Death Row Romeo: The True Story of Serial Killer Oscar … (2024)

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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews

Lynn Perry

83 reviews2 followers

August 17, 2017

Hard To Believe Execution Of This Murderer Of 3 Florida Females Cost Florida 10 Trials & 28 Years Of Incarceration

This is one of the more "sensationalistic" true crime stories I've read in my many, many years of reading such stories. A 3-time convicted murderer uses the Florida appeals system to "eke" out 7 re-trials of these convictions (with him being found guilty in each re-trial) and live on Florida's Death Row for 28 years, during which time he receives $300 monthly allowances from a woman (subsequently his wife) who he met through the Florida justice system - a woman who left her husband and 4 daughters to be with "Romeo". On top on that, we learn in the book, that Romeo's (aka Bolin's) 1st wife had actually been complicit in helping him cover up 2 of his murders. As the saying goes, "Truth is (so much) stranger than fiction". I appreciate the author for bringing this case to "light" - and think he did a fairly good job of summarizing the highlights of this unusually complicated case - though there were a couple of details provided that could have used some clarication: (1) after noting that Romeo's 1st conviction in the Holley case was thrown out on appeal due to the improper admission of his 1st wife's testimony (ie, conflict of spousal privilege), the author later notes how the former wife was allowed to testify posthumously via video during Romeo's 3rd and last re-trial - without explaining the basis on which it was then allowed; (2) re the Matthews case, the author indicates Romeo's brother who had some knowledge of that crime adversely testified in the initial Matthews trial, but that the brother later re-canted this testimony, and then started flip-flopping back and forth. When the last re-trial of this case occurs, the author doesn't indicate whether the brother testified or not (though the author does note that Matthews's mother thanked the brother after Romeo's execution - a thanks that would suggest to me that the brother did testify.) As a final comment, I want to emphasize a point I made earlier - this book is basically a summary; it is by no means an in-depth look or analysis of Romeo's criminal career - and somewhat ironically, the narrative actually provides little information to justify Romeo's teaser nickname.

Lee Husemann

827 reviews6 followers

August 14, 2017

Rosalie Martinez was working as a sentencing mitigation specialist in Florida when she met Oscar Ray Bolin who was in jail awaiting his first murder trial. She gave up her wealthy lifestyle and her 4 children to marry Bolin while he was incarcerated. Over the years, more bodies were discovered and were linked to him with more murder charges. This is a very interesting book!

Beth Shuler

206 reviews

September 7, 2017

Ok read

I did enjoy this read as I do other books of his. The only reason its a three instead of a four is just because I felt that this was my least favorite. I felt he could of done so much better.
While this is a good read it could of been so much better. I felt he gave the criminal almost a book about "his love story!" And I didn't really like that. Let's admit most people in jail swear they didn't do it. And while we do have innocent people in jail he is not one. And I believe it should of been more about his victims, their families and his crimes!!! I felt almost offended at times. I thought this book would cover more details on his crimes, trial and if the author has doubts or proof of innocence then that! But I could care less about him falling in love and some crazy lady loving him! Shea as crazy as him. Don't get me wrong if he or she would of taken responsiblities then maybe I wouldn't of felt so offended. I hate to see what his victims and family must of felt!
But its was also missing so much other information in it. Basic stuff. I was just expecting so much more. But if you are one looking for a crime and love story then this is for you. I was looking for a crime story, with maybe the offenders input. Or admissions. But facts. Its suppose to be true crime. Just felt its was almost more geared towards romance!!!
But I would still try another book of his because I can see he has talent and can write!

Bettye McKee

2,151 reviews148 followers

August 16, 2017

Haunting story of a vicious murderer

Having never heard of Oscar Ray Boling, Jr., I found this book enthralling and informative. This sadistic killer abducted young women and murdered them most viciously. I could not find a motive other than he enjoyed the act.

While Bolin was on Death Row, Rosalie Martinez, one of the case workers, apparently fell madly in love with Bolin, divorced her husband, left her luxurious lifestyle and her four daughters, and married Bolin. I find this creepy, but it appears that there are a large number of serial killer groupies out there.

This book is very well-written and well-researched and includes photos.

5

C

363 reviews3 followers

May 25, 2018

not a bad read.

Oscar Ray Bolin on death row for multiple murders of females. A heartless man who is the true devil, killed for pure entertainment. Such a shame when this woman Rosalie left her husband and daughters to marry this evil predator. Look what he did to females, you don't think he would do that to your daughters in a heartbeat. What a stupid woman. Handsome and charming I think not.

Cherie'

    2018 true-crime true-story

MoDonasChridhe

331 reviews1 follower

June 1, 2018

A read with a multitude of emotion

The story of a sadistic killer with no remorse and of the appalling manipulation of the justice system and flaunting as if the lives he took did not matter. I mourned and raged with the families. Well told with a just ending.

Miranda Haynes

21 reviews

March 27, 2019

Kinda dull

This is an easy read and the story of the appeals is mind boggling, but this isn't a page turner. The book basically reports the story. The end.

Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews

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