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Blood Brother: 33 Reasons My Brother Scott Peterson Is Guilty
What happens if, after being given up for adoption in childhood, you reestablish contact with your biological family -- only to discover that your newfound brother is a killer? Anne Bird , the sister of Scott Peterson, knows firsthand. Soon after her birth in 1965, Anne was given up for adoption by her mother, Jackie Latham. Welcomed into the well-adjusted Grady family, she lived a happy life. Then, in the late 1990s, she came back into contact with her mother, now Jackie Peterson, and her family -- including Jackie's son Scott Peterson and his wife, Laci. Anne was welcomed into the family, and over the next several years she grew close to Scott and especially Laci. Together they shared holidays, family reunions, and even a trip to Disneyland. Anne and Laci became pregnant at roughly the same time, and the two became confidantes. Then, on Christmas Eve 2002, Laci Peterson went missing -- and the happy façade of the Peterson family slowly began to crumble. Anne rushed to the family's aid, helping in the search for Laci, even allowing Scott to stay in her home while police tried to find his wife. Yet Scott's behavior grew increasingly bizarre during the search, and Anne grew suspicious that her brother knew more than he was telling. Finally she began keeping a list of his disturbing behavior. And by the time Laci's body -- and that of her unborn son, Conner -- were found, Anne was becoming Her brother Scott Peterson had murdered his wife and unborn child in cold blood. Filled with news-making revelations and intimate glimpses of Scott and Laci, the Peterson family, and the investigation that followed the murder, Blood Brother is a provocative account of how long-dormant family ties dragged one woman into one of the most notorious crimes of our time.
224 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2005
307 people are currently reading
1734 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
August 20, 2021
This story combined two topics fascinating to me, true crime and siblings raised apart. The author was given up for adoption as an infant. She had loving parents, siblings and extended family. One day a stranger called her, another infant given up. This new found brother encourages her to meet her birth mother and two other siblings raised by their birth mother. She grows especially close to her newly found brother Scott and his wife Laci. Eventually Scott was convicted of killing his wife and unborn child. It was an interesting dynamic with the birth mother and nature versus nurture in the choices we make. Told from a unique perspective journalists just didn't have.
August 24, 2014
I'm glad to be done with this book.
I didn't like the author. She came across as self-indulgent and insincere and I firmly believe she wrote the book to cash in on her brother's notoriety. She claims she and Scott were close, but they'd only met a few years before the murder.
The 33 reasons she gave for her change of heart regarding Scott's innocence were hardly convincing.
Nothing new in this book. It's more about the author's life and how the murder affected her and her family.
Disappointing.
I didn't like the author. She came across as self-indulgent and insincere and I firmly believe she wrote the book to cash in on her brother's notoriety. She claims she and Scott were close, but they'd only met a few years before the murder.
The 33 reasons she gave for her change of heart regarding Scott's innocence were hardly convincing.
Nothing new in this book. It's more about the author's life and how the murder affected her and her family.
Disappointing.
September 12, 2022
Recently watched (most of) the A&E documentary that was just added to Hulu, and it was so appallingly skewed pro-Peterson, positing ridiculous alternate theories, that I needed a dose of reality/sanity. I discovered the existence of this book via a subreddit, and it was available via Kindle Unlimited so I gave it a go.
It's a quick, easy read. I devoured it in a less than 24 hours. As with many slightly thin memoirs by laypeople, it's padded out in slightly annoying ways, with a lot repetition, especially in the beginning. I did laugh a little at Ms. Bird (who seems like a perfectly lovely human being) conceding that maybe she was a bit privileged. Girl, you rich. Really, I marveled at the lifestyles of all the people here, including the Petersons (though now that I'm reading a different, more journalistic book, it's clear the Petersons lived beyond their means).
Scott is clearly a sociopath, and obviously did it, and yet I didn't find Bird's 33 reasons her brother was guilty list to be entirely compelling. While I believe many of her stories about Scott, and some of her interpretations of those moments of sociopathy, some of them were a bit thin on the ground. I'm glad she came around to the truth, but this very much a personal memoir with only a few groundbreaking details. For that, I'm glad I read it, but now I've sought out a more in-depth account, for which I am glad.
One note of something that does bother me: Bird asserts that she was told Scott was investigated in the disappearance of Kristin Smart at Cal Poly. And maybe that is true, but it's a specious argument that ultimately undermines the case against Scott Peterson,, to indicate he may have done this before, to her (he didn't). Meaning, I've seen it repeated as "fact" that he may have been involved in that disappearance, and a quick Google makes it really clear he wasn't involved in any way. Look, the dude is a awful and a sociopath, but giving the Peterson's and Scott apologists any ground to stand on is bad, and Bird shouldn't have repeated such thin conjecture. The legal team at her publisher shouldn't have allowed it to be published either. It's the one detail that really bugged me. I know this book is super old, but in light of more recent information on that case, I would have removed it from the current ebook edition.
But, solid, fast read if you're a true crime nut/fascinated by the case. A nice palette cleanser after the documentary, which makes me freaking mad. Terrible piece of docu-journalism and shame on A&E. (Poor Laci's family must be livid)
It's a quick, easy read. I devoured it in a less than 24 hours. As with many slightly thin memoirs by laypeople, it's padded out in slightly annoying ways, with a lot repetition, especially in the beginning. I did laugh a little at Ms. Bird (who seems like a perfectly lovely human being) conceding that maybe she was a bit privileged. Girl, you rich. Really, I marveled at the lifestyles of all the people here, including the Petersons (though now that I'm reading a different, more journalistic book, it's clear the Petersons lived beyond their means).
Scott is clearly a sociopath, and obviously did it, and yet I didn't find Bird's 33 reasons her brother was guilty list to be entirely compelling. While I believe many of her stories about Scott, and some of her interpretations of those moments of sociopathy, some of them were a bit thin on the ground. I'm glad she came around to the truth, but this very much a personal memoir with only a few groundbreaking details. For that, I'm glad I read it, but now I've sought out a more in-depth account, for which I am glad.
One note of something that does bother me: Bird asserts that she was told Scott was investigated in the disappearance of Kristin Smart at Cal Poly. And maybe that is true, but it's a specious argument that ultimately undermines the case against Scott Peterson,, to indicate he may have done this before, to her (he didn't). Meaning, I've seen it repeated as "fact" that he may have been involved in that disappearance, and a quick Google makes it really clear he wasn't involved in any way. Look, the dude is a awful and a sociopath, but giving the Peterson's and Scott apologists any ground to stand on is bad, and Bird shouldn't have repeated such thin conjecture. The legal team at her publisher shouldn't have allowed it to be published either. It's the one detail that really bugged me. I know this book is super old, but in light of more recent information on that case, I would have removed it from the current ebook edition.
But, solid, fast read if you're a true crime nut/fascinated by the case. A nice palette cleanser after the documentary, which makes me freaking mad. Terrible piece of docu-journalism and shame on A&E. (Poor Laci's family must be livid)
February 21, 2012
I picked up this book hoping to see a different perspective, and maybe gain some insight as to why the families of murderers (especially men who kill their wives and children) often live in denial despite things like common sense and evidence. I was disappointed. It seemed as if it was more focused on telling the readers that the author now believes he is guilty and is not a bad person too, rather than seriously address previous denial and the reasons for it, or the reasons why he is guilty. The "reasons" given were interesting but not compelling, and certainly not the focus of the book as the TITLE would have you believe. She detailed certain facts, his behavior, conversations and events, but added no analysis. Why did these things lead her to change her mind, suddenly, when she was in absolute denial for so long? I don't know, though I probably should after reading a book that is supposedly about that.
An easy read, largely due to the poor writing, which was like reading a blog disguised as a book. I didn't hate it, but I wouldn't recommend it, either.
I really wish I could rate this book higher, if only because of the subject matter, but I can't. If you are expecting any sort of compelling and well thought out argument or analysis regarding the reasons he is guilty, look to any of the other books written about this monster. If you want a short, easy read, that doesn't really answer any questions but is interesting enough to pass the time, then this is not a bad choice.
