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The Meaning of Malice: On the Trail of the Black Widow of Highland Park
Sandra Bridewell was a beautiful socialite in the affluent Dallas suburb of Highland Park in 1978-82, when DALLAS was the world's most popular TV show and the Dallas Cowboys were America's favorite team. Her husband, Bobby Bridewell, was a top hotel developer and the most popular man in Dallas society. When Bobby died of lymphoma in 1982, Sandra quickly fell from grace in her tight-knit society. Four years later, she left Dallas and moved to the Bay Area under a cloud of suspicion that she had committed multiple murders. In 1987 she was the subject of a sensational D Magazine feature titled "The Black Widow" that suggested she had indeed murdered two of her husbands and the wife of the prominent cancer doctor who had treated Bobby Bridewell.True crime author John Leake has followed the story since the D Magazine feature was published. He grew up in Highland Park, just down the street from Sandra, and often visited her home to socialize with one of her children. Since 2007, when Sandra was arrested for stealing the identity of an elderly lady who lived near Cape Fear, North Carolina, he has documented her life and wanderings. He has also meticulously investigated four violent deaths among her family and friends in Dallas. With this book, he finally answers the question that has tantalized Highland Park society ever since. Is Sandra Bridewell a serial killer, or is she a victim of circumstance?
- GenresTrue CrimeNonfiction
418 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 2, 2023
About the author
John Leake
51 books37 followersBorn in Dallas, Texas, John Leake went to Vienna, Austria on a graduate school scholarship and ended up living in the city for over a decade, working as a freelance writer and translator. His first book, Entering Hades: The Double Life of a Serial Killer (Sarah Crichton Books, FSG) was a New York Times Sunday Book Review "Editors' Choice," a Men's Vogue "Best Book of 2007," and the inspiration of The Infernal Comedy, starring John Malkovich.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 8, 2024
The story was fascinating but I'm thoroughly sick of reading books full of typographical and grammatical errors. This is the 2nd true crime book in a row I've read this week where sheriff is spelled sherrif. And the author apparently doesn't know that when someone writes an introduction to your book it is called a foreword, not a forward, because he made that error twice.
I would like to know where this crazy Sandra is now though.
I would like to know where this crazy Sandra is now though.
February 10, 2024
Oh what fun! Can you say that about a possible serial killer? Local Dallas author writes about several suicides that occurred in Dallas in the late 70s to early 80s and the woman who had a connection to them all + more.
How has Sandra Bridewell managed to fly undetected for decades, while leaving a path of destruction in her wake? Bribing well known people? Stealing money? Lies, lies, lies. All the fake pregnancies. Really this fits into the truth is stranger than fiction category! This would not be able to occur in this day and age.
She moved on to California and North Carolina; and finally got a little prison time in NC for identity fraud.
What she has over people is curious. That they are afraid to talk decades later. You would think if your loved one’s death was ruled a suicide, but it may have been murder, you would want justice.
I could have enjoyed this because I recognize many people’s names and neighborhood places. So unsure if it has broader appeal outside of Dallas. I also think the structure could have been arranged differently to avoid duplicative parts. But that may have been part of the author’s plan. The duplicative parts build on themselves until you have a fuller picture at the end.
Overall, as a true crime lover, I could not put it down.
How has Sandra Bridewell managed to fly undetected for decades, while leaving a path of destruction in her wake? Bribing well known people? Stealing money? Lies, lies, lies. All the fake pregnancies. Really this fits into the truth is stranger than fiction category! This would not be able to occur in this day and age.
She moved on to California and North Carolina; and finally got a little prison time in NC for identity fraud.
What she has over people is curious. That they are afraid to talk decades later. You would think if your loved one’s death was ruled a suicide, but it may have been murder, you would want justice.
I could have enjoyed this because I recognize many people’s names and neighborhood places. So unsure if it has broader appeal outside of Dallas. I also think the structure could have been arranged differently to avoid duplicative parts. But that may have been part of the author’s plan. The duplicative parts build on themselves until you have a fuller picture at the end.
Overall, as a true crime lover, I could not put it down.
December 16, 2023
As a reader of true crime documentaries and being a believer in Jesus Christ, two facts were reinforced for me. First, Satan is alive and well and his goal is to corrupt humans to becoming totally evil. Such is true with this woman with a heart void of anything decent.
Secondly, unless the police forces. FBI, sheriffs and all other organizations committed to justice don’t support and collaborate with one another, evil wins and the general innocent population live their lives not knowing how close evil is around them
Secondly, shame on all of the friends, church members, witnesses, and ANY others who had seen, heard or suspected something related to a case don’t report it, once again, evil wins and those fearful disloyal friends must live with blood and the death of others who might have been saved if they had conquered their fears and come forward.
Secondly, unless the police forces. FBI, sheriffs and all other organizations committed to justice don’t support and collaborate with one another, evil wins and the general innocent population live their lives not knowing how close evil is around them
Secondly, shame on all of the friends, church members, witnesses, and ANY others who had seen, heard or suspected something related to a case don’t report it, once again, evil wins and those fearful disloyal friends must live with blood and the death of others who might have been saved if they had conquered their fears and come forward.
March 29, 2024
Widow Highland Park
Fascinating, well researched true crime, spanning many years. Sandra Bridewell is a criminal serial killer,beautiful and sinister, that makes this a page turner.
Fascinating, well researched true crime, spanning many years. Sandra Bridewell is a criminal serial killer,beautiful and sinister, that makes this a page turner.
March 2, 2024
Fascinating story, and appreciated all angles investigated so thoroughly. My locality to Dallas made this much more interesting. Sandra Bridewell certainly reaffirms that there are truly evil people in the world, ones you would never expect.
January 28, 2024
This is an incredibly researched detailed account of a femme fatale / accused murderer whose master manipulation spanned decades. If it was not about the city I call home, I may never have discovered this book. I look forward to diving into author John Leake's prior true crime books. If you live in Dallas and appreciate true crime books, you definitely do NOT want to miss this book though it may leave you feeling slightly disturbed about the depths of evil that can exist within a person!
June 28, 2024
A few years before the events portrayed in this book, a friend of mine introduced me to Sandra Stegal. It was a brief and mostly unmemorable meeting, but then all this stuff began to happen. I have been following this story for a long time and am glad someone finally wrote about it. True crime fans will get into this one. I read it in one day. Only in the end when the author attempts to explain the different ways these deaths could have occurred did my interest lag a bit. Because he was not allowed access to many records, the author had to postulate a lot, and I didn't always buy into his theories. This is a fascinating book none the less.
August 21, 2024
I was excited to read this book since it takes place in my home town, but I made it about half way through before having to start skimming. Very poorly written, repetitive and choppy. It reads like a high school essay assignment or a bad docudrama. Here are a few gems from this dumpster fire of a book: “There he met Sandra and was impressed by her lustrous brown hair and big brown eyes. Wow, Dear thought, this is one attractive lady.” “Priscilla was famous for the contrast of her petite figure and gigantic breasts…” “ … and there she was, surveying her flowerbeds with a Mexican gardener.” 🥴 Do yourself a big favor and just read about this crazy Dallas story online!
March 29, 2024
This was a fascinating read. True crime is a genre that I wouldn't ordinarily even consider, but I learned of this book on John Leake's substack and decided to give it a try.
The writing was quite engaging and I found myself caught up in the author's quest for information. The most astonishing aspect of the story was that the Black Widow literally got away with murder, not just once, but multiple times. It seemed as if the only real investigation of the killings was done by this true crime author.
The writing was quite engaging and I found myself caught up in the author's quest for information. The most astonishing aspect of the story was that the Black Widow literally got away with murder, not just once, but multiple times. It seemed as if the only real investigation of the killings was done by this true crime author.
July 9, 2024
Wow - my reaction after pretty much every twist and turn in this book. The up, down, and around trail of Sandra Bridewell was something. I struggled to follow this book at times because of how complex it was, but there was a factor of relatability when it mentioned specific spots in Dallas - Greenway Parks, Highland Park High School, Northpark Mall, and Love Field. Overall, this book was fascinating, albeit very long and detailed. I kept picking it up after hiatuses, so I would have been more on track if I had read it consistently. A must read if you enjoy true crime!
January 14, 2024
What a read. Thoroughly researched, straightforward writing. Appreciated opinions of author. Makes one wonder: is our justice system this ineffective? Or is this an anomaly? Sandra is certainly evil and self destructing. With her gifts of beauty, charm, and persuasiveness, she could have lived a comfortable life of wealth, status, peer respect, and accomplishment by living within the lines of 3 stars.
