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Forever Nine
The heart- breaking truth behind one of Australia's most haunting disappearances. Forever Nine chronicles the abduction and murder of Sydney schoolgirl Samantha Knight, who seemingly vanished into thin air from busy Bondi Road, in the late afternoon of August 1986.
326 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 29, 2018
This was such a tough read, I found myself having to put it down every now and again because the content was so upsetting. The kidnap and murder of 9 year old, Samantha Knight, is one of Australia’s worst crimes, it’s such a sad sad story.
This book has many great attributes and many bad attributes, let’s start with the good, shall we? It’s exceptionally written, it almost reads like an enthralling crime novel, each chapter ends on a chilling cliffhanger that ensures you keep on reading. The time and research that has obviously been put into the writing of this book is something that should be commended, especially the semi sting operation undertaken by co-author, Denise Hofman, that was a part of this story I had no idea about.
On the downside it does seem to repeat itself a little too often, there were quite a few times I thought I’d read that information twice already. The introduction says that this book sets out to tell Samantha’s story, and it does to a certain degree, but this is by and large a book about Michael Guider. I think it’s silly to say you’re going to tell one story and then tell another. Another thing I thought the book lacked was any information about Samantha’s parents, every now and again it would mention Tess, the mother, but literally only a handful of times. The book would’ve benefited from telling their story too but sadly this is not the book. A work friend of mine actually told me that this book was written without the authorisation of the parents so perhaps that’s why.
For Australian true-crime fans, I’d definitely suggest reading this book, just know that it is a little repetitive in parts and lacks the perspective of the parents, which in this kind of case, is something I think is important.
3.5 stars.
P.S Michael Guider is due for parole in April of this year, I sincerely hope he is denied and he remains in prison because someone like him doesn’t deserve freedom.
This book has many great attributes and many bad attributes, let’s start with the good, shall we? It’s exceptionally written, it almost reads like an enthralling crime novel, each chapter ends on a chilling cliffhanger that ensures you keep on reading. The time and research that has obviously been put into the writing of this book is something that should be commended, especially the semi sting operation undertaken by co-author, Denise Hofman, that was a part of this story I had no idea about.
On the downside it does seem to repeat itself a little too often, there were quite a few times I thought I’d read that information twice already. The introduction says that this book sets out to tell Samantha’s story, and it does to a certain degree, but this is by and large a book about Michael Guider. I think it’s silly to say you’re going to tell one story and then tell another. Another thing I thought the book lacked was any information about Samantha’s parents, every now and again it would mention Tess, the mother, but literally only a handful of times. The book would’ve benefited from telling their story too but sadly this is not the book. A work friend of mine actually told me that this book was written without the authorisation of the parents so perhaps that’s why.
For Australian true-crime fans, I’d definitely suggest reading this book, just know that it is a little repetitive in parts and lacks the perspective of the parents, which in this kind of case, is something I think is important.
3.5 stars.
P.S Michael Guider is due for parole in April of this year, I sincerely hope he is denied and he remains in prison because someone like him doesn’t deserve freedom.
October 18, 2016
Given the subject of this book, the disappearance of Samantha Knight and the efforts to convict the suspect, it is hard to say that I 'like' the book. The man who was convicted of her kidnapping and death carried out some horrendous crimes against young children, and steadfastly refused to tell anyone what had happened to Samantha.
That said, the book is well written, co-authored by a journalist, John Kidman, and Denise Hofman, who got to know the suspect and brought him to the attention of the police.
It is a heart-breaking story.
That said, the book is well written, co-authored by a journalist, John Kidman, and Denise Hofman, who got to know the suspect and brought him to the attention of the police.
It is a heart-breaking story.
Read
September 1, 2022Michael Guider is a black hearted pedophile, a disgusting human being and shouldn’t be breathing the same air we do.
He spent his whole life molesting children by befriending their parents and gaining enough trust from them to babysit, drug and molest the young girls at every opportunity he had. So many of these girls didn’t even know they had been molested and obviously their parents didn’t either.
He is not a man who should be in the free world.
The book was well written, easy to follow and kept me interested all the way through. I feel so much pain and sympathy for Samantha’s parents who didn’t even know this man was babysitting her whilst she was on a sleepover at her friends house. It is too tragic for words and I hope little Samantha is resting in peace.
He spent his whole life molesting children by befriending their parents and gaining enough trust from them to babysit, drug and molest the young girls at every opportunity he had. So many of these girls didn’t even know they had been molested and obviously their parents didn’t either.
He is not a man who should be in the free world.
The book was well written, easy to follow and kept me interested all the way through. I feel so much pain and sympathy for Samantha’s parents who didn’t even know this man was babysitting her whilst she was on a sleepover at her friends house. It is too tragic for words and I hope little Samantha is resting in peace.
July 1, 2024
My notes :
- this was very sad story of what happen to Samantha Knight who was only 9 years old
Summary:
Fatal abduction of Sydney schoolgirl Samantha Knight , who seemingly vanished into thin air from busy Bondi Road , in the late afternoon of August 1986 . Her disappearance remained a mystery until 2002 when Michael Anthony Guider pleaded guilty to manslaughter and recieved a 12 year jail sentence . Co-author Denise Hofman worked closely with Guider in the mid -1990s on a series of conversation projects before he was suddenly charged with a dozen of child offences . She learned he'd once secretly known Sam.
- this was very sad story of what happen to Samantha Knight who was only 9 years old
Summary:
Fatal abduction of Sydney schoolgirl Samantha Knight , who seemingly vanished into thin air from busy Bondi Road , in the late afternoon of August 1986 . Her disappearance remained a mystery until 2002 when Michael Anthony Guider pleaded guilty to manslaughter and recieved a 12 year jail sentence . Co-author Denise Hofman worked closely with Guider in the mid -1990s on a series of conversation projects before he was suddenly charged with a dozen of child offences . She learned he'd once secretly known Sam.
May 16, 2022
R.I.P Samantha Knight =(.
This book just wasn't for me, I found it repetitive, long and withdrawn. I really hope one day Michael Guider gives Samantha's parents answers on where their daughter is, so they finally can get closure.
This book just wasn't for me, I found it repetitive, long and withdrawn. I really hope one day Michael Guider gives Samantha's parents answers on where their daughter is, so they finally can get closure.
November 6, 2017
The last chapter is a good summary of the whole book.
June 14, 2014
a truly horrific and sad tale of a lost innocent soel taken by a manipulative, bottom dwelling sociopath whom I hope will remain a dark lost scared sole locked away in squalor where he deserves to be. to Denise, you are an inspiration
November 6, 2016
A very informative, thorough and thought provoking book on a tremendously sad case. Highly recommend for true crime fans.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews