We Thought We Knew You

A Terrifying True Story of Secrets, Betrayal, Deception, and Murder

De: M. William Phelps

Narrado por: Danny Campbell

In July 2015, Mary Yoder returned home from the chiropractic center that she operated with her husband, Bill, complaining that she felt unwell. Mary, health-conscious and vibrant, was suddenly vomiting, sweating, and weak. Doctors in the ER and ICU were baffled as to the cause of her rapidly progressing illness. Her loved ones - including Bill and their children, Adam, Tamryn, and Liana - gathered in shock to say good-bye.

In the weeks that followed Mary's death, the grief-stricken family received startling news from the medical examiner: Mary had been deliberately poisoned with colchicine. Another bombshell followed when the local sheriff's office received a claim that Adam Yoder had poisoned his mother. But Adam was not the only person of interest in the case.

Pretty and popular Kaitlyn Conley, Adam's ex-girlfriend, worked at the Yoders' clinic. She'd even been at Mary's bedside during those last terrible hours. Still, some spoke of her talent for manipulation and a history of bizarre, rage-fueled behavior against anyone who dared to reject her. Had Kaitlyn and Adam conspired to kill Mary Yoder, or was the killer someone else entirely?

Contains mature themes.

©2021 M. William Phelps (P)2020 Tantor

Repetitive and Dislike Narration

Like others have said, this book is incredibly repetitive. Literally could’ve been 1-2 hours. Very interesting story, but I’m an hour from the end and turning it off. I’m not sure how I made it this far. The narrator has grated on me since the first few words as well. He sounds like he’s 80 and the narration is flat. Maybe listen to the first few hours. You’ve heard it all and I’m sure you can guess how it ends.

A bit repetitious

The story was definitely repetitious, especially the boyfriend girlfriend dialogues. The reader was fine… I kinda liked his old man sound.

You don’t really know people!

This book was factual not based on the authors opinion. I like that. I was able to make my own opinion from the facts before the trial. I don’t know them but that was cold and I wish it didn’t happen! Bad things happen to good people.

Wonderfully written

Will look for a movie on this. it truly is all is says it is. twisting and turning

Overall good but lacked some focus

Overall, I enjoyed this book (although I agree with the other reviews that the narrator’s voice was not very appropriate for this telling) but I wish the author had focused more on some areas and less on others. One example is that it was overly focused on Adam and Katie’s relationship and barely anything was mentioned about Katie embezzling. I get that their relationship was probably the catalyst that “drove” Katie to commit his crimes, but I think the embezzlement is definitely a huge part of the story too. For instance, she claimed to have all that money that she “lent” Adam only to find out that that was money she stole from his parents. And then she hung that money over his head and used it as a weapon when she wanted to see him. Incredibly despicable and I think it would’ve helped really reflect her character is a person that not only she stole money from her employer but that she also gave the impression she was lending it out without any strings attached, and then she used it to manipulate Adam further. She’s definitely a horrible person and I’m a little surprised that so many people believe her. Bill did not do himself any favors I am hooking up with his sister-in-law so quickly after his wife died, but that pales in comparison to what a horrible person Katie is. She is right where she belongs.

And I just wanted to add in there, that I think one of the worst thing she did was accuse Adam of rape. I was sexually assaulted by my ex-boyfriend over 20 years ago and it really bothers me that somebody would make up a story like that to get back at somebody. This is why a lot of women aren’t believed. The women who made the stories up are just. as bad as the rapist. God forgive me if I’m wrong, and she did get assaulted by him. But I really doubt I’m wrong.

There are some scumbag people in the world

Interesting account of the murder of a very nice lady by one who was like a black widow. The use of searching email and text links is always a reminder that in this day and age, discovery is just a few clicks away.

Narrator voice

The content of the book was good and details easy to follow. But the narrators raspy voice and reading style made it hard for me to continue listening to. Will not ever get a book narrated by Danny Campbell.

Told very well

The narration and story were both very good. Even though you know who did it, it’s still intriguing to hear how things played out. Things got a little repetitive when discussing the computer/phone forensics especially at the end but that’s easily overlooked. Great “read.”

Delusion

Great story but the book is a bit repetitive. Entire sections of boyfriend/girlfriend texting is repeated several times in the book. I did not like the narrator's...wheezing(?) - so much so that I'm not going to purchase another book featuring him.

*SPOILERS*: The author has been called biased but the evidence is what it is. He offered the Conleys an opportunity to rebut but they declined. I suspect that by the end of second trial even the Conleys knew.

People's levels of delusion always astonish me. There is absolutely no evidence that anyone other than Katie is behind Mary's death - yet her sisters just cannot accept that. Their hatred of Bill has blinded them.

This small town really did not want to convict the pretty, local girl from the successful family. Both juries were looking for a way out. The first jury was fixed with a plant from her family. The second jury could not decide on intent despite the mountain of evidence showing premeditation and intent.

This is a story about true evil. It does not have a satisfying ending. She got 23 years which is an insult.

Narrator was not appropriate for this book

I normally love Phelps’ books but this one was really hard to follow due to the non-linear timeline. You have to listen very closely to the dates on which events took place, otherwise you will be LOST. The story goes back and forth so quickly between timelines — one chapter is a story that took place post-murder. But the next story is something that happened before the murder and you’re like, Wait a minute. I thought she died!!

Onto the narrator… I have nothing against older people narrating books. However, to say it was creepy to hear explicit sexual subjects discussed in the voice of a grandpa is an understatement. It was disturbing. His voice is so shaky and raspy. Imagine hearing Grandpa Simpson talking about a vagina and you get an idea of what it was like.

Other than that, excellent story. The author clearly did alot of work and you got a very good idea of how everything went down, which is quite a feat in this very-confusing, convoluted case.