January 31, 2024
This book makes Fatal Attraction look like little league…
I mean, at least Glenn Close (forgot her character’s name) was focused on only one guy…. The Meaning of Malice is a total page turner, beautifully written in a way that makes the reader feel like part of the story- and it is suspenseful to the very end. A must-read!
I mean, at least Glenn Close (forgot her character’s name) was focused on only one guy…. The Meaning of Malice is a total page turner, beautifully written in a way that makes the reader feel like part of the story- and it is suspenseful to the very end. A must-read!
February 23, 2024
will no longer read him
THIS!
When SARS-CoV-2 arrived in early 2020, he perceived that the official policy response to it was illogical at best, and possibly criminal, so he teamed up with Dr. Peter McCullough to write The Courage to Face COVID-19: Preventing Hospitalization and Death While Battling the Bio-Pharmaceutical Complex (with a forward by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.).
THIS!
When SARS-CoV-2 arrived in early 2020, he perceived that the official policy response to it was illogical at best, and possibly criminal, so he teamed up with Dr. Peter McCullough to write The Courage to Face COVID-19: Preventing Hospitalization and Death While Battling the Bio-Pharmaceutical Complex (with a forward by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.).
July 17, 2024
This book is a true story about a woman known as the Black Widow of Highland Park. Apparently, this woman was responsible for the death of two of her husbands as well as the death of the wife of a prominent doctor that she wanted to pursue.
The story is interesting, but the book is filled with so many names of so many characters that it's difficult to keep up with the who, what, where, when.
The story is interesting, but the book is filled with so many names of so many characters that it's difficult to keep up with the who, what, where, when.
March 3, 2024
I remember when Skip Hollandsworth first wrote about the Black Widow of Highland Park in 1986! I was fascinated and that’s just the beginning of this crazy story. It gets repetitive toward the end, but enjoyable. Especially if you were in Dallas in the 80’s.
April 2, 2024
Intriguing
This is a very interesting story. The conclusion has to be determined by every reader because all proof is circumstantial, as much for the deaths as for evidence of murder.
This is a very interesting story. The conclusion has to be determined by every reader because all proof is circumstantial, as much for the deaths as for evidence of murder.
April 24, 2024
Absolutely fantastic
I read a lot of true crime, most of it the synopsis variety. This author, hands down, maintains and elevates the standards for all others. Not since In Cold Blood has any author displayed the depth of research and description until now.
I read a lot of true crime, most of it the synopsis variety. This author, hands down, maintains and elevates the standards for all others. Not since In Cold Blood has any author displayed the depth of research and description until now.
July 13, 2024
Wow! Very engrossing.
Extremely well written. Couldn't put down and fascinated by how this woman got away with this for so long. The author did his homework and is an excellent writer!
Extremely well written. Couldn't put down and fascinated by how this woman got away with this for so long. The author did his homework and is an excellent writer!
November 25, 2023
Informational and interesting especially if you are from Dallas
February 16, 2024
Oh my! A gripping story that took place right under my nose. Unbelievable.
March 1, 2024
Good but….
The sort is good until the last quarter. At that point it becomes so repetitious that I just started scanning.
The sort is good until the last quarter. At that point it becomes so repetitious that I just started scanning.
March 18, 2024
I didn’t like the way this book was organized, and it felt repetitive. However, it was a juicy read if you grew up in the area and was well researched.
March 29, 2024
Interesting bc a local crime however a lot of repetition
April 1, 2024
I just loved this book. Too bad she got away with these horrendous crimes. Loved the authors style of writing.
May 29, 2024
Good book but just hard to read sometimes with that many characters in the book. Plus I was hoping for a good ending but it wasn’t .
June 6, 2024
Interesting and well researched story. The book I has an odd structure. The author basically tells the story twice.
June 25, 2024
Very interesting true crime. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. Easy to follow .
July 13, 2024
Riviting
It is a cautionary tale about what happens when good people, faced with evil, do nothing. I wonder how many more victims have suffered because of her behavior.
It is a cautionary tale about what happens when good people, faced with evil, do nothing. I wonder how many more victims have suffered because of her behavior.
August 1, 2024
great story, especially as a reader from dallas. not incredibly well written, it was a little jumpy and repetitive.
September 2, 2024
I was fascinated by the subject of the story, but I grew tired of the author inserting himself into the narrative.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews