Above the Law

This book really was like a thrill ride and I enjoyed every moment of it. My favorite part was reading how Tom Capano self-destructed on the witness stand. Such a smug man brought himself down. There's a moral there, but Tom Capano won't ever get it.

This is a good book written by a former reporter. It's no nonsense approach is a breath of fresh air and makes it extremely delightful to read. Through a gentle layering of facts and with a very strong voice the author takes us through a labyrinth of decadance and deception. Deborah Macintyre and Tom Capano emerge as truely disgusting characters.

As a former prosecutor and judge (who had nothing to do with the Capano Case) I found Mr. Karem's book a great look at an extraordinary trial. Most trials are nothing like This! It was a well written book and it got better as one progressed through it. The author masterfully weaved together the sardonic and the sublime to keep interest high throughout -- even though we already knew what the end would be. For students of the law I'd recommend it as a cautionary tale of everything you don't want to have to face in a high profile case. Indeed as lawyers I'm sure we will be studying the Capano case for years to come.

I greatly enjoyed this book. I knew there would be a book written about this case (after all, I would consider this Delaware's "Trial of the Century" (millenium, too). Living in Wilmington, Delaware, one could not miss walking past the courthouse, viewing the media circus daily. Also, this trial was the "talk of the town".The book gave a precise summary of the trial, giving me a better understanding of how manipulative Tom Capano was and how he presumed himself to be "Above the Law". Justice prevailed, and the mighty took a major fall. This man caused a lot of pain to people, destroying careers and reputations, and also the hurt and humiliation he caused his former wife and other family members. And the fact that he tried to place the blame on others really angered me as I read this book. It was as if he thought he didn't have to answer to anybody. Well, there is an Authority "Above the Law" he will have give an answer to (as with all of us)for his evil deeds.Brian Karem did an excellent job and his information is based on actually being at the trial and getting his information first-hand. I have passed the book on to another reader with three others in line. Great book - I would highly recommend this. This is Pulitzer Prize material.There is some closure to a certain degree for the Fahey family (even though, unfortunately, they could not give their beloved Annie a burial). But Tom Capano received his just punishment for the pain he caused them. Please buy this book - it's a treasure!!!

In the same vein as "Helter Skelter" -- a good thorough look at the Capano Trial. I read other reviews that looked forward to Ann Rule's book. I do not. I read in the Wilmington paper where she only spent a limited amount of time at the trial. This book was at least written by someone who was there for the ENTIRE trial. "Above the Law" has a reporters insight, and the knowledge of someone who was there. The chapter on Nick Perillo and Deborah MacIntyre --both loathsome individuals who had a part to play in this terrifying crime -- are worth the price of admission.