Before He Wakes: A True Story of Money, Marriage, Sex and Murder

This is a well-researched, well-written book that devotees of the true crime genre will enjoy. The author, Jerry Bledsoe, is right up there with the other true crime greats, Jack Olsen and Ann Rule. The book, which contains eight pages of photographs, reveals an astounding tapestry of deceit, lies, and greed, all of which led to a cold blooded murder of a husband by his seemingly devoted wife. Barbara Stager was a middle-aged woman with expensive tastes. Unfortunately, she and her husband Russ, a high school coach, did not earn the kind of money that could pay for the finer things in life. She needed money. He was insured. So, this church going, ostensibly devoted wife and mother, shot her husband while he slept, claiming that it was an accident. Funny thing, almost the same thing had happened to her first husband, who had died in bed of a gunshot wound, when a gun she claimed he was handling went off accidentally.The investigation following the death of her second husband revealed a web of lies and a private woman far different from her public image. Barbara Stagers was a woman given to sexual licentiousness, excess spending, thievery, and compulsive lying. The investigation of the murder of Russ Stager led the police to believe that the death of her first husband, Larry Ford, a death that had originally been classified as accidental, was also almost certainly murder. The scary thing is that she almost got away with it a second time. This book is a fascinating look at a real life, black widow.

This is a woman who is the ultimate sociopath. So long as she gets what she wants, she could not possibly care less who gets hurt...or murdered in the process. The manner in which she brainwashed her two sons and turned them against their paternal grandparents is indicative of the way her sick mind works.Those oh so "god-fearing" friends and neighbors of hers who thought she was SO "righteous" are as bad as she is!I just hope this vampire doesn't find a third man to marry and murder.

I read this book some time ago. I originally selected it because of my interest in Anne Rule's books. I was in for the surprise of my life when I realized that this story involves the city where I was born and raised (Durham, NC). I became completely engrossed in the story of how someone who grew up and lived in the same town I did could turn out as Barbara did. I felt many chills reading the names of former Durham High School classmates who were character witnesses for Barbara at her murder trial. In looking back, I can say that Durham could be a town where everyone wanted to keep up with the Joneses in whatever manner they wanted to accomplish it. Barbara stepped over the line. I think Mr. Bledsoe wrote an excellent book.

I had to read this book when I found out that the woman Jerry Bledsoe tells the story of in Before He Wakes is the mother of the troubled young man who was involved in the robbery of my son 2 years ago. When I first saw her son in court, he appeared to be a clean-cut young man that had evidently been with the wrong people. I wondered what his parents must be feeling to know that their son was in court charged with a felony. He was in the car with a female waiting for the robber to return with money so that they could buy more drugs. As the criminal procedings continued through the next year, Jason cooperated with the commonwealth attorny in testifying against the others involved. When the time came for sentencing, Jason's past was uncovered and we were all shocked. Jason had received no counseling after all that he had been through with his mother and still, at that time, believed his mother was innocent. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison with 18 years, 5 months suspended and to receive treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder caused by the events told in this book. It is unbelievable that a mother, who by all appearances was normal, could have been the type of person that everyone should fear. It really makes you look at many people you know and wonder.... Thanks to the author for shedding a very revealing light on our whole situation.

Yet another classic from the pen of Jerry Bledsoe. This book recounts the shocking story of Barbara Stager,a woman who was an agent of the devil, yet who appeared to be a model of Christian virtue by shrouding herself and her life with hypocrisy. She cold bloodedly murdered two sleeping husbands, not out of anger, or jealousy, or self defense, but out of the unquenchable greed that her own desperate desires had wrought in her, wickedly and calculatingly placing a price tag on the heads of both of these unfortunate men who each made one fatal mistake. An actress of Oscar winning ability, she was then able to convince many people around her of her innocence, but she couldn't convince the people who mattered the most; the police, the district attorneys, and most importantly, the jury. With this masterpiece, Bledsoe again proves that only he and Ann Rule are the true pioneers of the true crime genre. Another ten star effort. Chilling!