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Secret Lessons
Chronicles the shocking and appalling story of the handsome, popular, and energetic sixth-grade teacher in a Caseyville, Illinois, Elementary School, who was accused of sexually abusing numerous young girls. Original.
364 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 31, 2012
You know what was really hard to decide of adding this book to my list, let alone writing my comment. I have friends on my list that lived in this city. I moved to Caseyville, right after this evil and wicked man did this, and while he was still on trial, or at least things about it still on the news.
I found the book the day after my wedding before we headed out for the honeymoon. Made a stop at a grocery store to grab a couple of things and I saw the books. The first thing I noticed when I turned the book over was Caseyville, IL. At the time of this crime, Caseyville was not all that big, not much there. You blinked, you missed the town. Everything you needed was within walking distance. As kind as everybody was it still had an odd feeling about it, like I wasn't really welcomed. Wasn't sure if it was just being a newbie or maybe because of where I moved from, or who I was related to in the neighborhood, I was confused, but learned to deal with it and go on.
Well, April 3, 1994, the day I located the book and decided to buy it. As I am reading the book, pieces of the "puzzle" are starting to fall together. Holy cow, knowing some of these girls, it wasn't hard to put a name to couple of his victims, I couldn't identify them all. But my goodness, I had just went through 3 years of this myself, I would have been able to connect with these girls, but they weren't aware I just got out what they just went trhough.
Got way off track, very sorry. About the book, It's kind of hard to say it was a good book, how about written well. A teacher who decides to rape and molest these girls for kicks at the school in a hidden room, then turn around to call them "tramps, sluts, etc....". How about being supported by his wife 100% who was caught in court lying. Leaving the book with a very interesting and shocking ending.
I found the book the day after my wedding before we headed out for the honeymoon. Made a stop at a grocery store to grab a couple of things and I saw the books. The first thing I noticed when I turned the book over was Caseyville, IL. At the time of this crime, Caseyville was not all that big, not much there. You blinked, you missed the town. Everything you needed was within walking distance. As kind as everybody was it still had an odd feeling about it, like I wasn't really welcomed. Wasn't sure if it was just being a newbie or maybe because of where I moved from, or who I was related to in the neighborhood, I was confused, but learned to deal with it and go on.
Well, April 3, 1994, the day I located the book and decided to buy it. As I am reading the book, pieces of the "puzzle" are starting to fall together. Holy cow, knowing some of these girls, it wasn't hard to put a name to couple of his victims, I couldn't identify them all. But my goodness, I had just went through 3 years of this myself, I would have been able to connect with these girls, but they weren't aware I just got out what they just went trhough.
Got way off track, very sorry. About the book, It's kind of hard to say it was a good book, how about written well. A teacher who decides to rape and molest these girls for kicks at the school in a hidden room, then turn around to call them "tramps, sluts, etc....". How about being supported by his wife 100% who was caught in court lying. Leaving the book with a very interesting and shocking ending.
January 7, 2016
I'm trying this new thing out where I actually putting ratings and reviews when I finish books instead of waiting 6 months. XD Ack!
Anyway, this book was so hard to read. Not because it was bad but because of the upsetting content. It's so unbelievable. I'm listening to this and my mind can't wrap around this.
I think the most shocking thing is the town's support of this guy. Here is a guy who literally rapes and molests girls at every school he teaches at. He does this on school grounds, no less. And he's so brazen that he pulls these girls out from CLASSES and has them wait. Like, 'you first Sally' and when he's done, he tells Sally to have the next girl come in.
He has dozens of accusations. DOZENS and DOZENS. And it's not like he taught at only one school. He taught at several. He taught grades 6th though 12th. And people still defended him. How is this 9 year old girl in collusion with a 19 year old girl who lives in another county?
You hear people saying 'we don't live in a rape culture!' Really? If that's so, how did this town damn some 60 victims of this guy? At one point, a fellow (FEMALE!) teacher shouted 'sluts! tramps!' at 9 year olds. Really?
