A nonfiction book is always the work of many dedicated individuals; those who research, compile, review, and of course, those who give their time and recollection to help develop a meaningful narrative. Cole Thompson again took the lead in uncovering and gathering critical information, while Lisa Pulitzer spent countless hours organizing and structuring material that covered several generations. Dr. Keith Ablow generously reviewed the relevant histories of the Polk family members and shared his psychiatric insights. Lisa Sweetingham was often my eyes and ears in the courtroom during Susan Polk’s trial and offered her own invaluable reflections on the proceeding. Without the generous time offered by many of the people integrally involved in these events, it would have been impossible to examine the very personal details necessary to fully present this story.
Jan Miller, my friend and agent for many years, shepherded the project. Judith Regan and my editors Cal Morgan and Matt Harper had faith, once again, in the relevance and fascination of a true crime story that seeks to go beyond the “who” and delve into the complex “why” behind family violence. I want to acknowledge my wonderful staff at Court TV for their support. Very special thanks to my assistant, Barbara Stansell for being there twenty- four/seven and D. J. Haverkamp for keeping the trains running on time. Finally, love and gratitude to Scott Carney, who kept me focused and grounded throughout this project.
SEARCHABLE TERMS
Andersen, Eloise
Argosy University
Barnard, Linda
Berg, Paul
Bodfish, Margaret
Bolling, David (Susan’s brother)
Bolling, Helen Avanzato (Susan’s mother)
childhood/adolescence
co-owned property with the Polks
in court
at bail hearingat
the trial
as witness
described
Eli’s future, planning for
Felix’s dislike for, and banning from home
life-and-death encounter
marriage/divorce
murder investigation and
reaction to Felix’s murder
and Susan as adolescent
and Susan as adult
Bolling, Rita
Bolling, Theodore (Susan’s father)
Borkenhagen, Bob
Bradley, Edwin
Bradley, Elizabeth
Brady, Larry
Brady, Laurel
indirect connection to incident
jury selection/opening statements of prosecution
mistrial
prosecution’s case
Susan’s testimony
Susan’s witnesses
verdict
Briner, Andy
Briner, Dan
Briner, Marjorie
Burns, Sheila
Byron Boys’ Ranch
Carin, Deputy
Castro-Shelly, Laura
Chamblee, Melvin
Chertkow, Nancy
Clark, Roger
Coleridge, Peter
Cooper, John
Costa, Kirsten
Costa, Mike
investigating murder
at crime scene
finding Susan’s diary/written materials
Kobrin interview
Kuntz interview
opinion of Susan’s guilt
Pyne interview
search of Felix’s office
Susan Polk interview
as witness at trial
Cristwell, Lisa
Croen, Robin
Deakins, Roger
De La Salle High School
Del Oro High School, Orinda
Disneyland trip
Dyleski, Denika
Dyleski, Scott
Eaton, Merle
Erhard, Werner
Fullerton, Linda
Funk, Jack
Golde, Ivan W.
Golde, Stanley P.
Grace, Nancy
Grossman, Elizabeth
Gruenheid, Roxanne
