Duped Audiobook By Abby Ellin cover art

Duped

Double Lives, False Identities, and the Con Man I Almost Married

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Duped

By: Abby Ellin
Narrated by: Thérèse Plummer
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Abby Ellin was shocked to learn that her fiancé was leading a secret life. But as she soon discovered, the world is full of people who aren't what they seem.

From Abby Ellin's first date with the commander, she was caught up in a whirlwind. Within six months, he'd proposed and they'd moved in together. But soon, his exotic stories of international espionage began to unravel. Finally, it all became clear: He was lying about who he was.

After leaving him and sharing her story, she was floored to find out that her experience was far from unique. People everywhere, many of them otherwise sharp-witted and self-aware, are being deceived by their loved ones every day.

In Duped, Abby Ellin studies the art and science of lying, talks to people who've had their worlds upended by duplicitous partners, and writes with great openness about her own mistakes. These remarkable stories reveal how often we encounter people whose lives beneath the surface are more improbable than we ever imagined.

©2019 Abby Ellin (P)2019 Hachette Audio Love, Dating & Attraction Marriage & Long-Term Partnerships Personal Development Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships

Critic reviews

"I have recommended this one to friends who've loved someone they turned out not to know... [Ellin] pulls off the tricky balancing act of avoiding either self-justification or self-castigation...Reading 'Duped' gave me occasion to second-guess even gentler deceptions; it may actually have made me a (slightly) better person."—Tim Kreider, New York Times Book Review

"Candid and entertaining, Ellin's book offers insight into the socially and psychologically complex nature of deceit as well as the choices she made as a duped woman. Lively, provocative reading."—Kirkus Reviews

"The author's hybrid of memoir and journalism works well for general readers, keeping things engaging and witty...A timely book for folks who wonder how we ended up in this post-truth world as well as readers of books like A Beautiful, Terrible Thing (2017) by Jen Waite."—Booklist
Engaging Storyline • Dramatic Expedition • Great Narrator • Insightful Psychological Principles • Exciting Societal Story
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My family had experience with a narcissistic con man. I found Ellin’s tale to be personally helpful in some ways and the study of duping to be interesting and helpful, too. Maybe chapter two opens with too many tangential examples of liars, which worried me after the main memoir story ended, but I hung in there and it picked up. Later chapters were fascinating.

Therese Plummer should read all the audible catalog. Her vocal choices are evocative and listenable.

A helpful, interesting memoire

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Loved the research and explanation! I will probably listen to specific portions again! The insight is spot on.

Liars gonna lie!

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Almost unable to finish the book. The narrator is unbearable. Her voice doesn’t fit the book. Her proclivity for the offset “he said” or “she said” after a dramatic pause at the end of a sentence was torture.

Good book. Extremely annoying narrator.

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Anyone whose trust has ever been violated to the core of your being; it is a most worthy and valuable read.

Great read

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I got this book on Audible after following the author's work online. The story she tells is unbelievable because it's SO NUTS. I have to admit, I saw parts of me in this story, wanting so badly to believe in love, the 'one' and ignoring things that didn't fit the belief I was so attached to.

I love how she includes research and data along with the different stories.

I will say this - after reading this book, you will be able to recognize the signs of a DUPER. So thanks to the author for helping some of us steer clear of what can be such a horrible and painful experience.

Gripping. I loved listening to it.

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This hits some triggers for me, but also gave me insight into a lot of the same feelings that the author had. Thanks for sharing your story! Satellite Sisters were right, great book!

Loved the book

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Loved the book.I was duped by my son-in-law for years.it took years for us to figure him out.He got himself into a lot of trouble before the end. He ruined his family and ours. Wish I had read this book before he came into our lives.

I've been duped!

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Some remarked the author talked too much about herself, but I diasagree. Hearing her motives and thought process added exponentially to the understanding of why people get duped. Recommended!

Fascinating!

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The book presents deception through the eyes of the deceived. Step by step the story unfolds through the actions, thoughts and behaviors of the deceiver and deceived. It’s a virtual reality experience of deception rather than a psychological abstract. Psychological principles are pointed out as the story proceeds and the comments of various psychologists are insightful.

Psychological Portrait of Deception

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I originally bought this book on kindle after hearing Abby being interviewed in 2019. I read half of then put it down due to life's distractions. I recently bought the audible version and really loved listening to it while driving around DC delivering cats. There is so much that I recognized and could identify with

Fun, disturbing, insightful, and instructional

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