Missy's Murder

by Karen Kingsbury

On October 1, 1985, teenager Missy Avila was lured into the woods, beaten, tortured, and drowned. Karen Severson, Missy's best friend, publicly vowed to find the killer and moved in with Missy's family to help. Three years later, a surprise witness exposed the murderers--Missy's two best friends--one of whom was Karen Severson. Photographs. Original.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Audiobook, Mystery, True Story, American

400 pages, Paperback

First published November 3, 1991

About the author

Karen Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America’s favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development with Hallmark Films and as major motion pictures. Her Baxter Family books are being developed into a TV series slated for major network viewing sometime in the next year. Karen is also an adjunct professor of writing at Liberty University. In 2001 she and her husband, Don, adopted three boys from Haiti, doubling their family in a matter of months. Today the couple has joined the ranks of empty nesters, living in Tennessee near five of their adult children.

See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K...

Reviews

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite true murder stories. In my opinion, Karen Severson is really one of the deadliest women.

[♥ Marlene♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry but I can't put this book under non fiction which I normally do for my true crime books. This author is making up dialogues and thoughts and I think she was very clever to stop writing about true crime.(She is now writing religious romance I think)

Then I can see why she has become an author with many readers because her writing is not the problem. It is very cheesy and black and white in this book though. Meaning black is the killer(s).Nothing is good about them and white are the victim and her family.

Missy's mother.Omg .I understand now why all the teens were always there at her place and why Missy was allowed to come home much later than her friends. Mum and dad were just divorced and mum was leaning too much on her daughter. She wanted them to be friends so she did not set any boundaries. I am so sorry for her loss I do but although this author is trying her best to make her not such a bad mum,she doesn't really succeed.That being said this has nothing to do with how her daughter was murdered. She is blameless in this.

[Margaret Fraleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of Karen's books she wrote while a newspaper reporter. This I believe is a true story.

I read one of her other books - Deadly Pretender that she wrote around this same time period.

There are two more - Finals Vows and Snake and the Spider.

After writing these books, Karen chose to be a bearer of light, She began writing redemptive hope-filled fiction. These stores are awesome. I would encourage any and all to read her books.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually write reviews but I highly recommend this book. Very well written. Easy to get completely sucked right in

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a lot of Karen Kingsbury’ books and could not imagine how she would write a true (for the most part) crime story. It appears she started her career writing true crime novels. As Karen explains how the darkness in these stories became more than she could bear and prompted a dramatic career change to write Life-Changing Fiction ™.

I was fascinated with this book beginning with the first page. Karen did an excellent job in describing the characters. The story is one no one wants to live but we need to hear! Our children can be crying out for help and we never hear them. Don’t turn a blind eye to what’s going on with the kids around you!

[Helen Beesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one book where the movie was much better than the book. The author writes a little too speculatively about what people were thinking for a an honest account in my opinion. It is a horrific story and one that reminds us that teens can get themselves very involved in things when parents aren't more vigilant.

[Mary Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a horrific, sad, moving true story of Missy Avila’s murder. Karen Kingshury does a good job with back stories, the murder and the trial. Truly a gut wrenching story.

[Pamela Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a Sad Story

I was really shocked when I came across this book as I was most familiar with Ms Kingsbury's inspirational novels. I enjoyed reading some of her later works and decided to take a risk and purchase this one.
The case reminds me very much of the murder of Laurie Show at the hands of Michelle Lambert, Tabitha Buck, and Lawrence Junkin. Lambert and Karen Severson share a lot of personality traits as well. Each is used to getting her way, loves controlling others, takes no responsibility for her actions, will go to any extreme for revenge, has no empathy, turns on accomplices to save herself, sees herself as the victim, and is a dangerous psychopath. This is very obvious in Karen's manipulative behavior throughout her life and her claims about Missy not being so innocent (translates to the old blame the real victim excuse).
It is unfortunate that the jury did not vote for first degree murder because Severson is still dangerous. Doyle most likely would have eventually moved on, as most teenaged girls do after a painful breakup, had Severson not found her to be such a willing dupe. While Cindy Silverio did come forward there are gray areas in her story about her own willingness to be part of the plot and her actions during the crime.
As I read it my heart was breaking for the Avila family. I hope they are all doing well. I can't imagine the pain of their loss.
I do recommend this book and found it a good read.

[Hatseflats · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was in my 20s I found that I read a lot of true crime. I very seldom read true crime anymore and am not sure why I even picked up Missy's Murder. I suspect it was featured as a daily deal on my BookBub emailer. Anyway, this book was a reminder as to why I no longer read true crime. Or, very infrequently do. The examples of how terrible some people can be is depressing beyond words in these accounts. In this case, a beautiful young woman of only 17 is murdered by her two so-called best friends, one of which then goes on to live with the victim's family for nearly two years pretending to be earnestly trying to find the girl's murderers as a means of monitoring the ongoing police investigation. That's not really a spoiler, as it is laid out in the beginning of the story. But, man, some people are pure evil. When I was a kid, I loved monster movies and I think that's why I sometimes am attracted to reading such devastatingly sad stories, because the sociopaths/psychopaths featured in these stories are the closest thing there are to true life monsters. One thing I will say about Missy's Murder is that Karen Kingsbury does an amazing job at illustrating the pain the victim's family goes through as a result of their loved one's murder. So, a recommendation? I suppose, just make sure you have something to read afterwards to cleanse your palette.

[Julie Pruitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea that Karen Kingsbury has written books based on true crime. When I saw this book I decided I would read it. I love true crime and I also I’ve Karen Kingsbury.

The murder of Missy Avila by two of her friends was difficult to believe. Missy was a beautiful girl who liked everyone. The hardest part for me was the calculated plan of her so called best friend and then after her murder how she could just “move in” with Missy’s family! I believe she intentionally set out to kill her and she should never have gotten out of prison. Such a very sad story. My prayers are with the Avila family.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second one of Kingsbury's true crime stories I've read; but I understand that is was her first book. It details a fascinating true story, but the flow of the story is pretty rough. Sometimes flashbacks were confusing, and there was much too much long delving into every character's background story. Kingsbury's smooth writing style and facility with language was already evident in this first book.

[Erica Vinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though a little slow in the beginning, this true story was very well told. I do not recommend this book if you are unable to handle some of the heart wrenching details of this crime. At times this book put me in a depressed mood because it is so hard to see how there can be so much darkness in the world, but I’m so glad I read it because it as a true story that needed to be told to honor Missy.

[Chasity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insane

What a story. I couldn't put this book down and stayed up way too late reading it! I look forward to trying more by this author.

[Bertha Ivins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but it left me disheartened about the justice system in this country. After I read this I decided it was time to leave the true crime books alone for awhile.

[Sarita · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another novel based on true crime.

It is quite shocking and saddening of how twisted minds and jealousy can control others’ actions.

[Amelia Veldman · Rating 2 out of 5]

not gonna lie, this book was kinda boring.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad, true crime story, well written, kept me interested till the end, my heart goes out to this family and others like them

[Dianne Ragland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen's First Book

So, many of us are fans of the wonderful Christian Fiction Karen has written! This book is a true story with names Christian a need, but the events are true. This book was a reminder to me of the danger that can come from the "Best Friend" situations.

[Casey Ulric · Rating 2 out of 5]

based on a true crime. it was long and drawn out and randomly giving Californian history lesson.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who enjoys reading Christian fiction immensely, I'm very familiar with the works of Karen Kingsbury. I've read probably 10 or so of her Christian fiction books, and while a few of them were decent, I finally gave up on her as the Queen of Corn (literally the last book of hers I read I wanted to throw at the wall!). I was intrigued to learn that she got her start writing true crime novels, something I'm also very interested in.

I have been familiar with the case of Missy Avila since seeing the made-for-TV movie based on this book, starring Patty Duke and Tiffani-Amber Thiessen (check out A Killer Among Friends, it's quite good for a TV movie).

I am truly perplexed as to how Karen Kingsbury STILL manages to make even a true crime story corny. It baffles me. The story itself is quite fascinating and will make you sick, but the way it is told here leaves much to be desired. There were also a lot of typos in the kindle edition.

All of that being said, it is still worth reading if you have any interest in the case or true crime stories in general. Just don't expect too much from the writing.

[Loretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. This was a tough book to read and yet I found it hard to put down. It is a crime novel (so I wasn't sure if it was fiction or non-fiction). This is not my normal style of reading but I love Karen Kingsbury's book and when I read that this was her first book I was interested to read it. She does a great job of fleshing out the many characters involved in this tragic and horrific crime. I found myself looking things up on Google about it and was amazed at how much there is about Missy Avila and her murder. This is one that will stay with me for awhile. It's hard to imagine people that are so evil, conniving and manipulative.

