implies that she deserved to have her life taken by someone she loved in such a horrific manner. This story is filled with tragedy and left me feeling very raw.

As always, let me thank NetGalley, the publishing house, and the author for allowing me an electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.
Wow this book lingers. OK. Where to start? The author chose to introduce the reader to Shanann first. She seems to be slightly high-maintenance, extremely motivated, and very Type A. Definitely a helicopter mom. And then Chris. He had a tiny bit of sympathy from me for being with such a dominant wife. But then he lost his mind! But he seemed to have lost his mind in a controlled, calm manner. Another woman involved (of course).
But the part that gut-punched me was the author describing what Chris had done to his children. And the police accounts of retrieving their bodies. I also VERY much appreciate the follow up reporting how the events affected the detectives and police dept.
I could totally keep typing about this but I don't want to give too much away.

I've been following this tragic story in the news and have had an interest in it since then. So when I saw the talented John Glatt was writing a book about it I knew it would be a book I needed to read. I wasn't disappointed! John has clearly done his homework for this case and he laid out everything perfectly. While the story is sad in it's own right, it's certainly one people need to know about! Highly recommended.

Wow!
This book is harrowing but impossible to put down!
I read it in one sitting.
A Very well written account of the times leading up to, and after, the horrific murders of Shannan Watts and her children by their seemingly perfect husband/father.
This is NOT an easy read, but true crime fans everywhere will appreciate how factually excellent it is, and also how neatly it is written in chronological order.
A Fascinating and insightful read.

WOW! There was several times when I was reading this book that I would have to stop and walk away.
I knew how it would end. I knew the who did the killing and even after reading the book, I got no closer to the WHY?!
I absolutely loved that the author went chronologically. It was easy to read and to follow along in what happened in the lives of the Watts.
The author did not give into speculation...which is nice. He laid out the facts and the timeline and lets the reader form their own theories.

A greatly researched, well thought out book about the Watts murders.

As horrific as the subject matter if this book is, it was very well written. The author has tastefully told the account of the lives of Christ and Shanann Watts, their daughters, their marriage, and the events leading up to the murders of a pregnant Shanann, and their daughters, Bella and Celeste. Although portrayed as a calculations controlling woman throughout her marriage, no one deserves to die by the hands of someone they love. What weighs most on my mind are the thoughts of Bell and Celeste as the man who they loved most in the world, trusted most in the world, coldly and calmly smothered them both. For Bella to have watched her little sister die is behind imagination and just breaks my heart.

Loved this book!! I’ve followed the Shannan Watts case from the beginning and was so excited that John Glatt chose to write a book about it. I loved that it showed the real Shannan and Chris - the author didn’t deify Shannan, but showed that she was a real human being with flaws as well. I felt like it gave a really fair picture of both sides while still preserving Shannan’s memory. This was such a disturbing case and it was a very interesting read. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer!

Well written very disturbing true crime story.. Had to put the book down a few times. too disturbing to read all at once.
I know this is a story that will stay with me for a long time..

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book. I was very interested in this book because of the storyline and the story beyond the headlines. It is a very well written book that tells this sad story. I found it easy to understand the characters and easy to follow along with. I highly recommend to anyone that enjoys reading true crime.

An absolutely absorbing read. One of the best true crime books I have ever read. Loved it. Although frightening and dark. It’s a very hard to book to put down x

I think John Glatt is one of those who truly knows how to write a true crime book, in a way that is factual but also in a way that lets the reader be able to be intrigued. While this case is a very sad case, it’s one that raises so many questions, because the signs and even criminology profiling just doesn’t show Chris Watts as your typical family annihilator, because of this I wasn’t new to the case; but did find value in reading Glatt’s book. I think he did a good job of bringing up important information to try and portray a clear picture of one the most heinous tragedies we’ve faced. Well researched, written, and while sad very engrossing read. Highly recommend to those who enjoy a well written, disturbing true crime book, which will break your heart especially when you think of Bella and CeCe (as for me children are always the hardest to hear about being murdered). I think Glatt knows that fine line of providing enjoyment but remaining respectful and people who are okay with victims being children, will enjoy learning more about this terrible crime. It does try to show what helped Chris Watts snap and do something beyond norm, it will always be one of the most fascinating and terrible crimes. It was written in a manner that didn’t bore with too many of the legalize segments, but instead painted a photo of a family and possible motivations for these heinous crime. Enjoyed learning more about the victims and perpetrator. This is not for those people who cannot handle hearing about children being murdered, as there were two toddlers and unborn baby that lost their lives with their mother Shannan. Think only those who can handle the reading about the children and wife suffering should read this.
Will make sure to buzz up on all the different platforms.

Author John Glatt is truly a standout true crime writer. The Perfect Father reflects this skill as he expertly weaves the true story of Chris Watts into an "Impossible to put down" book. It is a story of tragedy and horror that will grip all readers. The background details of each character and their lives are revealed in rich detail. We follow the unraveling of the crime with mounting disbelief. The Perfect Father is a runaway winner. The book definitely deserves a 10 star rating! Thank you to NetGalley.

The Perfect Father by author John Glatt is a true crime that follows a barbaric crime that we read of in the news.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I remembered hearing about this case on the tv and when I saw this book go up on NetGalley I felt like this was a good time to get a book based on a true crime. I use to love reading true crime but kinda gotten away from it and this was a good book to start back up. I felt we got a lot of information. I devoured it in just a few hours. I felt like I learned a lot more about the case then what was told to the public. I still don't feel like we are getting the true story of what happened and we will never but this book gave me more of a perspective of who Chris was before the murders. Huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this opportunity!

Riveting. Like many others had been following this story as it unfolded, but it is difficult to know the facts with the sensationalism occurring in which people aren’t always honest. This author did an awesome job with this as his work of non-fiction read like a work of fiction. The people were well developed characters leaving you feeling as you knew them. There were enough background facts to set the stage without being boring. The one issue I had was how unlikeable the victim was made to be - whether or not that is who she was in real life I felt some sort of victim blaming as though her behaviors towards and treatment of her husband, couple with the product she was pushing him to do was the reasoning behind what he did; regardless the senseless way in which he murdered his children is unthinkable. The book laid out the type of father and husband he was until he wasn’t. Was all of this to be with another woman or much more and I still don’t understand why no psychological evaluation was completed in court. I was up long after finishing this book just looking at my own kids and wondering how anyone could do something so horrific and then go on to show absolutely no emotion. For me, this is one book that will stay with me for a long time to come.

I read this book in a day because once I began reading I didn't want to stop. Chris and Shanann both seemed utterly normal, although he was quiet and she was the opposite. The author meticulously documents their life before meeting and during their marriage and also the crime itself and the trial afterwards. The crime is of course horrific but the story of how this couple got to that point is fascinating in itself and well laid out. What also intrigued me about this book was how much of Chris and Shanann's lives and the murder itself played out on social media and how the case against Chris was largely built by reclaiming data from email, internet and webcam.

Thank you #netgalley and #stmartins for the e-review copy of this book.

I absolutely adore true crime books, psychology & what makes a seemingly normal person commit such a heinous crime. Chris Watt, doting husband & amazing father & Shannann doing everything she could to look after her family....what was going through his head when he strangled his wife & his two young girls...the terror the younger ones must have felt at the hands of this man whom they were supposed to trust. Started off slow & to be fair It was all the talk of 'thrive' that was putting me off, I actually began to think the author himself was a thrive consultant. Couldn't put the book down in the end.

It’s an all too familiar story. A wife and children disappear and the tear stained, devastated father and husband makes an emotional plea for their safe return. Sadly, this family will never return and the man asking for help knows that because he’s the one who killed them. This story is based on the Watts family specifically Chris Watts, (who has been coined a family annihilator), the man who killed his wife and two daughters. Neighbors and friends were shocked, the man they knew could never have done something like this, but a closer examination revealed a man on the edge, more than capable of committing the most unforgivable of crimes. Do we read true crime to assure us that we are safe in out own little worlds? If so, then there is little reassurance here.