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The Accidental Truth: What My Mother's Murder Taught Me About Life
Lauri Taylor was just your average suburban PTA mom and marketing exec. Then tragedy struck. When her mother is found dead in Mexico, Lauri finds herself embarking on a journey of discovery. She strives to uncover the identity of her mother’s murderer while struggling against the unbearable guilt of having been powerless to prevent her murder—but what she finds isn’t what she was expecting.
Lauri Taylor’s memoir The Accidental Truth: What my mother’s murder investigation taught me about life tells the true story of a woman’s quest as she seeks understanding and atonement. With the help of famed FBI profiler Candice DeLong, Lauri begins her transformation into a skilled and unrelenting investigator, earning the praise of even the most seasoned cold-case detectives. As she works to unearth the secrets buried in her mother’s life and death, key evidence comes to light and a shocking revelation unfolds.
The Accidental Truth is a profound narrative of true crime, family bonds, and the grief of sudden death. Lauri Taylor’s achingly intimate story chronicles her personal journey as she empowers herself with truth, finds the courage and compassion to forgive her mother and herself, and eventually learns to let go.
Lauri Taylor’s memoir The Accidental Truth: What my mother’s murder investigation taught me about life tells the true story of a woman’s quest as she seeks understanding and atonement. With the help of famed FBI profiler Candice DeLong, Lauri begins her transformation into a skilled and unrelenting investigator, earning the praise of even the most seasoned cold-case detectives. As she works to unearth the secrets buried in her mother’s life and death, key evidence comes to light and a shocking revelation unfolds.
The Accidental Truth is a profound narrative of true crime, family bonds, and the grief of sudden death. Lauri Taylor’s achingly intimate story chronicles her personal journey as she empowers herself with truth, finds the courage and compassion to forgive her mother and herself, and eventually learns to let go.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 6, 2015
12 people are currently reading
642 people want to read
About the author
Lauri Taylor
1 book40 followersProud Mama, Memoir Author, Speaker of My Truth, Homicide Detective (ret.), Stigma Fighter, Hoops Fan, Dog Lover and Hugger
The Accidental Truth: What My Mother's Murder Investigation Taught Me About Life
Life can change in a minute…what would you do?
When Lauri Taylor’s mother went missing one day in 2006, no one expected her body to turn up ten days later in a remote Mexican desert—and no one could solve the crime. Motivated by a nagging feeling that this was her last chance to make her mom proud, the Orange County housewife set out to investigate the murder. In the process, she was forced to investigate her mother’s life and her own childhood, which was filled with uncertainty and pain. Four years later, with the help of famed FBI profiler, Candice Delong, Lauri unraveled the mystery of her mother’s death and uncovered the shocking truth about her life. The Accidental Truth combines the suspense of a true crime page-turner with the poignant emotion of a mother-daughter saga.
"The Accidental Truth is a gripping account of a mother’s sudden and violent death, her family’s journey toward a painful discovery, and a devoted daughter’s deliverance. It is a riveting tale—and I dare you to stop turning the pages."
—Candice DeLong FBI profiler, author of Secret Agent: My Life on the Front Lines as a Woman in the FBI, and host of Investigation Discovery Channel’s Deadly Women and Facing Evil with Candice DeLong
The Accidental Truth: What My Mother's Murder Investigation Taught Me About Life
Life can change in a minute…what would you do?
When Lauri Taylor’s mother went missing one day in 2006, no one expected her body to turn up ten days later in a remote Mexican desert—and no one could solve the crime. Motivated by a nagging feeling that this was her last chance to make her mom proud, the Orange County housewife set out to investigate the murder. In the process, she was forced to investigate her mother’s life and her own childhood, which was filled with uncertainty and pain. Four years later, with the help of famed FBI profiler, Candice Delong, Lauri unraveled the mystery of her mother’s death and uncovered the shocking truth about her life. The Accidental Truth combines the suspense of a true crime page-turner with the poignant emotion of a mother-daughter saga.
"The Accidental Truth is a gripping account of a mother’s sudden and violent death, her family’s journey toward a painful discovery, and a devoted daughter’s deliverance. It is a riveting tale—and I dare you to stop turning the pages."
—Candice DeLong FBI profiler, author of Secret Agent: My Life on the Front Lines as a Woman in the FBI, and host of Investigation Discovery Channel’s Deadly Women and Facing Evil with Candice DeLong
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 27, 2018
I'm sorry for what Ms. Taylor and her family had to go through, and for the torment her mother endured. Mental health needs to be addressed in this country. We need better protocols for diagnoses and treatment.
That said, I wish Ms. Taylor would have been better advised about the writing of her memoir. Mundane dialog and dull passages diluted emotional impact. Obvious follow up questions were ignored. It would have been nice for Ms. Taylor to have written positive discoveries about her mother's character and history to back up the admiration she had for her mother, and so the reader would have known her mother better. The horrible aspects far outweighed positive ones, which may be accurate in the author's experience but I'm left feeling her mother had a difference perspective and it would have been interesting. Perhaps interviews with people who knew her mother better?
What filled the pages were lots of dead ends, waiting, and the usual ado about Ms. Taylor's family life--which while accurate, are not enlightening nor interesting. This is a memoir, not a novel so I'm not certain what would have helped. I grew tired of all the text explaining how amazing and polite Ms. Taylor was. Verbatim praise the author received from professionals focused the memoir on how her mother's death helped build her self-esteem. She was tenacious and observant, which are important qualities in life.
In any case, the potential is there, but I feel this story could have had greater impact if it would have gone through more drafts and edits.
Reviewing memoirs is hard because a person's truth is the focus. The craft makes or breaks the value or impact. There is a lot of sadness in this world. Hopefully we learn and grow by enduring it. My heart goes out to the family.
That said, I wish Ms. Taylor would have been better advised about the writing of her memoir. Mundane dialog and dull passages diluted emotional impact. Obvious follow up questions were ignored. It would have been nice for Ms. Taylor to have written positive discoveries about her mother's character and history to back up the admiration she had for her mother, and so the reader would have known her mother better. The horrible aspects far outweighed positive ones, which may be accurate in the author's experience but I'm left feeling her mother had a difference perspective and it would have been interesting. Perhaps interviews with people who knew her mother better?
What filled the pages were lots of dead ends, waiting, and the usual ado about Ms. Taylor's family life--which while accurate, are not enlightening nor interesting. This is a memoir, not a novel so I'm not certain what would have helped. I grew tired of all the text explaining how amazing and polite Ms. Taylor was. Verbatim praise the author received from professionals focused the memoir on how her mother's death helped build her self-esteem. She was tenacious and observant, which are important qualities in life.
In any case, the potential is there, but I feel this story could have had greater impact if it would have gone through more drafts and edits.
Reviewing memoirs is hard because a person's truth is the focus. The craft makes or breaks the value or impact. There is a lot of sadness in this world. Hopefully we learn and grow by enduring it. My heart goes out to the family.
May 18, 2015
Amazing
Finished your book at 4am this morning with a soaked pillow with tears of love, pain, compassion, understanding, hope, and fear. Lauri is an amazing woman! I am so proud of her strength. I thank her for sharing this part of her life with me.
Growing up and going to school with Lauri and her sister Kimi was a privilege. I had an art class with Kimi, and she shielded me from the kids who made fun of me in that class. These woman are and have Always been beautiful, loving,and caring ladies. I'm happy they have found the truth and are living lives I know their mom would be proud of.
Finished your book at 4am this morning with a soaked pillow with tears of love, pain, compassion, understanding, hope, and fear. Lauri is an amazing woman! I am so proud of her strength. I thank her for sharing this part of her life with me.
