To Have and to Kill: Nurse Melanie McGuire, an Illicit Affair, and the Gruesome Murder of Her Husband

By John Glatt

Book Overview

The master of true crime returns, John Glatt's To Have and To Kill tells the story of a marriage that turned deadly

One by one, three waterlogged suitcases were pulled from the Chesapeake Bay. In each were body parts of a man. In a forensics room, the truth was discovered: William McGuire had been horribly murdered and dismembered.

William and his loving wife, a registered nurse named Melanie, had just closed on their New Jersey dream home. Little did William know about the nightmare that was in store... For Melanie had been involved in a long-term affair with a married doctor at the fertility clinic where she worked--and she had plans for the future that didn't include William.

Investigators believe that on April 29, 2004, Melanie first drugged her husband, then murdered him in cold blood. Three years after America witnessed the details of the suitcase incident unfold--on 48 Hours, Dateline NBC, and ABC Primetime, and in People magazine, among other news outlets--Melanie was convicted of first-degree murder and desecrating human remains.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1250025877
• ISBN13: 9781250025876
• Release Date: December 2008
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

gripping read.....

What a compelling read! I love true crime books and this one really carried you along.

SEAMLESS AND FAST PACED

Written by a writer at the top of his game, I thought the book was excellent! The story was reported in a seamless and fast paced way. In his clear words, Glatt made me turn the pages faster and faster. I especially loved the description of the "Widow's Peak" in the beginning, which was explained as a "sign of a woman who would outlive her husband". One of the best true crime books that I have read.

Excellent book!

I was glued to Court TV during this trial and as another reviewer mentioned, this book filled in many of the blanks that weren't revealed to those of us who were watching at home. It is well-written and shows interactions in chronological order, making it easy to understand how the jury arrived at their verdict; and making me wonder how Melanie's attorney seems/seemed so convinced of her innocence. I enjoy reading true crime and this was one of the best I've read. How great that I could pre-order it in May and have it arrive last week! Very quick read - already finished with it!

Excellent Book

When I was on jury duty a couple of years ago I saw Melanie McQuire and Joe Tacapina huddled outside the courthouse. Melanie is a very attractive and petite (tiny) woman. Because I am a Jersey native, I watched this entire trial on Court TV. The book that Mr. Glatt wrote filled in a lot of gaps that did not come out in the court hearing. The book is thorough and convinced me on who I suspected assisted her in the murder. The book was so good I stayed up all night and read it. Now my husband is reading it. I highly recommend it.