Son of a Grifter

The Twisted Tale of Sante and Kenny Kimes, the Most Notorious Con Artists in America: A Memoir by the Other Son

By: Kent Walker, Mark Schone

Narrated by: John Glouchevitch

Length: 16 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1988 a troubled young man and his flamboyant mother were arrested for murdering a wealthy widow in her New York City mansion. Suddenly America was transfixed by a pair of real-life film noir characters. The media couldn't get enough of the twisted relationship between Sante Kimes and her 23-year-old son, Kenny. But the most chilling story of all was never told - until now.

Kent Walker, Sante's elder son, reveals how he survived 40 years of "the Dragon Lady's" very special brand of motherly love and still managed to get away. As a child Kent watched his mother destroy his hardworking father, Ed Walker, and then - with Kent's painful collusion - snare what Sante called "my millionaire". When she married seemingly respectable real-estate developer Ken Kimes, it was a match made in hell. For the next two decades, Kent's mother and stepfather indulged in a globetrotting orgy of criminal behavior, laying waste to each other and anyone who got in the way. When Kent's half brother, Kenny, was born, Kent was 12 years old - old enough to know that he was his younger sibling's only protector.

©2001 Kent Walker with Mark Schone (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Well researched and touching.... As a chronicle of Sante Kimes's life, it's unlikely to be surpassed by any other." ( Publishers Weekly)

exceptionally good

The story is so addictive because you think there is no way this really happened but knowing the whole time he really did have to love through this. I connected on the level that family can do you so dirty but you keep coming to their call. Good for him to finally break away.

Socioapathy at its worst

Narration: clear, dramatically paced, rhythmic, and just right for this material.

Content: nothing to add to already existing reviews. And to think that such self-deluding, dangerous people actually walk among us. For me, it is not clear that the world would not be better off not invoking the death penalty.

100 miles a minute

Listening to Mr Walker’s account of his family and upbringing. Was similar to riding in a car driven by a lunatic at 100 miles an hour. Then they swerve just in time before hitting a tree.

Relentless Fraud and Murder

Where does Son of a Grifter rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is in my top 10. I have listened to hundreds of audible books over the last 12 years. The story is a bit personal to me as my mom displays some of the characteristics of Sante Kimes and a lot of the story takes place near where I grew up in Orange County. Additionally, both Kenny Kimes and I went to UC Santa Barbara. He was there a few years after I graduated though.

What other book might you compare Son of a Grifter to and why?

Maybe confessions of a Cartel Hitman or The New Confessions of an Economic Hitman. However, this one is much more complex as there are very few people like Sante Kimes in this world. Some lie and cheat, but she is the gold medal winner if there was ever a competition.

What about John Glouchevitch’s performance did you like?

Performance was good. Good tempo, very easy to understand. Voices of characters were done pretty well.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

A few laughs here and there. Maybe a little anger. No tears though

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this book. In some respects it's hard to believe how much of a psychopath that Sante Kimes was. However, I know a few people like her (but not at her level) and I see the potential for evil in these people.

Fascinating story.

Thank you for this book. I am the daughter of a criminal stepfather and mother too and I too can't figure out how they got away for so long without repercussion or consequence, and why I didn't run when I had the chance. It is completely wasted energy to try and figure it out. This book provides insight from the inside of a family dynamic that the public doesn't see and offers great advice toward the end. Again, thank you.

You Will Love and Hate This Author

Many other reviewers have mentioned how hard it was to put this book down, and I will be no different.
The seemingly endless listing of crime after crime, the positively *relentless audacity* of Sante Kimes will astonish you. The author's casual description of the every day horror of being part of this family will probably enrage you. A few times I found myself yelling back at the narrator "Why are you exposing your wife and children to that?!", "You're an IDIOT!", "And you DESERVED IT! ", and more in the same vein, ha! You'd have to have zero empathy to not be moved by this story. The author made me so angry sometimes, but he was always able to bring me back around and show that a kid raised by people like Sante kind of had the deck stacked against them.
However, I highly recommend it. I don't know how I missed this massive crime story throughout my years, but don't you miss out on it, too.

Regarding the narrator, he was an absolutely competent reader, but I personally didn't enjoy his breathy west coast accent.

Very Interesting, could be Shorter

Sante Kimes is probably one of the most versatile of criminals, thinking outside the box for creative ways to cheat, lie steal and generally get what she wants. Psychopaths can be geniuses. But then she got stuck in her own web of lies, like an echo chamber. Great story. Kent deserves credit for staying out of it (mostly) but the book could have been edited down.

wow

what a great book and narration! I finished this book so quick. I loved the mom's voice lol

Great insight!

I have seen this story on various ID episodes. This book was great, and I learned so much more about Cimes and her crimes. Super in depth, but entertaining and eye opening. A great one for anyone who likes confidence and true crime stories. Thank you Kent Walker, for your honesty and great story.

Tiffany

Pretty solid listen here if you like true crime. It did drag in some spots but overall it was interesting to visualize what this author went through growing up. Worth the credit and if you like long books (I’m a commuter to work) it’s worth the credit