Growing up and going to school with Lauri and her sister Kimi was a privilege. I had an art class with Kimi, and she shielded me from the kids who made fun of me in that class. These woman are and have Always been beautiful, loving,and caring ladies. I'm happy they have found the truth and are living lives I know their mom would be proud of.
November 23, 2015
Mesmerizing. An amazing story of perseverance and commitment to finding the truth. Beautifully written personal story of a daughter's journey to solve the mystery and eventually find peace with her mother's tragic death. This is a story about the ties that bind families together, love, memories, guilt, heartbreak, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Lauri Taylor's story is gut wrenching, intensely honest, thought provoking, emotional, and shows that the only path to healing is through acceptance and forgiveness.
February 20, 2017
This book lets the reader in on the aftermath of personal loss especially as it relates to a loved one who keeps secrets and lives life from a "false self". I thought the author did a great job for her first book. She has a good style of writing that kept me engaged.
April 15, 2015
What an honest, touching, and healing account of what is clearly Lauri Taylor's nightmare experience of her mother's disappearance and murder investigation. There are so many parts that are just heartbreakingly sad, but as a reader, I appreciate that this author shared her truth, in all aspects of the book, even the parts that aren't so pleasant.
The most powerful and inspiring part comes from Lauri's relaying of her unending dedication to solving the mystery of her mother's disappearance, showing us the difference that just one, tenacious, determined person can make.
Whether you are someone who has lost a loved-one, someone who has dealt with mental illness, or just someone who enjoys a good read, this murder-mystery of sorts, will have you hooked. Once I started reading, I could not stop thinking about it, and found myself reading even when I just had two or three minutes to spare. It is THAT good.
The most powerful and inspiring part comes from Lauri's relaying of her unending dedication to solving the mystery of her mother's disappearance, showing us the difference that just one, tenacious, determined person can make.
Whether you are someone who has lost a loved-one, someone who has dealt with mental illness, or just someone who enjoys a good read, this murder-mystery of sorts, will have you hooked. Once I started reading, I could not stop thinking about it, and found myself reading even when I just had two or three minutes to spare. It is THAT good.
July 31, 2015
I received this book from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.This was a good book. Taylor shares a very unique experience as she details her work in investigating her mother's mysterious death. While some of the narrative is a bit slow (going through the start and stop pattern of investigation and having to deal with uncooperative law enforcement), the overall layout of the book is well constructive.I loved how Taylor takes positive messages out of this experience and explains how she grew as a person from the tragedy.The book also briefly discusses depression and the stigma of mental health, which are crucial issues in society.The book is well written and the reveal at the end was perfectly presented. Taylor demonstrates not only her investigative skills and her determination, but also her skills in writing and expressing powerful emotions in words. Taylor lays everything out on the line in the book and it is as powerful as it is heart-wrenching.
July 3, 2015
This is a must read! I read it during my long jury duty wait, ironically, and finished in one day. Lauri takes us on a ride not just to find the secret of her mothers death but all the personal experiences, goog and bad, that got the whole family in this dark place. While I couldn't relate to the circumstance, I found my own feelings with my mother closely paralleled and Lauri's journey of understanding her own past led me to the same understanding growing up with the one person you thin you know...but you don't.
Page 241: aha moment. Finally realizing that nothing I could have done would have been enough for her. Nothing. Wow.
Excellent story, what courage to write and thank you, Lauri for sharing your story.
PPL
Page 241: aha moment. Finally realizing that nothing I could have done would have been enough for her. Nothing. Wow.
Excellent story, what courage to write and thank you, Lauri for sharing your story.
PPL
May 9, 2015
It was honest. It was truthful. It was brave.
With each chapter, the journey kept my head intrigued and my heart alive - showing incredible poise, maturity and raw emotion. Hard to believe this is a first-time author!
Lauri's ability to go through something so tragic and come out on the other side feeling more connected and aware of her friends, her family and most importantly, herself, is admirable and heart-warming. Page turner 'til the end!
With each chapter, the journey kept my head intrigued and my heart alive - showing incredible poise, maturity and raw emotion. Hard to believe this is a first-time author!
