A Dance With the Devil

January 15, 2009
Amid the proliferation of true-crime books about child murderers and serial killers, it's difficult to make a story with no corpse seem compelling. But in her memoir of marriage to a charismatic liar who ultimately tries to kill her, Bentley, a victim's advocate, succeeds. She holds nothing back as she describes how her friends and family strove to prevent her relationship with sociopath John Perry, who claimed to be an admiral who spoke seven languages and served as best man in Frank Sinatra's wedding. He wooed her, married her, and seduced her out of thousands of dollars before their final violent encounter. Although the last section, about Bentley's successful attempt to change California divorce law to protect victims like herself, goes on a little too long, this well-written account belongs in all public libraries with true-crime sections.Daisy Porter, San José P.L., CA

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