Polly Klaas: The Murder of America's Child

by Barry Bortnick

Recounts the October, 1993, kidnapping of twelve-year-old Polly Klaas from her home in Petaluma, California, the two-month search for the missing girl, and the arrest of Richard Allen Davis, who confessed to Polly's kidnapping and murder

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime

264 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1995

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved the way he wrote it about the people involved and not the court case. highly recommend.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Polly Klaas: The Murder of America's Child. Barry Bortnick. 1995. Pinnacle. 264 pages. ISBN 078600195X.

Polly Klaas: The Murder of America's Child is a true story about the abduction, murder, and aftermath of the book's namesake. The book begins on October 1, 1993, a night Polly hosts a sleepover for some friends and is later kidnapped. Following the scary and disturbing events of that night, we are made privy to the criminal background of murderer Richard Allen Davis and given detailed steps taken by the small town of Petaluma to support the Klaas family and help bring awareness.

Polly Klaas reads like an extended newspaper spread, providing us the basics surrounding the abduction and murder but going into minute detail about the search efforts, memorial, and effects Polly's murder had on America at the time. A large portion of the book is based on interviews mainly with Polly's father Marc and grandfather Joe.

Polly Klaas: The Murder of America's Child has a very bipolar style with an inconsistent tone. To put it simply, its feel like we are spared the most interesting details about the crime but over-informed on unexciting details such as what specific people end up wearing to the trial, or what items are left for Polly at her memorial.

I understand that many true crime books are more profitable when they are released while the crime is still fresh in the public's eye; however I believe this book would have made a much deeper impact after time had passed and more facts could be gathered about the crime. When reading a true crime novel, I am more interested in the whys and hows as opposed to the reactions of the town and media.

With respect to Polly Klaas and her family, we can indeed acknowledge the horror of this story, but the book could be more effective in bringing awareness if we understand the aforementioned whys and hows.

Barry Bortnick has also written Deadly Urges (1997), a portrait of rapist and murderer Phillip Jablonski.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was actually OK... Until the end. I mean, I realize that it's really old. I got it from a really old used book store. But it wasn't a bad book until the end where it's revealed that you don't even get to know what happens! There's no court, no sentencing, no closure to the story as the book was done and finished while the killer was still waiting on a court date. What kinda author does that???

[Amanda Aguilar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. Was a really fast read, I couldn't put it down.

[Leonard Kowalski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think we all know the story of this horrific tragedy by now but it's now been 28 years. A novel that covers all of the events and facts pretty damn well. An interesting chapter at the end of the book regarding political effects and the 3 Strikes You're Out bill that passed during the 1994 election year and the fall out from it. A quote that sticks out for me just because I had completely forgotten about Michael Dukakis:

"No one wanted to sound soft like former presidential candidate Michael Dukakis who once told a national audience that he not only opposed the death penalty, but would keep that opinion even if someone murdered his wife, Kitty. That honesty kept Dukakis in Masssachusetts and political obscurity, not the White House."

[Katie Estep · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reads like a news article, which at some points really drives the story and makes it easier to understand. I had heard of Polly’s case from true crime podcasts but i didn’t know everything and the details ruined me! Her friends carrying stuffed animals at the trial made me sob! A beautiful book for such a beautiful soul.

[Lime184 · Rating 2 out of 5]

My heart goes out to all those who where affected by this tragedy. There are real monsters in this world but also there is great compassion as well.

[Breanna Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a fan of this author's writing. I couldn't get into the way he writes. However; this was a good, fast read.