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Best Intentions
It starts with some innocent family fun. Writer Stephen Barrow's divorced wife, involved in a second marriage, has given Barrow custody of their six-year-old daughter, Penny. Father and daughter share a relationship that is tender, poignant, and funny. Their home life in a small upstate New York town is a happy and entirely wholesome one.
One evening Penny, in her bath, playfully straightens her shampoo-stiffened hair into the horn of a "unicord," and her father takes her picture. When she "moons" him and says, "Take this one!" he clicks the shutter, although the roll of film was finished. Or so the mechanically challenged Barrow believed.
The next day, the local pharmacy clerk using the photo machine is shocked by the snapshot, decides Stephen is a child pornographer, and calls the police, who arrest him. That is only the first step in Stephen Barrow's descent into hell. A small-town police chief, a vengeful ex-wife, a fledgling psychologist, a district attorney facing re-election - all of these and more push Barrow deeper and deeper into the depths, until everything he has is taken from him, his freedom, his belongings, and most particularly his beloved daughter.
Best Intentions is a horror story. Not a horror story of monsters from the deep or roving homicidal psychopaths, but something much worse, something that batters at the readers' defenses. As anyone familiar with Klempner's previous books will know, he is a writer with the talent to bring his story home to his readers. As Best Intentions (based on an actual case) unfolds, its threat becomes more and more real. This could happen to anyone. It could happen to you.
One evening Penny, in her bath, playfully straightens her shampoo-stiffened hair into the horn of a "unicord," and her father takes her picture. When she "moons" him and says, "Take this one!" he clicks the shutter, although the roll of film was finished. Or so the mechanically challenged Barrow believed.
The next day, the local pharmacy clerk using the photo machine is shocked by the snapshot, decides Stephen is a child pornographer, and calls the police, who arrest him. That is only the first step in Stephen Barrow's descent into hell. A small-town police chief, a vengeful ex-wife, a fledgling psychologist, a district attorney facing re-election - all of these and more push Barrow deeper and deeper into the depths, until everything he has is taken from him, his freedom, his belongings, and most particularly his beloved daughter.
Best Intentions is a horror story. Not a horror story of monsters from the deep or roving homicidal psychopaths, but something much worse, something that batters at the readers' defenses. As anyone familiar with Klempner's previous books will know, he is a writer with the talent to bring his story home to his readers. As Best Intentions (based on an actual case) unfolds, its threat becomes more and more real. This could happen to anyone. It could happen to you.
- GenresFiction
502 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 2, 2016
128 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Joseph T. Klempner
11 books23 followersHis full name is Joseph Teller Klempner, and he is also published as
Joseph Teller , at which web site further biographical information may be found.
Joseph T. Klempner is a former undercover agent for the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (now the Drug Enforcement Agency) and later as a defense attorney in New York City.
Joseph Teller , at which web site further biographical information may be found.
Joseph T. Klempner is a former undercover agent for the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (now the Drug Enforcement Agency) and later as a defense attorney in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 26, 2019
Terrifyingly Real!
I read somewhere that "Best Intentions" is a horror story & it absolutely is. But the horror doesn't come from zombies or mad men; it comes in the form of a realization that this exact story is likely played out in our legal systems more times than we know. Put yourself in the position of Stephen Barrow (father or mother) who, in the chaos of being a single parent (or not) makes a series of seemingly innocuous decisions that, depending on the beliefs of a stranger (acting w/o malice), suddenly destroys your entire life & the lives of your children. Add to the mix a number of ppl acting in THEIR best interests (acting WITH malice) & you have this jaw dropping, spell binding & terrifying story.
I read somewhere that "Best Intentions" is a horror story & it absolutely is. But the horror doesn't come from zombies or mad men; it comes in the form of a realization that this exact story is likely played out in our legal systems more times than we know. Put yourself in the position of Stephen Barrow (father or mother) who, in the chaos of being a single parent (or not) makes a series of seemingly innocuous decisions that, depending on the beliefs of a stranger (acting w/o malice), suddenly destroys your entire life & the lives of your children. Add to the mix a number of ppl acting in THEIR best interests (acting WITH malice) & you have this jaw dropping, spell binding & terrifying story.
July 30, 2020
4.5 Stars! Wow!! This novel grabs you from the beginning and wrenches your gut! The heartache and injustice done to so many parents truly breaks my heart. I am torn if this injustice is worth the saving of even one child, because one false accusation ruins so many lives, the most important, that of the child.
I really enjoy books that bring true life situations to the forefront in order for us to work through in our minds. This will be a great book club discussion. Think along the lines of Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain.
I really enjoy books that bring true life situations to the forefront in order for us to work through in our minds. This will be a great book club discussion. Think along the lines of Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain.
October 2, 2018
If I had known this book was a true story, I probably wouldn't have read it. This novel is the true story of a father who takes an innocent picture of his child and when he goes to get the pictures after they have been developed.... disaster ensues, justice gets out of hand, the media goes wild and social services, well... it does what it truly does, if anyone has really been on the wrong side of it... this poor guy... the hits just keep coming and hope begins to fade...as everyone in his life turns on him... the rest is up to a 6 year-old little girl... it is a disaster of every part of government and a story that should be told and retold until it sinks in. Fantastic true story!
January 16, 2018
This is a good story, with excellent narration by Jeff Cummings. The prose is acceptable but somehow the telling is heavy handed. Inspired by a true story, we're told, I suspect that the author exercised a great deal of poetic license in the telling. The characters all seem so extreme-the father, so naive and unable to cope; the daughter, so precocious; the female reporter and love interest, so idealistic but relatively ineffectual; the news editor and his male reporter, so exploitative, unfair, and sensationalistic; the police, so abusive and vindictive even though the evidence is so ambiguous; the DA, so underhanded, less interested in justice than in politics. Sometimes reality is stranger than fiction, but somehow this cast of characters doesn't ring true. The father's attorney seems to be more realistic, perhaps because the author was himself a defense attorney for so many years.
July 3, 2017
First experience with this author and i'm not sure I "got" it. I thought i'd be reading a 'serious' book about being falsely accused of a heinous act but then I found it meandering at times into slapstick. Not even satire, but Three Stooges slapstick; so I kept having to adjust my mindset which was giving me whiplash.
April 16, 2019
The idea of the story is disturbing.
As for the writing, I did find it too diluted by persistent and detailed description of scenes that have no relevance.
The end is condensed, however predictable.
Some inconsistencies undermine credibility.
As for the writing, I did find it too diluted by persistent and detailed description of scenes that have no relevance.
The end is condensed, however predictable.
Some inconsistencies undermine credibility.
March 6, 2019
It took a while to read this book because it was on my phone and I just didn't have the time to dedicate to reading it. I am so glad I persevered though as it is a great story. It is a story based on fact and was really disturbing to see how justice and the law can be twisted.
When a single father of a six year old girl takes a bunch of photos of his daughter having fun with soap suds at bath time, he takes the photos to the photo lab to get developed and the person developing the photos decides the photos are pornographic, Stephen, the father is arrested and put on trial. The father was considered guilty and labelled a pervert and paedophile all in the blink of an eye. His daughter was cared for by her disfunctional mother and a psychiatrist who was more interested n making a name for herself. They groomed the child to answer questions falsely. Finally after being in jail, the daughter tells the truth in a court of law with the aid of a tape recording she had made herself, her father is exonerated and is given back full custody of his daughter.
Its truly mind boggling to think how one innocent photo was misconstrued and how a man's life was turned upside down. Child abuse is rampant these days it seems but not everyone is guilty as was the case in this story.
When a single father of a six year old girl takes a bunch of photos of his daughter having fun with soap suds at bath time, he takes the photos to the photo lab to get developed and the person developing the photos decides the photos are pornographic, Stephen, the father is arrested and put on trial. The father was considered guilty and labelled a pervert and paedophile all in the blink of an eye. His daughter was cared for by her disfunctional mother and a psychiatrist who was more interested n making a name for herself. They groomed the child to answer questions falsely. Finally after being in jail, the daughter tells the truth in a court of law with the aid of a tape recording she had made herself, her father is exonerated and is given back full custody of his daughter.
Its truly mind boggling to think how one innocent photo was misconstrued and how a man's life was turned upside down. Child abuse is rampant these days it seems but not everyone is guilty as was the case in this story.
June 10, 2020
A tragedy that happens too often
I'm a retired attorney. I was acquainted with a similar case involving the 13 year old stepdaughter in the extremely contentious end of a 5 year marriage. I had known the accused for over 20 years and I knew he could not have done the acts he was accused of. My friend had a serious heart condition and was persuaded to plea bargain for a lighter sentence rather than be subjected to go through a particularly ugly and drawn out public trial. He died from his heart condition while in custody.
We all have a duty to be sensitive to and protect our children, but we must remember that just because the nature of the accusation is so offensive to us, that, in itself, is not evidence.
This book needed to be written and should be required reading.
I'm a retired attorney. I was acquainted with a similar case involving the 13 year old stepdaughter in the extremely contentious end of a 5 year marriage. I had known the accused for over 20 years and I knew he could not have done the acts he was accused of. My friend had a serious heart condition and was persuaded to plea bargain for a lighter sentence rather than be subjected to go through a particularly ugly and drawn out public trial. He died from his heart condition while in custody.
We all have a duty to be sensitive to and protect our children, but we must remember that just because the nature of the accusation is so offensive to us, that, in itself, is not evidence.
This book needed to be written and should be required reading.
January 10, 2018
A devoted father is wrongly accused of abusing his daughter...
Slow beginning, but it was probably because there were a lot of characters who had to be described to the T. Once it gets going though, it takes a hold of you and doesn't let go.
I wish we could give half stars. I wouldn't this a 4.5. Just enough humor to give you a tiny break from the anger and heartbreak.
·There were a few misspellings, but the story itself was very good.
Slow beginning, but it was probably because there were a lot of characters who had to be described to the T. Once it gets going though, it takes a hold of you and doesn't let go.
I wish we could give half stars. I wouldn't this a 4.5. Just enough humor to give you a tiny break from the anger and heartbreak.
·There were a few misspellings, but the story itself was very good.
September 25, 2017
Outstanding, well written, a great read, very emotional, brings a k memories.
This book is outstanding,I was u a leader to put it down I would give it more than five stars if possible . I like this Arthur. This. Look would make very good movie it would educate people to the fact about how easy it is to twist people's words and destroy. People's lives
This book is outstanding,I was u a leader to put it down I would give it more than five stars if possible . I like this Arthur. This. Look would make very good movie it would educate people to the fact about how easy it is to twist people's words and destroy. People's lives
November 15, 2016
The American injustice system
This book was addictive, but hard to read because of the injustice of it all. I really thought it was going to turn out very badly, but it's so well written I just couldn't put it down. I have to admit it haunted me and disturbed my sleep.
This book was addictive, but hard to read because of the injustice of it all. I really thought it was going to turn out very badly, but it's so well written I just couldn't put it down. I have to admit it haunted me and disturbed my sleep.
September 22, 2017
A wonderful read
A poignant depiction of an innocent situation taken out of context. The writing draws you in and paints a realistic and heartbreaking story of the injustice our society is capable of. It is wonderfully written.
A poignant depiction of an innocent situation taken out of context. The writing draws you in and paints a realistic and heartbreaking story of the injustice our society is capable of. It is wonderfully written.
November 16, 2018
Oh my gosh - a fictionalized true story of a father's charge of sexual abuse and the unbelievable horror that can happen in our legal system. I won't forget this one for a long time....an eye opener.
November 17, 2018
Explosive topic
The subject of child abuse is one that garners the interest of almost everyone. The unconscionable action of those in the legal system has devastating results. Luckily the accused is exonerated in this book. A very good read.
The subject of child abuse is one that garners the interest of almost everyone. The unconscionable action of those in the legal system has devastating results. Luckily the accused is exonerated in this book. A very good read.
November 17, 2021
Tính trinh thám pháp lý của cuốn này không quá cao, chủ yếu tập trung vào tình cảm cha con và đề cập đến một vấn đề mang tính pháp lý trong các vụ án xử sex offender. Giọng đọc trên bản Audible cũng không quá xuất sắc, hơi bị lạnh và biểu cảm không tốt. 3,5⭐
May 6, 2017
This turned out to be quite a horror tale! Yikes!!
May 28, 2017
Enjoyed the book. I can so see this happening in today's world. Loved the ending!!!
June 20, 2017
Eye opening
Great story. Hard to believe it is based on a real story. There are quite a few grammatical errors in the book.
Great story. Hard to believe it is based on a real story. There are quite a few grammatical errors in the book.
September 11, 2017
Couldn't put it down!
Great story and writing. Made you feel a part of the story. Started it this morning and finished it this evening. Great read!
Great story and writing. Made you feel a part of the story. Started it this morning and finished it this evening. Great read!
October 19, 2017
May have been well written, but didn't hold my attention well.
November 11, 2018
Good read
Interesting but sad read. The real victim was the father who was innocent but payed a big price to the justice system that tried to convict him.
Interesting but sad read. The real victim was the father who was innocent but payed a big price to the justice system that tried to convict him.
August 16, 2019
Excellent and disturbing. This book will stay with me. This author always delivers a good story.
October 30, 2016
i really didnt like this book. i felt sorry for the guy and the kid. but you should know better than taking photos of your kids spread genitals
and the people involved are just all bent on hurting them so much, it borders on ridiculous.
the law side of the story was just totally boring. i thought it was more about the community and who would support him and who wouldnt
i feel like this book has been written by a Mens Activist - whatever they are called
and the people involved are just all bent on hurting them so much, it borders on ridiculous.
the law side of the story was just totally boring. i thought it was more about the community and who would support him and who wouldnt
i feel like this book has been written by a Mens Activist - whatever they are called
October 25, 2016
This was another riveting book by Klempner. He wrote about how innocent fun can be misinterpreted by others -- and the fact that we never know when the past will portray us in ways we would never have thought possible.
Read
January 31, 2017Not too bad...
April 15, 2017
A good discription of how the people in charge of law desicions can make some awful mistakes and pretty much destroy people .I know it is fiction. Ug
It fa!!s too close to the truth .An innocent child's life could be irreparably damaged. Thank goodness for smart kids ..
It fa!!s too close to the truth .An innocent child's life could be irreparably damaged. Thank goodness for smart kids ..
April 18, 2017
Superb. Klempner is my new favourite writer of legal thrillers. His depiction of the relationship between a dad and his daughter is beyond charming. I read most of the night to learn the final outcome of this gripping story. And bought another of his books immediately.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews