Book Review: Dead Reckoning by Caitlin Rother

In this updated version of Dead Reckoning, award-winning author Caitlin Rother invites the reader in to a story of a former child star struggling with gender dysphoria and his accomplices as they plot and kill a retired couple and steal their yacht. No less disturbing the second go around, Dead Reckoning remains a must read for true crime fans. You can read my 2015 review by clicking here.

Two newer issues get a fair amount of attention in the updated version: gender dysphoria and the ongoing argument over the eligibility of transgender inmates to receive surgery to alter their biological sex, and the impact of Governor Gavin Newsom's moratorium on executions in California.

Skylar Deleon's desire for gender reassignment surgery is what led him (at the time) to murder three people. Sentenced to death row, Skylar transitioned to a woman and legally changed her gender to female, potentially to obtain taxpayer-subsidized gender confirmation surgery and transfer to a women’s prison. For the victims' families, such an act coupled with delayed justice for their loved ones seems unconscionable.

Just as Rother did with the original story, she presents both sides without bias. This is a thoroughly researched story of unspeakable acts that changed the lives of many. If you are fascinated by true crime stories, you'll want to grab the latest version of Dead Reckoning. 


Paperback: 470 pages
Publisher: WildBlue Press; 2nd ed. edition (August 26, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1948239388
ISBN-13: 978-1948239387

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I received a digital copy of this book from the author through Pump Up Your Book. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.