An Almost Perfect Murder

Kathy Alfano Augustine was not well-liked to say the least. This book is written by author and Las Vegas resident, Gary C. King. By being a resident of the state, King is familiar with the politics. He opens the book up about the history of poison in murders that went unsolved for centuries until it could be traced and detected. In this case, Kathy Augustine, would slowly be paralyzed by a drug inserted by her nurse husband, Chaz Higgs. Of course, Chaz was planning to divorce his powerful wife but it wouldn't be that easy like his three previous divorces. By then, Kathy had faced impeachment and was considered an embarrassment to the Republican party of her state. She was still running a campaign for State Treasurer anyway. Of course, Higgs wanted separation and divorce but Kathy was resistant despite the failing marriage. Maybe after the election, she could have ended their unhappy union but I don't think Chaz could wait that long. I won't reveal anymore but the book is just repetitive of the other book on this case which was more revealing about Kathy's family life, her parenting skills, and her previous marriages. You have to ask yourself if somebody can be driven to commit such a crime. I just hope Kathy can rest in peace. Even in death, she earned 26,000 votes in the primary.

You will like this book if you enjoy the medical mystery-thriller! I was living in Las Vegas at the time the murder of Kathy Augustine came to light. She had a reputation of being someone hard to deal with and she was also a member of the Nevada Republican Party. I remember three things.....that her prior husband died suddenly, that she was involved with a new man shortly after the last husbands death, and that the Republicans were not happy with Kathy. What was more intriguing is that anyone familiar with Nevada politics will know the GOP of Nevada is not like that of other states. This is cowboy/robber baron politics mixed with a sprinkling of pious religiosity and win-at-any-costs conviction!! This is the second book I have read by Gary King that takes place in Nevada, and like the first book, An Early Grave (the story about the murder of Casino Owner and Vegas legend, Ted Binion), this story represents another in a long line of high-profile murders based on twisted defendants with incredibly selfish motive and colorful, interesting, yet tragically-flawed victims. The only thing that I would have loved to read in this book...and perhaps there's a sequal in the works.....was more from Chaz Higgs. I am eager to listen to his own explaination of what he did and why he did it. If he still professes his innocence then I want to know who he thinks murdered his wife and why they did it!!??? I guess we won't know that until this case makes it through the court system and he is eventually released, or his appeals run out.