[Jimmy Chaillot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let’s talk about manipulation shall we. When we think about it we see the man who manipulates his wife with his controlling behavior. We see the wife who controls her husband with manipulation.

But how many times do we see it in children? We rarely do as their brains are usually not developed for this yet. This a story that is not for the weak at heart. It will tear at your emotional heart strings as it is a brutal crime.

However it is a story that needs to be read. This author got probation reports(which are sickening) and lots of information.

Recommend it

[Michelle Marquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

With "friends like this" ...

I thought the author did a great job of telling this story without adding a lot of extra, unnecessary details. I knew of this murder before reading the book, and I have seen the made for T.V. Movie starring Patty Duke and Tiffany Thieson, and the book was so well written that I could actually envision the circumstances as though I were there. Excellent read especially for true crime addicts like myself!

[Fishface · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another astonishing case of murder that -- if you hold with that sort of thing -- was solved by the ghost of the victim. She spoke through the shower head to one of the witnesses, urging her to do the right thing, until she broke down and went to the police. Hey, as I always say, do whatever works! Go Missy!

[Kelly Conklin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Karen is my FAVORITE author but this book was one of her firsts. I actually didn't finish it because I wasn't interested. It was nothing like her novels she has written in the last 10 years.

[Marie Nimmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book , amazing story ...very different to my usual kind of read .

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book a few years after it was published in the 90s, and of all the true crime I read as a teenager, this is the only one I can remember. At the time, I thought the writing was uneven, but the subject matter was very compelling--a friendship undermined by jealousy, unchecked mental illness, and the inherent Machiavellian qualities of angry teenaged girls. It is this last topic, the teenaged girl element, that makes this book particularly chilling. Girls at this age are volatile and hyper-focused on hierarchy, appearances, and behavior, and they are especially sensitive to any threat--perceived or imagined--that may undermine social status or self-esteem. They tend to run in packs--just like the characters in Mean Girls and Heathers--and they feed off each other's insecurities. If you haven't seen a girl squad in action, its much worse than in the movies because girls employ complete psychological arsenals against their targets, taking cues from each other to up the ante. It's frightening to watch and even more frightening to be a recipient. I once earned the ire of a girl group in high school, and the abuse, while never violent, was constant.

I remember thinking at the time that if a girl was willing to harass a person with the distinct purpose of causing mental breakdown, she was probably capable of even more sinister behavior. My fears that such a thing was possible were confirmed when I read Missy's Murder. In this book, Kingsbury not only examines a murder perpetuated by teenaged girls, but she explains the context--the time period (mid 80s) and the setting (a middling California neighborhood).

Into this mix, she introduces Michele Avila, the "Missy" of the title, and her best friend Karen Severson. Missy is pretty and popular. She has a close family and significant freedom, and she moves effortlessly through this confined world, enjoying the attention of her peers. She brings her best friend, Karen, along for the ride, but life isn't as easy for her as it is for Missy. Karen is adopted, an only child, and she is overweight, acting out sexually for attention. She has a child at fourteen, and she has to attend an alternative high school, an event that further contributes to her negative sense of self.

I completely understand that Karen is resentful of Missy, that she wants something of her very own devoid of her friend, but instead of simply ending the relationship as she should, she enjoys her friend's adoration too much. Missy genuinely cares for Karen, and Karen enjoys the privileges this connection affords. She has access to the Avila family, unconditional support, and she appreciates vicarious popularity. Behind the scenes though, Karen actively manipulates situations to damage Missy's reputation, even sparking an incident of violence. She is so obsessed with Missy's sexuality that she pursues one of Missy's former partners. When that boy displays his preference for Missy, Karen is threatened. She cannot abide this slight, interpreting the evidence as an intrusion.

Kingsbury successfully unpacks this troubled friendship on the page so well that Missy's murder seems inevitable. Karen, along with another Missy hater, Laura Doyle, lure Missy into a remote wooded area where they encourage each other to engage in cruelty, working in tandem to humiliate their victim. They accuse her of promiscuity, and they catalogue her alleged predatory behavior, holding her responsible for numerous wrongs. This is a very female way of enacting revenge--provoking embarrassment, particularly sexual embarrassment--and they cut Missy's long hair, a source of pride, to demean and demoralize her. Then they torture her, striking her before forcing her facedown into a puddle of water six-to-eight inches deep. In a blatant instance of overkill, the two girls then place a log across Missy's back, needlessly ensuring that she won't get up.

This murder is so very personal, so hateful, that even now, I wonder at the investigators' initial confusion over the details. Karen was so visible after the event, moving in with the Avilas, sleeping in Missy's bed, collecting newspaper articles of the murder, and even leading informal tours to the murder site that she seems the most obvious suspect, yet it wasn't until an eyewitness provided indisputable details of the event--the hair cutting--that Karen was really scrutinized.

That these details are still very clear to me decades after my initial read, speaks to the clarity of Kingsbury's writing. Her prose isn't art, but it is adequate in portraying this crime and the subsequent fallout. This book is also dark--as is most true crime--and I'm not sure how it holds up to more current offerings in the genre as my preferences tend in other directions. But it is a quick read--I read it during a road trip across Texas--and it doesn't demand a lot of effort. Readers not familiar with the existence of female violence may recoil at the ugliness here, but Kingsbury's portrait of Karen's malignant personality is still apt, especially considering that she wrote her own version of the events after she was paroled in 2011.

There was understandable backlash. Readers protested the book's publication across several platforms, and a law was passed because of it. Interested parties can look up the reception history of this memoir on Goodreads--My Life I Lived It by Karen Severson--but I encourage folks to support Missy's family instead.

[guy s. clemency · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written.

I saw this story on a true crime show and wanted to know more. I grew up in the eighties in similar circumstances. Broken home, bad neighborhood, hanging with the wrong people. Wanting to be liked, pretty and popular. There are millions like that, then and now. But I don't think this is a testament to what those pressures can lead to. Because they will always be there, one way or another. We all face them on some level. Most of us do it without hurting anyone.
I think it's an important distinction. Because the blame should go where it belongs. Not on peer pressure or bad friends or pack mentality. It belongs to the two girls who made a conscious decision to kill another out of what really was just childish jealousy, and in one's case rampant, apparently unchecked narcissism.
Karen Severson tried to profit from her crime by writing a book about her life after her release from prison. Fortunately she was prevented from doing so when people found out and the publisher had to offer it for free. In an interview I saw with her she still showed no remorse, called Missy 'the victim' as if she never knew her at all, tried to minimize her involvement and still blamed others for what she did. She seemed to enjoy even that little bit of attention and it was pretty clear she's learned absolutely nothing Why she was even given a platform is beyond me.

[Dani Cushman, First of her name, Mother of Westies · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars Intriguing story of a young girls friendship and her murder.

3.5 stars. I didn’t hate it, I just got frustrated. I really liked the Avila family and Missy. I felt there Missy had a lot of potential to be a great woman. I hated Karen the whole time. There was not one redeeming quality about her. I felt sorry for Missy and the Avila family. The hardships of their life, the direction Missy’s life took. I was frustrated that Irene let Missy leave her high school and follow her “friends”. I was shocked at Karen’s behavior all the time, how cruel she was to Missy and to the Avila family. How disgusting to move into the Avila family home after the murder. After plotting to kill an innocent man. Karen is a cruel and evil human. I wish her punishment had been more severe. I felt that the prosecution should have charged her with attempted murder of Jimmy as well. That plot was nearly fulfilled and she got away with it. I also felt that a lot was left out of the court testimony. The final thing that REALLY IRRITATED ME, Spelling errors throughout the story. Who edited this book? At first I looked past them but soon there were so many I was highlighting them. It makes the book seem unprofessional. Last the authors note was strange.

[Lisa]

Another great true crime read by Kingsbury!

A couple of typos in this one, but nothing big. I think I've read this story before. (maybe written by someone else?). Since it was a KU I wasn't warned about already having read it (A feature I REALLY wish Amazon would adopt, as I find myself downloading books I've already read constantly).

This is a very sad story about teen jealousy... Yes, another one! MS. Kingsbury seems to have taken her queue from the prosecutor in this case in being sensitive to the family. There are things left out that she says the prosecutor had said were too bad for the victim's mother to see.

The only negative is there are no photos, and for a book that focuses on a crime that took place because the victim was so much more popular and pretty than the defendants, it's important they be included so we don't have to search online (especially with this happening so long ago).

I do have to say that I thought only Ann Rule could make me cry at true crime (it usually just makes me think) but this had me bawling several times as I felt I was part of the family