I love anything true crime, I consider myself a true crime junkie and so this book interested me. Like I said it is a true crime which means this happened in real life and wow!!! Lovely book for anyone into that kind of things. But I understand why some readers may not find it interesting

A tragic, high-profile case with all the ingredients of a true crime obsession—wealth, privilege, and a seemingly perfect life gone horribly wrong. The story of Jennifer Dulos is undeniably compelling, and the book delivers the facts clearly. However, while the case itself is gripping, the writing feels a bit uneven, sometimes rehashing known details rather than offering new insights or emotional depth. It's a solid read for true crime fans, but may leave you wanting more in terms of analysis or resolution.

Compelling true crime story of the murder of a suburban Mom who vanished after the morning school run in 2019. The story weaves and wends and has a properly hatable villain.

At the outset, I had trouble connecting with all the details of the family and their idyllic life, but as it progressed I had fully bought in. For days after, I kept coming back to elements of the case, crime and story that I wanted to look into or know more about. The slow burn that leads to lingering recall is top shelf true crime, to me. Great storytelling of unfortunate circumstances.

I had a difficult time following along to this audiobook and was deeply confused about what was happening for the majority of it. I had a hard time understanding what the narrator was saying, which made it difficult to follow along with the story. I think the beginning of the story needs to be made a bit more enticing, as for the first like 20% of the book, I had absolutely no motivation to listen to it and could not tell you one thing about it.

This is a hard book for me to review since it’s a nonfiction true crime story. I’m from CT and the Jennifer Dulos case was all over the news. I felt the author did the case and Jennifer an injustice. He talked a lot about her college years and made her sound stuck up and conceited. I don’t know if her college years are really reflective of how she was as a wife and mother. From recent interviews I’ve seen her friends speak very highly of her. I also disliked how the author lists names and name drops who he knows in connection to her. The author doesn’t have a meaningful connection to her but he keeps trying to make vague connection with who they both knew. The first 30% of the book is about Jennifer’s ex boyfriends and college years. There wasn’t a lot of helpful information or insight into her life and what led to her murder. The second half of the book which actually deals with their marriage and contentious divorce was more interesting. The audiobook narrator had a very monotone voice and it added to the boredom I felt.

I listened to this on a road trip an it was such a crazy story. I knew about this story in passing but listening to all the information presented in this book really demonstrated how complex the story was and how much information detectives needed to sift through to solve crimes. I had to pause the story every so often just to reflect on what had been covered. I will definitely recommend this to my customers who love true crime.

Murder in the Dollhouse is the tragic story of Jennifer Dulos' disappearance. Jennifer was a beautiful woman who came from a wealthy and insulated background. Until her marriage, she was a woman searching for herself. She was an accomplished playwright in her younger years and from all accounts a kind and generous woman who ended up married to the wrong man. This marriage ultimately killed her. This book put tremendous effort into letting the reader get to know Jennifer and provide a picture of a life that was cut way too short.

This is a riveting, albeit tragic case. This account by Cohen really delved into some aspects of Jennifer and Fotis' past that I had not previously known. That said, there were some things that were belabored a bit and repetitive, so even though I am one for the details, I was often anxious for the author to get on with it. That said, it appears to be meticulously researched and I appreciated those efforts, particularly when it came to the timeline of the murder itself.
I would certainly recommend this for any true crime fans or just those wishing to know (or be reminded of) the Dulos case. The narrator for the audio version did a good job reading and maintaining a professional tone for the nature of the book, but without being monotone.
Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Publishers for this ARL. All opinions are mine.

With her body still missing, Jennifer Dulos remains an open mystery. The author here brings the entire case into focus, with the family, background, and so much more. For those that are interested in true crime, this book truly covers it all.

Learn more about this case now. The book was done with care, and brings the case to the public. Someone knows something, and maybe this book will help jog something loose.

The narrator was amazing, and I look forward to seeing them with other books.

"A good doll house, which can cost many thousands of dollars, was a place to arrange a perfect life and play God, a house without strife, arguments or thrown crockery."

Jennifer Dulos died searching for the perfect life.

Money. Deceit. Co-Dependence. Money. Misunderstanding. Ivy League. Desire. Money.

This one has it all.

I went into this book totally blind, knowing nothing of this story. It was so fascinating to me, and the world of ultra-wealthy New Canaan, CT, was almost as fascinating as the murderous central plot.

If you're a true crime lover or are trying to add some non-fiction to your TBR, this was a great read, and the audiobook held my attention from start to finish.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Farrar, Straus & Giroux, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this true crime story by Rich Cohen, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Edoardo Ballerini. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Everyone is probably at least vaguely familiar with the Jennifer Dulos story - it's been well publicized. A wealthy suburban mother drops off her kids at school and has never been seen again. In the midst of an ugly divorce from her husband, this is a gripping story that became national news.

This book covered the backstory of Jennifer, including the author's connection to her circle, as well as her marriage and murder, and the court case. It's a story we're all familiar with, not only with Jennifer, but with countless women. The fact that Jennifer was wealthy and beautiful, living what seemed to be a dream life, certainly thrust it into the headlines, but it's a case as old as time. What struck me is that for all the protections her family sought to give her when she was young, they did nothing to prepare her for a real life monster she would invite into her world. My heart goes out to her children. Good read/listen for true crime fans.

No one wants to speak ill of the dead and in no way am I victim blaming, but I had a hard time connecting with Jennifer. The evolution of her relationship with Fotis was so quick and seemed completely out of character for the person the author had depicted prior to their meeting (the second time), that it was as if Jennifer felt she was running out of time and felt she had to marry someone, ANYONE, to get the life she wanted and seemed destined to have.

I appreciate the author presenting this story with Jennifer in mind with more focus on her life than on her disappearance / death and he clearly has done his research. I found myself a little bogged down by the details, with lots of here and there and who is who thrown in.

Edoardo Ballerini did a passable job with the narration; there was nothing compelling about it, but nothing that made me want to stop listening, either.

This book, while OK, falls well short of true crime classics like In Cold Blood and Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders.

Praise for the book #MurderInTheDollhouse by #RichCohen. Jennifer Dulos dropped her kids off at school one day and then vanished. She was never found. They convicted her husband and his girlfriend for the murder, but the husband killed himself before going to prison. The girlfriend was convicted to conspiracy to commit murder. This horrific crime has shocked the nation.

Murder in the Dollhouse: The Jennifer Dulos Story by Rich Cohen
🎧 Advanced Listening Copy | Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the free copy in exchange for my honest review!

This gripping true crime account explores the disappearance of Jennifer Dulos, a suburban mother whose case captivated national attention. Rich Cohen dives deep into the layers of privilege, pressure, and personal conflict that surrounded Jennifer's life and the events that unfolded after she vanished.

As someone who enjoys true crime that balances compelling narrative with journalistic integrity, I found this to be a powerful and respectful retelling. Cohen doesn’t sensationalize—he contextualizes. He paints a vivid picture of the Dulos family’s world: a life of wealth and status that masked a deeply fractured relationship and led to one of the most disturbing cases in recent memory.

The audiobook narration was excellent—engaging without being overdone—and made it easy to stay immersed in the story. While the pacing dragged just slightly in places, the strong writing and careful attention to detail kept me invested throughout.

This is not just a true crime story—it’s a sobering reflection on power, perception, and what lies beneath polished surfaces. No spoilers here, but even if you think you know the case, this book will deepen your understanding.

📚 Recommended for fans of thoughtful, in-depth true crime that goes beyond the headlines.

So.... I requested this book a while ago on Net Galley, and honestly, did not remember what it was about. I was thinking...some type of a murder mystery... I mean... 'dollhouse' right? WRONG!!

This one paints the picture of Jennifer, who came from a very wealthy family, with stable roots. The one thing she wanted most in life was to be a mother. I mean, she dreamed of this from the time she was a child... She dated, but never seemed to get very serious. And then one day she realized she was turning 36, and needed to really make an effort to find 'the one'. And who does she hear from? Someone she went to college with!
On his dying bed, her father told her that her husband would be 'someone she knows'... and she took that to heart. So when Fotis texts her, she thinks that maybe, just maybe, her prayers have been answered.

They have a whirlwind romance, and then, get married. But, all is not rosy once that occurs... but she realizes this much too late. And, several kids later.

When she gets to the point where she is worried for her LIFE and the LIVES of her kids, she knows it's time to go.

🛑🛑 And, I'm stopping right here! 🛑🛑
If this sounds like something you'd like, please don't pass it up! It was definitely EYE opening on so many levels!!! But also, heartbreaking! And the kids....

4 frightening ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

#MurderInTheDollhouse by #RichCohen and narrated nicely by #EdoardoBallerini.

*** RELEASE DATE is tomorrow, 5/20/25 ... SO LOOK 👀 FOR IT SOON!!! ***

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.

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DNF @ 10%

I'm not entirely sure how this happened but I somehow got 10% into the audiobook and was so deeply confused about what crime had even occurred. And I'm normally someone who loves to read true crime books (especially on audio).

I think this would be good for people already (somewhat) familiar with this crime, and, I hate to say it, someone older than me who has a better memory of this case when it happened.

Rich Cohen delivers a detailed and emotionally grounded account of the Jennifer Dulos case, balancing true crime reporting with thoughtful storytelling. The writing is sharp, and the research is meticulous—Cohen dives deep into the lives of those involved, particularly Jennifer, whose story is handled with care.

However, the book can get bogged down in excessive detail, slowing the pacing and overwhelming the core narrative. While informative, it doesn’t offer much new for readers already familiar with the case, and the lack of a clear resolution may frustrate some.

A solid, respectful retelling—well-crafted, but not standout in a crowded genre..

I listened to almost half of this audiobook and decided not to continue. I wanted to hear about the actual crime and things they’ve done to try to find out what happened to her, but 4+ hours in and they still aren’t even close…too much back story.

I try not to rate nonfiction books usually. But I did not jive with this one. The beginning seemed like a pretentious scene of all the people Jennifer Dulos (nee Farber) and the author rubbed elbows with during their college and postgraduate years. I understand needing to look at the beginning to know how we got to where we are, but it just seemed like too much detail for me about things that don't really matter to me, as the reader. Additionally, I think the image of a dollhouse was a poor one. I understand that every girl probably has or had a dollhouse and created the perfect family situation inside of it. But going back to it time and time again just made it seem juvenile. I appreciate that the author did extensive research, from interviews and combing through court documents. But it seemed tedious during the part of the divorce proceedings where it was just constant back and forth between Fotis and Jennifer. It was obviously contentious, please move on. I don't feel like I learned anything particularly new about that case and that was disappointing to me. Learning the background on Jennifer and Fotis was nice, but again, so much time was spent on Jennifer's accomplishments before marrying Fotis that I was losing interest to begin with. And this is most likely a me thing. Someone not familiar with the Dulos case may find it more enjoyable. Overall, I recommend the audiobook. I probably would have DNF-ed the book if I wasn't listening to it. But again, my preference is to read nonfiction like this via audio anyway.

This was an interesting book about the real life story of Jennifer Dulos who vanished without trace one morning after dropping his kids off at school. Rich Cohen’s exhaustive research was evident. Murder in the Dollhouse is about extreme wealth and all the baggage that can come with it-greed, status, love, hate, cheating, society pressure & tragedy. Edoardo Ballerini did an excellent job with the narration.

I had never heard of this investigation/crime although a Google search revealed a lot of articles. I struggled trying to stay engaged with the story of extreme privilege, floating through life and ultimately desperation that lead Jennifer to a poor choice of a spouse which brought heartbreaking tragedy.

Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for letting me read this ARC.