An easy read, largely due to the poor writing, which was like reading a blog disguised as a book. I didn't hate it, but I wouldn't recommend it, either.
I really wish I could rate this book higher, if only because of the subject matter, but I can't. If you are expecting any sort of compelling and well thought out argument or analysis regarding the reasons he is guilty, look to any of the other books written about this monster. If you want a short, easy read, that doesn't really answer any questions but is interesting enough to pass the time, then this is not a bad choice.
November 13, 2010
Poorly written, self-indulgent compilation of random facts and tidbits by just another individual wishing to cash in on the Scott Peterson case
September 10, 2018
I feel very, very bad for Anne Bird, and this was a hard book to read. Bird is the biological sister of Scott Peterson, convicted of killing his wife Laci and their unborn child, Connor. Bird was given up for adoption at birth, and only met her biological family after Scott and Laci were married. She formed a bond with her sister-in-law, and then when the horror of the murder happened she was caught between her desire to believe the best of Peterson - who Bird says she resembles - and her growing uneasiness over his actions.
Bird is not a trained writer, and it shows. But I couldn’t put her story down for more than a few minutes because I wanted to give her hugs and witness her horror and grief. I think most readers will be glad to know she sought therapy to help her process her feelings and deal with both them and her husband’s suspicions. She went into meeting her family fairly warily, trusted them, and then came to believe that Peterson had committed the crime. To make matters worse, the world at large believed she was supporting him.
This isn’t a book that’s easy to review. It’s as raw as most memoirs, a scream from her heart about the unfairness of it all. Because she’s not a trained writer, there are places where it could have been tightened up. But I’m glad her editor let her voice come through as clearly as it does. She deserves that, in the face of the betrayal and pain and mourning. Mostly, this feels as inevitable and brutal as any Poe story. I am very sorry it’s nonfiction. Four of five stars.
Bird is not a trained writer, and it shows. But I couldn’t put her story down for more than a few minutes because I wanted to give her hugs and witness her horror and grief. I think most readers will be glad to know she sought therapy to help her process her feelings and deal with both them and her husband’s suspicions. She went into meeting her family fairly warily, trusted them, and then came to believe that Peterson had committed the crime. To make matters worse, the world at large believed she was supporting him.
This isn’t a book that’s easy to review. It’s as raw as most memoirs, a scream from her heart about the unfairness of it all. Because she’s not a trained writer, there are places where it could have been tightened up. But I’m glad her editor let her voice come through as clearly as it does. She deserves that, in the face of the betrayal and pain and mourning. Mostly, this feels as inevitable and brutal as any Poe story. I am very sorry it’s nonfiction. Four of five stars.
December 18, 2008
I followed the Scott Peterson trial. While Peterson's HALF sister obviously capitalizes on the trend in the media, Bird does present a solid list of events and that no one else would've known.
March 9, 2008
I've read almost every book on the Scott Peterson trial. This one felt deceptive. I expected an insider's view from the close sister. Wrong. She had only just met him before the trial, so her 'inside view' really doesn't offer much. Also, her list of reasons, for the most part, is pretty random and inconclusive. This just felt like a chick trying to get in on the money. My least favorite book on the Scott Peterson trial (and that includes the Amber Frey one!)
July 14, 2021
Adopted at birth, Anne was living a fairy tale life when she was unexpectedly reunited with her biological mother. Instantly, Anne gained a bonus family including a “charming” half-brother named Scott Peterson. The newfound siblings grew close enough that Scott took respite in Anne's home in the aftermath of Laci's disappearance. Anne also visited Scott in jail several times.
Eventually, Anne became convinced of her brother’s guilt. Only a few years after discovering her new relatives, she became estranged from them again because of her suspicions.
There are several things I like about this book. First, it gives a sense of Laci's personality, something sorely missing from the bare facts. Here we get the impression of a horticulture graduate who literally stopped to smell flowers, a young woman who appreciated and created beauty just for the sake of it.
I also like that the 33 reasons listed here aren’t based on courtroom evidence, hashed and rehashed for years. These are Anne's personal observations of Scott's demeanor and behavior. Together, they paint a portrait of ... well … an asshole. There’s no nice way to say it. Scott Peterson is a POS, and there's a ninety-nine percent chance he's a murderer as well.
I think the media was obsessed with this case because of Laci's beauty. Her big dimpled smile was riveting. But I'd like to point out that pregnant women, in general, are one of the highest at-risk groups for violence. Like so many misogynists before and after him, Scott disposed of his wife and baby because he found them inconvenient. The larger issue needs attention. Not all women are gorgeous, but they all deserve to LIVE.
I'll never stop complaining about typos. Why publish a book that hasn’t been proofread?! If this manuscript WAS proofread, then I hope it wasn’t in exchange for money.
Decent book.
3 1/2 stars
Eventually, Anne became convinced of her brother’s guilt. Only a few years after discovering her new relatives, she became estranged from them again because of her suspicions.
There are several things I like about this book. First, it gives a sense of Laci's personality, something sorely missing from the bare facts. Here we get the impression of a horticulture graduate who literally stopped to smell flowers, a young woman who appreciated and created beauty just for the sake of it.
I also like that the 33 reasons listed here aren’t based on courtroom evidence, hashed and rehashed for years. These are Anne's personal observations of Scott's demeanor and behavior. Together, they paint a portrait of ... well … an asshole. There’s no nice way to say it. Scott Peterson is a POS, and there's a ninety-nine percent chance he's a murderer as well.
I think the media was obsessed with this case because of Laci's beauty. Her big dimpled smile was riveting. But I'd like to point out that pregnant women, in general, are one of the highest at-risk groups for violence. Like so many misogynists before and after him, Scott disposed of his wife and baby because he found them inconvenient. The larger issue needs attention. Not all women are gorgeous, but they all deserve to LIVE.
I'll never stop complaining about typos. Why publish a book that hasn’t been proofread?! If this manuscript WAS proofread, then I hope it wasn’t in exchange for money.
Decent book.
3 1/2 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2009
I'm sure it wasn't easy for Anne Bird to accept that her brother killed his wife. The fact that she had to write a list to convince herself showed that she really struggled with this. Hopefully, she can move on with her life and not have to be affected by the damage that Scott Peterson caused by his crime.
August 26, 2008
This book was not good at all. I wouldn't read it again and wouldn't want to recommend it to anyone either. The author just used the book as a way to cash in on a tragic loss.
August 13, 2012
This book is about Laci Peterson's murder from the point of view of Scott Peterson's sister. I remember hearing about Laci Peterson in the news, but never really got into the case. A friend let me borrow this book about 8 years ago and I finally read it. I am always fascinated by murder stories and I like how this book describes the story from the point of view of someone who loved both the murderer and the victim. I gave it two stars though because Anne Bird is a terrible writer. I know what she was trying to do - write a book for her family / Laci's family that wouldn't be too hurtful for either side, as well as something appropriate enough for her sons to read later on in life. Bird just seemed to brag too much and I wish she would have been more sincere in her story telling as she was at times in the book, without the filler. I can't say how I would act if I were in her place, but I found myself frustrated with her too for not telling people how she really felt or not asking questions that she wanted to ask.
June 22, 2019
The book did give some intimate glances behind the scenes at the author’s interactions with Scott and Laci; but spent an awful lot of time telling her own story...it almost felt as if she was trying to prove what a good person she is and that she was connected enough to the Peterson family to tell her piece.
The list of reasons is held back until page 174, and was a little disappointing to be honest. I think she wrote this book as a way to process her thoughts and feelings and come to terms with the fact that Scott is guilty, which is personally very valuable; but it didn’t offer a lot of insight or new information to the readers.
The list of reasons is held back until page 174, and was a little disappointing to be honest. I think she wrote this book as a way to process her thoughts and feelings and come to terms with the fact that Scott is guilty, which is personally very valuable; but it didn’t offer a lot of insight or new information to the readers.
July 15, 2009
I'm embarassed to say I read this book. I think his sister (or step-sister) was just looking to make a buck and cash in.
Don't waste your time.
Don't waste your time.
June 22, 2018
So, it wasn't as terrible as I expected. When I first came across it, I thought it would just be a rehashing of everything we already knew by someone who barely knew her brother, in order to make money off the ordeal. Turns out I was a little right, but she did at least become close with Scott, it seems. I do question the parts where she talks about how she loved Laci and they were good friends - that didn't ring true for me. The subtitle was kind of ridiculous. The book would've been just fine without it, or with something less silly. I do believe Scott murdered Laci and Connor. If you also believe so, you could skip this one. If you think he's innocent, this probably won't change your mind.
June 11, 2014
I remember when this case was all over the news so I was curious enough to read it. Total waste of time. The writing is horrible. It's a self indulgent memoir of the author's life before and after the murder. Her 33 reasons are just a list she made at her therapist's suggestion. Most of her reasons are things like "he didn't get off the phone when I was freaking out because I couldn't find my son for five minutes and I thought that was really weird." Or "the priest looked at him funny almost as if he had a feeling that something wasn't right." The only good thing I can say about this book is that it didn't take very long to read so I didn't waste too much of my time on it.
September 9, 2019
You’re fifteen minutes are up
Scott’s appeals are longer and more fact based than this. It’s terrible that someone so disconnected from the family, so deluded about what she thought she knew, made it to the public and obtained any credibility. “He was awkward with my kid” ??? “The rector wouldn’t look at him” ??? “He thought my babysitter was hot.” He was a 30 year old middle class white man in California. He was pretty normal except that most people who met him, loved him. Please don’t write anymore books. Unless they’re fantasy fiction. You might have a craft for that.
Scott’s appeals are longer and more fact based than this. It’s terrible that someone so disconnected from the family, so deluded about what she thought she knew, made it to the public and obtained any credibility. “He was awkward with my kid” ??? “The rector wouldn’t look at him” ??? “He thought my babysitter was hot.” He was a 30 year old middle class white man in California. He was pretty normal except that most people who met him, loved him. Please don’t write anymore books. Unless they’re fantasy fiction. You might have a craft for that.
February 26, 2008
If you followed this story on the news at all, there isn't much new to hear in this book. It felt as though the author sold out her new found family without contributing much in the way of knowledge.
July 8, 2013
It was good enough to keep my interest but I did not like the author'sl
use of idioms. Examples "kick in the pants" , "Like a bad Penny" and
" Man on the make". Why do some people use so many idioms?
I never even heard of "Like a bad penny "
use of idioms. Examples "kick in the pants" , "Like a bad Penny" and
" Man on the make". Why do some people use so many idioms?
I never even heard of "Like a bad penny "
October 23, 2025
I just finished this for the second time. Somehow the second time was more interesting. He has never confessed to this crime and still proclaims his innocence!
June 24, 2018
Quick read, poor book. I can't believe she only had 33 reasons.
October 21, 2025
Anne only met her brother, Scott, a few years before he committed murder, but she became very close to him. Anne was given up for adoption by their mother, and she reconnected with Jackie, her birth mother in the late 90s. Scott is Jackie's son with her husband Lee. Throughout the search for Laci, and the arrest and trial of Scott, Anne continued to believe in Scott's innocence, until all the strange behavior exhibited by Scott began to open her mind to the possibility he may be guilty. Quick and interesting read.
September 3, 2012
The title of this book is rather misleading. It is more a recounting of the life of Anne Bird then a discussion of Scott Peterson’s guilt. The 33 Reasons are from a list Anne wrote up at her therapist’s instruction and is brought out at the very end of the book.
Anne was given up for adoption by her mother and adopted by the Grady family. She tells of her childhood which was happy, and her siblings one also adopted and two the biological children of her adoptive parents. By all accounts she had a happy childhood and while curious about her biological family claims to not have a burning desire to reconnect with them, mainly because she had read many accounts of such reunions not ending well. She was introduced to her biological family by her brother who had also been given up for adoption. Her mother had 4 children, two she kept and two she gave up for adoption, Scott was one of the ones she kept and he was referred to as ‘the golden boy’. Anne later reveals that he took this title seriously.
She talks about how she became close to her biological family, how much she and Scott looked alike, how excited Laci was to be pregnant, while Scott seemed to be disinterested. How she refused to believe Scott had anything to do with her disappearance, to the point where she let him stay with her when the press wouldn’t leave him alone.
The book is well-written and interesting, but as mentioned above it is a memoir of Anne’s life, how the actions of Scott affected her and her marriage, how she came to believe that Scott was guilty, the list of “33 reasons” are odd behaviors she observed, not really proof of his guilt.
I gave this book three stars because it was well written and interesting, I didn’t give it more because due to the title I was expecting more of true crime than a memoir.
Anne was given up for adoption by her mother and adopted by the Grady family. She tells of her childhood which was happy, and her siblings one also adopted and two the biological children of her adoptive parents. By all accounts she had a happy childhood and while curious about her biological family claims to not have a burning desire to reconnect with them, mainly because she had read many accounts of such reunions not ending well. She was introduced to her biological family by her brother who had also been given up for adoption. Her mother had 4 children, two she kept and two she gave up for adoption, Scott was one of the ones she kept and he was referred to as ‘the golden boy’. Anne later reveals that he took this title seriously.
She talks about how she became close to her biological family, how much she and Scott looked alike, how excited Laci was to be pregnant, while Scott seemed to be disinterested. How she refused to believe Scott had anything to do with her disappearance, to the point where she let him stay with her when the press wouldn’t leave him alone.
The book is well-written and interesting, but as mentioned above it is a memoir of Anne’s life, how the actions of Scott affected her and her marriage, how she came to believe that Scott was guilty, the list of “33 reasons” are odd behaviors she observed, not really proof of his guilt.
I gave this book three stars because it was well written and interesting, I didn’t give it more because due to the title I was expecting more of true crime than a memoir.
May 13, 2014
I read this book 8 years ago but thankfully I did write a little journal so here it is.
(I knew nothing about this case or the players in it so to say)
On Thursday, December 21, 2006 I wrote:
7 out of 10
Received this book from Ladiibbug as a Rabck.
This was my first book on the Scott Peterson case and I want to read more about this.
I do feel this author really wanted to be involved in the case a lot. First she tried to work with the prosecution and later with the defense. Nobody needed her.
I just did not feel she was really honest. Now she claims Lacy is her best friend even though they met only 4 times???
It was an easy read I give her that, and because this was my first book on this case, I did enjoy it, but I am sure the other books will give me much more information.
(I knew nothing about this case or the players in it so to say)
On Thursday, December 21, 2006 I wrote:
7 out of 10
Received this book from Ladiibbug as a Rabck.
This was my first book on the Scott Peterson case and I want to read more about this.
I do feel this author really wanted to be involved in the case a lot. First she tried to work with the prosecution and later with the defense. Nobody needed her.
I just did not feel she was really honest. Now she claims Lacy is her best friend even though they met only 4 times???
It was an easy read I give her that, and because this was my first book on this case, I did enjoy it, but I am sure the other books will give me much more information.
July 2, 2020
I was drawn in by the idea of a "unique perspective from his sister" but she was literally raised in a different household and knew her brother for like 4 years before Laci was killed. Anne was not able to talk about what Scott had been like as a child at all, which is what I was kind of interested in.
July 13, 2009
Read it while I was on vacation. It's a dud!
January 16, 2016
Interesting account from Scott Peterson's half-sister. I docked it a star because the "33 reasons" list was underwhelming.
January 29, 2012
I thought....what a twisted mother that Scott Peterson had. The author, Scott's sister surly was better off adopted and raised by normal people. Must read
April 15, 2015
Needs a minus star. This guy makes me sick
September 9, 2024
Eh, not that good. I think if you followed the tragic case, there won't be very many surprises. Your heart just breaks again for Laci Peterson, her baby, and her family.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews