Final Analysis: The Untold Story of the Susan Polk Murder Case

This book was interesting and it kept me reading. This is a twisted and sad story and Crier brought the people to life on the pages. Such an awful situation for this beautiful woman and her boys to be in. High recommended.

I saw Susan Polk son, and Susan Polk from prison on the Montel show and found this story to be very interesting so I ordered the book and it has not let me down, great writting and a weird but interesting case. I loves it.

I found this book mesmerising from start to finish. The inevitability of it all was so sad. Recommended read for true crime buffs.

This book is about the nationally known Susan Polk-Felix Polk case. In October 2002, Susan Polk brutally murdered Felix Polk, her ex husband. She claimed it was in self defense. She claimed he had been physically, sexually and mentally abusing her for years. He claimed (while she was alive) that she was delusional, that the marriage had been poor for years before their divorce, and that she was a poor parent and spendthrift. The murder pitted their three children against one another, two sided with prosecution during the court case and one (ironically the one with the most legal problems)sided with the defense. It is true and documented that Felix was Susan's therapist at one point, and started having a sexual relationship with her soon after she began seeing him for truancy problems at school. She was 15 at the time. It was never reported to his licensing board, which would have revoked his license or put him on suspension almost immediately. She married him at 23, despite the fact that their was a 26 year age difference between the two of them. Again, this is a tale concerning two very twisted people, who seemed as if they were above the law. Felix Polk should not have been murdered, but Susan Polk had a right to not be molested as well. While reading the section of the book that describes Felix's and Susan's "therapeutic" relationship I just kept asking myself "Where was Susan's own Mother when the sexual relationship with Felix was going on?" Susan's Mother does not seem to own up to any responsibility for allowing the sexual goings on between Susan and Felix to continue. Many of the courtroom scenes with Susan acting as her own attorney are hilarious (unintentionally of course). I wonder what could have happened if her defense had focused on Felix's relationship with her at such an early age. It probably would have gone better for Susan, but for some reason she did not emphasize this in her own defense. Ms. Crier makes the case even more fascinating. She adds the behind the scenes police work, as well as new photographs and writings from the case file. The book is very readable, and I highly recommend it.

I just finished reading "Final Analysis" and it was, hands down, the best true crime I have read in a while. The book is basically broken down into two parts; the investigation and the trial. I can't decide which part I liked more. The inner workings of this dysfunctional family are fascinating, but it was Polk's deadly funny comments in court that at moments had me laughing out loud. I would recommend this book to anyone.

I was very curious about this story, and anxious to read Catherine Crier's take on the case. Hers was a quick read. I found the story of Susan Polk both fascinating and tragic. It is amazing that this young girl in need of help ended up the victim of the very person who was assigned to save her. A must read for all true crime readers.