Lauri's ability to go through something so tragic and come out on the other side feeling more connected and aware of her friends, her family and most importantly, herself, is admirable and heart-warming. Page turner 'til the end!
June 24, 2015
this was a great book with a surprising outcome! written from a desperate daughters perspective you really felt her emotion and determination to find out who had killed her mother. it was hard to out this one down!
June 14, 2015
What an amazing book.Could not put it down.So many disorders in life we do not recognize or know about them.
July 3, 2015
Pi Phi sisters! The author is a TX Beta alum!
August 3, 2015
This book is not just a book...it is a journey.
The journey of Lauri and her family to find out what happens to their mother is filled with anxiety, fear, frustration, unexpected answers, tears, memories and clarity which eventually leads to the heartbreaking truth and the peace that eventually comes.
This book is written in the perspective of a daughter who refuses to give up even after years of not getting any closer to the answers she and her family long for. She continues to persevere even after she learns the truth and the reasons for that truth. It becomes Lauri's mission to share her mother's story so that others may not have to suffer the same fate or the hardship that is the precursor to it all.
Through reading this book it was reinforced to me that we all have a story and we all go on journeys we would rather avoid but, when we get to the end of our journey we see our truth (good and bad) and we may not like what we find but we learn to endure anyway. The blessing in the journey, though, may be finding the peace and the endurance to move on and advocate for those who may no longer have a voice. Lauri taught me that...
The journey of Lauri and her family to find out what happens to their mother is filled with anxiety, fear, frustration, unexpected answers, tears, memories and clarity which eventually leads to the heartbreaking truth and the peace that eventually comes.
This book is written in the perspective of a daughter who refuses to give up even after years of not getting any closer to the answers she and her family long for. She continues to persevere even after she learns the truth and the reasons for that truth. It becomes Lauri's mission to share her mother's story so that others may not have to suffer the same fate or the hardship that is the precursor to it all.
Through reading this book it was reinforced to me that we all have a story and we all go on journeys we would rather avoid but, when we get to the end of our journey we see our truth (good and bad) and we may not like what we find but we learn to endure anyway. The blessing in the journey, though, may be finding the peace and the endurance to move on and advocate for those who may no longer have a voice. Lauri taught me that...
July 5, 2015
Such a compelling and emotional story. Lauri Taylor and her three sisters were dedicated to the memory of their mother who disappeared and was later found in the Mexican desert with all clues pointing to murder. Lauri vowed to uncover the story of her mother's disappearance and death with or without the help of local police or the Mexican authorities. What happens will inspire you and shock you as the story unfolds, page after page.
I began this book and could not put it down. Finished it in two days. Ms. Taylor has managed to write a story that grabs your attention and does not let go until the last page. I don't want to give away any details, but this is one book that even if you are not a big fan of mysteries, you will be after reading this story.
I began this book and could not put it down. Finished it in two days. Ms. Taylor has managed to write a story that grabs your attention and does not let go until the last page. I don't want to give away any details, but this is one book that even if you are not a big fan of mysteries, you will be after reading this story.
January 10, 2016
Lauri Taylor's story of discovering her mother's secrets and the secrets surrounding her death is masterfully told. Taylor unveils how the discovery of her mother's disappearance and then hearing that her body has been found in Mexico where the death is ruled suspicious, a murder, affects her, her sisters, her husband, their children, and her nephew and business partner, a reminder that families come in many sizes and shapes and that the connections are important, even when they have been tested to the point of near breaking. It is more than just a tale of what happened to her mother. It is a story of what she learned and how she has put those lessons into practice to help others heal from devastating life choices.
