[.ca] Son of a Grifter: The Twisted Tale of Sante and Kenny ... (ISBN 0061031690)

Wish I wrote this well:
Very witty and ironic writing. Walker shows the pathos of being a crazy person's kid. He also is apologetic about many things, which upon a second reading makes a lot of sense. A good story from the inside.

The Boy Who Could Not Say No:
Interesting, wittily written tale of the "other", elder son of Sante Kimes. Kent Walker tells the story of his upbringing by a psychopathic monster. Sometimes his story is inconsistent, even hypocritical. Mr. Walker states he is sure that his mother loves him and would do anything for him - she sometimes threw him huge birthday bashes, threatened to have a boy who beat him up expelled from school (although never followed through) and intervened by schmoozing with Army big wigs to have him accepted into Flight School - although six months later she demanded that he leave his dream to come to her "rescue" (she was arrested for enslaving maids). Mr. Walker also claims that his mother is "hot-blooded", not cold-blooded - although she punched him in the mouth when he was eight years old (requiring stitches and leaving a numbness that never went away) because Sante had been caught shoplifting. She blamed the assault on the store manager who caught her and had the audacity to demand her merchandise back. The police for some reason bought Sante's story and arrested the innocent woman, while Sante went on her merry way with her stolen merchandise. In the habit of burning down houses for insurance money, Sante sent her young son back into a house for a folder she "forgot" - the explosion came as he was coming down the steps with the requested item. Sante also beat him with wire hangers, tried to destroy the relationship between Mr. Walker and his girlfriend (later wife), poisoned his wife, and endangered his child. However, Mr. Walker continued his relationship with his mom. Mr. Walker states that his mother was great 95% of the time; it was only one day a month that things were horrible - however, every day, she and his step-father drank and had heated arguments. Sante enslaved, physically, mentally and verbally abused illegal aliens, stealing their passports and identification. Mr. Walker even helped a few of them escape, but he really didn't think she was that bad, although the trial later proved he must have been in la-la land. Sante stole her own best friend's wallet while she visited. Sante Kimes ruined both close friends' and stranger's lives and reputations, destroying their credit and sending innocent people to jail. She is a liar, thief, con artist, and multiple murderer - yet Mr. Walker felt compelled to laugh when she verbally abused an overworked waitress. He belittles others (his father, his step-father) for enduring her abuse and manipulations for so long - but it seems that Mr. Walker endured it for the longest - for these admitted reasons: love and greed. His stepfather was a millionaire and backed him in business. However his stepfather was also a thief, and an admitted murderer (Sante's accomplice). He wouldn't "give" Sante a checking account - so she continued to shoplift, run scams (he participated), manipulate her son's life, and alienate her husband from all of his relatives. Sante insisted that they were trying to kill her and kidnap Kenny, the "heir". After Ken Kimes died (was he poisoned by Kenny and Sante?) first Mr. Walker tells us there WAS money in the stepfather's accounts, found out there was NO money, then towards then end, there is money in the accounts - which Mr. Walker believes he is entitled to. Did he ever pay back all those loans or the money he stole out of Mr. Kimes pants' pockets? First, Mr. Walker lays the blame for how Kenny turned out squarely on Kenny's dad - as Sante was in prison when Kenny was 10 - 13 years old, and "according to shrinks" that is when a child's moral code is formed. Later when Kenny is actually committing crimes (murder etc.) with his mother, it's his mother who is to blame for Kenny's actions - he is being manipulated! And even though Mr. Walker tried numerous times to get Kenny to leave his mother, and start his own life, even offering him a job, Kenny refused saying he enjoyed the lifestyle and luxury comforts the scams gave them. Kenny made fun of Mr. Walker's "holier than thou" attitude, and told him he should join them. Suddenly, when Kenny was in prison, it was all Mr. Walker's fault that Kenny ended up there. Mr. Walker was the one guilty for his brother turning out the way he did. He said it was all his fault, and he should have tried harder! One discrepancy that bugged me was Mr. Walker's description of the dress his mother wore to several parties one certain night in D.C. He describes it as white "fringe" over her décolletage. However, the picture clearly shows a white dress with a high ruffled neck, ruffled bodice, and long, leg-of-mutton sleeves - sort of a Little House on the Prairie in White look. If Mr. Walker can't see this dress for what it is, what else is he not seeing clearly? There is not enough in the book about Sante's background, because apparently he either didn't try to get interviews with relatives, or they refused. Mr. Walker doesn't really know what the truth of Sante's childhood is, but something pretty bad had to have happened in order for her to become what she did. But what? Since Sante is nothing but a liar or until somebody reliable from her past talks, I guess we'll never know. Mr. Walker believes the sentences are too harsh for the crimes committed by his brother and mother. After at least four murders and countless other ruined lives, including both of her sons, it appears that Sante and Kenny got off easy. After reading this book, one can tell that Mr. Walker still has issues that need to be addressed. If you are interested in the study of psychopaths, I suggest "Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of Psychopaths Among Us," by Robert D. Hare. Sante fits right in with the rest of them, especially her reasoning, or lack thereof.

If you thought your life was bad, read this!:
This was one of the most gripping books I have ever read. Written by the other son of Sante Kimes, it is a true tale of surviving against the fierce burden of a severely dysfunctional family. I have nothing but admiration for Kent Walker, who had to go through such a wierd life with his sociopathic mother. But, the real value of this book is that it helps to see how difficult it is to find your own path in spite of all the family attachments we grow up with. Of course Mr. Walker's life is an extreme example, and one that I would not wish on anyone. However, it is such a gift that he wrote this book, and it took great courage. I wish I could personally thank Mr. Walker for writing this book, and I encourage everyone to read it.

A truly dysfunctional family...:
Written with insight by Sante Kimes eldest son, Kent Walker, this is a story of an extremely dysfunctional family. Sante Kimes and her youngest son, Kenny Kimes, committed various crimes, starting with shoplifting and fraud, and working their way up to murder. It is an unbelievably sickening and twisted tale, but fascinating nonetheless. It is indeed fortunate that Sante and Kenny were both convicted of their many crimes, and will probably never see the light of day.

'A Must' for anyone's True Crime Personal Library Section:
I couldn't get over some of the things Sante Kimes got away with in her lifetime. I remember being in Los Angeles and first hearing about the murder of Irene Silverman. I started to follow the NY TIMES articles on the entire matter. Then, I saw Kent Walker on Larry King and decided to get the book--which I finally managed to read & finish during a flight to London & France. It was quite interesting to read this book from her eldest sons' eyes. He was true to heart about his feelings. It could NOT have been easy for him. It's miraculous how he was fortunate enough to take the 'right' road in life (although I'm sure he had his fair share of mischievous stories that were never revealed). The book really kept me interested. It's really worthwhile reading for anyone who likes True Crime stories. It's also so UNBELIEVABLE. It is a relief to know that Sante Kimes is 'locked up' for good now. She seemed to be a detriment to society at large. She literally got away with murder. It reminded me of Winona Ryder (on a smaller scale) as I read in the NY POST about how shoplifters simply do what they do for the THRILL...TO SEE HOW EASILY THEY COULD GET AWAY WITH IT. Once they get away with 'one' thing...they pattern continues--like alcoholism or any other disease. I guess one could say that Sante Kimes did have a disease and she passed it on to her youngest son, Kenny. It seems Sante Kimes did everything every day of her life for the thrill...simply to see if she could get away with it--and she actually did until it all caught up with her. YIPES! What a creepy woman. I wish I could meet Kent Walker and talk to him--I do feel for him and wish I could embrace him and let him know that it's all 'okay' (the feelings & emotions he has & will continue to live with). Kent (if you are reading this)...you have a friend in me.