Review: Scam artistry 101
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 24, 2014
In the summer of 1998, 82-year-old Irene Silverman disappeared from her $10 million mansion near Central Park in New York City.  Although a wealthy heiress, the shrewd, eccentric old lady rented out studio  apartments in her huge home to those who could pay exorbitant sums for a classy temporary address. "Manny Guerrin" (a tenant about whom she had expressed concerns to her friends) disappeared at the same time. Only one of them was ever seen again.I was familiar with the basic story, having read SON OF A GRIFTER -  Kent Walker's fascinating book about his mother and brother (Sante and Ken Kimes) who were convicted of the murder.  This short book gives a fuller picture of one of their victims and explains why her death rocked the Upper East Side.  It also answers the question of how the Kimes managed to rent from a woman who was known to be selective about her tenants.  It was simple.  They furnished no proof of identity or references, but offered to pay the $6,000/month rent in advance and in CASH.  Was $6,000 "under-the-table" (and un-taxable) enough to tempt Silverman to break her own security rules?  If so, she paid the ultimate price for her lapse of judgement.