Dance with the Devil

A Memoir of Murder and Loss

By: David Bagby

Narrated by: Allan Edwards

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Immortalized in the spellbinding documentary Dear Zachary, this angry, raw, and brutally honest true crime memoir of murder and loss chronicles a system's failure to prevent the death of a child.

In November 2001, the body of a young doctor named Andrew Bagby was discovered in Keystone State Park outside Latrobe, Pennsylvania, five bullet wounds in his face, chest, buttocks, and the back of the head. For parents Dave and Kate, the pain was unbearable? But Andrew's murder was only the first in a string of tragic events.

The chief suspect for Andrew's murder was his ex-girlfriend Shirley Turner? Whom was also a doctor. Obsessive and unstable, Shirley Turner lied to the police and fled to her family home in Newfoundland before she could be arrested. While fending off extradition efforts by U.S. law enforcement, she announced she was pregnant with Andrew's son, Zachary. The Bagbys hoping to gain custody of Zachary moved to Newfoundland and began a long, drawn-out battle in court and with Canadian social services to protect their grandson from the woman who had almost certainly murdered their son. Then, in August 2003, Shirley Turner killed herself and the one-year-old Zachary by jumping into the Atlantic Ocean.

Dance with the Devil is a eulogy for a dead son, an elegy for lives cut tragically short, and a castigation of a broken system.

©2007 David Bagby (P)2016 ListenUp Production, LLC

If I could give this book more than five stars, I would.

David an Kate Bagby are now two of my favorite people. What those two have been thru has been nothing short of hell on earth. You can feel the pain, the anger An the overwhelming sense of loss in the words of Mr. Bagbys book. I just wanted to reach thru my headphones as I listened to the narrator read this story an not only put my arms around The Bagbys for comfort but to put my hands around Shirley's throat!!! Knowing what she was did to Andrew out of pure selfishness an what she was gonna do to that precious little Zachary that never asked for any of this. Such a sad waste of two beautiful lives!! R.I.P Andrew an Zachary Bagby.

Heartbreaking

The story of Loss gets No Worse than this.....The FAILURE of the two governments involved astounding, tho predictable can REALLY ONLY be fought by those who know this pain. How do we change Mankind without Loss & Pain for those to me seem to be the motivator for all. Bagby's strength and durability is food for the Soul -AND- knowledge for all.

very sad and then thinkable but carefully written

Based on the award winning documentary Dear Zachary, a letter to my son, this book goes more in depth about the truth story about the Bagby- Turner case. This is the story of Andrew Bagby, from Sunnyvale, California. He was a doctor that had moved across country to do his residency. he began a real relationship with a woman that was unreasonably unstable to say the least. After breaking up with her, he found himself dead. Then she absconded to Canada where she found out she was pregnant with Andrew son. Andrew's parents moved to the jurisdiction where the case would take place and their grandson would be born. The twists and turns this story takes will bring you both joy and extreme sadness. the end of the book becomes slightly technical and is about Canadian law. I found myself skipping through that part. The story overall is a tale told by a grieving father and grandfather.

Unbelievably tragic circumstances-Must read!

Having lost a son to murder myself, I felt the pain that this brave couple endured. I particularly related to the rage! Wonderfully written!

Tears that never stopped

I watched the documentary about the murders of Dr. Bagby & his son Zachary years ago. Their story has never left me. My heart has always gone out for David & Kate. I’ve always wanted to read this book but never had the time. I’m so glad that Audible has this book so I can finally listen to it while I drive around for work. David, you did a wonderful job here. This book actually taught me things I didn’t know about the justice system.

Emotionally moving and impactful

So horribly sad, so very well-written and presented. Intelligent and human book about murder and the painful consequences upon everyone left behind. Andrew Bagby’s parents move heaven and earth, and go beyond where I think 99% of people could go, when they learn their son’s murderer is pregnant with their only grandchild. Two courageous souls they are as they are compelled to engage with their son’s murderer for the sake of their grandson, only to face even more unbearable tragedy.

Heart Breaking and Eye Opening

I've watched the documentary about this and my heart absolutely broke and I literally cried at the devastation this couple has been through and the ridiculous demands they had to endure.

The story is well told and the narration is easy to listen too.

This book is very Intense

This book was intense and frustrating not only for the people who it happened to but to me as the reader. The unending horror that this family endured was more than any one person should face. Their strength and determination to me was honorable and loving. It only showed me that if a man is given the worst of the worst situations man will find a way to persevere with courage.

A Great Companion Piece

After watching the documentary "Dear Zachary" I immediately added this to my wish list. It took me a while to will myself to listen to it as I knew that it would be a difficult read and would evoke strong emotions in me. After completion, I am still saddened by the details of the story and how the justice system seems to have so blatantly failed to do what it is intended to do. This book served as a wonderful companion piece to the documentary. The film contained all the essential facts and details but I loved being able to go deeper. I cannot even imagine what it was like for the Bagby's in dealing with the woman that with most certainty murdered their son for the betterment of their grandchild. I do not know if I would been able to maintain my composure like they did. They have my utmost respect.

At first, the narration seemed odd but after about 45 minutes it felt as if it was David, himself speaking. Mr. Edwards nailed the tones, emotions, and little details and it truly felt like listening to David Bagby giving the details of the events.

This is a story that is tragic and brutal but also shows the beauty that is in people as well. The Bagby's are tremendous people and have endured what everyone wishes to avoid. They have used the events to lead a charge against a system that has apparent flaws and give new purpose to their lives.

Will never forget this story

Would you listen to Dance with the Devil again? Why?

Yes. But I'll need time to digest this and ponder before listening again. It's quite emotional. From intense sadness to a anger ablaze, I was tossed about with each chapter. At times, I had to stop the book and just think for a minute about what was unfolding.

What about Allan Edwards’s performance did you like?

Excellent, fabulous narrator. I'd not heard him before this but now I'll try to find more books narrated by him. Truly talented. His inflection was spot on all the way through. This story is purely maddening and Edwards captures the anger.

Any additional comments?

I've watched Dear Zachary three times. The first time I saw the film, I'd never heard of the case. For that reason, when the film reveals Shirley Turner's final actions, I literally gasped and covered my mouth in horror. Absolute horror. I did not see it coming. But... the Bagbys did.

Conversely in the film, the viewer is exposed to not only remarkable footage of Andrew, who was clearly one heckuva guy, a gem in every way, but to his parents. From the first time I saw the film I knew they were a cut above. So when I saw this book on audible, I didn't even need to read the reviews or the synopsis. I bought it. I had to see further inside the hearts of these two people. Forget Shirley Turner. It was the Bagbys I wanted to know more about.

The reader will be amazed by the intestinal fortitude of these two. Their resilience, their determination, and even their melt downs are full of strength and full of love not just for Andrew but, for Zachary and for each other. Love of that depth is far too rare.

I've wondered throughout this book about Shirley's children and how they cope with such a horror in their family history. They are victims of her in a terrible way, forever linked with a beast that they likely still love in whatever manner love survives such an atrocity. Can't imagine the twisting and tearing at the emotions for them.

Albeit a dreadful story, it was beautifully written and brilliantly narrated. Like so many other readers, I send my warm, heartfelt wishes of wellness and peace to the Bagbys.