Once Upon A Time, A True Story of Memory, Murder and the Law cover art

Once Upon A Time, A True Story of Memory, Murder and the Law

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Once Upon A Time, A True Story of Memory, Murder and the Law

By: Harry N. MacLean
Narrated by: Wendy Almeida
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About this listen

In 1989, Eileen Franklin, a young California housewife, claimed to recover a repressed memory of her father killing her playmate 20 years earlier. In a landmark trial, the father was charged and convicted of first-degree murder, based solely on his daughter's testimony. This book chronicles the trial, explores the remarkably dysfunctional Franklin family and delves into the credibility of repressed memories as evidence.

This version contains a 2011 Epilogue, which details the reasons for the reversal of George Franklin's murder conviction and the refusal of the district attorney to retry him for murder.

©1993 Harry N. MacLean (P)2015 Harry N. MacLean Crime Law Murder True Crime Mental Health

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Critic reviews

"A tragic but gripping story, and expertly crafted. Mr. MacLean has a positive talent for detail, and an obvious knowledge of the law. I congratulate him on a masterfully told story" (Steve Martini, author of Compelling Evidence)
" Once Upon A Time is a well-written and meticulous account of a true human drama. The uncharted terrain of the human mind and its ability to repress as well as deceive are fascinating food for thought." (Nancy Taylor Rosenberg, author of Mitigating Circumstances)
"MacLean gives us a fascinating look at a fascinating crime." (Tony Hillerman, author of Talking God and Coyote Waits)
All stars
Most relevant
Too long boring at times stuck with it hoping that I would get into it .

Overlong

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The narration was absolute horrible! It would have worked with an adventure story or a fairy tale, but with true crime...?
The story itself was over-detailed. I skipped the chapters with the defence and the prosecutions finishing speeches. No need for that, I was not a member of the jury. Also hearing about a courtcase from across the floor...not relevant at all.
I kept on listening, only because I don´t want to return every other audiobook.

Could have been cut down by 50%

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