The Unbreakable Child by Kim Michele Richardson

Grim yet ultimately inspiring, this harrowing biography catalogues years of institutional abuse that took place in the Saint Thomas-Saint Vincent Orphan Asylum, a Catholic orphanage in Anchorage, Kentucky. After many years of neglect by their drug-addicted mother, Kim and her three older sisters were abandoned to the uncharitable care of the Sisters of Charity. Detailing daily regimens of physical and mental abuse at the hands of the nuns, this chilling memoir explains how the Roman Catholic Church kept the orphanage hidden from prying eyes, miles from any main thoroughfare, allowing mistreatment to continue for decades. Describing her life through adulthood and the decision to finally expose the injustices after more than 30 years, this courageous tale chronicles the lawsuit initiated by 45 survivors, the two years of litigation, and the first successful prosecution of a lawsuit against Roman Catholic nuns in the US for decades of abuse in an orphanage.

How do I begin to tell how this book took me right back to my childhood.I was raised Roman Catholic.I attended The Regina Mundi Convent(run by Irish nuns) from my first year of school and remained there for 5 years until the new government (who had overthrown the previous president) decided that everyone was equal and there would be no more private schools so the convent had to close down as only the rich kids went there.How to explain a convent for only the rich?My mother had attended this convent as a young girl on a bursary(one spot allocated per year to a very poor,very clever child.)There she made friends with the rich kids and met my dad which then meant I got to go as a paying student.

Before you all start thinking I was abused by these nuns,I was not at all abused.I just want to highlight some minor events as a way to impress on you how a young child's mind can be affected by small little things, never mind the absolutely horrific experiences that Kim Michele Richardson went through as a child.

The whole school stood every Monday morning for assembly outside on the school field.It was against school rules to chew gum.One bright morning as Sister Scholastika started with morning prayers she stood on a piece of gum.Out of the entire school I was the only one to go "yeeew".I was ordered to clean and scrape this piece of gum from her shoes and the floor.To this day I will not chew gum.My children are not allowed to chew gum.I hate watching people chew gum.I will not sit in a restaurant without checking under the table to see if anyone has stuck their piece of gum there.I hate,hate,hate chewing gum and luckily,my teeth are still in perfect condition, thank you.

That is just about the only bad experience I had with my nuns.I was lucky.The class distinctions between the rich,very rich and obscenely rich can be found at any private school so that would just be a life experience.

Going over to the Roman Catholic Church is a whole other story.While being a Roman Catholic to me is something that I am more than something that I do,even as a young child I thought a few things a bit strange.Like the one time,this statue of the Virgin Mary came to the island(only 1 of 3 in the world apparently) and was transported at the back of a truck from village to village.The locals would stand on the side of the road and throw flowers and cry and then visit the church every day for the week that it would remain in that specific village church.The very holy followed the statue from village to village and attended every church service on the entire island of which there were about 30 parishes.When it passed by our village my grandfather instructed me to go throw flowers.At the age of 9 I thought this very strange and dawdled and managed to avoid throwing any flowers much to my grandfather's chagin.My point is my mother as a young child would not have hesitated to throw flowers,I pretended to want to and avoided doing so,my daughter would have laughed in my face if I asked her to go do that.I think people are far more inclined now to think for themselves than follow the masses.For all our issues and complaints about the world being a worse place than in the old days,people are now less worried to think out of the box,to judge what is best for us as individuals,to accept differences in each other,while still remaining focused on being good people with basic values.I might read a lot of true crime books but I firmly believe that people are more good than bad.We are all trying to do the best job we can and trying to instill values in our children which will help them be productive members of society.

I am not a regular church goer and while I acknowledge that I always have such a nice feeling when I attend a church service I am still so reluctant to go because my memories of church were that I was absolutely bored and the services were so long,and in latin and not much interaction for me as a child and being forced to go didn't help matters much.Because of this I haven't really gond to church a lot with my children and this point hit home for me about a month back when I said to my daughter that "maybe we should go to church this sunday" and she replied "can we just go?don't we need a subscription?".That made me sad as I need to get over my own negative feelings and help my daughter form her own opinion by at least exposing her to the positives of having a balance in life,as in going to church occasionally as she is actually a very moral child with a good head on her shoulders.

I could go on and on but I will say this.The book was excellent.Again I picked up that the writer,although being of such strong character,tended to downplay her strengths,more telling her story as if every person would have dealt with the trauma the way she did.Well,Kim Michele Richardson,even if you won't acknowledge this fact (probably from the lesson of "be humble")you are a very strong lady and you have inspired me to be grateful for all that I have,for the amazing childhood that I did have,for reminding me that I was one of the lucky ones,that while I was having the carefree childhood that all children should have,there were others like you suffering and yet you not only survived but rose above it and stood up for yourself.Thank you for sharing your story!

I would recommend reading this book.It made me realise how lucky I was and still am.My heart breaks for the lost childhoods which some children will never know,never mind get back.A beautifully told inspirational story of a life lived,a lesson that it is never too late to begin having a good life,that while you are a child and adults can decide your fate,biding your time until you make your own decisions and keeping your wits about you so that those eventual adult decisions are good ones.It is never too late to salvage the pieces of a broken life and start living well as every single human being on this earth is entitled to.



For More Book Details:
The Unbreakable Child
Country: United States of America
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Kunati Inc.
ISBN: 9781601641632
Publication date: April 2009
Pages: 235
Illustrations: Illustrated

No Room For Doubt By Angela Dove

On March 25, 1988, Debi Whitlock was brutally murdered in her Modesto, California, home. Debi's murder devastated her family and sent her loved ones careening on radically different paths. Debi's mother, Jacque, wanted answers. Over the next nine years, Jacque courageously fought what others called a losing battle and learned how to deal with the authorities, the media, and the public so that her daughter's killer would not go unpunished.
Debi's husband, Harold, was tossed down another path. Police investigators focused their suspicions on him, eventually uncovering motives and opportunity but never enough to make a case. Judged harshly in the court of public opinion, the once funny, intelligent, and fiercely loyal man fell into a spiral of guilt, anger, and alcoholism.
Told by Harold's adult daughter,the last person to see Debi alive,this is the story of a terrible murder and investigation that led to the ultimate end of one man's life, and a renewed sense of purpose and hope in one woman's life.

