On January 9, 1993, Jean-Claude Romand killed his wife, his children, and his parents before attempting to take his own life. For eighteen years, Romand had functioned under a total fabrication, convincing his family and friends that he was a successful doctor and researcher for the World Health Organization. In reality, he spent his days sitting in his car or walking through the woods. The narrative reconstructs Romand’s daily routines of deception, his financial fraud against relatives, and the eventual collapse of his facade that led to the murders.
Readers interested in psychological pathology and the mechanics of long-term imposture read this account to understand how a life can be built entirely on a void. The book provides a forensic look at the isolation required to maintain a massive lie and the violent desperation that occurs when the truth emerges. It appeals to those seeking a clinical, unadorned examination of a criminal mind that is motivated by the fear of being seen rather than typical material gain.
Deep and inward-looking; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Wisdom Collector. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2000
- Language
- EN
