Bone Deep: Untangling the Betsy Faria Murder Case by Charles Bosworth Jr. | Wonderlit

Bone Deep: Untangling the Betsy Faria Murder Case by Charles Bosworth Jr. | Wonderlit

THE TRUE STORY OF THE CASE THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF NBC’S MARQUEE MINI-SERIES "THE THING ABOUT PAM" STARRING RENEE ZELLWEGER AS PAM HUPP AND JOSH DUHAMEL AS JOEL SCHWARTZ. The explosive, first-ever insider’s account of the case that’s captivated millions — the murder of Betsy Faria and the wrongful conviction of her husband — told by Joel J. Schwartz, the defense attorney who fought for justice on behalf of Russel Faria, and New York Times bestselling author Charles Bosworth Jr. On December 27th, 2011, Russell Faria returned to his Troy, Missouri, home after his weekly game night with friends to an unthinkable, grisly scene: His wife, Betsy, lay dead, a knife still lodged in her neck. She’d been stabbed fifty-five times. First responders concluded that Betsy was dead for hours when Russ discovered her. No blood was found implicating Russ, and surveillance video, receipts, and friends’ testimony all supported his alibi. Yet incredibly, police and the prosecuting attorney ignored the evidence. In their minds, Russ was guilty. But prominent defense attorney Joel J. Schwartz quickly recognized the real killer. The motive was clear. Days before her murder, the terminally ill Betsy replaced her husband with her friend, Pamela Hupp, as her life insurance beneficiary. Still, despite the prosecution’s flimsy case and Hupp’s transparent lies, Russ was convicted—leaving Hupp free to kill again. Bone Deep takes readers through the perfect storm of miscalculations and missteps that led to an innocent man’s conviction—and recounts Schwartz’s successful battle to have that conviction overturned. Written with Russ Faria’s cooperation, and filled with chilling new revelations and previously undisclosed evidence, this is the story of what can happen when police, prosecutor, judge, and jury all fail in their duty to protect the innocent—and let a killer get away with murder. “Fans of Dateline will be interested in this work, which will likely only grow in popularity when the miniseries The Thing About Pam, starring Renée Zellweger, premieres in March 2022.” —Library Journal “Filled with chilling new revelations and previously undisclosed evidence, this is the story of what can happen when police, prosecutor, judge, and jury all fail in their duty to protect the innocent—and let a killer get away with murder. This book is an explosive, insider’s account of a case that continues to fascinate the public. We highly recommend it.” —Mystery Tribune “An engaging true-crime book that exposes failures in the American criminal justice system while putting a human face on those involved and is recommended to those that enjoy well-researched books.” —Mystery and Suspense “If you are interested in justice, in criminal profiling, in trial procedures, the dynamics between the judge, the defense, and the prosecution, this book is for you.” —Defrosting Cold Cases

Wonderlit Review

Bone Deep is a meticulously detailed true crime account that chronicles the brutal 2011 murder of Betsy Faria and the subsequent legal battle to exonerate her husband, Russell Faria, who was wrongly convicted. Co-authored by Russell's defense attorney, Joel J. Schwartz, the book offers an unparalleled insider's view into the investigation and trial, exposing significant missteps and biases within the American criminal justice system. The narrative directly addresses the graphic nature of the murder and the profound injustice of Russell's conviction, handling these sensitive topics with a focus on legal process and the human cost of systemic failure. The emotional arc of the book begins with profound tragedy and frustration, building suspense as Schwartz meticulously works to uncover the truth and challenge the flawed prosecution. It culminates in a hard-won triumph as Russell's conviction is overturned, though it leaves readers with a sobering understanding of how easily justice can be derailed. This book is specifically for adult readers, particularly those who are avid fans of true crime, legal thrillers, and stories that critically examine the justice system. It is also highly relevant for those following the 'The Thing About Pam' miniseries, as it provides the definitive account from the defense's perspective. A parent would not reach for this book for their child, as its content is explicitly adult and contains graphic descriptions of violence and complex legal themes. For adult readers, no specific 'parent preparation' is needed beyond an awareness that the book delves into disturbing subject matter. Different ages would experience this book very differently; it is entirely unsuitable for children, and even younger teenagers (under 16) would likely find the content too mature and intense. Adults, however, will appreciate the depth of research, the legal insights, and the compelling narrative that sets it apart from other true crime accounts by offering a direct, personal perspective from the heart of the defense team.