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LEVI'S EYES: A Son's Deadly Secret and a Father's Cruel Betrayal

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LEVI’S EYES delves into the unspeakable murders of Christina and Levi Karlsen, as told by the killer himself... It’s a must-read for true crime addicts who dare to go deep into a killer’s mind. In it, readers will learn how the murders of Christina Karlsen and her son Levi Karlsen, committed 17 years apart, are intricately connected. There’s a hidden thread here, one that has not yet been revealed to the public, showing that Levi kept dark secrets. This book exposes both sides of the twisted marriage between Karl and Cindy Karlsen as readers are taken through increasing levels of horror, step-by-step, into the depravity inside the killer’s head.
It’s the story that only the killer knows.
It’s the story that only his second wife knows.
It’s a story that devolves into madness... And it’s never been exposed...Until now...

380 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 27, 2023

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About the author

Aphrodite Jones

24 books353 followers
Aphrodite Jones is an award-winning American reporter and author who writes about murder. Her knack for detail allows her to dissect bizarre murder cases and bring readers into the heart of darkness. Now, the author has taken her career to TV as the executive producer and TV host of the ID series, True Crime with Aphrodite Jones, which airs on Investigation Discovery.
Jones is now filming her sixth season, uncovering secrets about riveting cases across America. The series follows Jones, who's written a string of best-selling true crime books, as she unravels new mysteries lurking behind cases that shocked America: O.J. Simpson, Scott Peterson, Jon Benet Ramsey, Phil Spector, and the list goes on.

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5 stars
740 (54%)
4 stars
376 (27%)
3 stars
177 (13%)
2 stars
35 (2%)
1 star
19 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
Profile Image for Susan.
780 reviews5 followers
January 3, 2024
It's Britney, bitch! I mean, seriously, how can anyone who calls themselves a professional writer not do the proper research in order to spell Britney's name correctly? Just Google her - it's not Brittany!!
That's just one example of the many misspellings (church alter, organ doner, damming for damning), poor grammar and missing words from sentences that one has to slog through to read this book. The story was interesting and horrific but all the errors just ruined it for me.
Profile Image for Suzanne Lopes.
114 reviews2 followers
December 31, 2023
Well Goodreads Family, this is my last book that I read for the reading challenge of 2023 exactly on December 31st 2023. I finished reading 41 books. My reading challenge was 40 books 📚 so I nailed it!! I’m pretty proud of myself. I will definitely challenge my myself with reading 50 books for 2024!! On another note, this book was really sad. Talk about being MONEY HUNGRY. Karl Karlsen was a murderer or better said IS a murderer. Every one of his family members was a $ dollar sign to him. Even his granddaughters, which were little girls. What he did to his son LEVI was outrageous. This is the 2nd book that I read 📖 from Aphrodite Jones. I really like her books. They are very detailed and she looks at these true crime cases as a way of letting the reader feel like they are actually there and help the reader understand why certain details are discussed in the book so that you can see the bigger picture. I will definitely make it a point to read more of her book in 2024. On this note, HAPPY NEW YEAR GOODREADS FAMILY!! See you in 2024 Reading Challenge!!
📚 📕 🤗🎉🎊📖❤️🩷💟💋🌲☕️🎁
2 reviews
March 5, 2024
what’s with the hype here?

I finished this book because I can’t start something and not finish it. This promised to be a thriller. Twists and turns and insight into the killers mind. Where was all of that? This was a long read, a boring read, and the ending didn’t justify the turmoil it took to reach it. The formatting on kindle is horrible with random “Aphrodite Jones” and “Levi’s eyes” all throughout the book in the most random of places. I do not recommend this book.
34 reviews
November 24, 2023
Excellent

Great book!! Cindy, I was a stepmother as well and it's the most underappreciated job for any woman. You sound like a very smart woman to me who, like all of us make mistakes but give it our best all the time. Erin & Katie: Get that chip off your shoulder and move on with life. You sound like two spoiled, angry and childish little girls. Grow up!!!!!

Levi and Christina: Rest in Peace. You're both with Jesus and we will meet one day.

Karl: I Pray that you never get out of Prison.

Aphrodite: This is my third book I've read of yours. Keep up the great work!!

Carol Howell
Danville VA
39 reviews
October 24, 2023
Psychopath wins

No matter what, his children don’t blame the violent evil psychopath who murdered their Mother and brother and insured their nieces. They aren’t stupid, but they strike out at a woman who was also a victim of their demented father. Rest In Peace Christina and Levi, you were murdered by a maniac. No one gives a crap, too much blaming. Great read
May 29, 2024
Fantastic book!!

Excellent read! I wasn’t aware of this story before reading this book. What I appreciate most is the Author is not afraid to share multiple sides of the story as it was told through interviews, letters, evidence, and trial footage. Gripping and powerful- one of the best books I’ve read in a long time!
Profile Image for Lori.
221 reviews
November 16, 2023
No One Writes True Crime Better!

Aphrodite Jones is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to investigating and writing about true crime and I imagine that holds true in her daily life as well. Her research is thorough and she is excellent in getting to the truth and uncovering details that others may not always catch.
I found this true story to be heart wrenching. I can't imagine how dark someone's psyche must be for them to be capable of purposely causing a loved one to lose their life (in Karllsen's case, make that plural) for ANY reason -- much less for financial gain! He has an evil soul to let his first wife suffer so horrifically, manipulate and abuse his young grieving children and ultimately kill his son, letting him suffer as well. Animals, people, nothing mattered to this psycho, except money. Money is of little use to him now!
And though I understand grief, and I think Cindy, the second wife made mistakes, I also feel that Karl's daughters are surprisingly naive! Reality is harsh sometimes and these now adults need to realize that family members can betray you too. I took a family member to court for years of abuse so I know it happens unfortunately. It's not Cindy that tore their family apart. I think deep down at least Erin knows that. In fact, I believe if Cindy hadn't married their dad, THEY likely would have been his next attempt. Either Erin first and then Kati or both together.
Well worth the read. A few spelling errors but nothing that takes away from the story as it immediately draws you in.
1 review
October 20, 2023
While this book held my attention, I was disappointed by a couple things. First, there was not an explanation of why the insurance company ended up paying the claim on Christina‘s life insurance, because there was plenty of evidence that it was a fraudulent claim. I know insurance companies are all about the bottom line, and it may have decided it wasn’t worth the cost of litigation to fight a $200,000 claim, but that was kind of a loose thread.

And second, when the book seemed to fast forward a few years, Kati wasn’t mentioned for a long time, and I wondered what had happened to her.
41 reviews
January 9, 2024
A Murder In Murphys

This book had many surprises in it. The original homicide occurred in Calaveras County CA. The family lived not far from where I currently live. The hospital where the authorities took the body of the victim is less than two miles away...too many coincidences to mention. This book talked about the crime, the fact that there was mental illness, child abuse and sadness. For the victims, crime is always sad. Karl was and is a madman, but you can decide whether he's guilty or not.
4 reviews1 follower
Read
January 20, 2024
What a sad book

I have to say I read a lot about crime and the way you wrote this book is amazing . I loved Ann Rule books because she always put a loving story first and before you knew it you're shocked. I think that's what you did with great care for the family. My heart was broken what he did to his son after losing his mother so young. I really believe Candy did love and care for them. Sorry about my writing l know its not great grammar. God bless you for getting the truth in the end 🙏 🙌. Still sad
Profile Image for Kelly.
495 reviews8 followers
December 25, 2023
Wow... just wow.

It is impossible to fathom what would drive a man to kill his wife and son. He planned on killing everyone. Money - the lust for greed. I admire Cindy so much for standing up for what was right. And for forgiving those who had wronged her. It had to be terribly hard.
Aphrodite Jones has researched this story thoroughly, and it written well.
I'll be glad when Karl meets his maker because he can't lie to and fool God. God knows what happened.
9 reviews
January 30, 2024
A totally insane story to read!! How could someone do that to TWO loved ones???

I gave it 4 stars because there was a little bit too much of the book focused on family drama that could’ve very much been condensed. Also there was A LOT of repeating information that had already been talked about in previous chapters.

