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The Jan Broberg Story: The True Crime Story of a Young Girl Abducted and Brainwashed by a Friend of the Family
The Jan Broberg Story tells the winding tale of the Brobergs, a church-going, Idaho family that falls prey to a sociopathic neighbor who will stop at nothing to be with their young daughter.
Robert Berchtold, furniture store owner and family man, coaxes his way into the Broberg’s life, meticulously building their trust and bonding with their young girls. One day, Robert offers to take their 12-year-old daughter, Jan, horseback riding, only he doesn’t return her home. When Jan awakes, kidnapped and strapped to a bed in the back of a motor home bound for Mexico, she hears strange high-pitched “alien” voices telling her that she has been chosen for a special mission. What follows is the real-life trail of deception that plagued Jan Broberg from the age of 12, when she became the victim of Robert Berchtold’s bizarre four-year brainwashing scheme.
Written from the perspective of Jan Broberg’s mother, this gripping cautionary tale not only details the frightening acts and manipulation of a pedophile, but also highlights the Broberg family’s courage and resilience in the aftermath of harrowing events.
Robert Berchtold, furniture store owner and family man, coaxes his way into the Broberg’s life, meticulously building their trust and bonding with their young girls. One day, Robert offers to take their 12-year-old daughter, Jan, horseback riding, only he doesn’t return her home. When Jan awakes, kidnapped and strapped to a bed in the back of a motor home bound for Mexico, she hears strange high-pitched “alien” voices telling her that she has been chosen for a special mission. What follows is the real-life trail of deception that plagued Jan Broberg from the age of 12, when she became the victim of Robert Berchtold’s bizarre four-year brainwashing scheme.
Written from the perspective of Jan Broberg’s mother, this gripping cautionary tale not only details the frightening acts and manipulation of a pedophile, but also highlights the Broberg family’s courage and resilience in the aftermath of harrowing events.
310 pages, Paperback
Published October 4, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 5, 2023
8/9. This woman, the mother, chases her preteen daughter to the airport to stop her from running away with her groomer and fails because “ well I couldn’t couldn’t cause a screaming scene at the airport.” WHY IN THE HELL NOT??? There is no way a turnstile, a metal detector, a baggage check, or a chupracabbra (sorry I can’t spell) would have blocked my way while I was screaming at the top of my lungs! Granted this is the mid 70s but good lord woman! Sometimes calling yourself a Christian means taking care of your cubs instead of forgiving and then sleeping with a kidnapper you stupid idiot
7 ok another attempt at listening to this book. I’m taking baby steps and listening whil I do something else so I’m not in the car freaking out. We shall see.
I got extremely upset just listening to the introduction of this book. TRIGGERS GALORE WITH THIS BOOK. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to listen to this.
7 ok another attempt at listening to this book. I’m taking baby steps and listening whil I do something else so I’m not in the car freaking out. We shall see.
I got extremely upset just listening to the introduction of this book. TRIGGERS GALORE WITH THIS BOOK. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to listen to this.
October 17, 2022
Wow! All I can say is Jan Broberg had to have the two most ignorant, naive parents ever to procreate.
The amount of stupidity between the two of them left me gobsmacked.
I know they say don’t blame the victim, and I surely do not blame Jan Broberg because the trauma she went through was undeniable and probably the worst case of Stockholm Syndrome I have ever read about in my life. This was an 11 year old child who feared for her family but who trusted this Family Friend who was doing this to her with all her heart, but her parents? They were pure nutcases!
They did not bother to call to report her missing for 5 days because they didn’t want to get “B” the Family Friend in trouble! They finally got the FBI involved and got Jan back in 36 days and then….. and this is what MaryAnn Broberg said in her own words….(she is the Mother of Jan who “B” kidnapped)…she went ahead and had an 8 month affair with him…. After he had kidnapped her daughter!! It also turns out Jan’s father gave “B” a hand job in a car before the kidnapping ever happened because “B” said he no longer desired his wife and would Bob Broberg just help him out like boys did when they were young.
I had brothers and none of them would have ever helped a friend out like that. They would have beat their ass for even suggesting it!
All these people were Mormons and I know very little about that religion, but I doubt that is acceptable behavior. In fact Bob and MaryAnne both went before the church to confess their sins and the church decided they could not partake of communion for a certain amount of time to forgive their wicked ways. It was all so whacked out it was just hard to believe anyone could be so stupid.
I know they claim they were groomed by “B” just like Jan…but holy hell… this was in the mid 70’s and I am the same age as Jan and I suppose my parents would have been the ages of her parents and no way would my Mom or Dad have allowed any man…. No matter how close a friend they were to take me places alone at that young age. These idiots were even told he was a pedophile by the FBI and that he was attracted to little girls and they still let him sleep in the bed with Jan at their house because “B” told them it was part of his “Therapy” to lay beside a young girl and not act on his impulses! This was allowed for a very long time!! It was allowed in a bedroom that “B” built in the basement of the Broberg house because he said that Jan needed her own space!! He made sure there were accessible windows that were right at ground level so Jan could sneak out or he could sneak in whenever “B” felt the urge.
The story just gets worse since they allow him to kidnap her two more times!! This went on until she was 16 years old!
The poor child was so mentally checked out that she thought all those years that she HAD to marry “B” to complete The Mission” so no one got vaporized. “B” had her convinced she was half alien and chosen to have a baby with him and if she refused her family and she would die. She never told anyone until she was 16! And like I said…. They knew he was a pedophile and the Mom had had an affair with him and the Dad jerked him off!! There has to be something stronger than stupid for them to have allowed this to go on and on! I think they should have been charged with child endangerment at the very least.
Jan is now my age…. Around 60… and she is speaking out about grooming and yes…. She was groomed, for sure, but I think
her parents need to shut up. No normal person would have missed or allowed all of this to happen to their child. Over and over!
It took Jan until she was about 17 to realize that “B” was a child molester and that there were no Zada and Zethra…. The alians that “B” had convinced her were her Real Family. He had told her that Zada and Zephra wanted her and “B” to have a baby together to complete The Mission or else she and her Earthly Family would be vaporized by her 16th birthday and if Jan failed The Mission then Zada and Zethra would take her little sister Susan to replace Jan. Jan was terrified she and her family would all die and her sister would be forced to go through what “B” had put her through. She even thought of killing Susan herself to keep that from happening.
I’m not making this up! This is what Jan Broberg and her crazy Mother wrote in this book!! It’s just bizarre that it went on for so long.
In 2005, Jan Broberg finally faced “B” in a courtroom and told him what she thought of him and asked for an apology. He gave her one and then he killed himself shortly after. I assume it was because he knew he was never going to get out of prison and child molesters get what is coming to them while in prison.
There are two documentaries out now on TV about this. One on Netflix called Abducted in Plain Sight…. It’s a movie and one on Peacock called A Friend of the Family. It’s a nine part series.
Watch both. You will just shake your heads.
The Netflix one has the real Jan and her parents telling the story and her Mother makes you want to reach through the screen and slap her because she is almost gleeful talking about how “B” made her feel beautiful during their affair. Remember this was after he had already kidnapped Jan the first time and her Father is not much better.
The Peacock series…. A Friend of the Family is a 9 part drama series. The acting is good, but be prepared to feel disgusted by the whole story and prepare to want to rescue Jan, who no one seems to be helping.
But since this is a book review…. The story is not really clear…. The details are very murky because I believe the Mother did not want to appear to be the actual gullible idiot she was as was her husband.
The book is not worth the $9.99 it cost for Kindle and I wish I had not wasted my money. It is very short. Around 360 pages from start to finish. I read it in a couple of hours.
I think it is a miracle that Jan is able to be a functioning adult now after going through all she did and I do think her story will help other people to realize that grooming of children is a serious thing and especially if you have two parents with less than one brain between the two of them.
Save your money and just watch the Netflix movie and Peacock series. If you can stomach it.