I just can't...
Anyway, this book was so hard to read. Not because it was bad but because of the upsetting content. It's so unbelievable. I'm listening to this and my mind can't wrap around this.
I think the most shocking thing is the town's support of this guy. Here is a guy who literally rapes and molests girls at every school he teaches at. He does this on school grounds, no less. And he's so brazen that he pulls these girls out from CLASSES and has them wait. Like, 'you first Sally' and when he's done, he tells Sally to have the next girl come in.
He has dozens of accusations. DOZENS and DOZENS. And it's not like he taught at only one school. He taught at several. He taught grades 6th though 12th. And people still defended him. How is this 9 year old girl in collusion with a 19 year old girl who lives in another county?
You hear people saying 'we don't live in a rape culture!' Really? If that's so, how did this town damn some 60 victims of this guy? At one point, a fellow (FEMALE!) teacher shouted 'sluts! tramps!' at 9 year olds. Really?
I just can't...
December 28, 2011
I'd forgotten how well these books by Don Weber were written. The subject is horrible especially in light of today's culture of pedophilia, but thirty years ago there were actually people who thought 9 through 11 year olds could conspire to "seduce" a popular teacher. I think we've all learned that sometimes those most pious are most hideous. Weber writes with his usual flair and dramatic touches, overblown at times but since he lived it I can understand him wanting to express his outrage. A good read.
May 19, 2016
I listened to this in audio format, read by the excellent Kevin Pierce.
One Friday night the parents of 3 daughters at Elementary School report to the local sheriff that their kids have been molested by a teacher at school.
The Girls complain that their teacher Mr Van Dyke French kissed them or put his hands down their trousers. The Girls helped Van Dyke in the library, the library had a broom cupboard which is where he committed the offences. He always told them the police or other authorities would not believe the girls over a teacher.
The Police believe the 3 girls are only the tip of the iceberg and look for other victims. They find Kath the local Pastor's daughter, Kath was abused by Van Dyke the year before when she a library monitor. She explained Van Dyke kept a mattress in the cupboard which he would unroll and rape her. She stopped being monitor straight away, now in a new class Van Dyke asks her to babysit, and he does it again.
The final victim was now 19 years old with a baby girl, she had also been raped by Van Dyke. The police go to court to try to get Van Dyke charged but the court do not believe the girls. Van Dyke's colleagues calls the girls liars and other disgusting things.
The author Don Weber was a prosecutor in Caseyville in the next town. He is disgusted by what happened and how Van Duke was protected by the school authorities. Weber finds out he can prosecute Van Dyke in Caseyville because the school authority is based in Caseyville.
The court case splits the town in two and turns against the girls. This was another book written by Don Weber. He wrote about the offences, the police investigation and a detailed account of Van Dyke's court case. You will like this book if you enjoy real life crime.
One Friday night the parents of 3 daughters at Elementary School report to the local sheriff that their kids have been molested by a teacher at school.
The Girls complain that their teacher Mr Van Dyke French kissed them or put his hands down their trousers. The Girls helped Van Dyke in the library, the library had a broom cupboard which is where he committed the offences. He always told them the police or other authorities would not believe the girls over a teacher.
The Police believe the 3 girls are only the tip of the iceberg and look for other victims. They find Kath the local Pastor's daughter, Kath was abused by Van Dyke the year before when she a library monitor. She explained Van Dyke kept a mattress in the cupboard which he would unroll and rape her. She stopped being monitor straight away, now in a new class Van Dyke asks her to babysit, and he does it again.
The final victim was now 19 years old with a baby girl, she had also been raped by Van Dyke. The police go to court to try to get Van Dyke charged but the court do not believe the girls. Van Dyke's colleagues calls the girls liars and other disgusting things.
The author Don Weber was a prosecutor in Caseyville in the next town. He is disgusted by what happened and how Van Duke was protected by the school authorities. Weber finds out he can prosecute Van Dyke in Caseyville because the school authority is based in Caseyville.
