I often have a tendency to agree with the reviews offered by other true crime fans; but, as relates to Nightmare In Napa, I have to disagree with the many who have declared it to be a disappointing piece of work. Particularly, I find their reviews this time to be on the side of shallow.
Author Paul LaRosa provides a two piece account of true crime in this book. Readers are provided in depth details of the murders of Leslie Mazzara and Adriane Insogna; that is, as in depth as it can be. One must consider that, despite much investigating, even the police were short on leads EXCEPT for those that pertained to Leslie; thus, just as LaRosa provides a great deal about Leslie and her life, this is exactly what the homicide detectives were sorting through during the investigation.
Is it over kill on Leslie? Sure, even I tired of hearing about this “Southern beauty queen” who, truth be known, had won only one pageant. However, it was an accurate account of the workings of the homicide investigation. (I would have liked to see more social photos of Leslie; however, I’m going to assume they were unavailable as the author makes note that Cathy Harrington, Leslie’s mother, was unnerved by the portrayal of daughter in the media and, as a result, was probably unwilling to provide such photos since such photos are, generally, provided by family members.)
As an avid reader of true crime, I actually enjoyed the more intense focus on the victims as the focus generally lies on the accused until the Victim Impact Statement made in the end. Readers of Nightmare In Napa are given the opportunity to feel the pain and anguish of the survivors, especially Arlene Allen, Adriane Insogna’s mother. Allen is an amazing woman, a strong-willed survivor.
I did not feel that this book lacked depth. It may not have provided answers to many of the questions readers would like answered, especially as to “Why?,” but, one must bear in mind, those pieces of information are simply not available. Chances are no one will ever know why Eric Copple, the confessed killer, committed this horrendous crime; at least, the truthful version, anyway. Theories are the ONLY means of explaining motive.
If I had one major disappointment in finding something I was looking for with this book, it was that we didn’t read more from the sole survivor, Lauren Meanza, and from Copple’s wife, Lily, who was also best friends with victim Adriane Insogna. While I can understand Lauren’s silence, I have to ponder why Lily, at the very least, didn’t attempt to make readers understand why she would continue to remain married to and support a man who so viciously killed her best friend. However, the author cannot be held accountable for anyone’s refusal to talk.
When one chooses to read Nightmare In Napa, it can’t be entered into with the intention of reading your typical true crime; specifically, an overused pattern of rehashing the crime followed by background on the accused then a Courtroom finale. Author Paul LaRosa peruses a different style of writing (see also Tacoma Confidential: A True Story of Murder, Suicide, and a Police Chief’s Secret Life), that is unique and enjoyable to read.
