KISSELL MURDER BOOK TO COME OUT BUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LAURIE TOME?
First there was the milkshake. Then there was the juicy trial. Now we have the race to get a book out on the Robert Kissel murder, with news this week that famed crime writer Joe McGinniss plans to pen a page-turner on the topic.
But Lai See can't help but wonder what is to become of local journalist-turned-academic Jim Laurie's endeavours to get a book in the bag. Voyeurs at the High Court trial will recall Mr Laurie's presence as an adviser to Kissel's wife Nancy, aka the defendant, and hacks came to know him as one of the 'Friends of Nancy' contingent.
It wouldn't be a great leap to deduce there was a book in the making, with such close access to the woman herself. Friends of the wannabe scribe tell us that indeed plans were afoot but with McGinniss on the scene, things are now up in the air.
We called Mr Laurie to shed some light on the dilemma. Unfortunately, he seemed more concerned that a group email of his on this very subject had made its way to our inbox. He then threatened to sue us if we quoted from it.
Lai See is, however, more than happy to stay schtum. We would be loathe to turn such a tragedy as the Kissel murder into a legal circus. Or even worse, a publishing tiff.