The court case splits the town in two and turns against the girls. This was another book written by Don Weber. He wrote about the offences, the police investigation and a detailed account of Van Dyke's court case. You will like this book if you enjoy real life crime.
June 26, 2017
This is the kind of sad, horrible, wake up call, story that every parent should read. It is not a salacious story full of details, it focuses on how the girls and others FELT throughout this entire process. It will just tick you off how our justice system can support the rights of the accused at the expense of the victims. If you've ever wondered WHY kids don't tell, this book lays it all out in spades. Who is going to believe a kid over an adult? Especially when that adult is a trusted leader like a teacher?
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November 12, 2024Another good read by Weber and Bosworth about a repulsive series of crimes. The case is very interesting legally and the court proceedings never dragged or got repetitive for an instant. They did a pretty good job of describing what the victims went through, but I found it very odd that a prosecutor or rape-crisis counselor would be even faintly surprised at the way the community closed ranks behind the offender. I mean, it happens quite a lot. This one is well worth your time.
May 14, 2018
True Crime
This is a very good true crime book. The author discusses the details of child sexual abuse by a well known trusted teacher. It is a fascinating story, told well. A true crime fan will appreciate this book. Ok
This is a very good true crime book. The author discusses the details of child sexual abuse by a well known trusted teacher. It is a fascinating story, told well. A true crime fan will appreciate this book. Ok
April 19, 2021
I gave 5 stars because of how well written this true crime book is. This was extremely hard to get through, especially being a victim of rape. This is definitely not a read for the weak of stomach. I live a town away from where this happened.
February 3, 2016
What happened is extremely tragic. The way that the characters and events are sometimes referred to is very melodramatic. "If he had only realized what this call signified;" "If only they hadn't done _____ that day". To me, not being familiar with the events, had me anticipating some of these people to be killed, or the story to become suspenseful at some point. In reality, it's a true courtroom story- not so much a retelling of what occurred as an accounting of events that took place, though that does occur at points, due to the nature of courtroom trials. I think further background information on the girls (What are their home lives like? Did they have friends? Were they bullied? etc.) would have been helpful to readers looking for a story...not a re-reading of newspapers and courtroom transcripts. If you like courtroom stories, definitely go ahead on this one. If not...read the description first.
The narration for this book was excellent- exactly what you would want to up the intensity and add depth.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author, narrator or publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
The narration for this book was excellent- exactly what you would want to up the intensity and add depth.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author, narrator or publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
July 8, 2016
Beautifully written
As a survivor of sexual abuse and being told nobody would believe you I waited many years to tell my mom. My own family didn't believe me because who really wants to admit they are related to someone who could do these things to a child. I feel for these girls and know what it's like. My adult sex life suffers from the abuse that is 30 years old. It's a hard thing to deal with. I pray for the kids and may Sick Van Hook rot in hell
As a survivor of sexual abuse and being told nobody would believe you I waited many years to tell my mom. My own family didn't believe me because who really wants to admit they are related to someone who could do these things to a child. I feel for these girls and know what it's like. My adult sex life suffers from the abuse that is 30 years old. It's a hard thing to deal with. I pray for the kids and may Sick Van Hook rot in hell
January 20, 2016
This is a very well written and thorough account of an incredible tragedy. It's among some of the best true crime I've ever read. It's expertly narrated
by Kevin Pierce.
NOTE: I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for this unbiased review.
by Kevin Pierce.
NOTE: I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for this unbiased review.
May 24, 2016
Shocking true story about a pedophile teacher his manipulations and trial
For a deeper review please visit http://www.readingghost.blogspot.dk/2...
For a deeper review please visit http://www.readingghost.blogspot.dk/2...
March 26, 2016
This book was just ok. I wanted the characters to come alive and it just didn't happen for me.
July 13, 2016
Creepy & disturbing, especially for how the heck did this jerk get away with it for so long & no one noticed anything in that school? Well written & has that high level creep factor.
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