Set in New England over the past two decades, the story shares quotidian life while owning a small business, transports your half-way around the world during trips to Europe and the Far East, walks you through a trial from before the shooting until the sentencing, and provides an amazing but true documentation of tripling their retirement portfolio while making minimum required withdrawals.
Excerpt
From Chapter 22 - Front Row Seat
The Assistant District Attorney was less-than-precise as he guided me through giving my testimony. He was no Clarence Darrow. After a few minutes, appearing fully satisfied, McAlary returned to his seat.
I experienced a smidgen of relief when Carney’s associate rose and approached me. At least I would not be grilled by a lawyer who was famous for taking on high-profile cases like John Salvi, the Brookline abortion clinic murderer.
Attorney Andrew M. D’Angelo was of moderate height. He had dark hair, a pleasant face, and he wore a navy suit. He opened the cross-examination in a polite manner and proceeded to go over points referenced in the document he held. He questioned me about being with Jim at Janos Vajda’s North Andover apartment on the night of December 16, 1998. He noted that I had been standing outside the apartment door listening to Janos and Suzan talking. I told him I had not gone to Janos Vajda’s apartment. “That didn’t happen.”
“That didn’t happen?” D’Angelo asked as though I had reasserted the world was flat.
“No. I wasn’t there the way it says.”
“What way were you there?” he asked.
“I was never there.” I didn’t want to say out loud in court the statement was false and the document was riddled with errors. I’d taken for granted that McAlary was highly qualified, based on newspaper articles I’d read. I had no desire to cast his work in a different light.
Again, D’Angelo tried to force me to confirm specific facts in the flawed document which were not true. By his third attempt, I became flustered. I squirmed in the witness chair and cast silent cries for help toward the judge. I knew I could not address Judge Borenstein directly with my problem. D’Angelo was getting frustrated with my responses so he walked right up to the witness stand and shoved the document in my face. Pointing to lines highlighted with yellow marker, he asked, “Is this what you told the Assistant DA on May 27, 1999?”
“Not exactly.”
“Not exactly?” He parroted my response with slight mimicry, then raised his voice. “So you are now denying what you said a year ago? Are you telling the truth today, or were you telling the truth then? Did you or did you not….”
I was horrified. I’d known the inaccuracies hadn’t been “typos” as Susan Zoia had said, and now I deeply regretted not standing my ground and refusing to sign the document. I was not a legal scholar and I did not know that a delinquent accounting of the interview had been passed to the defense. Only in preparation of this manuscript (two decades later) did I have the incentive to research shared discovery. When McAlary had told me back in May 1999, that I was not obligated to speak with the defense, I’d assumed he wanted to keep the material gleaned during our discussion to himself. And why would a typed summary of that conversation stray so far from the truth? At that time, I’d had no concerns for being misquoted because Larry had taped the whole interview, with McAlary’s knowledge.
As I write this chapter, twenty years later, I cannot recall exactly what point D’Angelo was using to nail me to the cross.
Professional Reviews
Paula B. Leed, Author of From Half-Full to Overflowing
“Jeanine Collins Malarsky’s second memoir is a Home Run! A bipolar story of sorts, it crosses a juicy murder with smart, basic, common sense financial advice. (Who knew you could do THAT?) Ladened with travels in Europe and the Far East, and loaded with drama at the same time, I couldn’t put it down. Buckle up and enjoy the riveting ride!”
Want to review or comment on this book?
Need a FREE Reader Membership?
Reviews for "From Hand-Me-Downs to Designer Gowns"
When I first heard that Jeanine Collins Malarsky had written another book I was looking forward to having a good read to curl up with for a weekend and Malarsky didn’t let me down. From Hand-Me- Downs to Designer Gowns is somewhat a continuation memoir from her book Black Rasberries, but a tremendous stand-alone read by itself. I must admit at first I had some confusion concerning the book format due to the fact that there is a large portion devoted to financial planning, which I had little to no interest in, and also some of the chapters had a beginning quote or introduction, however others did not. For me, I can envision a completely separate book written on the topic of financial planning. Malarsky definitely has the knowledge, experience and words to create a story surrounding stocks, bonds, and investments. That was obvious. However, although it was a little heavy on the financial planning side for my taste, I will say this…Malarsky does a wonderful job of only including a few chapters on the subject (I truly feel she could have written much more and kept the reader engaged…in a separate book) and she takes a moment to point out to the reader where the financial information begins incase the reader wishes to only go there or just the opposite, avoid those chapters. I do love her investment style as reflected in the passage concerning Panera and some pecan rolls – sounds like sound advice to use to evaluate for me, but what do I know. Another point regarding this topic, she is very open and honest and I loved her declaration of self-satisfaction when she stated, “We had withdrawn more than the original investment, and we had twice as much left.”
Another area of concern for the author was not wanting to sound like a travel-log, it doesn’t. In fact, some of the descriptive locations, such as China, Florence, and Madrid are awesome and so detailed the reader can visualize a perfect mental picture along with the description of the various foods. I would have enjoyed much more of the sharing of these trips she took alone and/or with family members. Very interesting and intriguing!
The background story involving a murder committed by someone that Malarsky and her husband had at one time called friend was fascinating and kept you glued to your seat. Using documented newspaper clipping to help write the story was well-done and kept the reader informed and up-to-date of this true-life saga that her and husband lived through.
From Hand-Me-Downs to Designer Gowns is a wonderful read and a big treat to the readers. I highly recommend this latest well-written book by Jeanine Collins Malarsky. Thoroughly enjoyable.
This book is an autobiographical account of the lessons I learned about life and how I was able to apply them to inspire, motivate and empower others in my own work as a firefighter, as well in my daily life as a husband, a father and a man. When I w
The true story of Cheryl Pierson Cuccio who made headlines in 1986 and her husband Rob Cuccio. Cheryl was abused sexually and physically and Rob died for 43 minutes on Cheryl's 43rd birthday.
