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A Crying Shame In Catherine Crier's book, A Deadly Game, touted by Reganbooks as the "definitive account" of the Peterson case, the former judge and journalist and host of a Court TV program presents a thorough review of the investigation of Laci Peterson's murder, along with a smattering of interesting gossip and previously unpublished evidence that was not admitted at trial because of its prejudicial content or legal limitations. Most readers who didn't follow the Peterson case except through media reports, or who are relatively new to the subject will not notice Crier's frequent errors, inconsistencies, blatant omissions of significant probative testimony, and curious lack of criticism of the defense strategy and Mark Geragos's overrated, pompous buffoonery. Many readers may be satisfied with Crier's armchair misdiagnosis of Peterson as a "sociopath," because they would just as soon delegate Peterson to that rare group of anti-social individuals who commit incomprehensible crimes because they lack the social and moral fiber to conform to society. However, I argue that Crier's treatment is just another example of the media's continual misreporting and artificial spin on this widely covered case. To dedicate 90% of the book to four months of investigation and less than 10% to a six month trial is selling short the real story, and the meticulous and valiant efforts of the prosecutors that resulted in one of the most satisfying and spiritually validating victories in the history of jurisprudence. Crier devotes more narrative to Justin Falconer's dismissal, media reaction to the trial, and Geragos's antics than she does to the trial itself. The only testimony she finds worthy of citing are Brocchini's and Grogan's, and even then gives short shrift to their obvious impact on the jury. Crier characterizes Geragos's red herring Thursdays as "bombshells" which, in retrospect, caused less damage than defective firecrackers, and she knows it. Crier's armchair diagnosis of Scott Peterson as a sociopath is erroneous and misleading. It is also a disservice to those who have survived relationships with narcissists or who are searching for explanations, patterns of behavior, warning signs, and preventive measures to avoid becoming a victim of one.