Too Late to Say Goodbye

By: Ann Rule

Narrated by: Barbara Caruso

From bestselling author Ann Rule comes the engrossing true story of two beautiful, loving women, and their murder by the man in their life—handsome, charming, rich, a man marked for unlimited success—but one who would never allow any woman to leave him, no matter what the provocation.

Jenn Corbin, a lovely, slim, brown-eyed blonde, appeared to have it all: two dear little boys, a posh home in one of the upscale suburbs of Atlanta, expensive cars, a plush houseboat, and a husband—Dr. Bart Corbin, a successful dentist—who was tall, handsome, and brilliant.

But gradually their seemingly idyllic life together began to crumble. There was talk of seeing a marriage counselor. Bart was distraught; Jenn seemed disenchanted. She needed to reach out to someone she could confide in—beyond her mother and her sisters. Then, just a few weeks before Christmas 2004, Jenn was found dead with a bullet in her head, a revolver beside her. From the position of the body her death appeared to be a suicide. But Gwinnett County detective Marcus Head was not totally convinced, nor was Jenn's family, who could not believe she would take her own life.

And how was this death related to another apparent suicide fourteen years earlier—that of Dorothy "Dolly" Hearn, a spectacularly beautiful dental student? A star athlete and homecoming queen in high school, Dolly later dated Bart Corbin in dental school. Was there a connection, or was the answer to be found in a secret—even dangerous—relationship Jenn Corbin was having outside her marriage? For Too Late to Say Goodbye, Ann Rule has interviewed virtually everyone in any way related to the story—the victims' families, police investigators, prosecutors, and sources from Georgia to Australia—to uncover the truth behind the headlines of these two sensational deaths. What emerges is an incredible tale of jealous rage; of stunning circumstantial and physical evidence that runs from the steamy to the macabre to almost-unheard-of forensic techniques; and of a tragic irony—a fateful discovery that motivated the killing. The definitive unraveling of one of the strangest murder investigations of our time, Too Late to Say Goodbye is perhaps the finest achievement of a truly great writer's career.

As always

Anne Rule and her ability to make us feel that we know the victims and their families once again. Heart breaking story told beautifully

Another great by the late, great Ann Rule

I read many of Ann’s. This is one of my favourites. Narrator also does a great job.

One more .....

.....Incredibly true story of love, selfless loyalty, devotion to her children and family, and sacrifices that went far above and beyond; while married to a possessive, domineering, abusive, narcissistic man. So very sad because she was experiencing personal growth that was physically, mentally and emotionally giving her a chance for a new life away from him.
And, That’s only half the story.
Well researched and written with great narration.

Ann Rule does it again

If you could sum up Too Late to Say Goodbye in three words, what would they be?

Well, I can't, but I CAN sum it up in 125 words: I've read many of Ann Rule's books, and the "book-length" ones never fail to hold me in their grip. This true story took place in a Georgia county that I know fairly well, and Rule did a good job of describing it accurately. As always, the book is dense with description of characters and events, including in depth back stories. Rule must be adept at winning the confidence of the people who tell the stories she writes; the level of detail is often astonishing. I haven't enjoyed her "short-story" books nearly as much because the length is just not sufficient to "know" the people involved as I feel I know them at the conclusion of her major works. Ann Rule works hard, and it shows!

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, I definitely learned a little more about how to commit the perfect murder - what pitfalls to avoid, and such ; )

What three words best describe Barbara Caruso’s voice?

Not. My. Favorite.

Any additional comments?

As an aspiring writer myself - of fictional crime - I've learned a lot from Ann Rule about pacing, story development and getting deep into the lives and psyches of the players. Mine are all made up, of course, but I think reading Ann Rule has helped me make them more "real".

Disappointing narration

I love Ann Rule and have all of her books! However, I had a hard time listening to this one. I think it’s the narrator or it could be due to editing, but there are consistent prolonged pauses that make it hard to focus on and enjoy the story.