Altered Grace

by A. Tacked

Now I lay me down to sleepI pray the Lord my soul to keepIf I should die before I wakeI pray the Lord my soul to takeBut if I am to livePlease god keep me normalHelen

Altered Grace is an autobiography written to inspire faith and hope. It is a testimony to the value of prayer and an attribute to the spirit that refuses to be destroyed.

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 13, 2017

Reviews

[Away With The Faeries · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like most people I only learned of the authors story through Netflix's The Haunted 'Slaughter House' and while the majority were quick to jump on the case, I was ready to reserve judgement. Viewers and critics called it fake and entirely based on fantasy, the crux of their criticism being on the criminal implications. And not the paranormal - at first. The argument was that if so many people had perished under that roof then surely the authorities would have been involved, especially after a book was written about the perpetrators. They claimed that possession was impossible, without really understanding the mechanics and causation behind it.

I felt it was only right to read the book and then make my mind up. Over the years I've been approached by and worked with various TV networks as a technical advisor and researcher, the topic of course being the paranormal. They rarely spin a story in the right light, so much embellished and liberties are always taken. I feel this was the case with Netflix. This resulted in what I see as unfair treatment of the author. Opinionated opportunists trolled through Twitter and elsewhere spreading their own brand of uneducated insults while shielded by the anonymity of blissful ignorance.

The paranormal encounters mentioned are brief and don't drive the story, but they don't have to. When you work in and live the paranormal or the supernatural it becomes part of your everyday life, it's routine, almost organic. It's clear that the author had enough true horror going on her life to not need the paranormal as propellant, at least as far as story telling is concerned. Or It happened so naturally that she never questioned it, which I more than relate to. Her interaction with the paranormal came in the form of visitations, the use of remote viewing for survival, and what may well have been a genuine case of possession, or at least temporary possession. It didn't take long to see that all of the contributing factors in the author's upbringing came together to form the perfect storm needed to cause the kind of activity and interaction.

That upbringing is something I struggle to put into words. Altered Grace is a testament to the author's struggle and survival in a world where abuse and isolation were systematic, a way of life that most of us wouldn't have gotten through intact. I always say that the living should be feared more than the dead, Helen's case is no exception.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After watching the episode titled "Slaughterhouse" on Netflixs original series, "Haunted," I started researching if this story could possible be true. Most online posters do not believe it could be a true story, no matter what the spokesperson on Twitter for the show said. One lone blog gave a different account of the tale and told of this book by the woman who lived the horrendous life portrayed in part on that show. It is a very well written book, and absolutely heart rending. I can't say I enjoyed reading this book, but I applaud the author for her attempt here and on the Netflix show to put the ghosts of her past to rest and live a "normal" and happy life.

[Michelle Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The book was written primarily to give HOPE. I know that I’m not the only person who has struggled. Perhaps not the same way as others. Unfortunately, I know that we were not alone to be raised by the type of parents that we were raised with.” A. Tacked

A. Tacked writes an extraordinary book about her traumatic and devastating childhood. Being isolated in the county in upstate New York, she was raised by psychopath and serial killer parents. Each chapter in the book will keep the reader wanting to embrace and support all of the children in the family. As the story unfolds, the reader is able to learn how the main character, Helen, finds hope and strength to move forward through all of the violent events that she has to endure. Helen is able to find refuge through wolves, prayers, astral-travel, and by having visits by spirits in her house. Helen was able to be free when she was 18 years of age and hoping that her prayer would be answered that she wanted to “normal.” Readers will not be disappointed while reading this autobiography about a young child who was able to find hope & “a spirit who refused to be destroyed.”

Watch the episode, The Slaughterhouse, that is featured on the show Haunted. This episode features the author explaining the evil events that occurred in her childhood home. Haunted can be found on Netflix. https://www.netflix.com/title/80195378

[Terrilyn Griffiths · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst I appreciate this is a true story, I felt the book was a bit lacking for what the children actually went through with their father. I only realised at about 53% of the book that they had also been victims of sexual abuse, as this was not made clear earlier in the book. I realise not everyone wants to read all the gory details and that the author might not want to rehash certain situations, however the details are what make a story relatable and real.

I know the father was meant to be a monster but he was not really portrayed as one, except for what happened to the drifters. I got more of a sense of a prankster who enjoyed dark and humiliating jokes and torture but not necessarily someone who fiddled with his own kids. I feel like parts of the book were wasted on telling his life story and skimming over the actual abuse that took place. No disrespect to the author but I assume she did not write the book to give us a general biography of that man’s life.

What I do know is, children should never have to live a life like the ones they had at home. It amazes me to think that people like this (the parents) hide so easily behind closed doors and no one on the outside knows what goes on before it’s too late. People really need to start speaking up if they suspect abuse in households.

I am glad the author finally broke free of this family and is brave enough to share her story with the world. I know how difficult it is to acknowledge what happened in the past and to heal from it. I hope this book can help others in the same way.

[Nikolina Wild · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like most people I‘ve learned about the author‘s story from watching the Netflix series „Haunted“. This book focuses on Clayton‘s and Beatrice‘ story, how they grew up, met and their everyday life with their kids later on. So you won‘t read about the terrible murders they did but about the abuse the children had to suffer from and how they survived. It‘s definitely an interesting and shocking story but I expected to read more about the crimes they committed.

[Sarah Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seems that I, like most reviewers heard about this book through the show Haunted.
What this family endured at the hands of their parents is atrocious. I would be curious to know how she knows about her fathers earliest murders as it doesn’t seem that they were a family that shared secrets.
If the details are accurate it’s shocking
Makes you wonder how many killers are out there just living their lives and are never caught.

[Maureen Coffey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Altered Grace

Got interested in this family after seeing Haunted, episode 2 on netflix. Where the programme went over their paranormal experience, this book describes them be growing up with abusive parents. A truly awful thing for these children to have lived through, and a gripping account which meant that I had to finish this book in a day. Absolutely worth a read.

[Sloanie423 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Would recommend. The show "A haunting" episode "the slauterhouse" brought me to read this book. A life like this sounds unimaginable. The fact that it's real and you overcame is amazing and commendable.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad, but inspiring.

Fast read. Better that the author, and her siblings, escaped with their lives. I am curious who took care of the mother.

[CindL Straughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark with hope in the center

What was survived is the true center of this story.The children all found freedom in the end.This book gives true meaning to the power of prayer.

[LibraxVibes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously I bought this because I, like most other readers, was intrigued by the show it was featured on. I did dive into it thinking it would be more about the haunting side of the story but wasn’t disappointed with the fact that it didn’t have much to do with the paranormal at all. This gives you the whole back story of the psycho parents and how the children were mistreated their whole lives. Excellent book and I am impatiently waiting for book number 2!