Murder Shelf Book Club Podcast

Part III: Vicky Cilliers was struggling to recover her health and to come to terms with the fact that her husband, Emile Cilliers, had been arrested for attempting to murder her. In disbelief, Vicky found it hard to accept this truth. Their marriage wasn't perfect, but could he really have tried to kill her? As she cooperated with the police, uncertainty and doubt plagued her during Emile's trial, with the predatory media hovering over her. Vicky frets about the possible outcomes: "What if he is convicted? What if he isn't? What will co-parenting look like?" As the wheels of justice turned slowly, Vicky began to shed the effects of coercive control. This controlling influence gradually slipped away. **UPDATE:** Where is Vicky Cilliers today? How is this remarkable woman, mother, veteran, and survivor?

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Part II: As the marriage between Victoria and Emile Cilliers hits some snags concerning money and dishonesty, Vicky tells herself all marriage have ups and downs. But the level of duplicity begins to significantly escalate, even after Vicky gives birth to their second child. Desperate to reconnect with her husband, she looks for any light in the darkness. She is elated when Emile suggests they go skydiving, once a passion they shared. After a false start, with some reservations, Vicky jumps—and falls when both her main and reserve parachutes fail. Miraculously alive, she throws herself into recovery—until Emile is arrested for attempted murder.

Part I: Meet Vicky—a college graduate, physiotherapist, veteran, and expert skydiver living in the UK. Life was good; she cherished the serenity and freedom that skydiving brought her. Things took a turn for the better when she met the charming and handsome Sergeant Emile Cilliers of the Royal Air Force Physical Training Corps. He swept her off her feet, and they married two years later. Shortly after their wedding, they welcomed their first child. However, a troubling change began to unfold. Emile, who was once loving and attentive, became distant, distracted, and short-tempered. Vicky recognized the signs and suspected that he was lying, possibly even cheating. She was terribly hurt and desperate to understand what had gone wrong and what she could do to fix it. But nothing could have prepared her for the shocking turn her life was about to take. Immerse yourself in Part 1 'We Just Clicked" where the beginning of Vicky's struggle to survive starts.

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Part 3: The relentless harassment and stalking of the victims escalated to a new, perilous level, raising alarm bells for the detectives assigned to the case. Then, a breakthrough: Law enforcement discovered the identity of the escalating stalker, leading them to a staggering amount of digital evidence that the perpetrator believed had been long ago deleted. But the pressing question lingered: did they possess enough evidence to bring the stalker to justice for murder? Crafting an ingenious plan, the detectives ensnared the suspect in their own web of manipulation, culminating in an arrest warrant that left a trail of shock, pain, and horrifying betrayal. As the trial unfolded, family and friends of Cari Farver held their breath, anxiously awaiting the outcome—would justice be served, or would disaster ensue? Don't miss the conclusion of A Tangled Web by Leslie Rule, along with updates since its publication.

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Dr. Ann Wolbert Burgess, an original Mindhunter, joins Jill for an engaging conversation about her newest book, Expert Witness: The Weight of Our Testimony When Justice Hangs in the Balance, co-authored with Steven Matthew Constantine. In this thought-provoking discussion, Dr. Burgess delves into a range of high-profile cases, including the complex narratives surrounding the Menendez brothers, the shocking revelations involving Bill Cosby, and the harrowing prosecution of Larry Nassar. She shares her insights into the process of criminal investigations, highlighting the criteria for selecting significant cases that can impact justice. Dr. Burgess elaborates on her pivotal role as an expert witness, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how her testimony can influence court proceedings. Additionally, she discusses on recent research concerning indigenous communities and the unique challenges they face within the legal system. The conversation also explores the significant shifts in how sexual assault and rape cases are prosecuted today, emphasizing how Dr. Burgess's dedicated advocacy has contributed to these important changes in the pursuit of justice. And they talk CRIMECON 2025!

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