I really hope that Angela Dove will consider writing more true crime books.This book,her first,is based on her personal experiences as the daughter of Harold,the husband of murdered victim,Debi Whitlock.She was approached by Jacque,Debi's mother,to write this book and it is a true and honest account of how the events unravelled from the discovery of Debi's body,the investigation ,the suspicion that her father,Harold,was the murderer,brief but candid accounts of her own disturbing relationship with this same man,the mother,Jacque's crusade to find the murderer.Her own experiences and thoughts are expertly intermingled into this true crime story and the result is a wonderful story of hope,determination and courage.

Usually with a true crime story we know exactly who the murderer is right at the beginning.It was refreshingly different to read a true crime book and have no idea who the actual murderer was until the very end.Psychiatrists and psychologists detail their own profiles as to who committed the murder and the general consensus being "someone who knew the victim".The only negative of this book is that after being led the garden path by all these experts' opinions the actual end is a bit of an anti climax.But by delving deeper into the psychology behind this crime,and the reasons,you do realise that indeed the murderer did know his victim but not in the way you expect.I cannot say anymore without revealing this entire book but rest assured that I definitely recommend reading this book.

Angela Dove has a real gift with words.This was a wonderfully well written book and the way the events are chosen to appear and the order that they do so,is brilliant.Non fiction books are true life and crime fiction books always have an edge of mystery until the very end.This book is a perfect combination of both.






More book details:
No Room for Doubt
Country: United States of America
Format: Softcover
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
ISBN: 9780425225882
Publication date: March 2009
Pages: 372
Illustrations: Illustrated

Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall

This is the shocking, timely, and inspirational memoir of Elissa Wall, the former member of the FLDS polygamist sect whose powerful courtroom testimony helped convict controversial sect leader Warren Jeffs in September 2007. Detailing how Jeffs forced her into an unwanted marriage at age 14, Elissa speaks candidly about the horrifying reality she faced as a young teenager in a devastating marriage to a man five years her senior. But what began as a tragic tale of forced marriage quickly descended into madness, as Elissa's troubled relationship spiraled out of control before her vows were even spoken.The end result of the union was a nightmare of rape and abuse that Elissa suffered at the hands of her Church-appointed husband and in the name of God. Offering an unfettered glimpse into the world of the FLDS she explains how the confines of her dangerous marriage and surroundings left her with few options. Pushed out of her home by abuse, she began living in her car to avoid the crushing realities of her situation. And yet somehow, in face of this bleak reality, she never gave up on the hope that she would some day find a way out. But though Elissa won her freedom from the FLDS, she had yet to earn her victory, and here she illustrates how she used her newfound freedom to put Warren Jeffs behind bars.

I saw a review of No Doubt on one of the blogs I follow and quickly went to order that.Once I was there I also saw Stolen Innocence and Escape,both about the FLDS sect and women who escaped from this abusive sect.I ordered Stolen Innocence and ran out of money before I could order Escape.I read this book in one session,not because it is a short book but because of the easy writing and my big interest in sects and cults and how people get caught up in this form of brainwashing.

Despite the description above which details sexual abuse,there is actually very little detail of this sexual abuse.One incident which occurs often is something I consider quite normal but is condemned in the FLDS sect.The true crime in this book is the fact that a female is forced into marriage against her will.Couple that fact with the female being 14 years of age.Elissa Wall and other members of this sect lead very sheltered lives when it comes to knowledge of sexual issues and to suddenly be forced into marriage is extremely shocking and traumatic for these young women.

What amazed me the most about this sect is the amount of brainwashing that goes on.They even listen to tape recordings of the "priesthood" way (by Warren Jeffs)while they are doing housework.The constant fear of "doomsday" and whether they qualify to live with God when this happens.On the eve of the year 2000,there was one such fear and when it passed and the world was still around they get told God had given them some more time to make amends so they could be better people for when he came to get them.This kind of "doomdsay" prediction happens often and each time it passes like any other day,the same explanation is given again.AND believed!!

Elisa Wall's(the writer of this book)father had a very successful company in which he had shares.Warren Jeffs convinced him that he had to sell his shares so he would have more time with his family.And big surprise! He has to sell his shares at a quarter of the price to the sons of Warren Jeffs.This results in Elissa's family being brought to virtual poverty without that extra income.Do they see the light after that?No,everyone trudges on slowly on the brink of disaster.Such is the power of brainwashing!!

This was an excellent book written by Elissa Wall and the undercurrent theme is innocence and naivety which is almost verging on brain dysfunction.To be a normal member of society and to enter this book and experience the thoughts and actions of people who are ruled by another from the time they wake up until they fall asleep again had an enormous impact.While I find it extremely difficult to ever imagine myself in a situation like that,I am trying very hard to not judge until I have walked a mile in their shoes.Shoes that I will do my utmost to stay very far from.By the way.

I recommend reading this book for the insightful look it provides into the lives of people who belong to sects and have been brainwashed over many generations leading to parents perpetrating the abuse even further from inside the home.

For South African readers who want to find out more about this book then please access via Kalahari Books and the Amazon link below will provide more reviews on this book if you are interested.
Stolen Innocence: My Story of Growing Up in a Polygamous Sect, Becoming a Teenage Bride, and Breaking Free of Warren Jeffs

Here are some more book details:

Country: United States of America
Format: Hardcover
Contributor: Lisa Pulitzer
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
ISBN: 9780061628016
Publication date: May 2008
Pages: 438
Illustrations: Illustrated

My Question:
I believe the mother who stood by while her daughter Elissa Wall was forced into marriage to be abused and raped daily should be charged as well.In normal society parents get charged if they stand by and do nothing while their children are abused are they not?Why should she not be charged just because she is a member of a cult? If your response is no,because she has been brainwashed then parents who abuse their children because they were abused as children should then also not be held accountable?

Stolen Time by Sunny Jacobs

'In a world of one, I am alone, more alone than I have ever been in my life. Locked up in a box within a box where no one can enter and I cannot leave. I am to await my death.' In 1976, a twenty-eight-year-old mother of two and her partner were wrongfully sentenced to death by the Florida courts for the murder of two police officers. Sunny Jacobs would not taste freedom again for seventeen years, by which time her two children were estranged, her parents were dead and her beloved partner, Jesse Tafero, had been executed. Sunny spent five years on death row in solitary confinement. In a cell the width of her arm-span, her only lifeline was the stream of impassioned, life-affirming letters between herself and Jesse, offering love and strength, each echoing the other's conviction that the truth would soon be revealed. She refused to lose hope, even though the state had allowed falsified testimonies and an inconclusive polygraph test to condemn her and Jesse, disregarding hidden evidence and the true murderer's confession. Then in 1981, Sunny's sentence was reduced to life, and she revelled in the unimaginable freedom of eating in the company of other prisoners, teaching yoga and forging new relationships. Yet, Jesse remained on death row, and Sunny lived under the constant shadow of his impending execution, while grieving for her parents, killed in a plane crash, and for her loss of contact with her children. But Sunny miraculously maintained her strength of heart, and fought on to prove their innocence - until in 1992 she was finally released, seventeen years after her ordeal began. But it was two years too late for Jesse, who had died in a horrible botched execution that caused outrage the world over. Sunny Jacobs' life has been layered with tragedy and yet her story, while delving into her darkest days, is a shining example of a woman's triumph over despair. Sunny's resilience, her unshakeable joy, and her astounding ability to forgive are beautifully depicted in this stunning and uplifting memoir.
In 1976, a 28-year-old mother of two and her partner were wrongfully sentenced to death by the Florida courts for the murder of two police officers. Sunny Jacobs would not taste freedom again for 17 years, by which time her two children were estranged, her parents were dead and her partner, Jesse Tafero, had been executed. This is Sunny's memoir.

First of all,until I read a book where the "innocent" person was just a normal person with normal friends and they get sent to jail by mistake I am going to keep with this opinion.This opinion is based on the saying "Lie with dogs and you will get fleas".Sunny was there in the car with the people who shot the two police officers.She had had the choice of going back home with her two children but chose to stay with her boyfriend Jesse and through this came to be in the same car with Jesse's "friends" when these two policemen were shot.This was not a teenager but a 28 year old mother of two who should have been thinking of her children's needs first and foremost instead of following the boyfriend across the country.The boyfriend who she knew dabbled in drugs and other petty crimes.

While I was shocked and very interested in finding out how she got to be sentenced while still innocent,I was further motivated by trying to find out if the same thing could happen to any of us.This book does not provide that.Unless you have "friends" dabbling in petty crimes,and drugs,you are basically safe.I would really love to read a book about a totally innocent person who gets sent to jail by mistake.That would provide information on how a truly normal person can avoid the same fate.

This book is quite thick and I really enjoyed reading it,also because it does ultimately have a happy ending,not the happy ending of fiction but a true loife happy ending which is no doubt still evolving as her relationship with her children gets stronger and stronger.I do wish her the very best and 17 years in jail for no reason is a very tragic waste of a life.Thank goodness she was finally freed and I think she is a much stronger person for that.I do acknowledge that no one wants to spend 17 years in jail in order to develop some strength of character.I am sure there are easier,less punishing ways to get that strength.

The book would have had much more of an impact if I had completely sympathized with Sunny but unfortunately I stood in judgement most of the time.I would definitely recommend reading this book as it was really good but not for the lessons it can teach you unless you are currently fraternising with people who are constantly breaking the law.



Here are some more book details:
Stolen Time
Country: United Kingdom
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Doubleday
ISBN: 9780385611404
Publication date: May 2007
Pages: 416
Illustrations:photographs and illustrations

Witness:For the Prosecution Of Scott Peterson by Amber Frey

Amber Frey is the other woman in the Scott Peterson/Laci Peterson true crime story.In this memoir written by Amber Frey,she recounts at the beginning how she got to meet Scott Peterson and how she fell in love with him.As she begins to doubt him,her friend then confirms her doubts by telling her that she has just found out that Scott Peterson is a married man.She confronts him and he then confesses that his wife is "lost".This is some time before Laci Peterson goes missing.Amber then finds out through another friend who contacts her that Laci Peterson has just been reported missing.She then contacts the police and begins wire tapping her conversations with Scott Peterson.He is then charged with the murder of Laci and Amber becomes a witness for the prosecution.In the meantime between the wire tappings and the actual court case she has fallen pregnant again and actually is pregnant when she does her court appearance.The book ends with Scott Peterson being charged and sentenced to death and a brief conclusion on Amber Frey's life now which would have been early 2006.

I expect to receive a lot of criticism from my readers about the following but here we go.I just want to provide an insight into what I picked up about Amber Frey from reading this book.

1-Amber Frey is hailed as a hero for coming forward and helping the prosecution but consider this.Anyone with a boyfriend who ends up being married and in the same month finds out his wife has gone missing would immediately approach the police.I would assume(incorrectly in this case) that he killed her for me.What if I keep quiet then the investigators find out about me and investigate that maybe I did it out of jealousy or I would be worried they would think I was in cahoots with him.I would not consider myself a hero,I would call it common sense.

2-Any mother with a child in a nursery school knows that you have to stipulate to the staff who can pick up your child from the school.The SECOND time Scott Peterson comes to visit she takes him to the school and introduces him to the staff at the school and then asks him to pick up the child from the school.This is crazy as far as I am concerned.She hardly knows this man and then he proceeds to take the little girl home and she arrives later.

3-She mentions in the book that on their 3rd date that Scott spilled wine on her couch and she immediately said "It's ok" and apparently Scott had a look of such gratitude because she did not get angry.It is implied that Laci used to be very fussy and that she used to get angry every time he spilled wine or something.Let us consider this.The 3rd visit and he is spilling wine.Maybe Laci had kept quiet every time he spilled wine on the couch for 7 years and had only started shouting in the last year?every 3rd day for a year?Maybe Scott Peterson should not have wine while sitting on a couch?one or the other maybe but not both?

4-Before I reveal the entire book I will just mention this last point.At the end of the book,Amber Frey thanks the father of her second child for being a true friend.Seriously?You are being hounded by the press and media,naked photographs of you are printed and publicized,the fact that you had unprotected sex with Scott Peterson the first time you went out with him,all embarassing stuff.Now you have unprotected sex with your new boyfriend and you fall pregnant and THIS one also doesn't marry you.Instead you are in the media glare once again,pregnant again,and still single and struggling and you THANK this man for being a true friend.

This book is extraordinarily easy to read and I did enjoy it for the insight it provided into her real personality.Because she is such a people pleaser who seeks the approval of all and sundry I do believe she was genuine in her bid to help the team of investigators and prosecution.She also refused to speak to the media and even asked Sharon Rocha(Laci's mother) for her advice and did listen to that advice by not speaking out.On the other hand it could be because the plan to write a book was already in the offing.

By the way the cover of the book has been severely criticized as a picture of Laci is used on the cover and the fact that Amber's photo is placed strategically between Laci and Scott Peterson.

For more reviews on this book please see the Amzon link below
Witness: For the Prosecution of Scott Peterson

Here are some more book details:

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Avon (January 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060834137
• ISBN-13: 978-0060834135

Not a question this time:
I know I have been really harsh about Amber Frey.My readers are welcome to agree/disagree.

Book Giveaway-A Lucky Child by Thomas Buergenthal, Elie Wiesel

Thank You Brianne at Hachette Book Group for allowing me to host this giveaway.I will be giving away 5 copies of A Lucky Child by Thomas Buergenthal, Elie Wiesel

Country: United States of America
Format: Hardcover
Contributor: Elie Wiesel
Publisher: Little Brown and Company
ISBN: 9780316043403
Publication date: April 2009
Pages: 228
Illustrations: Illustrated

Thomas Buergenthal, now a Judge in the International Court of Justice in The Hague, tells his astonishing experiences as a young boy in his memoir A LUCKY CHILD. He arrived at Auschwitz at age 10 after surviving two ghettos and a labor camp. Separated first from his mother and then his father, Buergenthal managed by his wits and some remarkable strokes of luck to survive on his own. Almost two years after his liberation, Buergenthal was miraculously reunited with his mother and in 1951 arrived in the U.S. to start a new life.
Now dedicated to helping those subjected to tyranny throughout the world, Buergenthal writes his story with a simple clarity that highlights the stark details of unimaginable hardship. A LUCKY CHILD is a book that demands to be read by all.

Just as a matter of interest I wanted to include this link which gives you an idea of everything this man,Judge Thomas Buergenthal has accomplished in his life.This book above should prove to be a story of the amazing human spirit and its ability to conquer all odds.Also maybe a reminder that we all possess this same human spirit and it's entirely up to each individual how we end up using it in this life.
See link here.What a full life!!Makes me wonder how many people died in the holocaust who would have lived productive lives on this earth,possibly making this earth of ours an even better place.

Rules:

1-This giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada only,and closes on June 30th 2009. I will pick FIVE lucky winners and will do a post announcing the winners here and will also e mail the winners individually.

2-To enter the contest, leave a comment here.Be sure to include your email address in code.
ie. yk(at)toptruecrimebooks(dot)com

3-You can gain yourself some extra entries by doing the following:(please mention in your comment post)

+3 for current followers/subscribers
+2 for following or subscribing
+1 for blogging about this giveaway and leaving a link to your post.
+1 for whichever other way you can think of posting a link e.g. twitter,etc...
+1 for e mailing the link to a friend and copying me on the e mail.

Feel free to put these in one comment, or several comments,whichever way you prefer.Please remember to leave your EMAIL address.(I will need to e mail you if you miss the post with winners)

And Good Luck!!

Other giveaways happening right now
I am also hosting a giveaway on the books Heath Ledger-Heath Ledger-Hollywood's Dark Star by Brian J Robb & Heath Ledger:His Beautiful Life And Mysterious Death by John McShane.This is my own giveaway so if you would like to enter that giveaway as well please go this following link Book Giveaway-Heath Ledger-this giveaway is open to everyone anywhere in the world.

Upcoming Giveaways on True Crime Book Reviews for July 2009
1-Deadly Innocence
2-The Accountant's Story by Roberto Escobar
3-Angel Of Darkness by Dennis McDougal

Blood Brother by Anne Bird

The #1 New York Times bestseller no one else could write: the sister of Scott Peterson reveals how she slowly realized that her brother was capable of murder
What happens if, after being given up for adoption in childhood, you reestablish contact with your biological family,only to discover that your newfound brother is a killer?
Anne Bird, the sister of Scott Peterson, knows firsthand.
In the late 1990s, after a happy life with the well-adjusted Grady family, Anne came into contact with her biological mother, Jackie, and her family,including Jackie's son Scott Peterson and his wife, Laci. Anne was welcomed into the family and grew close to Scott and especially Laci, joining them on vacations and at family reunions. Anne and Laci became pregnant at roughly the same time, and the two became confidantes. Then, on Christmas Eve 2002, Laci Peterson went missing,and the spirited facade of the Peterson family slowly began to crumble. Anne rushed to the family's aid, only to grow suspicious that her brother knew more than he was telling. By the time Laci's body,and that of her unborn son, Conner were found, Anne was becoming convinced: Her brother Scott Peterson had murdered his wife and unborn child in cold blood.
Filled with news-making revelations and intimate glimpses of Scott and Laci, the Peterson family, and the investigation that followed the murder, Blood Brother is a provocative account of one of the most notorious crimes of our time.

I mentioned on my previous review post:For Laci by Sharon Rocha that I had read all the books on this case.Well when I realised that I had not read Blood Brother I rushed over and got it on Kindle and quickly read it yesterday.First off I read it in about 3 hours,uninterrupted 3 hours,as I discovered a wonderful restaurant which caters to children where they have babysitters,one for each child,and the children play in a play area,completely safe and happy,with their own pizza cafe where they order what they want on a pizza and it gets made for them.My little one did not look for me once despite me always going over to see if he was ok.Believe it or not,I forgot to take off my house slippers when we left the house (it has a hole in the front)so I didn't do a lot of walking but I did discover that if I kept my foot back a bit the pink socks did not show through the hole.

Anyway back to this book.This book is basically the life story of Anne Bird,the second child that Jackie Peterson(Scott's mother) gave up for adoption.Her love for her adoptive parents really shine through her writing and the impression I got was of a well adjusted and confident young woman who was sucked into the Peterson family drama.She remained a firm and strong presence through this turmoil I think from the inner strength she herself has,no doubt cultivated and nurtured by her adoptive parents.I am glad I read this book because it provided glimpses into the Peterson family which I had not had before.Remember that from the very beginning the Peterson family closed ranks and apart from gushing about Scott Peterson's good traits,nothing else was forthcoming.

The one part where she discusses Laci Peterson and Jackie Peterson with Scott Peterson(before the disappearance) and Scott's answer is "Those two,yeah" and sighs indicated to me that the realtionship between mother in law and daughter in law was far from perfect.I believe that Laci complained a few times to Scott Peterson about Jackie's treatment of her.Either Laci never mentioned these troubles to her mother Sharon Rocha or Sharon Rocha chose to exclude this from her book.Either way I could have guessed offhand that this relationship was far from idyllic.Mothers who place their "golden boy" sons on pedestals rarely ever meet a woman good enough for their sons.

It was disturbing for me that while Laci was still missing that Jackie Peterson was making comments to Anne Bird about why can't Scott meet a nice girl like so and so.That was terrible.I mean I would never in a million years be thinking that I hope a man(whose wife has gone missing)meets someone else soon,not even about a stranger,never mind when it's your pregnant daughter in law who has gone missing.What is wrong with these people?

Now to get to the heart of the story where Anne Bird states the 33 reasons why she became convinced of Scott's guilt.Although I am firmly convinced of Scott Peterson's guilt,I found her list of reasons to be quite weak.I think if that was the case we would each of us have put at least one member of our family on death row by now if we followed her guidelines.Let us assume that Scott Peterson was innocent.Anne and Scott went out one evening and she had told him beforehand they had to be back home by 9h30.When it got close to that time she mentioned to Scott that they must leave now.He turned to her and said "Who cares!" and continued drinking.They only eventually got home at 10h30 instead.Apparently this qualified as a reason why she thought he was guilty.Assuming he was innocent,he has now had a chance to go out and drown his sorrows,there is no media hounding him,I,for one,would be too devastated to consider other people's feelings when I am going through what could be one of the worst things to happen to anyone,I would also have said "who cares" and continued drinking.

I would recommend reading this book as a supplement to others on this case but not as a first and only book on the Laci Peterson murder.It provides a lot of new information from a different angle but hardly qualifies as in depth if you need to find out the whole story.

If you would like to find out more about this book then South African readers can go to Kalahari Books or if you would like to access more reviews then the Amazon link below will provide those and more
Blood Brother: 33 Reasons My Brother Scott Peterson Is Guilty

Here are some more book details:

Country: United States of America
Format: Softcover
Publisher: ReganBooks
ISBN: 9780060850333
Publication date: January 2006
Pages: 211
Illustrations: Illustrated

One more thing,the photographs provided by Anne Bird had a real impact on me because for the first time it brought home to me how normal this couple seemed.It was so disturbing as it made me realise that perfectly happy couples can end up murdering each other.Only her photos had this impact on me despite the many books I have read on this.I have no idea why Anne's list of photos but I am still thinking about them and how they made me feel.

My Question:
What do you think about private adoptions,where the adoptive family sends the biological mother updates and phtographs often?Do you think if you ever adopted a child that you would agree to private adoption where the biological mother remains involved like that?

For Laci by Sharon Rocha

Laci Rocha Peterson, 8 months pregnant, was last seen by her sister, Amy, in the late afternoon of December 23, 2002. She spoke to her mother, Sharon Rocha, at 8: 30 p.m. that night. This would be the last time anyone from her immediate family ever spoke to her. A search began which lasted an agonizing four months. Sadly, Laci Peterson and her son Conner were found dead on the shores of San Francisco Bay on April 18, 2003. Her husband, Scott, was eventually arrested and charged with the murder of Laci and Connor. After a sensational, media-saturated trial, Peterson was found guilty of capital murder and was sentenced to death on March 16, 2005.

That's right,another book on Laci Rocha Peterson.But this one is special because it is written by her mother and takes you to the heart of this tragic case.Sharon Rocha provides bitter sweet memories of Laci as a child.We all have funny stories that are unique to each child.I remember my daughter and I having a conversation once.I think she was about 10 years old and she made a reference to her "pagina" and when I started laughing she said "Ag Mom I know it's called a "bagina".This book details all those little quirks that were unique to Laci and told from her mother's perspective as only a Mom can tell.I really felt I had a good idea of the kind of little person she was and therefore a good idea of the adult she became.Sharon Rocha doesn't just sugarcoat all the details (as we are wont to do when someone has passed on).She does include the fact that Laci was stubborn and very strong willed.That she was the bossy one when it came to relationships.To me she was still very likeable.The next part of the book covers Laci as a young adult,her experiences when she was studying,her dreams of owning her own shop one day,her relationship with the one boyfriend and finally meeting Scott Peterson and their subsequent marriage.This is all told from Sharon Rocha's perspective.If she did not know details firsthand then it was not included.Some of the information is from direct conversations with Laci herself or gained from the extended family.And finally,Laci's disappearance,what the family goes through finding out what is going on,the discovery of the bodies,Sharon's own insight as to the behavior of Scott Peterson while this is going on and then last,but not least,what the family goes through during the court case which finally ends in a conviction for Scott Peterson,where he is sentenced to death.

I am (as my daughter would say) very "emo" but when it comes to stories written by mothers about their dead daughters,I am out of control "emo".I seem to be reading those books lately as in "Loving Natalee"."Who Killed My Daughter" is another one I have read.I was,true to form,crying from the first page,and then I regained some composure as we went through Laci's early childhood and young adulthood,then I started losing it and finally when Sharon Rocha read out her letter to Scott Peterson which she did just before he was sentenced.It was an amazing letter and by that time I was bawling,loudly.I feel stupid now but the letter was wonderfully written and straight from the heart.

During the court case Scott Peterson's parents treated Laci's family like dirt.Snide comments,vile unnuendoes,you name it.Instead of being angry with their son for being in this situation they chose to direct that anger towards Laci's family.At the end
when Scott Peterson is sentenced to death Laci's Dad turns to Lee Peterson(Scott's dad) and says "sorry".Lee Peterson then swears at him.I have read books on this case and this book confirmed my stance on "nurture" being the most basic reason for the creation of monsters.His parents spoiled him and yet seemed to mix this up with selfish interests of their own.Over and above the fact that his mother Jackie Peterson herself had a horrific childhood.This is going to sound terrible but I was so angry about this behavior that my first thought was "Thank goodness Jackie Peterson gave up two of her children for adoption as the one she raised herself,she raised to be a monster".She actually raised John as well and he has turned out ok,as far as I know.

Since then Sharon Rocha fought hard for the rights of unborn victims.The jury in this case only charged Scott Peterson with the 2nd degree murder of the baby,Conner Peterson and that was a bitter pill to swallow especially if you consider and believe the fact that Laci Peterson only ended up murdered because she was pregnant.Scott Peterson did not want children.I believe baby Conner was the primary target in this crime.This case is truly highlighted in the book Erased by Marilee Strong(link below).

On a previous post I asked the question:if a pregnant woman is murdered should it be considered 1 murder or 2?A big thank you to my readers who commented.Here are the results of Sharon Rocha and others' campaign to have this bill accepted into law:

Full-Coverage Unborn Victim States (25)
States With Homicide Laws That Recognize Unborn Children as Victims Throughout the Period of Pre-natal Development)
Alabama,Alaska,Arizona,Georgia,Illinois,Idaho,Kansas,Kentucky,Louisiana,Michigan,Minnesota,Mississippi,Missouri,Nebraska,North Dakota,Ohio,Oklahoma,Pennsylvania,SouthCarolina,South Dakota,Texas,Utah,Virginia,West Virginia,Wisconsin

Partial-Coverage Unborn Victim States (10)
States with Homicide Laws That Recognize Unborn Children as Victims, But only During Part of the Period of Pre-natal Development)
Arkansas,California,Florida,Indiana,Maryland,Nevada,Rhode Island,Tennessee,Washington

For more detailed information on above please go here

Now to answer Missy's question about which Laci Peterson book I would suggest reading.If you are manic like me then you should read all the books I list below but otherwise consider from which angle you would like to get your information.

If you would like to find out what was going on behind the scenes and what families of victims go through in crime cases then I would suggest the book above,For Laci by Sharon Rocha.

To get a bird's eye view of this true crime story where all the major components of a crime case is listed as in background/childhood,crime,investigation,court case but in lesser detail then you must try this book by Michael Fleeman
Laci: Inside the Laci Peterson Murder (St. Martin's True Crime Library)

If you are interested in the psychology behind a crime then Keith Ablow MD more than provides in this book
Inside the Mind of Scott Peterson

If you would like to delve even further into what went on during jury deliberations bearing in mind that juror no 5 was kicked off the jury.He is the one that says he would have acquitted Scott Peterson because Laci was much better looking than Amber Frey,that pregnant women are full of s**t.I dread to think what would have happened if this bombastic oaf had remained on the jury.
We, the Jury: Deciding the Scott Peterson Case

Or if you would like to get the version of the story from the "other woman" Amber Frey.I hated this book's cover and still do.Also I do not have much sympathy for women who sleep with other women's husbands.Granted she did not know at the time that Scott was married but she had had an affair with a married man before so I don't think this would have stopped her if Scott Peterson didn't end up killing his wife.In fact she would have done Laci a favor by sparing her life.
Witness: For the Prosecution of Scott Peterson

And then finally if the thought of all these books are terrifying then there is a DVD on this story although Sharon Rocha says it is mostly inaccurate.I did see it and actually would love to watch it again now that I have all this other information gained from these books.
Perfect Husband - The Laci Peterson Story

For extra information the book Erased by Marilee Strong.This book however covers a few cases and is meant to highlight Eraser Killings which is the "wiping out" of one's spouse from your life for no other reason than they have now become inconvenient.

Missy,you can get the ISDN numbers of these book by clicking the links.They are just further down the page.

Now for my question:
I virtually cringe every time I have to type Laci Peterson.I would prefer to type Laci Rocha.I have a BIG problem with the fact that women who are murdered by their husbands still have this murderer's surname on their gravestone.I think that you take on a man's surname in honor of your marriage to him.When he ends up murdering you I think that should fall away,especially if there are no children from the marriage.(I think the little ones would like their mother to have the same surname as they do.)Do you agree with me or have I lost the plot finally?

Loving Natalee by Beth Holloway

In May of 2005, Beth Holloway received the worst phone call a parent can imagine. Her beautiful daughter, Natalee, had vanished without a trace in Aruba during her high school senior class trip. Four years later, Beth Holloway steps forward to tell the story of her daughter's disappearance and her own harrowing ordeal and her never-ending belief in the power of faith that gave her hope against all odds.
When Natalee went missing, her photograph was splashed across newspaper front pages and television screens from coast to coast. Desperate for clues to the whereabouts of the lost eighteen-year-old, Beth searched relentlessly with the help of a dedicated army of volunteers, encountering roadblocks, obstacles, and misinformation at every step and unbearable questions that had no answers.

The very first sentence of this book is "I'm the parent who got the dreaded call".This is in the preface.I was crying before the end of the first page."I will forever be Natalee's Mom".When I first ordered this book I checked out the reviews and there is a very strongly worded negative review chastising Beth Holloway's views on the conduct of the Aruba government during the investigation.I just have one question for you,have you read this book?Why would Beth Holloway lie about this,especially as she lives in eternal hope of finding her daughter still one day?Why would she tell lies and risk alienating the Aruban forces who fought to retain all investigative rights?Let me answer you,because they were alienated from the beginning,because she is telling this story with the total truth as a way of bringing sense into her daughter's disappearance,as a way to help other parents avoid the same thing happening to their children.And for my readers who have no idea what I am ranting about let me give you just one piece of her many disastrous experiences whilst dealing with the Aruban authorities.

Beth Holloway flies immediately to Aruba upon receiving the news that Natalee had not made it to the plane.When she gets there she tries endlessly to have Natalee reported missing.She eventually gets to an official and is sitting in his office ready to give her statement of everything she knows thus far.This is the answer she gets from Detective Jacobs.He says"I'll have to eat my frosted flakes first,"and then,running a hand across his jaw,adds "and get a shave before I can deal with you.".They wait 2 hours and she eventually ends up outside sitting on the pavement where the police chief comes and tells her angrily "You can't sit in the gravel like this.Come back inside".This books is filled with many more situations like this where she is treated with disdain.I am convinced that she was treated this way because she is American.I will tell you this,(agreeing with Dr Phil),Aruba will never see me or my tourist dollars EVER!

I do realise that I always seem to enter emotions into my reviews but that is just me.I am first and foremost,the mother of a daughter so needless to say this story is really close to my heart.I was appalled at the way this mother was treated,crazed that they would think that treating her like this would make her give up on her daughter,that they would be so naive as to try and dismiss a mother's maternal instinct.

Beth Holloway's book is so raw with emotion I could not help but be carried by it.Her words are not angry,simply stating facts as they happened.I am the one who got angry.Here is a bit of her writing to prove to you how well she tries to explain her feelings and what she was going through.This is towards the end where she is explaining where she is right now mentally."I can take the bullets to the gut and hold them now,keep them from exploding like little pellets all over my body.And release them on my time.When I'm ready."

This book is absolutely brilliant.An amazing story of a mother's love for her child,an absolutely raw account of the most dreaded journey any parent could take,with writing guaranteed to take any reader on the same journey with her.Fortunately we get to put the book down and move on.Beth Holloway will be living with this her entire life.

I have starting rating my books with a star rating system.I cannot use this rating system with this book.That would be classifying it as any other book.I will not do that to Beth Holloway.What I will say is thank you to Beth Holloway for sharing her story with me.I am in awe of you.To my readers,please read this book.She has excellent words of advice on how to avoid this with our own children.

If you would like to know more about this book then South African readers can access via Kalahari Books and for more reviews please see the Amazon link below

Loving Natalee: The True Story of the Aruba Kidnapping and Its Aftermath

Here are some more book details:

Author: Beth Holloway
Country: United States of America
Format: Mass market paperback
Publisher: Harper
ISBN: 9780061468797
Publication date: May 2009
Pages: 256

I read this book in June 2009 and I kept referring back to the front cover so I could look at the photos of Beth and Natalee Holloway.Natalee looked just like her mother and after being raised for 18 years by this strong woman,all I can say is what a tragic end to a life that was so promising!

Murder By Family by Kent Whitaker

This is the tragic story of Kent Whitaker's heart-wrenching journey toward forgiveness and faith after the brutal murder of his wife and one of his sons.
Straight from the headlines comes an incredible true story of a son's treachery. For the first time, readers are offered inside access to the emotional drama that went on behind the scenes. At the core is the remarkable healing power of forgiveness, demonstrated by Kent Whitaker, which shows how the survivors of such atrocious events can still forgive those who have permanently damaged their lives.
One evening, the Whitaker family returned home after dinner, celebrating a son's impending graduation from college. On opening the front door, they faced a gunman lying in wait. The gunman opened fire, instantly killing the younger son and Kent's wife, leaving Kent and his older son lying wounded until police and ambulances arrived. While recovering in the hospital, Kent resolved in his heart to forgive whoever was responsible for the deaths of his wife and son.
Over the next few weeks, it was discovered that the whole murder plot had been orchestrated by the surviving son,whom Kent had unknowingly forgiven. After a trial that resulted in a death sentence for his son, Kent emerged from this harrowing ordeal to share their astonishing journey toward forgiveness and redemption.

I truly basked in the warm glow of Kent Whitaker's words as I was reading this book.With a very strong basis on this man's spiritual background his writing took on a life of its own.I found myself being drawn into the enfolding drama and yet through his words alone,was able to remain calm.Through this story which is basically about the nightmare that his family went through,he is also able to explain his deep faith and the reasons why and how this faith helped him accept and conquer the pain of what happened.I am not the most regular church goer and yet this book captured that "feel good" feeling I get after I have managed to attend a church service.

As I proceeded through the book I wondered how he would explain to himself(and me) how such a tragedy could happen and how this could possibly have any good come out of it.He does explain this in detail about 2/3 of the book through and I started losing the glow.And when his son,Bart Whitaker,who was eventually put in jail, complained to his father that being on death row he only had about 2 hours a week to perhaps convert other death row inmates as he had been converted,I jerked back to reality.This is a boy who tried to have his parents murdered not once but three times.The first two times were obviously unsuccessful and yet he kept on trying until he was so successful that he killed his brother Kevin Whitaker as well.Is it not enough of a miracle that he was now converted?That he could only be converted after killing his mother and brother?

Going back to my stance on "nurture" being predominant in the making of a killer I was disappointed that no attempt was made to find out if Bart Whitaker had experienced trauma as a child or perhaps had something physically wrong with him in the form of brain damage.This was a defence decision that he would not be consulted by a psychiatrist in case the information gathered could be used against him.

I try to learn from all the true crime books that I read and personally I found that acceptance of this kind of tragedy just does not work for me.Does Kent Whitaker not feel any need to the rest of society to have this tragedy explained in terms of events or facts which we can maybe control or try to avoid.This theory of accepting and forgiving with no basis or idea that it will never happen again was not comforting in the very least.You will understand all of this psychobabble after you have read the book and seen the reasons he provides as to why this tragedy happened and why it was for the best.I absolutely cannot mention it here because it really would be a spoiler.It forms the absolute base for his acceptance of this tragedy.

My words above have covered my personal opinion on how Kent Whitaker decided to deal with this.I do realise that I have very likely missed the whole point when it comes to having a very strong faith in God but I do believe we need to have a little fight left in us beyond total acceptance.That being said this book is brilliantly written.I wondered how a first time writer could be so excellent with his words and then found out that Kent Whitaker has dabbled in writing as a hobby so that explained a lot.I absolutely recommend reading this book.It provides an excellent view into the mind of a true believer and how problems are dealt with when all of your faith is placed in God.

All the proceeds from the sales of this book goes to the December 10 Fund which was created by the author.This fund is managed by the Houston Christian Foundation.After all of my perhaps "negative" comments above I do still recommend reading this book and have already done so with members of my family.It is a true life account of dealing with tragedy and how your faith in God can help you do that.Do not get me wrong at all,Kent Whitaker is not at all over the top in his spiritual beliefs,nor does he force it down your throat in this book.It is just visible through his words and thinking.I am just a bit too scientific to just "believe".I believe in God truly but I also believe I need to help myself have a good life and not place the entire responsibility into HIS hands.


Question to my readers:do you agree/disagree that we are also partially responsible for the life we lead on this earth?That our belief/faith in God should assist us in making the right decisions?Or should the entire responsiblity be with God where we simply believe and accept events as they unfold?I would really like to know what you think?I am not so narrow minded as to believe that my way is the only way even though I might give that impression because I do probably seem set in my opinion.

If you would like to find out more about this book then South African readers can access via Kalahari Books and for other reviews on this book please see the Amazon link below
Murder by Family: The Incredible True Story of a Son's Treachery and a Father's Forgiveness

Here are some more book details:

Author: Kent Whitaker
Country: United States of America
Format: Softcover
Publisher: Howard Books
ISBN: 9781439164600
Publication date: May 2009
Pages: 224

Who Killed My Daughter by Lois Duncan

This is the story of a mother's search for the truth behind her daughter's death and shows how she was able to uncover information that the police could not.In one sentence you get an idea of what the book is about but truthfully this book is really about a mother's love for her daughter,the journey she took to find her killers,a process of healing,an idea that if she could not control the circumstances leading to her daughter's death then she could try and control what happens afterwards.A tragic journey into the mind of a parent who loses a child,an insight of what every parent most dreads.

I got the distinct feeling that Lois Duncan wrote this book as a letter to her daughter,to let her know wherever she is that her mother loved her.That her time on this earth was precious and she will be in her mother's heart now and forever.

I chose this book to review because of what happened today.My daughter did not go to school today as she has an ear infection.I had to go to work and left her at home alone.At about midday I saw there was a missed call from her on my cell.I tried calling back and no answer on the landline and no answer on her two other cell numbers.I started panicking and immediately as I was driving back home I had these thoughts on how I was going to perform CPR and call the ambulance at the same time and worrying that they were going to ask me to spell out my street address as this happens every time and wondering why people that sell houses never make this a selling point,as in, your street name is David Street,you will never have to spell it out when you order take outs,ever.I called a friend and said they must be on stand by so that if I miss called,he is to call the ambulance right way.As I screeched to a halt in front of my house she finally answered the phone,I burst out crying,she told me she had been in the bath and then called me a "retard" for being so emotional.My daughter,my angel,my reason for living!!

Back to this wonderful book by Lois Duncan,this courageous mother who decided to take action and do something,anything.My heart goes out to her.She wrote this book in such an open way,and totally bares her feelings for all to see.The writing itself was so easy to read and follow despite the painful content.The story leaves a lot of unanswered questions but the investigation by this mom raised a lot of questions which might never have arisen were it not for her.Some questions are answered,some not.Quite a few unresolved issues but I would not have missed reading this book for the world.

The most tragic for me is when she explores in hindsight what she could have done to prevent what happened.Could she have insisted Kaitlyn not go out?So many little things she could have changed if only she could have foreseen the future.Guilt she will live with forever.No human being should have to shoulder pain like this for a lifetime.

Basically this was a book about a mother's love for her child,a love letter,a final journey she took with her daughter,putting her own mind to rest,gaining some peace,an apology "I couldn't protect you".I have always loved you and will always love you.

I feel priveleged to have read this book.I read it in May 2007.For South African readers who would like to know more about this book please use this link for Kalahari Books or if you would like to read some more reviews on this amazing book then use the Amazon link below.
Who Killed My Daughter?
There are no photographs in this book but the front cover was all I needed.The way Lois Duncan wrote this book was enough for me to be able to visualize all I need to know.

The Life I Survived by Maria La Bella

This is the true life story of Maria La Bella and details the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her biological father for a period of 21 years.The abuse started as she remembers from the age of 3.

This book is extremely disturbing with very graphic details of the sexual abuse.If you are very sensitive it is better not to buy this book as there is no way of reading this book and avoiding these sexual details.The book is practically just full of the abuse.The memory of this book will stay with you for a while.

It is written for very easy reading and you will immediately be able to tell that the victim herself wrote this book.I got a bit irritated with the spelling mistakes namely the word "to" always being spelt as "too" all throughout the book and wondered who had done the editing.But my irritation was at a high level probably due to the content of the book which really had an impact on me.I was left with a very bad taste in my mouth.Strangely enough this book did not evoke feeling of sympathy as I could not believe that she would stay quiet for this long even as an adult.I am not very positive about this book but still feel that maybe it is the details itself that has evoked this response in me.I was and still am totally disgusted that this kind of thing can happen.

I also was not very impressed with the fact that this book cost more than the other true crime books which I usually buy and to top it off was very thin with 123 pages of large print.And the capital letters in some parts of the book made me angry.Again please do not take my word for it maybe you should find out for yourself as I think my reaction to this book is abnormally negative.

Amazon Books-USA and Canada


Amazon Books-UK and Europe


I read this book in January 2009