First Degree Rage

The True Story of 'The Assassin,' An Obsession, and Murder

By: Paula May

Narrated by: Lee Ann Howlett

"There was no brown in his eyes at all. They were just two black buttons. I looked in his eyes. All I saw was solid black against the whites. It wasn't natural. It was...creepy, unnerving, demonic." (Detective Paula May)

Terrifying things are happening to Kay Weden, a 40-something single mom and high school teacher in Salisbury, North Carolina. Despite having no known enemies, Kay's home, car, and peace of mind are under attack throughout 1993. Most chilling of all are the senseless attacks on her only son and the shot fired in the night through a wall of her house, which narrowly misses his head as he sleeps.

Kay's new love interest is the charming Viktor Gunnarsson. He's a handsome Swede who left his home country to seek political asylum in the US after being charged with the 1986 assassination of Sweden's Prime Minister Palme. Viktor was briefly held in custody but subsequently released due to a lack of evidence.

The romantic connection between Kay and Viktor is immediate and intense until Viktor disappears without warning, leaving Kay baffled and sad. Kay leans on her loving, elderly mother, Catherine Miller, for solace until Catherine is brutally murdered inside her home by an unknown intruder.

With nowhere else to turn, Kay reconnects with her ex-fiancé L.C. Underwood, a seasoned police officer, particularly adept at criminal investigations. L.C. assures Kay he will get to the bottom of the incessant and tormenting occurrences.

When Viktor's nude body is found two hours away in the snowy Appalachian Mountains, local Sheriff's Detective Paula May is assigned to investigate his murder. What follows is an intense, hair-raising investigation that will shock you from the bitterly cold beginning to the unthinkable end.

©2020 Paula May (P)2020 WildBlue Press

very engaging read

I truly loves this book it kept me interested from the first chapter. The main character, L.C. Underwood, is a bit redundant and exhausting at times, but that's just is who he is. This is an excellent depiction of a narcissistic human being at its finest.
There are so many male parts to be read that it would have benefited the listener if those lines had been read by a male, or males, if possible.

it's a good one

I enjoyed it start to finish. I'm sorry for what this poor woman was subjected to.

Legal work with some history to boot!

This is how government SHOULD work...police, prosecutors, judges, and detectives. Applause for all of you.

meh

Did not love the narration. Overall writing a little green. Sounded like it was the first book author ever wrote. Bible verses not tied in well.

Unique

Kay Weden, a high school teacher, goes through a stretch of harassment for seemingly no reason. After attempts on her life and her son’s, things seem to take a turn for the better when she finds a potential love interest in a man named Viktor. Then he’s found murdered in the Appalachian Mountains.

This was fascinating, different from any other true crime book I’ve ever read. Since the author was the lead detective on the case, it gave interesting insight not only into the murder but police procedure as well.

Although it’s a long book, there’s plenty here to hold your interest. Plenty of different people make an appearance, all of them with unique personalities and backgrounds. Definitely a fascinating book, one that’s likely to be popular with both fans of thriller books and true crime.

Narration fits the story.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Editing

Oh my, but this author needs an editor. There is so much redundancy and minutiae. How needs to hear a detailed description of what the author had for lunch? Furthermore, the author goes beyond her professional guidelines to reveal her own personal vindictiveness. Yes, the perp is not a likable person, and did horrible things, but a jury made their decision and that should be respected. Child abuse has serious ramifications, and that is at the very root of this sad story. The book could easily have been told in half the amount of time.

Great Story

The srory is very inclusive. Not sure if she should have included the bibical verses. The reader was a bit monotoned. Overall though I'm glad I listened to the book.

Gripping

Tense and almost unbelievable. but it is a true crime.
It just shows how someone in a position of authority can get away with horrendous crimes.
This is a long read but it is interesting and keeps you enthralled.

Excellent story but a bit too long

This was a fascinating and disturbing case.
Paula May did meticulous research regarding the parties involved.
There is quite a bit of religion in this book, as in bible references at the start of each chapter.
This didn't bother me at all but it may bother others. Peoples' religious views
are important to them and the way she inserts these passages is interesting.

All in all though, I found this to be too long. I believe an editor is needed.
A good story nonetheless. Another account of someone who was treated horribly as a child
and ended up a monster. Sad for all involved. I always grapple with the idea of child abuse
and further behavior. Some people remain good citizens and others don't. It's certainly
baffling and I don't think the experts can figure it out.

The narrator was great. This isn't the first time I've listened to Lee Ann Howlett and she's very good.

I received this book at no cost in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly mine. Thank you!

Good Story - Sophomoric Writing & Reading

This is a good and intriguing story. The writing is rather sophomoric; but, the author's true vocation is law enforcement. So, I give her a pass - even with the Sunday School lessons. The reader, although articulate and clear, was tedious. It was like listening to 14 hours of story time at the library.