We Thought We Knew You

A Terrifying True Story of Secrets, Betrayal, Deception, and Murder

By: M. William Phelps

Narrated by: Danny Campbell

Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

In July 2015, Mary Yoder returned home from the chiropractic center that she operated with her husband, Bill, complaining that she felt unwell. Mary, health-conscious and vibrant, was suddenly vomiting, sweating, and weak. Doctors in the ER and ICU were baffled as to the cause of her rapidly progressing illness. Her loved ones - including Bill and their children, Adam, Tamryn, and Liana - gathered in shock to say good-bye.

In the weeks that followed Mary's death, the grief-stricken family received startling news from the medical examiner: Mary had been deliberately poisoned with colchicine. Another bombshell followed when the local sheriff's office received a claim that Adam Yoder had poisoned his mother. But Adam was not the only person of interest in the case.

Pretty and popular Kaitlyn Conley, Adam's ex-girlfriend, worked at the Yoders' clinic. She'd even been at Mary's bedside during those last terrible hours. Still, some spoke of her talent for manipulation and a history of bizarre, rage-fueled behavior against anyone who dared to reject her. Had Kaitlyn and Adam conspired to kill Mary Yoder, or was the killer someone else entirely?

Contains mature themes.

©2021 M. William Phelps (P)2020 Tantor

Repetitive and Dislike Narration

Like others have said, this book is incredibly repetitive. Literally could’ve been 1-2 hours. Very interesting story, but I’m an hour from the end and turning it off. I’m not sure how I made it this far. The narrator has grated on me since the first few words as well. He sounds like he’s 80 and the narration is flat. Maybe listen to the first few hours. You’ve heard it all and I’m sure you can guess how it ends.

A bit repetitious

The story was definitely repetitious, especially the boyfriend girlfriend dialogues. The reader was fine… I kinda liked his old man sound.

You don’t really know people!

This book was factual not based on the authors opinion. I like that. I was able to make my own opinion from the facts before the trial. I don’t know them but that was cold and I wish it didn’t happen! Bad things happen to good people.

repetitive

it got a bit repetitive at times, but overall, what a crazy story. i recommend it

Great book

Loved it! Very compelling. I enjoyed learning the background and history of the family. Sad what happened.

That shaky voice!

Ugh!! At the end of nearly every sentence the readers voice cracks as if he were about to cry or in total despair. While in certain places the unique voice could add emotion to the written story…. The over use is distracting and annoying. Hard to listen to very long. Way too much sharing of texts and issues with Adam and Katie….. then it’s all rehashed in the trial. It’s hard to follow cuz they say they will never speak to the other again, and next thing they are calling and back together.

Very Sick Individual

Beware of people who present themselves one way and then act another way , And the people that support their delusion of behavior!

too long

i had to ffwd to 1.30 speed to get over the narrators voice. it was an interesting story but could easily have been a short story or included in a compilation

Narrator was not appropriate for this book

I normally love Phelps’ books but this one was really hard to follow due to the non-linear timeline. You have to listen very closely to the dates on which events took place, otherwise you will be LOST. The story goes back and forth so quickly between timelines — one chapter is a story that took place post-murder. But the next story is something that happened before the murder and you’re like, Wait a minute. I thought she died!!

Onto the narrator… I have nothing against older people narrating books. However, to say it was creepy to hear explicit sexual subjects discussed in the voice of a grandpa is an understatement. It was disturbing. His voice is so shaky and raspy. Imagine hearing Grandpa Simpson talking about a vagina and you get an idea of what it was like.

Other than that, excellent story. The author clearly did alot of work and you got a very good idea of how everything went down, which is quite a feat in this very-confusing, convoluted case.

Amazing, horrific and honest telling of a puzzling crime

Mary Yoder was murdered in an excruciatingly painful manner without an apparent reason. Against the odds, the police and prosecutors find and prosecute the murderer. The author skillfully weaves the complicated facts surrounding the crime into a compelling story. Absolutely worth a listen.