I recently watched the show ‘Dirty John’ on Bravo and it reminded of another John I read about in a book a few years ago. When Barbara met John Perry for the first time she found him interesting and believed him to be a charming, romantic man with an extensive military background and famous friends. Not only was his time in the Navy fabricated but he lied about having several homes, a multi-million dollar inheritance coming to him and about having a job teaching at UC Davis.

During their marriage he was able to take out mortgages on her homes in addition to abusing her credit cards financially destroying everything she had worked for. He was verbally abusive and controlling. He made more than one attempt on her life and made it seem as if they were accidents. Unfortunately for Barbara she didn’t listen to her instincts…

On February 15, 1991 John tried his last attempt to end her life. He attacked her in their hotel room in Virginia by covering her face with an ether-soaked rag. Luckily she was able to get away and he was later arrested and sentenced to just FIVE years for attempted first-degree murder. Even after his conviction and imprisonment he was transferring all funds from their joint account into a separate account in her name. After all Barbara had been through and lost she had to continue to fight for her freedom through divorce court.

John was eventually released after serving only twenty-two months in jail. After her experience she wrote a bill that ended up changing the no-fault divorce law of California. After John was released he went on to defraud several other women and eventually ended his own life. What I appreciate about this book and Barbara’s story is that she took a horrible situation and decided to make a change to help prevent future situations like hers. I admire her determination and courage in overcoming her past and thriving.

If you are interested in purchasing My Dance with the Devil: