Roberta

well written, excellent narration

Revisado: 07-08-17

This is not a run of the mill true crime book. The victims were not engaged in risky behavior. The criminals conduct was not predictable. Even the court room scenes provide clear insight into the workings of the justice system. Usually I find the court proceedings tedious and obvious. Not so with this book.
The author guides us so we get to know the victim's family and feel empathy. Thus, this is not just another "case".
The Narrator did an excellent job. I could find no fault with his reading.

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esto le resultó útil a 33 personas

two story lines interwoven well

Revisado: 01-16-17

This is a good book, however, the author seemed to eulogize the victims. The victims' social circles and families were presented as too good to be true.
The narration was fine except she pronounced the name Joran as URINE. This she said repeatedly. I do not speak Dutch, but I think if that is the only way to use this name, the narrator should have used his last name or searched for a nickname. It was VERY distracting to hear urine every few sentences.

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a terrifying true story

Revisado: 12-28-15

If you could sum up Accused in three words, what would they be?

Could be anyone!

What did you like best about this story?

Well told, held my interest, insightful and inspiring. God helped her when she prayed.

What about Hillary Huber’s performance did you like?

Just the right tone, not shrill. Emphatic stress when appropriate.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The entire ordeal is moving. There is relief from the tension as she describes other events.

Any additional comments?

This book would be a good gift for someone who is seeking faith in God. The woman's faith got her through this nightmare.
This could happen to anyone.

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esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

held my attention

Revisado: 05-11-15

Would you listen to If I Can't Have You: again? Why?

No. I rarely listen to a book twice. I learned facts about criminology I was unaware of.

What other book might you compare If I Can't Have You: to and why?

This is not as interesting as Starvation Heights which Olsen wrote.

Which character – as performed by Laural Merlington and Kevin Pierce – was your favorite?

Susan's mother.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

not for the faint of heart

Any additional comments?

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strong liberal bias

Revisado: 04-26-15

This book comes with excellent professional reviews and is worth reading. However, the author displays antagonism towards conservative thinking without using facts or logic to support his position.
Lancaster dismisses supply side economics by saying Why hasn't it worked yet?
Anyone who submitted that concept as a senior thesis would receive a failing grade.
Still I learned a lot and do not regret listening to it. The Narrator is pleasant.

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esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

superficial, poorly written

Revisado: 04-23-15

The author refers to the violent and brutal murder of Mrs. Sam Sheppard as "the fuss". Her seven year old son sleeping in the next room was not awakened by "the fuss".

The writer fails to mention the underlying social and economic factors of the case. Sam Sheppard's father and two brothers were all osteopaths. They owned and opened their own hospital and were taking business from the local medical establishment.

All four men were well known womanizers.

Anti Semitism was also a factor as these four osteopaths were Jewish.

The other cases are fairly interesting. Mediocre book.

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entertaining, informative nonfiction

Revisado: 04-16-15

The Narrator is not quite as good as when the author does the narration. The book is well written, however, the story lacks comic relief.

Many crimes are related, but the gruesome nature of the acts is not over played.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

gripping story, disappointing narration

Revisado: 12-31-14

The Narrator has a sing song lilting voice suitable for reading a fairy tale, not suitable for true crime.
However, this nonfiction book was still worth listening too. The crime is unspeakable. Facts are related without sensationalizing.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

nonfiction described as a novel

Revisado: 12-18-14

The author explains that this is a nonfiction work with some speculation. The one surviving victim relates a riveting description of her capture, torture and rape. Many interesting facts are revealed and this book held my interest. However much of the psychiatric "science" is little more than psycho babble or pseudo science. The murderer's imperfect parents are offered as an explanation for the man's evil which I find unfounded. Prior to the man's death he was smiling an upbeat. This we are advised indicates he was not suicidal. It is a standard principle in psychiatry that once someone resolves to kill them self, their depression lifts and they are nonchalant. Thus, cheerfulness is not an indication that the person did not take their life.
The Narrator neither adds nor detracts from the story.

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esto le resultó útil a 5 personas

a living nightmare, well told

Revisado: 12-14-14

This nonfiction account of kidnapping, torture and identity theft is compelling. The author manages to insert comic relief with wit and sarcasm, making the story bearable.

The author, who was also the victim, does not address this crime in a larger social context and thus leaves unanswered questions.

This ruthless crime is unusual in the USA which is why the police and even doctors refused to believe him. How many of the criminals were born in the USA? Are these crimes common in the countries they came from? The victim's wife was not American. In the country she came from the police are corrupt. Did this explain why she did not notify the authorities when her husband went missing?

Why was the press not alerted if the police would not respond? Why was a Congressman not notified?

The larger issue of the impact of immigration on crime was not addressed. This exploration would have added dimension to this story.

The narration is very well done.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas