Did you hear about the romance/suspense writer in Oregon who, six years ago, wrote an essay titled, “How to Murder Your Husband”? Earlier this month she was arrested for apparently taking her own advice.
Nancy Crampton Brophy, 68, (who has pleaded not guilty) was accused of gunning down her husband of 25 years last June. Daniel Brophy, 63, was a chef/instructor at the Oregon Culinary Institute, where his body was found in one of the school kitchens.
In 2011, the widow Brophy’s essay appeared on the website “See Jane Publish.” The essay, which has since been archived opens with, “As a romantic suspense writer, I spend a lot of time thinking about murder, and consequently, about police procedure.
“After all, if the murder is supposed to set me free, I certainly don’t want to spend any time in jail. And let me say clearly for the record, I don’t like jumpsuits and orange isn’t my color.”
Discussing possible murder weapons, she seems to reject guns as loud, messy and requiring some skill. But she also advises against poison, knives and hit men.
Crampton-Brophy is also the author of “The Wrong Cop,” which, according to the Washington Post, features a female character who “spent every day of her marriage fantasizing about killing her husband.” and “The Wrong Husband,” about a woman tries to flee an abusive husband by faking her own death.
Back to the essay, however, I was struck by some of the comments that readers made at the time of publication.
Kim: “Oh my gosh, Nancy! I just love your mind. You are so wickedly ornery.”
Susan: “I always thought I’d be a knife girl . . .If I ever need to camouflage motive, I’m coming straight to you.”
Maggie confesses to having a stray thought about murder: “every time he leaves the toilet seat up [or] when he drinks too much and thinks he’s cute grabbing your ass or boobs in public.”
But Jessie’s comment was the most prescient:
“I’m calling Dan to make sure he’s alright.”
Ever thought about murdering your spouse? Better not tell me. You never know when something on the Internet will come back to haunt you. Other comments are welcome, however.
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