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FOOL'S PARADISE: The State vs Steven Avery
It went viral. Rotten Tomatoes rated it 97%. Alec Baldwin, Ricky Gervais and Mandy Moore publically endorsed it. People all over America and around the world first screamed in frustration at their televisions, then took to social media to vent their outrage. Next: a 200 000-strong petition to the White House. The mob bayed for justice, for a retrial: STEVEN AVERY IS INNOCENT! they [we?] decreed.
But is he? And if Steven Avery is innocent, who is behind the horror of the Halbach case?
The New York Times described Netflix’s MAKING A MURDERER, a built-to-binge true-crime docuseries, as an “almost Dickensian account” of the tragedy of the downtrodden Averys. But beyond the critical reception [“a spellbinding slow burn”] and praise for its immersive, addictive and comprehensive treatment of this case, the fact is MAKING A MURDERER ultimately presents the *accused* as the victim. If Avery is innocent, who is guilty?
And if Avery is innocent, why did his nephew confess to a crime he didn't commit? WHY? WHY?
In another earth-shattering #SHAKEDOWN narrative, true crime doyens Wilson and van der Leek interrogate, deconstruct and blow the socks off not only the allegations of the series, but the filmmakers themselves. Aficionados won’t see this one coming – in Fool’s Paradise we see not only the agendas of Avery, Manitowoc County and Dassey, but our own hypocrisy writ large.
Is MAKING A MURDERER an honest portrayal of a miscarriage of justice? Does presumption of guilt or presumption of innocence blind us to the true Tree of Knowledge of good and evil?
Quietly, subtly, in the backwoods a backlash has been brewing. Like a whisper, like a woman on a deserted beach – her breath drowned out by summer waves – we hear a breathless retort. Some evidence was left out. A Sheriff who has not watched the series called it “skewed” and not objective. Which is it? What is REAL?
Fool’s Paradise, the first in a series of three books, takes the reader to the brink of insanity revealing the whole, hard, cold truth of a Junkyard Prince.
But is he? And if Steven Avery is innocent, who is behind the horror of the Halbach case?
The New York Times described Netflix’s MAKING A MURDERER, a built-to-binge true-crime docuseries, as an “almost Dickensian account” of the tragedy of the downtrodden Averys. But beyond the critical reception [“a spellbinding slow burn”] and praise for its immersive, addictive and comprehensive treatment of this case, the fact is MAKING A MURDERER ultimately presents the *accused* as the victim. If Avery is innocent, who is guilty?
And if Avery is innocent, why did his nephew confess to a crime he didn't commit? WHY? WHY?
In another earth-shattering #SHAKEDOWN narrative, true crime doyens Wilson and van der Leek interrogate, deconstruct and blow the socks off not only the allegations of the series, but the filmmakers themselves. Aficionados won’t see this one coming – in Fool’s Paradise we see not only the agendas of Avery, Manitowoc County and Dassey, but our own hypocrisy writ large.
Is MAKING A MURDERER an honest portrayal of a miscarriage of justice? Does presumption of guilt or presumption of innocence blind us to the true Tree of Knowledge of good and evil?
Quietly, subtly, in the backwoods a backlash has been brewing. Like a whisper, like a woman on a deserted beach – her breath drowned out by summer waves – we hear a breathless retort. Some evidence was left out. A Sheriff who has not watched the series called it “skewed” and not objective. Which is it? What is REAL?
Fool’s Paradise, the first in a series of three books, takes the reader to the brink of insanity revealing the whole, hard, cold truth of a Junkyard Prince.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2016
28 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Wilson
33 books9 followersLisa Wilson (aka Juror13) is a trial blogger who resides in California, USA.
She and South African freelance photojournalist Nick van der Leek, under the partnership of #SHAKEDOWN, have paired up to co-author many trial narratives.
She and South African freelance photojournalist Nick van der Leek, under the partnership of #SHAKEDOWN, have paired up to co-author many trial narratives.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 16, 2017
Don't Waste Your Time
Besides being poorly written grammatically and poorly edited, this book basically calls everyone stupid. Spelling and grammar errors abound. The writers insist that the makers of Making a Murderer were biased in their film making and maybe they were, but this book is also biased...just in the opposite direction. I feel like I wasted time reading this drivel.
Besides being poorly written grammatically and poorly edited, this book basically calls everyone stupid. Spelling and grammar errors abound. The writers insist that the makers of Making a Murderer were biased in their film making and maybe they were, but this book is also biased...just in the opposite direction. I feel like I wasted time reading this drivel.
October 13, 2024
VERY ONE SIDED
This book is constantly accusing the makers of Making a Murderer of being biased and only showing one side of story while his entire book is focused on the "guilt" of Steven and Brendon. While the jury is still out on Steven, I can't see how anyone can watch and listen to the questioning of Brendon by police and others and not be able to see a person of limited intelligence being manipulated into saying things to advance their agenda.
This book is constantly accusing the makers of Making a Murderer of being biased and only showing one side of story while his entire book is focused on the "guilt" of Steven and Brendon. While the jury is still out on Steven, I can't see how anyone can watch and listen to the questioning of Brendon by police and others and not be able to see a person of limited intelligence being manipulated into saying things to advance their agenda.
February 3, 2021
enlightening
after watching MaM more than once, I needed to investigate further. I bought "Indefensible" by Michael Griesbach and started looking further. Your works are so well done. I love your engaging writing style. Now I feel like a juror who has been able to make a solid decision. Thanks profusely.
after watching MaM more than once, I needed to investigate further. I bought "Indefensible" by Michael Griesbach and started looking further. Your works are so well done. I love your engaging writing style. Now I feel like a juror who has been able to make a solid decision. Thanks profusely.
December 9, 2019
Brilliant
Even after watching MAM, I always though Avery and Dassey were guilty.now I ha e a book to recommend those friends who's only research and why they think they're innocent was the documentary.
Thank you, cannot wait to read the next book
Louise
Ireland
Even after watching MAM, I always though Avery and Dassey were guilty.now I ha e a book to recommend those friends who's only research and why they think they're innocent was the documentary.
Thank you, cannot wait to read the next book
Louise
Ireland
January 27, 2020
A great book
I discovered Nick Van Der Leek few days ago, and finally somebody dare to challenge the legend of “ The innocent Killer”, I recommend this to any smart true crime junkie who is searching for facts.
I discovered Nick Van Der Leek few days ago, and finally somebody dare to challenge the legend of “ The innocent Killer”, I recommend this to any smart true crime junkie who is searching for facts.
September 7, 2020
I'm intrigued
Thanks Nick & Lisa...now I have to watch this documentary far longer than I wanted to. You both are so good at revealing what is REALLY underneath the faces of criminals.
Thanks Nick & Lisa...now I have to watch this documentary far longer than I wanted to. You both are so good at revealing what is REALLY underneath the faces of criminals.
October 31, 2018
Great accounting of Steven Avery, The Halbach Murder
I love the way these authors show both sides of this horrific murder. They dug deep to give the real story.
I love the way these authors show both sides of this horrific murder. They dug deep to give the real story.
November 9, 2018
A must read!
I couldn't put this book down! anyone interested in this case needs to read this. Thank you for this book
I couldn't put this book down! anyone interested in this case needs to read this. Thank you for this book
January 23, 2016
Very impressed
Couldn't put it down, read it in less than a day. Would have given it the fifth star but came across as a little strange to me. Definitely agree with the authors views on Avery and Dassey. Wish the sheep who are so sure these losers are innocent would read this book.
Couldn't put it down, read it in less than a day. Would have given it the fifth star but came across as a little strange to me. Definitely agree with the authors views on Avery and Dassey. Wish the sheep who are so sure these losers are innocent would read this book.
March 9, 2016
Don't read it if you think he's innocent or you find making fun of people isn't funny.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews