Before He Wakes

Before He Wakes chronicles the true story of Barbara Stager, a North Carolina woman accused of murdering her husband Russ in 1988. The narrative follows both the investigation into Russ Stager's death and Barbara's past, including her first marriage which ended in similar circumstances. Jerry Bledsoe reconstructs the events through interviews, court documents, and extensive research into the lives of those involved. The book moves between the criminal investigation and Barbara Stager's history, painting a picture of her relationships, behaviors, and the mounting suspicions of those around her. The investigation brings together law enforcement, family members, and members of the Durham community as they work to determine whether Russ Stager's death was truly accidental. Bledsoe details the legal proceedings and the prosecution's efforts to establish patterns in Barbara's conduct. This true crime account examines themes of deception within marriage and the complex nature of evidence in cases where truth remains elusive. The book raises questions about how well we can know the people closest to us.

Readers describe Before He Wakes as a detailed true crime account that maintains suspense despite the known outcome. Multiple reviews note Bledsoe's thorough research and ability to present complex characters beyond simple villain/victim narratives. Readers appreciated: - Extensive background details on all key people involved - Clear timeline of events - Balanced portrayal of different perspectives - Focus on legal proceedings and police work Common criticisms: - Too much detail about minor characters - Slow pacing in middle sections - Repetitive coverage of some events Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (150+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Meticulous research but never dry" - Goodreads reviewer "Could have been shorter without losing impact" - Amazon reviewer "The court scenes kept me on edge despite knowing the verdict" - Goodreads reviewer

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🔍 Jerry Bledsoe spent two years investigating the Barbara Stager case, conducting over 200 interviews and reviewing thousands of documents to craft this true crime account. ⚖️ The murder subject of the book, Barbara Stager, inspired a 1994 TV movie called "Death Before Dawn," starring Meredith Baxter as Barbara. 📚 Bledsoe's meticulous attention to detail in the book helped reveal how Barbara Stager staged her husband's death to look like an accidental shooting, a method strikingly similar to the death of her first husband. 💰 The case gained national attention when investigators discovered Barbara had taken out multiple life insurance policies on both husbands before their deaths. 🎭 Barbara Stager maintained her innocence throughout the trial and continues to do so from prison, where she is serving a life sentence, despite the overwhelming evidence presented in the book.