Out of Control

by Steven Long

Presents the true story of Clara Harris, a woman who led a seemingly charmed life, accused of running her husband down in a hotel parking lot after confronting him with his mistress. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312990278
• ISBN13: 9780312990275
• Release Date: April 2004
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

Fact is stranger than fiction

Though this story made headlines across the country, there was not enough tabloid ink to cover all the truly bizarre details of the case. The author goes into excrutiating detail to illustrate the moral hypocrisy of the Harris's suburban Texas community. Its affluent deniszens flaunted adherence to the protestant work ethic by indulging in conspicuous consumption, and maintained god-fearing charades by attending frivolous church gatherings. New residents "denomination shopped" by the same critieria used in country club selection -- the choice of methodist vs. baptist was made according to convenience of church location and the social standing of its congregation. Most of the participants in this drama met in their church groups, and their intricate infidelities required a flow chart - in fact one was entered into evidence during the trial. The author leads us through the horror of the incident itself, then traces back through the eight days prior to the vehicular assault. Empathy for the victim dwindles as he is portrayed as a self-indulgent man-child who humiliates his well-liked, hard-working immigrant wife by having an affair with a sexpot who works in their dental business. He even methodically details for his wife why he prefers his lover to her. Clara Harris thus descends into a desperate, jealous fury culminating in the vehicular assault. Lest we think Clara Harris is an innocent victim of circumstance, her calculating side is revealed as she schemes to win her husband back, and inexcusably drags his daughter along with her. In turn, she hires an unsavory private detective firm who also have been hired by everyone else involved in the case. The second half of the book is spent detailing the trial. The author does a superb job of covering the highlights and illuminating the defense and prosecution strategies. Although he takes pains to provide balance as far as David vs. Clara, he humorlessly fails to hide his disdain for the trial judge, a Texas Republican with little regard for freedom of the press. This is a fascinating page-turner, particularly for those who derive a sense of schaudenfreud from reading about wealthy people who have it all and lose it through bad behaviour.

A Capivating Read from the First Page!

I loved this book and read it in two days. Although it was clear Clara Harris killed her husband in cold blood, I still had a great deal of sympathy for her. I was positive her attorney would defend her as a temporary insanity case; however, he didn't and I'm not sure why. I can totally understand the rage she had after discovering his mistress; then after he promises to stop seeing his lover and try to make his marriage work, she finds out he was deceiving her once again. Clara Harris worked so hard all her life and it was obvious she was a caring mother and a devoted wife who loved her husband very much -- almost to obsessive levels. For her to do what she did, over and over -- run the car over him again and again, she HAD to have been in some kind of out of control mode and I think they should have taken that into consideration and cut her a break. The Judge was relentless, almost as though she had no sympathy for Clara Harris at all. I realize she is a murderess but I still felt bad for her. Her heart was broken and her jealousy toward her husband's other woman just set her off. I definitely would recommend this book and I promise you will not be bored.

Awesome

Just finished this book and I have to say that Clara Harris was not the only villain in this tragic event. Mr. Long dug up some facinating details that was never broached by the regular media.Events leading up to that awful night puts into perspective what "drove" Clara to commit this awful deed.I'm glad to have gotten some information about the characters of the cheating husband and his mistress. I couldn't put it down.

Out of Control

Houston stories are hot right now. I'm not sure what's in the water there, but Houston's true stories are making the news. Of course everyone heard about Clara Harris running over her unfaithful husband with her Mercedes. Most wives sympathize with her and her act of rage like they did with Lorraine Bobbitt when she struck at her husband with a butcher knife. This book is an excellent read.

Like a Runaway Freight Train - Out of Control -

Out of Control details the lengths some people will actually go to. I have always wondered why Clara Harris would do what she did; now I know. Read this book and you will see for yourself what lengths some people will resort to. This book felt like a great fiction read, because in this case truth was even stranger than fiction! If you like interesting, page turning reading, than this is the book for you. Reading it was an amazing experience. All too often, I actually felt like I was there - in the car, getting out of the car, actually seeing and hearing what it felt like to be there with Mr. Harris as he died. The trial coverage was incredible, I felt for all involved. This book made me thankful for the good life I have when I saw how some people live. Have at it and enjoy yourself!