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Perfect Victim: The True Story of "The Girl in the Box" by the D.A. Who Prosecuted Her Captor
In 1977 twenty-year-old Colleen Stan left home to hitchhike from Oregon to California. Seven years later she emerged from hell, the victim of a bizarre and extraordinary crime.
This is Colleen's incredible true story, told by the determined young district attorney who prosecuted the man who had forced her to endure years of sexual perversion . . . and held her captive in a coffin-like box under his and his wife's bed. A story of riveting psychological intensity and gripping courtroom drama, Perfect Victim reveals the whole truth about Collen Stan's real-life nightmare . . . and the psychopath who enslaved her body and her mind.
This is Colleen's incredible true story, told by the determined young district attorney who prosecuted the man who had forced her to endure years of sexual perversion . . . and held her captive in a coffin-like box under his and his wife's bed. A story of riveting psychological intensity and gripping courtroom drama, Perfect Victim reveals the whole truth about Collen Stan's real-life nightmare . . . and the psychopath who enslaved her body and her mind.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews
July 14, 2010
I know the Victim (Colleen) personally.
one of my sons and her daughter were best friends in 8th grade.
I haven't seen her in the past couple years.
Colleen gave me this book to read when we first became friends.
It is written by her attorney and Colleen makes nothing from the book.
She always felt the attorney victimized her also.
This book is a sad true crime story about hitchhiking that lead to brainwashing and being held in a box for 7 years.
But thru it all Colleen survived and thats what's amazing.
She is an awesome person and if she didn't tell you her story
you would never guess it from looking at her!
one of my sons and her daughter were best friends in 8th grade.
I haven't seen her in the past couple years.
Colleen gave me this book to read when we first became friends.
It is written by her attorney and Colleen makes nothing from the book.
She always felt the attorney victimized her also.
This book is a sad true crime story about hitchhiking that lead to brainwashing and being held in a box for 7 years.
But thru it all Colleen survived and thats what's amazing.
She is an awesome person and if she didn't tell you her story
you would never guess it from looking at her!
February 9, 2018
Q:
Standing in the small, cool room, she had a strange feeling that she should escape, as if a voice were warning her: Run! Get away! She noticed the restroom’s little window, and the voice insisted: Crawl out the window! Run! You can get away! But Colleen couldn’t understand why she was having such crazy notions; she shook off the impulse to flee and went back to the car. (c)
A cautionary tale of a horrible experience. The book is rather well-written, however. Poor girl. I hope she managed to overcome all this terror those not-people inflicted on her.
I really liked the attorney side of the hearing described in great detail. It was an unexpected bonus.
Q:
Few prisoners have known a confinement more solitary, more frightening, more hopeless than the one Cameron Hooker was fashioning around his newfound slave. (c)
Q:
This story seemed to have everything—from pornography to the Bible, from waterbeds to whips. It made little sense, but great copy. (c)
Q:
No one can accurately say what those long months had done to her mental state. The human psyche is a malleable thing—it bends. And it can break. A few hours of simple isolation and sensory deprivation would be an ordeal; a day or two would be cruel; months is macabre, brutal beyond imagining. But more than an extreme solitary confinement, more than a living death in a box the size of a coffin, Colleen had suffered a netherworld of terror and pain...
Now, after months of continual humiliation and abuse, whatever tenuous grasp on reality Colleen had left was about to be replaced by an elaborate and terrifying fiction. (c)
Standing in the small, cool room, she had a strange feeling that she should escape, as if a voice were warning her: Run! Get away! She noticed the restroom’s little window, and the voice insisted: Crawl out the window! Run! You can get away! But Colleen couldn’t understand why she was having such crazy notions; she shook off the impulse to flee and went back to the car. (c)
A cautionary tale of a horrible experience. The book is rather well-written, however. Poor girl. I hope she managed to overcome all this terror those not-people inflicted on her.
I really liked the attorney side of the hearing described in great detail. It was an unexpected bonus.
Q:
Few prisoners have known a confinement more solitary, more frightening, more hopeless than the one Cameron Hooker was fashioning around his newfound slave. (c)
Q:
This story seemed to have everything—from pornography to the Bible, from waterbeds to whips. It made little sense, but great copy. (c)
Q:
No one can accurately say what those long months had done to her mental state. The human psyche is a malleable thing—it bends. And it can break. A few hours of simple isolation and sensory deprivation would be an ordeal; a day or two would be cruel; months is macabre, brutal beyond imagining. But more than an extreme solitary confinement, more than a living death in a box the size of a coffin, Colleen had suffered a netherworld of terror and pain...
Now, after months of continual humiliation and abuse, whatever tenuous grasp on reality Colleen had left was about to be replaced by an elaborate and terrifying fiction. (c)
January 4, 2015
This is not "The True Story of The Girl in the Box by the DA who prosecuted her captor" as it purports to be. Rather, it is more accurately "The True Story of the DA who prosecuted the captor of "the Girl in the Box." Colleen's story at times feels more like a sideline to Christine McGuire's story.
There is too much focus on the attorney and her personal life and it is not at all pertinent to Colleen's ordeal, or to the book as a whole. I didn't need to know details about her family background, or her three marriages, or her frozen yogurt eating habits, or her vacation with his husband. I do not need to read how hard the case was on her personal life, or many of the mentions or anecdotes about her daughter. I think I read three or four different times about her pulling pictures of her daughter out and showing them to other people while working on the case.
The fact that she seemed to come close to throwing a temper tantrum to get her husband to give her the case was not only unnecessary information, it really showed how self absorbed McGuire seems to be, and how intent she was was on telling her side of the story. It's one of those odd stories where it seems she is trying to come off as being the wounded party (because she was known to try sex offenders, and they just gave the case to a man because it was such a big case!), when she actually comes across more as a sulky child benefiting from nepotism. It's these kind of details that really distract from the overall story, and make it feel less about Colleen and more about Christine.
I was disgusted upon reading a review here to find out that Colleen was in no way compensated for this book. I understand that the writer has technically done all the work in compiling information and writing the book, but without Colleen's story and the pain and torture she went through, there would be no book. In most true crime books the victim tends to have been murdered, so there usually is not an issue when it comes to direct compensation, but the fact that nothing was offered to Colleen, by a person who had a front row seat to how she was affected by everything that occurred, is awful.
Although I haven't read it, there is apparently a book written by Colleen called 'The Simple Gifts of Life' that was released a few years ago that tells the story from her point of view. From what I've read about it, I would suggest reading that before you pick up 'Perfect Victim'.
There is too much focus on the attorney and her personal life and it is not at all pertinent to Colleen's ordeal, or to the book as a whole. I didn't need to know details about her family background, or her three marriages, or her frozen yogurt eating habits, or her vacation with his husband. I do not need to read how hard the case was on her personal life, or many of the mentions or anecdotes about her daughter. I think I read three or four different times about her pulling pictures of her daughter out and showing them to other people while working on the case.
The fact that she seemed to come close to throwing a temper tantrum to get her husband to give her the case was not only unnecessary information, it really showed how self absorbed McGuire seems to be, and how intent she was was on telling her side of the story. It's one of those odd stories where it seems she is trying to come off as being the wounded party (because she was known to try sex offenders, and they just gave the case to a man because it was such a big case!), when she actually comes across more as a sulky child benefiting from nepotism. It's these kind of details that really distract from the overall story, and make it feel less about Colleen and more about Christine.
I was disgusted upon reading a review here to find out that Colleen was in no way compensated for this book. I understand that the writer has technically done all the work in compiling information and writing the book, but without Colleen's story and the pain and torture she went through, there would be no book. In most true crime books the victim tends to have been murdered, so there usually is not an issue when it comes to direct compensation, but the fact that nothing was offered to Colleen, by a person who had a front row seat to how she was affected by everything that occurred, is awful.
Although I haven't read it, there is apparently a book written by Colleen called 'The Simple Gifts of Life' that was released a few years ago that tells the story from her point of view. From what I've read about it, I would suggest reading that before you pick up 'Perfect Victim'.
November 22, 2014
Horrible book. I went in knowing there would be a lot of adult content and I was fine with that. No, my problem was the fact that this was written by the prosecutor. As a ardent reader of true crime, I usually don't mind when the author has something to do with the case, since true crime authors are often the prosecuting attorney or a cop that worked on the case. But when you were the prosecutor of this crime that you wrote a book about, I don't need to hear about how smart and pretty you are in the third person. That's just bad writing. She should have written about herself in the first person-- maybe it would have made her less stuck up. I wanted more about Colleen, not about Christine. Also, as I was starting this book I saw a review on here that said Colleen doesn't get any money from the sale of this book. Even though I bought this book secondhand (as I believe it's out of print), I still felt really sad from the get go that Colleen was being used, still, after her experience, through the sale of this book. Knowing that made me uneasy about the book going in.
June 1, 2025
I read this book years ago and it was horrifying. This poor girl was kept in the basement, probably for weeks and then kept in a box under the bed! The same bed where this creep and his wife slept. Eventually, she was allowed to sell things at a market though she wasn’t allowed to keep the money. It’s so weird how these men can brainwash these poor girls.
November 27, 2012
A book I read over 15 years ago and remember in such detail. Probably why even the idea of reading ’50 Shades Of Grey’ makes me queasy, this story definitely de-romanticizes the S&M scene. What amazed me more than the victim’s attachment to her kidnapper was his wife’s collaboration in keeping her captive all those years.
Well researched, thorough without being excessively graphic, I appreciated its focus not just on the crime but also on the court-room proceedings. The stuff of nightmares…
Well researched, thorough without being excessively graphic, I appreciated its focus not just on the crime but also on the court-room proceedings. The stuff of nightmares…
July 25, 2015
Just a horrific nightmare of a true crime story describing in detail (minus the smut) the kidnapping of twenty year old Colleen Stan. Such a tower of strength CS was to endure her captivity for 7 long years locked in a coffin-like box the majority of it, not to mention the pain she sustained from the on-going physical abuse, the humiliation of being unclothed, fear of dehydration, heat exhaustion, starvation and ultimately being treated like a slave. While not a pleasant read, the courtroom drama and testimony of Dr. Christopher Hatcher in particular was indeed gripping and thought provoking. Definitely a terrifying true life story from hell!
I must admit, I am glad I can now proceed to a more less intense and enjoyable tome. WHEW!
April 10, 2015
Content warnings: Rape, abuse, torture, manipulation, coercion, kidnapping, and imprisonment
This was an alright book. I mostly read this because I wanted to know more about the trial because I already know a bit about the case itself.
I didn't like McGuire putting in her personal shit into this. Especially shit that had NOTHING to do with the case.
It was enough that I actually took notes while reading because it angered me so much.
I did like and conversely didn't like that the parts were different perspectives. Perspective of what she went through and then perspective of the trial and leading up to the trial.
So my list of things I noted:
Why do we care that McGuire was previously married and divorced?
Why do we care that McGuire set high expectations for herself to get through school?
Why do we care about McGuire's childhood?
Why do we care that McGuire was the first in her family to graduate college? Particularly cum lade?
Why do we care that McGuire's child was sick before the preliminary hearing and before some of the interviews she conducted?
Why do opinions of McGuire's peers on her demeanour in the courtroom (as being seen as being bitchy or too serious because she didn't joke in the courtroom and is serious) matter to the case?
Why do the anecdotes about McGuire not joking in the courtroom matter?
Why do we care that McGuire and her husband went to the Greek Isles for 2 weeks before the trial?
Why do we care that McGuire had a deteriorating relationship with her husband?
Why do we care that by the end of the trial McGuire divorced her husband?
Why are the continuous problems in McGuire's marriage even brought up?
What does McGuire's divorce have to do with anything?
Why is McGuire's personal feelings about the case added in? Regardless of her feelings she's still required to do her job especially since she fought to get the case and how offended she was that she wasn't automatically given the case.
All of that is anecdotal at best. Has nothing to do with impacting the case whatsoever. And the bits about how serious she was in the courtroom and how she might be seen as a bitch just further the image that women are suppose to be accommodating to men and be seen as pleasant else they're just bitches. Which angers me on a lot of levels. That don't have much to do with this book.
It was interesting to read of the lengths that McGuire went to recreate things and to make sure that she had all the facts she could straight. I plan on reading the book that Colleen Stan wound up writing about her experiences. When I can get a hold of it that is.
If you don't mind personal anecdotes about McGuire's personal life that have nothing to do with the case this is a decent book to read. If you do, DON'T READ THIS BOOK.
This was an alright book. I mostly read this because I wanted to know more about the trial because I already know a bit about the case itself.
I didn't like McGuire putting in her personal shit into this. Especially shit that had NOTHING to do with the case.
It was enough that I actually took notes while reading because it angered me so much.
I did like and conversely didn't like that the parts were different perspectives. Perspective of what she went through and then perspective of the trial and leading up to the trial.
So my list of things I noted:
Why do we care that McGuire was previously married and divorced?
Why do we care that McGuire set high expectations for herself to get through school?
Why do we care about McGuire's childhood?
Why do we care that McGuire was the first in her family to graduate college? Particularly cum lade?
Why do we care that McGuire's child was sick before the preliminary hearing and before some of the interviews she conducted?
Why do opinions of McGuire's peers on her demeanour in the courtroom (as being seen as being bitchy or too serious because she didn't joke in the courtroom and is serious) matter to the case?
Why do the anecdotes about McGuire not joking in the courtroom matter?
Why do we care that McGuire and her husband went to the Greek Isles for 2 weeks before the trial?
Why do we care that McGuire had a deteriorating relationship with her husband?
Why do we care that by the end of the trial McGuire divorced her husband?
Why are the continuous problems in McGuire's marriage even brought up?
What does McGuire's divorce have to do with anything?
Why is McGuire's personal feelings about the case added in? Regardless of her feelings she's still required to do her job especially since she fought to get the case and how offended she was that she wasn't automatically given the case.
All of that is anecdotal at best. Has nothing to do with impacting the case whatsoever. And the bits about how serious she was in the courtroom and how she might be seen as a bitch just further the image that women are suppose to be accommodating to men and be seen as pleasant else they're just bitches. Which angers me on a lot of levels. That don't have much to do with this book.
It was interesting to read of the lengths that McGuire went to recreate things and to make sure that she had all the facts she could straight. I plan on reading the book that Colleen Stan wound up writing about her experiences. When I can get a hold of it that is.
If you don't mind personal anecdotes about McGuire's personal life that have nothing to do with the case this is a decent book to read. If you do, DON'T READ THIS BOOK.
April 29, 2015
I'm not sure how I came across the book I'm guessing that I thought it was the true crimes story which Jack Ketchum's The Girl Next Door was based. It isn't
Rather, this story involves a woman named Colleen Stan was a young woman who was abducted by Cameron and Janice Hooker in 1977 and they proceeded to keep her as a sex and household slave while until 1984. They kept continue of her by placing her in a "head box",various tiny room and then in a specially made areas under their bed and holes dug in the yard. The odd thing about her captivity is that she had opportunities to escape, but she was slso held captive by the Hooker's explanation of a Company which trafficked in sex slave - apparently Colleen, a young, naive woman believed all of this.
Anyway, it's a hellish existence, and then a very long story about the trial, a bit overdone in place, but it was interesting.
Rather, this story involves a woman named Colleen Stan was a young woman who was abducted by Cameron and Janice Hooker in 1977 and they proceeded to keep her as a sex and household slave while until 1984. They kept continue of her by placing her in a "head box",various tiny room and then in a specially made areas under their bed and holes dug in the yard. The odd thing about her captivity is that she had opportunities to escape, but she was slso held captive by the Hooker's explanation of a Company which trafficked in sex slave - apparently Colleen, a young, naive woman believed all of this.
Anyway, it's a hellish existence, and then a very long story about the trial, a bit overdone in place, but it was interesting.
June 3, 2015
This book is the horrific account of a young woman's kidnapping, torture, multiple rapes, and imprisonment by a husband and wife. This really happened and the Author of the book was the prosecutor assigned to the case. Colleen/K's tragic story is told in the third person and bounce back and forth between the trial and her time spent locked in the box. Like other reviewers, I didn't feel it was necessary to know what was happening in the Prosecutor's personal life.
September 11, 2016
Lifetime movie about Colleen Stan aired last night.
Thoughts?
I'm afraid AND excited about it - hopefully I'll watch it this weekend.
Thoughts?
I'm afraid AND excited about it - hopefully I'll watch it this weekend.
May 29, 2025
Oh my. This is a bone-chilling true story of captivity, grit, evil and survival.
What Colleen went through is something out of a nightmare. I had to google what happened to her and watch a documentary in Youtube so I could try to understand how she managed to survive after all these years.
Such an amazing spirit. I hope she is happy and living her life and freedom that she fought so hard to reclaim.
What Colleen went through is something out of a nightmare. I had to google what happened to her and watch a documentary in Youtube so I could try to understand how she managed to survive after all these years.
Such an amazing spirit. I hope she is happy and living her life and freedom that she fought so hard to reclaim.
December 10, 2013
Where do I begin? I guess I will start with the terrible spelling and grammar. Did someone actually edit this book or was it all put together in a rush? Is it really that hard to spell difficult? And at one point Christine McGuire was called a him. These things made it really hard to read this book because I had to do a double take and make sure what I was reading actually made sense.
I also did not like that most of the time the story focused on the hardships that the district attorney Christine McGuire had to face during the trial. I really did not read this book to learn about how hard it was for her to go through a divorce, or how desperate she was to take on this case. When I picked up this book I thought I was going to read the story of Colleen Stan and how she was abducted and cruelly tortured by Cameron Hooker. I'll admit that a quarter of the book was about that, but the rest just kept going on and on and on about Christine McGuire's life. It got boring very quickly.
You can tell that Christine McGuire co-authored this book because of the time spent explaining her feelings, what she was thinking, what she was going through. Most of the book seemed like she was trying to feed her ego. This quote sums it up quite perfectly: "It seems somehow poetic justice that Cameron Hooker, the sex criminal, was prosecuted by an attractive young woman." Ego trip!
My final point as to why I didn't like this book is because it kept skipping from the abduction to the trial and then back and forth. Most of the time I did not know at what point in the story I was at. Another reason why it was indeed a book that was hard to read.
In the end I made it to page 338, then skipped to the epilogue. I was sick of hearing about the trial and how amazing an attorney Christine McGuire is. If you've bought the book to learn about the abduction of Colleen Stan, you've made a poor choice. You'd be better off reading about it on Wikipedia.
I also did not like that most of the time the story focused on the hardships that the district attorney Christine McGuire had to face during the trial. I really did not read this book to learn about how hard it was for her to go through a divorce, or how desperate she was to take on this case. When I picked up this book I thought I was going to read the story of Colleen Stan and how she was abducted and cruelly tortured by Cameron Hooker. I'll admit that a quarter of the book was about that, but the rest just kept going on and on and on about Christine McGuire's life. It got boring very quickly.
You can tell that Christine McGuire co-authored this book because of the time spent explaining her feelings, what she was thinking, what she was going through. Most of the book seemed like she was trying to feed her ego. This quote sums it up quite perfectly: "It seems somehow poetic justice that Cameron Hooker, the sex criminal, was prosecuted by an attractive young woman." Ego trip!
My final point as to why I didn't like this book is because it kept skipping from the abduction to the trial and then back and forth. Most of the time I did not know at what point in the story I was at. Another reason why it was indeed a book that was hard to read.
In the end I made it to page 338, then skipped to the epilogue. I was sick of hearing about the trial and how amazing an attorney Christine McGuire is. If you've bought the book to learn about the abduction of Colleen Stan, you've made a poor choice. You'd be better off reading about it on Wikipedia.
October 19, 2017
This has to one of the most bizarre and troubling true crime books I've encountered. Honestly, Colleen Stan's story reminds you of one of those cheaply-made horror flicks that flood theaters and Netflix this time of year.
I think this book could have been considerably shorter, and the fact that it was written in third person by one of the authors, Ms. McGuire, was rather disconcerting. So were the frequent allusions to McGuire's attractiveness and fashionable way of dressing.
That said, I do think it is a good thing that crime victims' stories are told, in the hopes that both targeted individuals and their families may be more aware of what's out there and take precautions to help prevent further tragedies from occurring.
I think this book could have been considerably shorter, and the fact that it was written in third person by one of the authors, Ms. McGuire, was rather disconcerting. So were the frequent allusions to McGuire's attractiveness and fashionable way of dressing.
That said, I do think it is a good thing that crime victims' stories are told, in the hopes that both targeted individuals and their families may be more aware of what's out there and take precautions to help prevent further tragedies from occurring.
February 2, 2012
One word to sum up this book is INTENSE. The author speaks in 3rd person, so it almost feels that Colleen Stan (the survivor) is truly the victim she is. NO detail is left unnoticed, and you are thrust into Colleen's hellish world of abuse and confinement. I couldn't put it down, and I first saw this segment on a episode of "wicked attraction." Reading the book gave me even more of a background and took me deeper into the story. ONe part I didn't like, however, was all the court info, told from christine mcguire's side. I found it boring, and unless you are big into court drama or law, it may lose you. Such a good book I let my friend read it.
December 24, 2017
Well the book is based on the actual events and the actual testimonies. I found it very fascinating, except for the parts in which Christine and the court were involved. Half of the book is the story, and half of the book is the story from behalf of the courtroom and such. I was not happy that the story finished midway and then it was completely about the court sessions. That bored me a bit. However, it's a good read, and Colleen angered me very often. There a holes in the story. Being in love with her capture, becoming bestfriends with the wife, not running away and mentioning The "Company" to someone that would tell her that doesn't exist. She went on like this for seven years.
June 15, 2012
I read this book in my early 20s. I am now nearly fifty. Still on of the most moving novels ever written. The author spared no detail. And the horror of the whole scenario keeps you captured on every page. It is definitely not a book for the faint at heart. I had no idea that such cruelty existed.
November 7, 2024
Una storia disturbante e angosciante, di una brutalità intensa che raramente ho trovato in questo genere di storie. Peccato per gli ultimi capitoli che trattando del processo li ho trovati noiosi e ho quindi dilungato di parecchio la lettura. L'ho sconsiglio a chi non ha ancora letto storie simili a questa o che trattano di serial killer, perché ai deboli di cuore potrebbe togliere momentaneamente il sonno.
August 19, 2018
Nothing wrong with it, but 400 pages on a single case generally gets rather boring unless there is something really unique about the book.
February 17, 2022
What a great read. The details in this book put you right in the mind of the victim and make you really feel for her.
May 27, 2016
I wish I would have never picked up this book.
Not because it isn't suspenseful, enthralling, and hard to put down, but because it gives me insight into a horrible, horrific nightmare I can't imagine anyone enduring. There are some things in this world you just don't want or need to know about. Because people can be so twisted and so evil, yet hide it from everyone around them, which is the scariest part. (No wonder my local library didn't carry it.) But I suppose Colleen Stan's story needed to be told. She went through Hell and came out on the other side. She didn't let this experience destroy her. I applaud her for that strength and courage.
I give it four stars (so far) because I know that in the end, this woman makes it out alive. She is a true survivor. I still can't really understand why she didn't escape when she had the chance (and she had many), but I nod to her endurance, her will to live. I don't know if I could do that. I don't want to know.
Only pick up this book if you are a real lover of true crime, and can stomach reading about the horrors people can dream up and inflict upon others. I can't say this book has taught me anything other than that.
P.S. I'm with the other reviewers: Christine McGuire, this story isn't about you. Not sure why you tried to make it so.
Not because it isn't suspenseful, enthralling, and hard to put down, but because it gives me insight into a horrible, horrific nightmare I can't imagine anyone enduring. There are some things in this world you just don't want or need to know about. Because people can be so twisted and so evil, yet hide it from everyone around them, which is the scariest part. (No wonder my local library didn't carry it.) But I suppose Colleen Stan's story needed to be told. She went through Hell and came out on the other side. She didn't let this experience destroy her. I applaud her for that strength and courage.
I give it four stars (so far) because I know that in the end, this woman makes it out alive. She is a true survivor. I still can't really understand why she didn't escape when she had the chance (and she had many), but I nod to her endurance, her will to live. I don't know if I could do that. I don't want to know.
Only pick up this book if you are a real lover of true crime, and can stomach reading about the horrors people can dream up and inflict upon others. I can't say this book has taught me anything other than that.
P.S. I'm with the other reviewers: Christine McGuire, this story isn't about you. Not sure why you tried to make it so.
November 26, 2017
Yet another of the odds and ends books my father left behind when my parents broke up, this one was more typical of his regular reading. He adored true crime and had a great memory for it, and it was something he passed on to me. I too have a weirdly morbid fascination with crime and what makes some people commit such horrible things.
I remember this book as being very comfronting, and something that has kept me from accepting lifts from strangers, even females. I was horrified by the events in this book, and it stayed with my for many years. I haven't read it again in a long time though.
Four stars.
I remember this book as being very comfronting, and something that has kept me from accepting lifts from strangers, even females. I was horrified by the events in this book, and it stayed with my for many years. I haven't read it again in a long time though.
Four stars.
June 4, 2018
I spent this entire book alternating between horrified gasps (at the victim's treatment during her captivity and at the total lack of awareness among the attorneys of the psychological effects of prolonged torture, etc. on victims) and extreme eye-rolling at what took up most of the book: an account of a plucky prosecutor who saved the day.
I'd probably recommend because I think it's valuable to see just how recently the ignorance re: the control batterers and kidnappers hold over their victim's psyches was alive and well. Definitely not at the top of my True Crime favs, though.
I'd probably recommend because I think it's valuable to see just how recently the ignorance re: the control batterers and kidnappers hold over their victim's psyches was alive and well. Definitely not at the top of my True Crime favs, though.
April 4, 2018
Crazy that I’m from the area where the story takes place and had never heard of it. Granted, it took place before I was born, but being a true crime fan I was still shocked. Sometimes the stories in which the victim survives are even more haunting because you know they had to suffer and still continue to suffer so much. Sometimes long-winded, this book still is a great example of a true crime novel. A narrative of the crimes followed by detailed ins and outs of the trial.
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March 27, 2009Another book about horrors in someone's life that I just cannot rate with stars. I don't know how these women endure the horrors and pain that they are subjected to by psychopaths and still live to tell about it.
June 28, 2011
4 stars because I read this book over 15 years ago and I still remember it clearly. Horrifying.
September 15, 2012
You could hardly find a more chilling true story than this.
July 20, 2020
Heart wrenchingly horrifying, knowing that somebody could be so monstrous toward another....and to know that it’s factual,speaks volumes...
February 18, 2023
How else do you rate a true crime novel but with five stars?
This book was borrowed from a friend for my “12 books, in 12 months, recommending by 12 friends” reading challenge. I typically don’t go for nonfiction but that’s the point of the challenge. For readers to explore outside of their usual comfort zone.
This book was at times difficult to read. The authors did a good job of explaining, describing and fluctuating between the prosecution and Colleen’s real life experience (which was the most difficult to get through. Felt like you were there watching these atrocities occur.)
There is a movie about Colleen’s experience and I will not be watching it. Though this happened several years ago, my heart goes out to Colleen for her bravery, courage and ability to heal and move forward with her life.
This book was borrowed from a friend for my “12 books, in 12 months, recommending by 12 friends” reading challenge. I typically don’t go for nonfiction but that’s the point of the challenge. For readers to explore outside of their usual comfort zone.
This book was at times difficult to read. The authors did a good job of explaining, describing and fluctuating between the prosecution and Colleen’s real life experience (which was the most difficult to get through. Felt like you were there watching these atrocities occur.)
There is a movie about Colleen’s experience and I will not be watching it. Though this happened several years ago, my heart goes out to Colleen for her bravery, courage and ability to heal and move forward with her life.
January 17, 2022
Although it was well written, i found it weird how the writer talks about herself in the third person. It seemed a bit narcistic, since there is a point in the story where Christine complety takes over Colleens part and starts to write about how pretty and harworking she is. I get that the case was hard on her personal life, but I really didn't need to know about her yoghurt eating habits or her family background. She wasn't focusing at Colleen anymore, but only on herself. Besides that, Colleen didn't make any profit on this book, while this book is in fact about her.
This being said, I feel bad for Colleen and the things that happened to her. It gives insight how someones life can be destroyed by just using manipulation, isolation and scaring techniques.
This being said, I feel bad for Colleen and the things that happened to her. It gives insight how someones life can be destroyed by just using manipulation, isolation and scaring techniques.
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