Unlikely Angel: The Untold Story of the Atlanta Hostage Hero

by Ashley Smith, Stacy Mattingly

Unlikely Angel: The Untold Story of the Atlanta Hostage Hero

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, True Crime, Christian, Suspense, Audiobook

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Abby · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is by the woman held hostage by Brian Nichols back in 2005, when he escaped from an Atlanta courthouse, killing several people in the process. He held her hostage in her own apartment for 7 hours, and she talked him into surrendering peacefully.

When I first skimmed this book, I figured out that she was a 27 year old widow, whose husband had been murdered. She was trying to get things together for her 5 year old daughter, and she sounded like a cool heroin. Then I actually started the book, and at first it was a lot harder to like her. She was a drug addict, hadn't had custody of her daughter for over two years because of that, and her murdered husband was a druggie beater loser stupid guy (as far as I could gather, although she said she loved him and the loss was devastating) who was murdered in a fight he started and wouldn't let die. Something over drugs. She'd been to jail for DUIs and drugs. And she was grabbed by Nichols after a 2:00 AM run for cigarettes. Suddenly the heroin didn't seem as angelic, and it was harder to like her.

But she grew on me by the end of the book. And I realized that someone like me would never have been able to talk Brian Nichols into surrendering. He would've shot me, then gone on to rob banks and hold other hostages and die in a bloody shootout with police. Like when he told her that she could never understand what it was like to go to jail or be falsely accused of something, she could honestly say she did know. I would've been like, "Oh yeah. In 4th grade once, this mean boy named Duane was somehow put on hall patrol. He gave me a bad ticket when I went in during recess to get a drink. It wasn't because I did anything wrong, but just because he didn't like me. It was really upsetting, and when I reported him to my teacher she cleared the bad ticket from my record. But I can totally get how upsetting it would be to not be cleared. I might have shot someone, too." (That is a true story, and Duane Lelachuer was a jerk face. And I hope wherever he is, he reads that.)

I have also never been addicted to drugs, so I couldn't relate with him there either. (Okay - again, unless you count in high school, when I had a headache and decided to try a Tylenol for the first time in my life. I asked my mom, who hesitantly gave me two pills. About a month later, I had a headache again and went for the Tylenol, but it was missing from the medicine cabinet. I casually asked my mom if we had any, and after giving me a horrified look, she left the room and came back with a Tylenol bottle emptied of all by one single pill. I said, "Mom, why is there only one pill in the bottle?" She said, "You don't need more than that!" Perplexed, I said, "But Mom, you're supposed to take two. Ummm, why can't I have two?" Mom: "Because...(emotional gasp) you are addicted!" (You really have to read that quote in a dramatic voice, or you aren't experiencing it like it really happened.) I just decided to let it go. My sister and I still gasp "Because.. you are addicted!" to each other whenever we can find an appropriate opening in a conversation. It's kind of an inside joke with us. Now everyone who is reading this is in on our inside joke. Hope you feel special!!)

Anyways, I really really really think that no one other than the author of this book, with her very specific weaknesses and strengths, could have stopped Brian Nichols like she did. And for that, and her constant attempts to be a better person, she grew on me. She said that God led him specifically to her door to hold her hostage, so she could stop him, AND so that she could give up drugs (which she did as a result of that night). She was very religious, and explained over and over again that God was in control of every single thing that happened that night. I liked her attitude about that.

It wasn't the most exciting book I've ever read, but it went pretty fast and I found it interesting.

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - this was definitely an "I can't put it down" read. Ashley Smith was taken hostage by a young man after he shot 3 people dead during his courtroom trial, escaped, and shot one more person when he hijacked their car. During 7 hours alone with him in her apartment, Ashley who was no means an angel herself, witnesses to Brian about her family, her faith, and her life turnaround. Her strength and faith are an inspiration in this incredible true story.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! What an amazing story! This account is way more moving than the news reports; if you think you know what really happened, this book will tell you much more! I recommend it to all Christians (well, except the ones who can't handle such themes due to tragedies in their own lives).

[Melanie Fair · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't go into this thinking it's going to be a smooth read. She's not a writer, never professes to be, she just has a story to tell.
It's generally fast-paced and interesting, though definitely not for those afraid of a little Christian thinking. She describes unnecessary details and dwells on things for too long but, you can't really judge a true story. I applaud her for her bravery and testimony. Kept me reading until the end.
Still, one thing bugs me *spoiler alert*. She promised him she'd visit him if he turned himself in... The book gives no mention that she did that. That Brian guy just seems nice... Just a bad guy in a bad situation who made bad decisions.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit how impressed I am with this book. I like Ashley Smith. I didn't think I would. I don't like, at this point in my life, many women who give their children up, women who use ice, women who loathe themselves so much it's coming out of their pores, but...I like Smith. She's just likable in some strange way. She's still, or at least was, a sucky "mother"- I'd have to say that about anyone who chooses ice over their child. (I did drugs too- I stopped because of my child so no excuses please.)
That said I was able to relate to some of the things in Ashley's life- her relationship, or lack thereof, with her family, them not trusting her, the friends, the drugs, the living dangerously, etc. She was in the wrong and she admits it.
It's frightening that it took her something like this to see the wrong in what she was doing and it's sad that it wasn't her daughter who made her see, if anyone, but she did see.
I don't know that she did so much in having Nichols surrender- I think that it's obvious from the book that Nichols really wasn't up for running in the first place. He was scared, he was or thought he was on trial for things he didn't do, and I don't think he meant to kill those people. He killed them and he surrendered to pay for his crimes. I don't think Ashley has such a big hand in that.
I like the religious part of the book (never thought I'd say that!) It's not over the top, she's not preaching but she does talk about God. Usually, when someone has an event in their life so traumatic to lead them to write a book they get "saved". No, not the saved in church, I'm talking jail "saved". You get it, it's not real and they're way over zealous. This wasn't the case here so no one let that stop you from reading this. I maybe skipped three sentences in the whole book, something I don't normally do, but that shows at least how often she got on a God kick.
I definitely recommend and am glad I happened to pick this up.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in one go at the library recently, more out of curiosity than anything. The only drawback is that we don't get an epilogue on Brian Nichols, where he is with his case, etc. I suppose given the nature of his crimes, the author/publisher didn't want to over-humanize his situation and that the information is readily available to the curious. Still, the book seemed somewhat incomplete without it, as the entire narrative centers around how Ashley escaped by relating to him as a person.

[Claudia Bernardez · Rating 2 out of 5]

The incident is horrific and the outcome was amazing. You can definitely see God at work. What I did not like is her constantly rewriting everything she said.

[Diana Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a amazing story!! I am sure this movie will hold you captive as the book has done. I can't imagine the fear that went through Ashley Smith during this abduction! I remember when this happened I am glad to see the story out in book and now a movie also. What a courageous woman she is. God was with her that day! I have read the Purpose Driven Life a awesome book! Glad she had it there with her and was studying it. Ashley a broken person, being held by a murder who is broken , but God prevails through it all! The book is written as being told by Ashley, may not be pretty up and fancy but it is the account as it happened to her. That's the true story!! I give it 5 stars!

I was given this book by Flyby Productions, Propeller for my own honest opinion!

"FOR ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALLEN SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD"

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed the book, I felt like a lot was missing. I really wanted to know about the reunion with her daughter when she was finally free and she COMPLETELY left ALL of that out!! Throughout the entire book, she was only thinking about seeing her daughter again and then just completely leaves that whole part out!! That kinda bugged me. Also, she never mentioned if she ended up visiting him in prison or if she planned to, which was kind of a big part of the ending with him saying, "will you visit me in jail?"

The book was interesting and easy to read. It was definitely not boring. I just felt like it ended kind of flat.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

She's very wordy and tends to repeat herself, but Ashley Smith gives you the play-by-play of what happened when she was held in her apartment with a man who'd killed 4 people that day. The ending is predictable if you watched the news in 2005, where he surrendered after he telling him God had a purpose for him in all this. The only downer was she built such a repoire/ friendship with him but then didn't seem to follow up with that. She has a blog and I even asked her if she's encouraged him since. She said she's considered writing him in prison. I wish it told you more about how he's doing since the arrest...

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to read about true events. I vaguely remember hearing about this event and I wanted to know what really happened. This book was good, but it did get a bit repetitious and drawn it. I liked the spiritual storyline. At times this got repetitious as well. Ashley showed a lot of faith and by her testimony was able to prevent any more people from being hurt.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was amazed how God used Ms. Smith, a former drug addict, to reach Brian Nichols, a killer on the loose. It impressed me how much God loves everyone. No matter what he or she has done God loves each individual and wants to work in his life. I found myself having compassion for the killer as well. I have been praying for both of them.

[Juanita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poorly written, but what bothered me about this book was the religious overtones combined with the fact that after the part where Brian is captured, she barely mentions him at all. After everything she said to him about God and forgiveness, I expected at least some expression of hope that Brian would turn things around in prison, and perhaps help other inmates to find their way.

[Anna Francesca · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is difficult to review I have to be honest. As a reader I have not encountered an audiobook written and narrated by the person whose story it is. From the moment the audiobook announced the narrator was Ashley I was concerned.

One thing is for sure, Ashley Smith had to think quickly and openly to survive this terrible hostage situation. She speaks openly about the death of her husband, her addiction to drugs and the struggle with trying to restore her life and be in her daughters life. For this I have two stars, she was honest and vulnerable and it is clear she wasn’t trying to avoid these tough subjects.

I think this audiobook could have been narrated by a narrator and that the second author Stacy Mattingly could have written more of this book. I feel there does need to be a certain degree of separation between the person and the book. Why? There is so much repetition is this book, the flashbacks to when her husband dies, her struggles and more. It makes complete sense that in a hostage situation there would be repetitive thoughts, flashbacks and fears. However in book format it doesn’t engage the reader. There were times I checked the audiobook to make sure it hadn’t gone back to an earlier chapter. I think if Stacy had removed some of the repetition and helped to write it in a more descriptive manner this book could have been powerful. I understand that Ashley herself isn’t a writer and doesn’t claim to be but the book came across like a statement. If you find it hard to read books with constant reference to the lord you will struggle with this book, it is clear in this moment of fearing for her life and her daughter she drew strength from God, but it was frequent and at times frustrating.

[Mary Burkholder · Rating 3 out of 5]

The entire story covers one night, so the account is stretched long enough to fill a book with the use of a lot of dialogue and introspection. This makes the book less exciting than you'd expect. However, being held hostage in your apartment all night is pretty exciting no matter how you look at it!

I liked the inside look into the mind of a drug addict; it's easy to be judgmental of drug addiction.
I also liked the reminder that God works with anyone and everyone; this 'messed up' woman was having her devotions every day. The shooter was a church goer. It's also pretty interesting that she talked this man down to where she not only lived to tell the story but he allowed her to escape and gave himself up to the police.

[KL Riv · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real miracle! An amazing story God is forgiving and guides us all though a purpose driven life !

[Nicole Ambrosino · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible, very moving and very powerful story.

[Lynn Glencorse · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel a wee bit bad to give such a poor rating for this book given the horrific situation the author found herself in, but the one star is only a reflection of the book and the way it has been written. In my opinion it was far far too repetitive to the point I was bored and started skim reading. The religious overtones made for extremely difficult reading, but I accept entirely that me being an atheist affected my viewpoint in this respect. I found the writing to be very poor. I understand that the author didn't claim to be a writer but I genuinely believe that, through better collaboration with an actual writer, this book could have been written in a much more structured manner without taking away from the impact of Ashley Smith's first hand account. I actually enjoyed the way there was next to no preamble within the opening pages of this book. The story kicks off almost immediately which hooked me in. Unfortunately, the lack of preamble at the start was cancelled out by page after page of the same chat about her husband, her daughter and her battle with drugs. I don't mean to be disrespectful in my opinion here but from a book review standpoint there simply wasn't any need for the level of repetitiveness that featured in this book. Lastly I was disappointed with the lack of mention of what exactly happened to Brian after his capture and whether Ashley ever visited him. I feel this was a loose end that lacked the closure needed by the reader.

[Jones Family · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story of how God is always yearning for you. It is a great example of how no matter what you have done or what you do God is still looking out for you.
Ashley is a drug addict whose daughter has been taken away from her because she has not been taking care of herself. She is struggling with keeping a job and her life. The circumstances and choices that brought her to the place that she is are not good ones.
One night after coming home she is grabbed and forced into her apartment at gunpoint. She is healed hostage for a few days by a man who has already shot three or four other people. During that time she reestablishes her connection with the Lord and seeks him.
Her Testimony is an amazing one. If you are searching for something but don’t feel as if God could help you Ashley has something to say to you!

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true story about the lady that was held hostage and she used the book she was reading ( Porpose Driven Life)to get her through it. Not only did it help her but it made a change in her kidnapper. What an awesome way to see God work n her life.

this is a keeper on my book shelf and a must read again.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing story of relationship evangelism, under extreme conditions, this memoir of Ashley Smith's hours with on-the-run murderer Brian Nichols is compelling. Smith holds nothing back as she lays bare her own failures and losses, and how her story -- and persistent (if back-sliding) faith -- reached Nichols. Inspiring.

[LaDawna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy read. It was interesting how she humanized her attacker. You could tell that she was very honest about her version of the story. She shared the good and the bad about herself and Brian Nichols.

[Patsy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book repeated itself too much for me. Although this is a true story, some of it seemed unbelievable. Like, did this really happen this way? The title didn't really go with the book in my opinion.

[Heather Jaynes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is highly entertaining. She does repeat herself a lot though which gets annoying, but its told in the authors own voice. I wish I had followed the story when it happened, I bet it would make the book even better.

[Trinka · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good. It could have been alot shorter and we would have known the same information. I am glad that I read it. It was very inspirational. I would recommend this book to people who are trying to quit a drug habit because she has some really good words of wisdom for those types of people.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story gave me a new perspective on mothers who lose custody of their children. It's written in a deeply human way that makes the reader connect somehow to not only the author but also to her captor.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book about three years ago and its definitely one that I recommend. It is such an incredible story and one to really reflect personally upon.

[Kayley Mae Reynolds*:) · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book has taught me that you should have hope even throught the hard things in this book this girl had hope her whole way through the hostage and she talked him out of killing her

[Lesa Dyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good book. What I liked the best was how you are able to have some compassion for Brian Nichols in spite of his horrific actions. I hope Ashley has continued on the right path.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredible! I can't imagine what that night was like. I'm so glad she opened up about her life and experiences and how God spoke to her!