Ivor Davis on the Murderer Next Door

Author Ivor Davis has written seven books, "The Devil in my Friend" is the latest, co-written with his late wife, Sally. It's a stirring account of his neighbor in Malibu in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Fred Roehler, who worked as a diver and engineer for the U.S. Navy. When Roehler survived a boating accident that claimed the life of his wife, Verna, and step-son, Doug, people became suspicious, especially when it was learned that Roehler's first wife had died by drowning in their backyard pool. The murders literally hit home for Davis, they lived in the same neighborhood and Davis coached Doug's soccer team, and Fred was his assistant coach. Davis follows the investigation and trial through every gripping twist and turn, diving deep into the complexities of human nature, of how psychopaths fool us despite their cold-blooded nature. Davis and his wife investigated Roehler's childhood in Indiana, where they discovered the family roots of his sociopathy. His other books include his first-person account of being embedded with The Beatles on their triumphant tour of America in 1964, with a recent 60th anniversary edition expanded with more photos and a Q&A section. He also wrote extensively about Charles Manson, and his eyewitness account covering the notorious cult leader and murderer. We talk about Ivor's love of Ojai and its arts community, his fascinating career covering America for the London Daily Express, Times of London, New York Times Syndicate and Los Angeles Magazine. He has also written a children's book, "Ladies and Gentlemen ... the Penguins!" We did not talk about Ulysses Grant's second term, the Gunpowder Plot or the rise of Sabrina Carpenter. You can check out Davis' books at IvorDavisBooks.com or through his media contact, Kathleen Kaiser, at [email protected].