May 8, 2015
I couldn't put this book down from the moment I started it. Such an honest & open search for the truth
of finding her mother's killer. The emotional & personal turmoil that the author went through to maintain her
normal life while uncovering difficult details is unimaginable to comprehend. It was a journey that no
daughter should ever have to face, and Lauri Taylor did it with both grace & dignity.
of finding her mother's killer. The emotional & personal turmoil that the author went through to maintain her
normal life while uncovering difficult details is unimaginable to comprehend. It was a journey that no
daughter should ever have to face, and Lauri Taylor did it with both grace & dignity.
May 6, 2015
I couldn't put this book down from the moment I started it. Such an honest & open search for the truth
of finding her mother's killer. The emotional & personal turmoil that the author went through to maintain her
normal life while uncovering difficult details is unimaginable to comprehend. It was a journey that no
daughter should ever have to face, and Lauri Taylor did it with both grace & dignity.
of finding her mother's killer. The emotional & personal turmoil that the author went through to maintain her
normal life while uncovering difficult details is unimaginable to comprehend. It was a journey that no
daughter should ever have to face, and Lauri Taylor did it with both grace & dignity.
May 11, 2015
The Accidental Truth is a beautifully written story by a first time author who did an exceptional job. I picked up the book and finished in the same day. Her determination for an answer is unremarkable and the entire was worthy of being written. It is filled with perseverance, tenacity and above all love. Some parts left you with tears while others left you with joy.
Worth a read you will not regret it!
Worth a read you will not regret it!
May 11, 2015
Be prepared to finish this book once started. This is a story of unimaginable events that no family should ever have to expierence. Yet, as difficult as it is to imagine, you won't want to stop reading - you must keep reading to see how this story unfolds.
June 15, 2015
I received this book from Goodreads.
This book surprised me so much-I did not expect the final outcome at all. It was well written, a true page turner. Ms Taylor lays bare her soul and lets us see her pain, her guilt, and her acceptance of the unacceptable.
This book surprised me so much-I did not expect the final outcome at all. It was well written, a true page turner. Ms Taylor lays bare her soul and lets us see her pain, her guilt, and her acceptance of the unacceptable.
November 2, 2015
Lauri Taylor was a mother living in the suburbs. She had a charmed life until the morning of March 24th when she heard news her mother was found dead in Mexico. All roads lead to her mother was murdered. Along with her 3 older sisters Lauri travels to Mexico to unravel the death of her mother.
February 7, 2016
I could never do what Lauri did, honestly, I think very few people could actually carry out a murder investigation of a loved one, let alone your own mother, and she did it! Absolutely amazing story of what she went through.
June 24, 2015
The compelling account of a daughter trying to solve her mother's death.
July 25, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. I cried at the end. It was a real page-turner.
February 1, 2016
Just finished and cried my eyes out. This illness hits close to home with me and I can't begin to describe how I feel. Thank you so much Mrs. Taylor for sharing your story! Stop the Stigma!
July 14, 2015
Oh my goodness! This book!! I loved it.
December 14, 2018
I don't frequently read non-fiction, because frankly, I love getting lost in fiction and the "fantasy" world. Last year I stepped up my game with Historical fiction, a little of truth mixed with a little pretend. Maybe you'd agree with me that when we were in high school, we weren't interested in history, we were just kids and couldn't really grasp the reality of war, the Holocaust, the great depression. Now that I'm an adult with a family, I have come to enjoy reading about what happened in the world before me. I can read a book about Auschwitz and be moved to tears, how could this have happened? The Spanish Flu, how terrible to watch friends, family, neighbors die before your eyes without any sort of medication or hospitalization that can save them.
One of many trips to the bookstore led me to the bestseller table, and I was drawn to the cover/description of a non-fiction book. Maybe you've heard of it, When Breath Becomes Air. I decided to give it a try, it was a small book, I felt I could read it quick, so why not. Well.....I finished it fast alright, and I was blowing my nose up until the last page. This book touched me to my core, and I will forever be changed because of it. It sparked my interest to pick up more non-fiction, and now it's a regular part of my favorite kinds of books. So when my very close book friend told me she just finished a non-fiction book, I was happy to read it next! Again, I was so moved by this book that I'm already on the hunt for my next non-fiction book. I don't know if it's right to say I enjoyed this book, because it's a very sad story. But like any book, if the writer tells the story so well that you are moved to tears, that your turning the pages quickly to find out what happens next, and your left thinking about the story even after you've turned the last page, that's a good book.
The Accidental Truth is a book written by Lauri Taylor. Lauri wrote this book to share with the world about the death of her mother, and the years she spent investigating what happened to her in her last days, last moments of her life. Once I started the book I couldn't put it down, I was invested in the story, I wanted to know what happened too. Having been to court more times then I can count, I know all to well the legal system does not work. That the court, the police, any state/government run department is understaffed and over worked. How terrible this is for families who have missing children, families who have loved ones who were murdered, and they are not offered the help they need and deserve to get justice. I'm sure Lauri is not alone in that she had to become the lead investigator in her mom's case, and pressure people to help her, and even pay out of her pocket to hire someone privately just to get the answers she and her family deserved.
I can't really go to much in detail because I want you to read the book yourself. Oddly the book does read like a suspense novel, in that what you think happened in the beginning is not what really happened. with a twist at the end. I honestly had to remind myself several times that sadly, this is a true story. My heart ached for the family. I am thankful to Lauri and her sisters for sharing their story, opening up and letting us into a very intimate and private time in there lives. These are the stories that allow you to reflect, to be thankful, to hold your family a little closer and tell them you love them, because Lauri and her sisters did not get that chance with their mom. I highly recommend The Accidental Truth to anyone who likes crime novels, anyone who enjoys non-fiction, or just wants to read a really good book that will touch your heart.
One of many trips to the bookstore led me to the bestseller table, and I was drawn to the cover/description of a non-fiction book. Maybe you've heard of it, When Breath Becomes Air. I decided to give it a try, it was a small book, I felt I could read it quick, so why not. Well.....I finished it fast alright, and I was blowing my nose up until the last page. This book touched me to my core, and I will forever be changed because of it. It sparked my interest to pick up more non-fiction, and now it's a regular part of my favorite kinds of books. So when my very close book friend told me she just finished a non-fiction book, I was happy to read it next! Again, I was so moved by this book that I'm already on the hunt for my next non-fiction book. I don't know if it's right to say I enjoyed this book, because it's a very sad story. But like any book, if the writer tells the story so well that you are moved to tears, that your turning the pages quickly to find out what happens next, and your left thinking about the story even after you've turned the last page, that's a good book.
The Accidental Truth is a book written by Lauri Taylor. Lauri wrote this book to share with the world about the death of her mother, and the years she spent investigating what happened to her in her last days, last moments of her life. Once I started the book I couldn't put it down, I was invested in the story, I wanted to know what happened too. Having been to court more times then I can count, I know all to well the legal system does not work. That the court, the police, any state/government run department is understaffed and over worked. How terrible this is for families who have missing children, families who have loved ones who were murdered, and they are not offered the help they need and deserve to get justice. I'm sure Lauri is not alone in that she had to become the lead investigator in her mom's case, and pressure people to help her, and even pay out of her pocket to hire someone privately just to get the answers she and her family deserved.
I can't really go to much in detail because I want you to read the book yourself. Oddly the book does read like a suspense novel, in that what you think happened in the beginning is not what really happened. with a twist at the end. I honestly had to remind myself several times that sadly, this is a true story. My heart ached for the family. I am thankful to Lauri and her sisters for sharing their story, opening up and letting us into a very intimate and private time in there lives. These are the stories that allow you to reflect, to be thankful, to hold your family a little closer and tell them you love them, because Lauri and her sisters did not get that chance with their mom. I highly recommend The Accidental Truth to anyone who likes crime novels, anyone who enjoys non-fiction, or just wants to read a really good book that will touch your heart.
July 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A hauntingly powerful memoir that stays with you
The Accidental Truth is more than a true crime story, it’s a deeply personal, emotionally raw journey of a daughter uncovering not just the mystery behind her mother’s tragic death, but also the hidden truths in their relationship.
Lauri Taylor doesn’t just take you on a murder investigation, she takes you through grief, guilt, healing, and empowerment. With the precision of a detective and the vulnerability of a daughter, she pieces together a story that’s as much about justice as it is about self-discovery. Her collaboration with FBI profiler Candice DeLong adds a fascinating investigative edge, but it’s Lauri’s voice, honest, reflective, and at times painfully human, that anchors this memoir.
This book shook me. It challenged me to think about the way we hold onto the past, the silence surrounding mental health, and the courage it takes to seek answers when they’re buried in places no one wants to look.
If you love true crime with heart, grit, and real emotional stakes, this book is for you. Lauri Taylor, you’ve turned pain into power. Thank you for telling the story that needed to be told.
The Accidental Truth is more than a true crime story, it’s a deeply personal, emotionally raw journey of a daughter uncovering not just the mystery behind her mother’s tragic death, but also the hidden truths in their relationship.
Lauri Taylor doesn’t just take you on a murder investigation, she takes you through grief, guilt, healing, and empowerment. With the precision of a detective and the vulnerability of a daughter, she pieces together a story that’s as much about justice as it is about self-discovery. Her collaboration with FBI profiler Candice DeLong adds a fascinating investigative edge, but it’s Lauri’s voice, honest, reflective, and at times painfully human, that anchors this memoir.
This book shook me. It challenged me to think about the way we hold onto the past, the silence surrounding mental health, and the courage it takes to seek answers when they’re buried in places no one wants to look.
If you love true crime with heart, grit, and real emotional stakes, this book is for you. Lauri Taylor, you’ve turned pain into power. Thank you for telling the story that needed to be told.
March 26, 2019
I thought this was a terrific story—I read it very quickly because it grabbed my attention and, for the most part, held it. But there were significant weaknesses: the dialogue was often so very wooden, there were careless grammatical mistakes and typos that don't belong in a professionally published (or, really, any) book, and some of the descriptions were so mundane. I found myself wondering what kind of editors SelectBooks employs. This was a good book that could (should) have been better if someone had taken the time to sit down and polish it. (There were many hints about Lauri's bad relationship with her mother, and I think the book would have been stronger if she'd gone a bit more into that -- not a lot, but certainly more than what was there.) That said, it sure was a good story and hats off to Lauri and her sisters for seeing this horrible drama through to its conclusion. There was a lot of hope here, and I quite liked the way it ended, with Lauri using her horrible experience to try to make someone else's life better.
October 20, 2018
I finished this in one sitting. I don't normally read "true crime" type books. I feel like they get buried in the details... Which is real life. As an attorney, I saw the slow gears of the legal system. It isn't glamorous or exciting. I like that the author acknowledges that but still puts this into a readable format. She did a great job of summarizing where necessary and not requiring the reader to get buried in the minutiae. This was a book club selection and the author is going to be speaking at our book club next month. So I had to read it. The story was built around Southern California with the author living (at least during this time of her life) in a town less than 10 minutes away from me. All that added up to a very interesting read. I loved the teaser at the beginning and it was definitely the reason I didn't do anything else today until I finished it. Great work for a first book!
July 17, 2018
Super quick read that hooked me from the start. Super fascinating mystery.
The story is "solved," but there were lots of loose ends that were never answered. There were so many opportunities to go deeper into this story, but much of the book is consumed in mundane re-tellings of Lauri's interactions with law enforcement.
Also, very little self-awareness on the level of resources and privilege to be able to launch a self-funded investigation of this level.
The story is "solved," but there were lots of loose ends that were never answered. There were so many opportunities to go deeper into this story, but much of the book is consumed in mundane re-tellings of Lauri's interactions with law enforcement.
Also, very little self-awareness on the level of resources and privilege to be able to launch a self-funded investigation of this level.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews