My Daddy Is a Hero

How Chris Watts Went from Family Man to Family Killer

By: Lena Derhally

Narrated by: Tanya Eby

Length: 8 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

A husband. A father. A killer.

Chris Watts was a family man. Everybody, including his family, believed that. Yet, on August 13, 2018, he murdered Shanann, his pregnant wife, and two young daughters.

As terrible as his story is, it is also a warning because to this day, living behind bars, Watts is still acting out the character traits that made him kill in the first place.

In this, the first and only psychological exploration of the Watts family murders, psychotherapist Lena Derhally has pieced together the crime, the events leading to it, and most of all, her beliefs about the "why". She explores the childhoods, families of origin, meeting, and early relationship of Shanann and Chris Watts. She also examines Watts's double life and duplicity regarding his well-publicized affair with a coworker.

The audiobook includes an in-depth look at community psychopaths, the different subtypes of narcissism, how to prevent this type of violence, and interviews with a neuroscientist, a criminal psychologist, and a journalist. Using her knowledge of attachment theory, Imago relationship theory, and psychopathology, Derhally draws a profile of the real Chris Watts and - just as important - she warns listeners that he is still a danger today.

©2019 Lena M. Derhally (P)2020 Tantor

Interesting and Informative

I find murder and serial killer books fascinating. One wonders how can people murder and possess such sick minds? This book provides insight into the character and thought process of this type of person. The last chapter is educational informative on warning signs.

Well written!

Good psychological information based on information from this tragedy. If interested in understanding human behavior and true crime...this book does an excellent job of explaining the many layers of personality disordered people. The details of this crime were very difficult to listen to; however, the author does add a warning before the chapter that goes into those horrific details.

very informative

excellent info, author was respectful of sensitive subject matter. retelling of crime with tons of background and analytical psychologic viewpoint

Not as informative as it claims.

There were not many details that were not already made public. Just ok but not too informative.

Excellent

Very informative and well written I definitely recommend this book for true crime followers thanks

Science-based

I appreciated that the author dove into the science of the brain and personality irregularities rather than trying to explain the murders away through outside and invisible forces. I also appreciated that the author did not try to place Shanann’s murder on her own shoulders.
Excellent book. Best coverage of the Watts murders.

Sad Tragedy

I can still remember the afternoon this story came on CNN....two little girls and their mother missing...I felt in my heart that this would not end well...watched the Netflix story after that and my heart just filled with sadness...this story is is just a tragedy...

Novel followed by "clinical" analysis

It began as a novel, stating information that is toned with biased opinions. Followed by an analysis of Chris' actions and behaviors. Nothing groundbreaking here. Had the author spoken with Chris she could have dived deep and given a thorough analysis.

Best book about this case.

Lena Derhally does what other authors and journalists have failed to do: she holds Chris Watts unequivocally accountable for the murders of his wife and children. She gives a clinical analysis that doesn’t exist elsewhere and her writing is superb. I’ll also add that Shannan Watts is portrayed in a deservedly respectful and dignified way, as it should be. The victim-blaming of women who unwittingly date or marry dangerous men is rampant and Ms. Derhally shines a necessary light on this aspect of the case, while still leaving room for the reader to ponder some tough questions about interpersonal relationships and psychological disorders that can fly dangerously under the radar. Great job, Lena. A personal thank you for such a job well done.

Book was great, narration not so much

I don’t know, I understand that this book quotes conversations and stuff between people but it was almost comical the narrator going between a buff southern voice and a girly voice. It was really distracting. As for the book, it had great material and was a good read for wanting to get the full story.