DON’T get me wrong though, this book was an amazing read and a total page turner!!
20 reviews21 followers
August 23, 2024
Raw and Real

This is the first time I’ve read a book by Ms. Jones, and I found it captivating from the beginning. The author did a great job of drawing the reader into the story, as well as providing some great photographs of those involved in this gut wrenching story of a violent man whose only interest in life was his own. The acts he committed were astonishing, especially those against his wife and family.
Profile Image for Jenn.
1,607 reviews31 followers
June 21, 2024
I’d only heard part of this true crime before reading this book. I had heard about Levi’s death and nothing before that happened. I had no idea this Karl guy had gotten away with so much before that time. He is the epitome of evil and deserved to never see the outside again. I believe most of what Cindy says and I feel her alcoholism only made her blab more, not tell lies.
October 4, 2023
Great true crime book.

I really enjoyed how Aphrodite tells you what is in the minds of all the characters. It was hard to put the book down. I am now excited to read all of her books. I highly recommend this to my friends and lovers of true crime stories!
October 5, 2023
Finally, peace for the family

This was well documented and written for easy understanding. It is so unfortunate that this evil man was not stopped before so much damage happened to his family. The trauma everyone has suffered will be with them forever.
1 review
October 6, 2023
Justice delayed

I just finished reading this on Kindle. It was sent to me by my good friend, Valerie Harris. Excellent book & story I hadn't heard before. Thank you, Aphrodite Jones, for continuing to write & report on crimes.
110 reviews9 followers
October 8, 2023
Justice

What gives a person the right to take another persons life? For this family there was some closure, but unfortunately it took many years to be given . if there is a he'll my hope is the perpetrator is living it as it is my opinion it is warranted
Profile Image for Robi A.
230 reviews3 followers
October 15, 2023
All Fire & Money!

An incredible reading adventure through the twisted mind of a man who scammed insurance companies with arson, fraud and multiple murders of animals and people. He almost got away with over 30 yrs of evil and cruelty.

1 review
November 24, 2023
Great read, heartbreaking story.

Another excellent book by Aphrodite Jones. This story is heartbreaking and terrifying. Jones does her usual thorough investigation and tells the victim’s stories beautifully. I will already buy any book she writes.
162 reviews
December 15, 2023
This is an interesting book with many crimes, over many years all committed by a man who had no heart, soul or conscious. How I wished he had have been captured sooner to save his family from being torn apart. I hope they can live their lives in peace now and forget their evil father ever existed.
4 reviews
December 18, 2023
Heartbreaking

A story of a dysfunctional family under the spell of a greedy sociopath. The children didn't really stand a chance of growing up with normal self esteem. A twisted plot which hurt Levi the most.
Profile Image for Bonita Braun.
201 reviews6 followers
December 27, 2023
disappointed

The author states she spent two years with the perpetrator (I assume in prison) but I’m not sure what she was doing. Never do we get any insight into what makes him tick or what psychologists think of his
behavior.
Profile Image for Kayla.
586 reviews9 followers
January 7, 2024
Wow.

Levi's Eyes by Aphrodite Jones is described as a son's deadly secret and a father's cruel betrayal. This is a true crime book. I'm flabbergasted that Karl got away with what he did with as much as he did. Again showing how our justice system can fail people to the extreme.
17 reviews
February 15, 2024
Well Written

This is an absorbing book. I had difficulty putting it down. Ms. Jones maintains the suspense of the story throughout the book. Even though one knows these things occur, it is still shocking to read the depths of the evil portrayed.
1 review
March 30, 2024
The story is excellent; extremely enthralling and really grips you. However there are SO MANY typos and formatting issues that I seriously wonder if it went through editing. Maybe it’s just a kindle version thing, but it definitely detracted from my ability to rate this 5 stars.
Profile Image for Donna Wilbor.
104 reviews2 followers
July 5, 2024
an insightful book

This is a new author to me( won’t be my last) . The people in the book I knew very little about ( I’m in the uk) and I found it an insightful read, well written and well put together. Thankyou
October 15, 2023
What a great book, fast reading, details were great, author solved the murders, like you were there
Profile Image for Steph.
140 reviews4 followers
November 19, 2023
Who has the right to take another person's life? It's sad this evil man wasn't caught soon before he hurt other people. Another great story by Aphroditie.
December 20, 2023
Interesting concept to this read. We actually hear from the killer himself throughout this book. Money is the root of all evil. Along with just plan greed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews

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