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Secret Life of a Juror: Voir Dire: The Domestic Violence Query
Secret Life of a Voir Dire, The Domestic Violence Query by Paul Sanders is a moving story that comes to life when the author is invited to become a juror in a murder trial. As such, he has to undergo a 'voir dire' which means answering a number of questions to qualify for the duty. Two questions pop out at him; whether he had ever experienced domestic violence in his household, and whether he had ever been incarcerated longer than thirty days in his whole life. Opting to tell the truth, Paul Sanders is confronted by a childhood he wished he could forget.The son of a prominent doctor in Michigan, his family lived in a beautiful house and, from the outside, it looked like a dream childhood. The truth, however, is a shocking tale of child abuse that would leave any child deeply scarred for life.Paul Sanders' Secret Life of a Voir Dire, The Domestic Violence Query strongly tugs at the reader's heart and it is one of those books that will always stay in our minds and hearts. Two little boys and one little girl go through an abusive childhood and people around them don't notice or perhaps some of them don't really care. And for a true story like this to happen in a first world country sends chills down my spine. The story unravels innocently enough when multi-award winning author Paul Sanders is invited to become a juror, but what follows is a tale that is both gripping and heartbreaking.Vivid and concise, Secret Life of a Juror is surprisingly objective and I think this is what makes the story highly credible and remarkably powerful! (Reviewed by Maria Beltran for Readers' Favorite)Awards for “Secret Life of a Voir Dire”:* 2021 New York Book Festival Awards Honorable Mention - Wild Card* 2021 New York Book Festival Awards Honorable Mention - Non-fiction Young Adult* 2021 Hollywood Book Festival Awards Honorable Mention - Wild Card* 2021 Hollywood Book Festival Awards Honorable Mention - General Non-fiction* 2021 Paris Book Festival Awards Honorable Mention - Wild Card• 2018 “Best Book” American Book Festival Award Winner Finalist – Non-Fiction• 2018 “Best Book” American Book Festival Award Winner Finalist – Young Non-Fiction• 2018 “Readers’ Favorite” – Five Stars“This book had me from the beginning! Very well written, but heartbreaking! I couldn't stop reading it, even thru the tears. Definitely following this author!” #Amazonreview Also Written by Paul A Juror’s Tale - The Hammer Killing Trial (2015)Why Not Kill A Juror’s Perspective - The Jodi Arias Death Penalty Retrial (2016)Banquet of A Juror’s Plight - The Carnation Murders Trial of Michele Anderson (2017)Victim or the The Day Before Jerry Died - A Grateful Dead Thriller (2022)
- GenresNonfiction
237 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2018
24 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 24, 2018
Paul Sanders writes popular true crime stories from a US juror’s perspective.
Secret Life of a Juror: Voir Dire: The Domestic Violence Query (A Juror’s Perspective Book 4) is the latest in the series triggered by his experiences as a death penalty juror at the trial of Marissa-Suzanne “Reese” DeVault for the murder of her husband, Dale Harrell.
As DeVault alleged her husband had physically abused her, Sanders took a deeply personal interest in the case as he says that he and his younger brother and sister were each the victims of continual violent physical and emotional abuse at the hands of their wealthy, professional parents.
While it is unarguable that domestic abuse cuts across all strata of society, some of the author’s claims do not bear the closest scrutiny. Understandably he has used pseudonyms to protect his siblings’ identity. But it is hardly credible that any of them could have received such regular, violent attacks – much more than ‘mere’ beatings with belts or tree branches – and then survived into adulthood, all be they deeply traumatised.
Then there is Sanders’s further claim that despite photographic evidence of his injuries held by the local social services, that his father held such sway in their small town that he could inveigle a judge to so pervert the course of justice that he, the victim, was convicted of perjury and sent briefly to a young offenders’ institution although no trial ever took place.
Finally we as readers are left to accept or reject these events at face value and believe them - or not …
But despite several plot-holes, factual, grammatical and stylistic errors the book makes a compelling, powerful if terrifying read and we see at first hand, not only how domestic violence is every much as addictive as that on any battlefield but that it is also quite wickedly contagious.
Secret Life of a Juror: Voir Dire: The Domestic Violence Query (A Juror’s Perspective Book 4) is the latest in the series triggered by his experiences as a death penalty juror at the trial of Marissa-Suzanne “Reese” DeVault for the murder of her husband, Dale Harrell.
As DeVault alleged her husband had physically abused her, Sanders took a deeply personal interest in the case as he says that he and his younger brother and sister were each the victims of continual violent physical and emotional abuse at the hands of their wealthy, professional parents.
While it is unarguable that domestic abuse cuts across all strata of society, some of the author’s claims do not bear the closest scrutiny. Understandably he has used pseudonyms to protect his siblings’ identity. But it is hardly credible that any of them could have received such regular, violent attacks – much more than ‘mere’ beatings with belts or tree branches – and then survived into adulthood, all be they deeply traumatised.
Then there is Sanders’s further claim that despite photographic evidence of his injuries held by the local social services, that his father held such sway in their small town that he could inveigle a judge to so pervert the course of justice that he, the victim, was convicted of perjury and sent briefly to a young offenders’ institution although no trial ever took place.
Finally we as readers are left to accept or reject these events at face value and believe them - or not …
But despite several plot-holes, factual, grammatical and stylistic errors the book makes a compelling, powerful if terrifying read and we see at first hand, not only how domestic violence is every much as addictive as that on any battlefield but that it is also quite wickedly contagious.
January 4, 2019
Very thought provoking
When I first bought this book I honestly thought it would be like Mr. Sanders books involving an actual trial and from a jurors perspective. But when I really got into this book I realized it was about a jurors personal life. At first, I must admit I didn't know if I wanted to continue to read this story as I found it to be deeply disturbing and to be honest it brought up a lot of emotions in me! I found myself thinking about my own abuse as a child.
That being said I continued to read it because it was so well written and I felt almost like I was right there at times.... So let me say if you are someone who can't handle reading about children getting abused then you may not want to continue but if you are looking for a great thought provoking book then this is a great read in every way.
But I also want to say to Mr. Sanders keep up the great work as I not only really enjoyed reading the book but I also found it very helpful to myself and my own abuse issues! And I needed to address them and you made me feel like I could do it and I wasn't alone with it!!! You have really encouraged me to actually address my own issues and you have inspired me in so many other ways so thank you!!! And please keep up the work because people like me really look up and respect you! And for once I feel as if I can do it myself..... So again thanks!!! And I can't wait for your next book!!
When I first bought this book I honestly thought it would be like Mr. Sanders books involving an actual trial and from a jurors perspective. But when I really got into this book I realized it was about a jurors personal life. At first, I must admit I didn't know if I wanted to continue to read this story as I found it to be deeply disturbing and to be honest it brought up a lot of emotions in me! I found myself thinking about my own abuse as a child.
That being said I continued to read it because it was so well written and I felt almost like I was right there at times.... So let me say if you are someone who can't handle reading about children getting abused then you may not want to continue but if you are looking for a great thought provoking book then this is a great read in every way.
But I also want to say to Mr. Sanders keep up the great work as I not only really enjoyed reading the book but I also found it very helpful to myself and my own abuse issues! And I needed to address them and you made me feel like I could do it and I wasn't alone with it!!! You have really encouraged me to actually address my own issues and you have inspired me in so many other ways so thank you!!! And please keep up the work because people like me really look up and respect you! And for once I feel as if I can do it myself..... So again thanks!!! And I can't wait for your next book!!
September 25, 2022
A captivating read
Wow, the author laid his life bare before me. I was very impressed with his insight, kindness, and forgiveness to the perps during his youth. Having my own life traumas, I can only hope to acquire half of his understanding of it all. I do wonder though, has he connected with his sister? I feel it goes against who he has become to abandon her and to not enlighten staff to her trauma that is in no doubt a part of why she is where she is. This is the 3rd book this author has written that I’ve had the pleasure to read, I feel now that I “know” him a bit and with that, I hope he has also reconciled with Louise.
Wow, the author laid his life bare before me. I was very impressed with his insight, kindness, and forgiveness to the perps during his youth. Having my own life traumas, I can only hope to acquire half of his understanding of it all. I do wonder though, has he connected with his sister? I feel it goes against who he has become to abandon her and to not enlighten staff to her trauma that is in no doubt a part of why she is where she is. This is the 3rd book this author has written that I’ve had the pleasure to read, I feel now that I “know” him a bit and with that, I hope he has also reconciled with Louise.
May 13, 2018
ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE
Mr. Sanders, right from the beginning I had a knot in my stomach from reading this until the very end when it turned to tears. I don't know what else to say. This is a great book and one I would advise anyone who gets a chance to read it. Exceptional and we'll written.
Mr. Sanders, right from the beginning I had a knot in my stomach from reading this until the very end when it turned to tears. I don't know what else to say. This is a great book and one I would advise anyone who gets a chance to read it. Exceptional and we'll written.
June 11, 2018
Not a victim, but a survivor
The book took a while to get going, but once it did, you felt for Danny and his brother. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more of Paul's work.
Well worth the read.
The book took a while to get going, but once it did, you felt for Danny and his brother. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more of Paul's work.
Well worth the read.
March 29, 2018
What an eye opener!
This book had me from the beginning! Very well written, but heartbreaking! I couldn't stop reading it, even thru the tears. Definitely following this author!
This book had me from the beginning! Very well written, but heartbreaking! I couldn't stop reading it, even thru the tears. Definitely following this author!
September 11, 2019
Very sad
Very sad story. A powerless child Not being believed. Monster parents. then the justice system is still so screwed up. And on it goes
Very sad story. A powerless child Not being believed. Monster parents. then the justice system is still so screwed up. And on it goes
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February 26, 2020An Aha Moment Can Change Judgments
This. Is an intriguing story of a juror who must decide his truth as he decides the fate of the one on trial. Enjoy this interesting book!
This. Is an intriguing story of a juror who must decide his truth as he decides the fate of the one on trial. Enjoy this interesting book!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews