It looks like Dateline NBC’s rerun of “Deadly House of Cards,” which featured my narrative non-fiction book on the Mark Twitchell case, has resonated with millions of people.
Preliminary ratings data has placed the two-hour special at the top of the list for Saturday night US broadcasts. And many viewers shared their reactions about the case on social media:
@samcgirl @DatelineNBC Very different from any episode I’ve ever seen. There’s usually twists — but to this extent? Wow…
— Jason (@jfinnell86) July 20, 2014
Some viewers were shocked by the connections between the real-life serial killer investigation and both Hollywood and the Dexter television series.
This episode of #Dateline is mind boggling. I bet a lot of murderers do get ideas from TV shows.
— Nicole (@DarkXTwisty3) July 20, 2014
This is an angle I explored in-depth while researching and writing The Devil’s Cinema. Last night, I also shared this excerpt from a prison letter Mark Twitchell sent me, where he responds to my questions about his links with Dexter and his crimes.
2/2 #Dateline Yrs of research, 350pgs of Mark Twitchell's prison letters, etc. Asked about #Dexter. He wrote me this: pic.twitter.com/iYLMkEoknk
— Steve Lillebuen (@lillebuen) July 20, 2014
Mark Twitchell has always denied that he is a murderer. It’s clear from this letter that he also seeks to downplay his fascination with Dexter too.
