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Juan Martinez, the fiery prosecutor who convicted notorious murderess Jodi Arias for the disturbing killing of Travis Alexander, speaks for the first time about the shocking investigation and sensational trial that captivated the nation. Through two trials, America watched with bated breath as Juan Martinez fought relentlessly to convict Jodi Arias of murder one for viciously stabbing her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander, to death.
Theodore Bundy was one of the more infamous, and flamboyant, American serial killers on record, and his story is a complex mix of psychopathology, criminal investigation, and the U.S. legal system. This in-depth examination of Bundy's life and his killing spree that totaled dozens of victims is drawn from legal transcripts, correspondence and interviews with detectives and prosecutors. Using these sources, new information on several murders is unveiled.
It was the trial that stunned America, the verdict that shocked us all. On July 5, 2011, nearly three years after her initial arrest, Casey Anthony walked away, virtually scot-free, from one of the most sensational murder trials of all time. She'd been accused of killing her daughter, Caylee, but the trial only left behind more questions: Was she actually innocent? What really happened to Caylee? Was this what justice really looked like?
On a warm Florida evening, Karen Gregory saw a familiar face at her door. What the beautiful young woman could not know was that she was staring into the eyes of her killer - a savage monster who would rape her, stab her to death, and leave her battered body on the floor outside the bedroom. Detectives frantically sifting through the evidence were tormented by one disturbing question after another....
The police in Jersey County, Illinois, accepted Paula Sims' story of a masked kidnapper who snatched her baby girl, Lorelei, from her bassinet. Three years later, her second newborn daughter suffered an identical fate - and this time the police were unable to stop searching until they had discovered the whole horrifying truth. This is the full terrifying story of twisted sexuality and hate seething below the surface of a seemingly normal family and of the massive investigation and nerve-shattering trial that made the unthinkable a reality.
When Caylee Anthony was reported missing in Orlando, Florida, in July 2008, the public spent the next three years following the investigation and the eventual trial of her mother, Casey Anthony. On July 5, 2011, the case that captured headlines worldwide exploded when, against all odds, defense attorney Jose Baez delivered one of the biggest legal upsets in American history: a not-guilty verdict.
Juan Martinez, the fiery prosecutor who convicted notorious murderess Jodi Arias for the disturbing killing of Travis Alexander, speaks for the first time about the shocking investigation and sensational trial that captivated the nation. Through two trials, America watched with bated breath as Juan Martinez fought relentlessly to convict Jodi Arias of murder one for viciously stabbing her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander, to death.
Theodore Bundy was one of the more infamous, and flamboyant, American serial killers on record, and his story is a complex mix of psychopathology, criminal investigation, and the U.S. legal system. This in-depth examination of Bundy's life and his killing spree that totaled dozens of victims is drawn from legal transcripts, correspondence and interviews with detectives and prosecutors. Using these sources, new information on several murders is unveiled.
It was the trial that stunned America, the verdict that shocked us all. On July 5, 2011, nearly three years after her initial arrest, Casey Anthony walked away, virtually scot-free, from one of the most sensational murder trials of all time. She'd been accused of killing her daughter, Caylee, but the trial only left behind more questions: Was she actually innocent? What really happened to Caylee? Was this what justice really looked like?
On a warm Florida evening, Karen Gregory saw a familiar face at her door. What the beautiful young woman could not know was that she was staring into the eyes of her killer - a savage monster who would rape her, stab her to death, and leave her battered body on the floor outside the bedroom. Detectives frantically sifting through the evidence were tormented by one disturbing question after another....
The police in Jersey County, Illinois, accepted Paula Sims' story of a masked kidnapper who snatched her baby girl, Lorelei, from her bassinet. Three years later, her second newborn daughter suffered an identical fate - and this time the police were unable to stop searching until they had discovered the whole horrifying truth. This is the full terrifying story of twisted sexuality and hate seething below the surface of a seemingly normal family and of the massive investigation and nerve-shattering trial that made the unthinkable a reality.
When Caylee Anthony was reported missing in Orlando, Florida, in July 2008, the public spent the next three years following the investigation and the eventual trial of her mother, Casey Anthony. On July 5, 2011, the case that captured headlines worldwide exploded when, against all odds, defense attorney Jose Baez delivered one of the biggest legal upsets in American history: a not-guilty verdict.
What begins as a routine journey on the luxurious Orient Express soon unfurls into Agatha Christie's most famous murder mystery. This all-star production features lead performances from Tom Conti (The Dark Knight Rises, Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence) as Hercule Poirot, Sophie Okonedo (After Earth, Hotel Rwanda and Ace Ventura) and Eddie Marsan (Sherlock Holmes, V for Vendetta and Hancock) plus a full supporting cast.
Nationally renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht and New York Times bestselling author Charles Bosworth, Jr. have written a riveting narrative that exposes the disturbing truth behind the Christmas day murder of six-year-old JonBenet Ramsey. Dr. Wecht's expert analysis of the public record leads to shocking new conclusions divulged here for the first time.
The best of this year's true crime writing from master true crime authors RJ Parker, Peter Vronsky, JJ Slate, Sylvia Perrini, and Michael Newton, who give us nine new shocking case accounts of serial killers.
Lacey Spears made international headlines in January 2015, when she was charged with the "depraved mind" murder of her five-year-old son, Garnett. Prosecutors alleged that the 27-year-old mother had poisoned him with high concentrations of salt through his stomach tube. To the outside world, Lacey had seemed like the perfect mother, regularly posting dramatic updates on her son's harrowing medical problems. But in reality, Lacey was a textbook case of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy.
The tragic story of Susan Powell and her murdered boys, Charlie and Braden, is the only case that rivals the Jon Benet Ramsey saga in the annals of true crime. When the pretty, blonde Utah mother went missing in December of 2009 the media was swept up in the story - with lenses and microphones trained on Susan's husband, Josh. He said he had no idea what happened to his young wife, and that he and the boys had been camping in the middle of a snowstorm.
The definitive book on the hunt to find the most ruthless serial killer in Los Angeles' history, told by the fearless reporter who broke the story. In 2008, Christine Pelisek broke the story of a terrifying serial killer who went unchecked in Los Angeles for decades, killing the most vulnerable women in one South Central neighborhood.
They were golden boys who killed with sudden savagery. The trial revealed a dark drama too evil to believe. Handsome, rich, bronzed champion athletes, Erik and Lyle Menendez were the stunning symbols of the California dream. The sons of a high-powered Hollywood executive and his beautiful wife, they lived in a pampered world of Beverly Hills mansions, swimming pools, and private tennis coaches. But the dream became a nightmare when police found the butchered bodies of the boys' parents, Jose and Kitty, in the family room of their five-million dollar mansion.
Joe Gere said he died on the afternoon his 12-year-old daughter Brenda disappeared. It was left to Brenda's mother Elaine to sustain her stricken family, search for her missing child, and pressure the authorities for justice. From the first minutes of the investigation, suspicion fell on Michael Kay Green, a steroid-abusing "Mr. Universe" hopeful, but there was no proof of a crime, leaving police and prosecutors stymied. Tips and sightings poured in as lawmen and volunteers combed the Cascades forest.
Recounts the tragic events that followed the arrest of Fred Coe, a conservative, clean-cut young man, for a series of rapes committed in the city of Spokane and led to revenge and murder.
On June 9, 2008, the butchered body of Travis Alexander was found in his Mesa, Arizona home. The grisly nature of his death made instant headlines: with twenty-nine knife wounds, his throat slit, and a gunshot to the head, Travis was left to die. The prime suspect in the case was Alexander's ex-girlfriend, the attractive and soft-spoken Jodi Arias. Though Arias initially said that she was nowhere near the scene of crime, little about this case was as it seemed, and before long she had been caught lying to police.
Among the 34 cases covered are: Pamela Smart, a volunteer at a high school drug awareness program who urged her 15-year-old lover and his friends to kill her husband; Nancy Kissel, an expat American in Hong Kong who served her investment banker husband a strawberry milkshake laced with drugs then clubbed him to death with a statue; and Celeste Beard whose husband was disemboweled by her lesbian lover.
In and out of hospitals since birth, angelic nine-month-old Morgan Reid finally succumbed to what appeared to be Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Morgan's Texas-born mother Tanya, a nurse and devoted wife, pulled up stakes with her grieving husband Jim, and moved on. It was the best way to put the past behind them. Until their son Michael, a boy who by all accounts was terrified of his mother, began showing signs of the same affliction that stole the life of his baby sister....
After killer Shelia Eddy pled guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison and Rachel Shoaf was sentenced to thirty years for second-degree murder, family, friends, investigators, and other key sources reveal the facts you would have learned if the case had gone to trial.
Including specific details drawn from Rachel's confession, Pretty Little Killers looks at the crime through the eyes of the victim and killers, providing intimate testimony from the pages of Rachel's personal journal, Skylar's diary and school papers, and court records. Daleen Berry and Geoffrey C. Fuller examine all this, including previously unreported details about Rachel and Shelia's rumored lesbian relationship, and explain why more than one investigator believes that Skylar's murder was a thrill kill. Most important, Pretty Little Killers provides a satisfying answer to Skylar's final question: "Why?"
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
It's a warning to all parents of teenagers, a stark and terrifying one, I
Who was your favorite character and why?
The Lad who loved Skylar, he seemed really sweet, kind and genuine.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
No, to be honest. I didn't like Skylar, I thought she was demanding, jealous, controlling and someone who would blackmail friends in order to keep them as friends, dangling the threat of exposure like a nasty old carrot. The three girls were typical bratty singletons , and the issues that singletons have when children is a 'mine mine mine' demeanour when they mature the unwillingness to share is just as prevalent and in this case it ended in disaster.
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
"Because I had read reviews that were not so great, but I caved because there is nothing else on this case . I agree that it is generic info that doesn't tell the listener any new details and you will only be ingesting the Twitter and Facebook posts Already released .
This book felt so rushed and written so quickly after the tragedy that the book doesn't even include the pleas of the girls.
I hope a more thorough book is published with the answer to the fundamental question that this book did not answer, which is WHY? Why did they do this and "because we didn't like her isn't cutting it." Someone needs to delve deeper into what was going on in the minds of the girls".
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
What did you love best about Pretty Little Killers?
This story is so completely incomprehensible that the best part about this book is that the authors attempt to make since of what so clearly makes no since.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Pretty Little Killers?
It id difficult to answer this question without offering a spoiler. I would say that the most memorable moment for me in this story is when one of the killers, Rachel, confesses. However, I cannot say I wasn't equally rattled when Rachel pleads guilty to the crime, and apologizes for her actions acknowledging that it simply isn't enough. The father's response is about what I suspect would be my response, only he was far nicer about it than I think I could have been.
What does Pam Ward bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Sometimes when I read a book myself, especially one with this much information I forget to give a different voice to the individuals than the narration that fills in between the dialog. I think that's something Pam Ward does for this story.
If you could give Pretty Little Killers a new subtitle, what would it be?
I think I would give it the title of this review, "Social Media and the Age of Entitlement". In reality, those two things are the real motive for this crime.
Any additional comments?
The book concludes with recommendations for ways to try to protect your child from today's technology and how to stay engaged in your child's life. The sad truth is, there is no way to protect them from the friends that they have had all through growing up. There is no way for a parent to predict these kinds of things. The Neesen's could not have protected Skylar by being stricter with her. They could not have protected her by monitoring her friends more closely. The only thing they could possibly have done is be more aware of the tensions and strife between the girls that would have been evident from their social media accounts. This does NOT make them in any way at fault. This story will be the fodder of my fears for the next 3-6 years while my daughter finishes high school and college.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
What did you love best about Pretty Little Killers?
I liked the in depth and intelligent way they approach the case.
What did you like best about this story?
I like how the writers with us, the reader, try to understand how something like this could happen.
What do you think the narrator could have done better?
I'm not sure Pam ward was the right choice for this. She is a good narrator, but I agree with some other people that she may be percieved as judging grandmother. To appeal to the age group that should listen to this book, I think it would be a good idea to choose someone with a "younger" voice.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The story is sad and is easy to follow but some of the insignificant situations are long and drawn out.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
What made the experience of listening to Pretty Little Killers the most enjoyable?
The fact that it looked at the crime from everyones angle that was involved. I played out like a story.... it made you fall in love and almost forget it was real. It was truly amazing summery of events.
What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?
Knowing that it was real. Finding out the truth behind each girl. The Media really name Sheila and Rachel look a lot different then who they were..... Sheila is truly evil!
Which character – as performed by Pam Ward – was your favorite?
You cant pick a favourite in this kind of book.... You fall in love with Skylar, who she was and the legacy she left behind. I do feel the smallest amount of sympathy for Racheal as i went to school with a girl that couldn't remind me more of her. When your that young you can lose reality.... I think she got caught up in something wanting to impress..... and got lost along that way... but what she did was wrong and she got the punishment she deserved.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
Two can keep a secret if one of them is dead....
Any additional comments?
I truly think this book deserves more publicity... These things are happening more and more. More girls need to read this.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Saying these girls are savage doesn't do it justice! This book really makes you open your eyes as a parent!
love it great book I love in Morgantown remembered when this happened was so sad
What did you love best about Pretty Little Killers?
I grew up in Morgantown. It was very disturbing to listen to this book. My hometown is a very different pace than it used to be. I knew people and families involved in these events. It's impossible for me to imagine something like this happening in a place I have mostly fond memories of. Morgantown was once a small town with its own character, but has grown over the years to become a town without identity an nowhere place that contains lost people capable of great evil.
sad but true I used to live right a round the corner from Skyler and I think them girls should of get a lot worse punishment then they did
Mesmerizing and well written. VERY well read. This book will haunt you.