The amount of stupidity between the two of them left me gobsmacked.
I know they say don’t blame the victim, and I surely do not blame Jan Broberg because the trauma she went through was undeniable and probably the worst case of Stockholm Syndrome I have ever read about in my life. This was an 11 year old child who feared for her family but who trusted this Family Friend who was doing this to her with all her heart, but her parents? They were pure nutcases!
They did not bother to call to report her missing for 5 days because they didn’t want to get “B” the Family Friend in trouble! They finally got the FBI involved and got Jan back in 36 days and then….. and this is what MaryAnn Broberg said in her own words….(she is the Mother of Jan who “B” kidnapped)…she went ahead and had an 8 month affair with him…. After he had kidnapped her daughter!! It also turns out Jan’s father gave “B” a hand job in a car before the kidnapping ever happened because “B” said he no longer desired his wife and would Bob Broberg just help him out like boys did when they were young.
I had brothers and none of them would have ever helped a friend out like that. They would have beat their ass for even suggesting it!
All these people were Mormons and I know very little about that religion, but I doubt that is acceptable behavior. In fact Bob and MaryAnne both went before the church to confess their sins and the church decided they could not partake of communion for a certain amount of time to forgive their wicked ways. It was all so whacked out it was just hard to believe anyone could be so stupid.
I know they claim they were groomed by “B” just like Jan…but holy hell… this was in the mid 70’s and I am the same age as Jan and I suppose my parents would have been the ages of her parents and no way would my Mom or Dad have allowed any man…. No matter how close a friend they were to take me places alone at that young age. These idiots were even told he was a pedophile by the FBI and that he was attracted to little girls and they still let him sleep in the bed with Jan at their house because “B” told them it was part of his “Therapy” to lay beside a young girl and not act on his impulses! This was allowed for a very long time!! It was allowed in a bedroom that “B” built in the basement of the Broberg house because he said that Jan needed her own space!! He made sure there were accessible windows that were right at ground level so Jan could sneak out or he could sneak in whenever “B” felt the urge.
The story just gets worse since they allow him to kidnap her two more times!! This went on until she was 16 years old!
The poor child was so mentally checked out that she thought all those years that she HAD to marry “B” to complete The Mission” so no one got vaporized. “B” had her convinced she was half alien and chosen to have a baby with him and if she refused her family and she would die. She never told anyone until she was 16! And like I said…. They knew he was a pedophile and the Mom had had an affair with him and the Dad jerked him off!! There has to be something stronger than stupid for them to have allowed this to go on and on! I think they should have been charged with child endangerment at the very least.
Jan is now my age…. Around 60… and she is speaking out about grooming and yes…. She was groomed, for sure, but I think
her parents need to shut up. No normal person would have missed or allowed all of this to happen to their child. Over and over!
It took Jan until she was about 17 to realize that “B” was a child molester and that there were no Zada and Zethra…. The alians that “B” had convinced her were her Real Family. He had told her that Zada and Zephra wanted her and “B” to have a baby together to complete The Mission or else she and her Earthly Family would be vaporized by her 16th birthday and if Jan failed The Mission then Zada and Zethra would take her little sister Susan to replace Jan. Jan was terrified she and her family would all die and her sister would be forced to go through what “B” had put her through. She even thought of killing Susan herself to keep that from happening.
I’m not making this up! This is what Jan Broberg and her crazy Mother wrote in this book!! It’s just bizarre that it went on for so long.
In 2005, Jan Broberg finally faced “B” in a courtroom and told him what she thought of him and asked for an apology. He gave her one and then he killed himself shortly after. I assume it was because he knew he was never going to get out of prison and child molesters get what is coming to them while in prison.
There are two documentaries out now on TV about this. One on Netflix called Abducted in Plain Sight…. It’s a movie and one on Peacock called A Friend of the Family. It’s a nine part series.
Watch both. You will just shake your heads.
The Netflix one has the real Jan and her parents telling the story and her Mother makes you want to reach through the screen and slap her because she is almost gleeful talking about how “B” made her feel beautiful during their affair. Remember this was after he had already kidnapped Jan the first time and her Father is not much better.
The Peacock series…. A Friend of the Family is a 9 part drama series. The acting is good, but be prepared to feel disgusted by the whole story and prepare to want to rescue Jan, who no one seems to be helping.
But since this is a book review…. The story is not really clear…. The details are very murky because I believe the Mother did not want to appear to be the actual gullible idiot she was as was her husband.
The book is not worth the $9.99 it cost for Kindle and I wish I had not wasted my money. It is very short. Around 360 pages from start to finish. I read it in a couple of hours.
I think it is a miracle that Jan is able to be a functioning adult now after going through all she did and I do think her story will help other people to realize that grooming of children is a serious thing and especially if you have two parents with less than one brain between the two of them.
Save your money and just watch the Netflix movie and Peacock series. If you can stomach it.
December 20, 2022
"Did you tell her I had little-girl problems and didn’t have the capacity to enjoy adult women? How could you be so low to say that to her? I will have Jan, so help me God. I have made promises to her I intend to keep."
Abducted in Plain Sight was a terrifying documentary that everyone was talking about, so I decided to watch it. I made my husband watch it with me. My skin was crawling by the end of it. Then A Friend of the Family premiered years later and it gave me that same feeling. This is a story that I’ll never forget.
Jan's story is a hard one to digest. A lot of people will comment on how naive or gullible that family is but you just don't understand how small-town America was back then especially if they were part of the church community. You're like a family and you trust them all full-heartedly. Not in anyone's wildest dreams would something like this happen in their community.
This book was terrifying and it showed you how sick people are. It was disgusting to see a guy use his faith to get what he wanted out of a family. It made my skin crawl. It just goes to show you that people have layers and you never know which one you're actually seeing.
The Jan Broberg Story was a good book and one that is hard to read. Since I have seen both programs about this case I knew what to expect. I don't suggest going into this blind. It will shock you and make you sick to your stomach. Thank you, Jan, for sharing your story. I'll never forget it.
Abducted in Plain Sight was a terrifying documentary that everyone was talking about, so I decided to watch it. I made my husband watch it with me. My skin was crawling by the end of it. Then A Friend of the Family premiered years later and it gave me that same feeling. This is a story that I’ll never forget.
Jan's story is a hard one to digest. A lot of people will comment on how naive or gullible that family is but you just don't understand how small-town America was back then especially if they were part of the church community. You're like a family and you trust them all full-heartedly. Not in anyone's wildest dreams would something like this happen in their community.
This book was terrifying and it showed you how sick people are. It was disgusting to see a guy use his faith to get what he wanted out of a family. It made my skin crawl. It just goes to show you that people have layers and you never know which one you're actually seeing.
The Jan Broberg Story was a good book and one that is hard to read. Since I have seen both programs about this case I knew what to expect. I don't suggest going into this blind. It will shock you and make you sick to your stomach. Thank you, Jan, for sharing your story. I'll never forget it.
January 10, 2023
This is an incredibly important read, in my opinion. The fact that a topic and situation so fragile was able to be communicated in such a powerful and respectful manner was really astonishing to me. It is certainly something that I haven’t seen too often. As a victim of sexual assault, this book was sincerely impactful to read, and I look up to Jan and her family very much so.
November 20, 2022
Audiobook:
THE JAN BROBERG STORY has the sound and feel of a self-published memoir. Written primarily by MaryAnn Broberg with parts of Jan’s diaries, the harrowing and often unbelievable true story is told mostly in MaryAnn’s passive voice, though sometimes in the third person as related to MaryAnn, often also in passive voice.
Jan Broberg is obviously NOT professional narrator. She talks too fast, all the dialogue is in the same voice and hearing her narrate first person from her mom’s POV and referring to herself as Jan and her mom as *I* is a bit strange. The audiobook has a self made vs professional feel.
That said I’m enjoying hearing from Jan, appreciate the book and audio for what it is and feel like it adds to my understanding of Jan and her story. I have a deeper appreciation for the production of A Friend of the Family and the fabulous acting. I appreciate her and how she’s trying to use her experiences to help others.
I’m glad I read THE JAN BROBERG story, it added to my understanding of the story. I wish a professional narrator had been used for the audiobook to better show voices of different characters.
THE JAN BROBERG STORY has the sound and feel of a self-published memoir. Written primarily by MaryAnn Broberg with parts of Jan’s diaries, the harrowing and often unbelievable true story is told mostly in MaryAnn’s passive voice, though sometimes in the third person as related to MaryAnn, often also in passive voice.
Jan Broberg is obviously NOT professional narrator. She talks too fast, all the dialogue is in the same voice and hearing her narrate first person from her mom’s POV and referring to herself as Jan and her mom as *I* is a bit strange. The audiobook has a self made vs professional feel.
That said I’m enjoying hearing from Jan, appreciate the book and audio for what it is and feel like it adds to my understanding of Jan and her story. I have a deeper appreciation for the production of A Friend of the Family and the fabulous acting. I appreciate her and how she’s trying to use her experiences to help others.
I’m glad I read THE JAN BROBERG story, it added to my understanding of the story. I wish a professional narrator had been used for the audiobook to better show voices of different characters.
June 15, 2026
Before starting this book, I was already very familiar with Jan Broberg’s story. I had watched the Dr. Phil episode, Abducted in Plain Sight, and A Friend of the Family, so I knew what I was walking into. But this book still reiterated what all three of those mediums had already made very clear to me: Jan Broberg is a real-life superhero.
To go through what she went through and come out of it with the forgiveness, faith, strength, and freedom that she has is one of the most incredible things I have ever seen. Jan could have turned bitter and angry and no one would have blamed her. Instead, she took her pain and poured it outward into sharing her story, raising awareness, and becoming an advocate for others.
I realize a lot of people get angry with Bob and Mary Ann, and that is valid. They clearly let their daughter down. However, I do think it is important to remember, before we completely cast judgment on them, that this crime took place in the 1970s in Pocatello, Idaho, and Bob and Mary Ann were LDS. To me, they come across as incredibly naive people who lived in a world where they wanted to believe everyone was good. They were isolated in a way that maybe people from bigger cities would not have been, and they were completely unprepared for someone like B.
And let’s not forget that B was a master manipulator. I compare him to predator priests who are able to get families to let their guard down because they present themselves as safe, trustworthy, and godly. They convince people to hand over access to their children because they know how to perform goodness. I think B had that same kind of power and control over the people in his life. He knew exactly how naive and trusting they were, and he used that against them.
Bob and Mary Ann were people who seemed to be trying to live their lives in a good and decent way, and they assumed other people were doing the same. That does not erase the harm or excuse every choice they made, but it does help explain how someone like B was able to get so close and cause so much damage.
I do recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more about Jan’s story, but be warned: it is just as frustrating as the documentaries and dramatizations. Still, the main takeaway should always be Jan herself. Her resilience, her power, and her ability to reclaim her own story are what stay with you the most.
To go through what she went through and come out of it with the forgiveness, faith, strength, and freedom that she has is one of the most incredible things I have ever seen. Jan could have turned bitter and angry and no one would have blamed her. Instead, she took her pain and poured it outward into sharing her story, raising awareness, and becoming an advocate for others.
I realize a lot of people get angry with Bob and Mary Ann, and that is valid. They clearly let their daughter down. However, I do think it is important to remember, before we completely cast judgment on them, that this crime took place in the 1970s in Pocatello, Idaho, and Bob and Mary Ann were LDS. To me, they come across as incredibly naive people who lived in a world where they wanted to believe everyone was good. They were isolated in a way that maybe people from bigger cities would not have been, and they were completely unprepared for someone like B.
And let’s not forget that B was a master manipulator. I compare him to predator priests who are able to get families to let their guard down because they present themselves as safe, trustworthy, and godly. They convince people to hand over access to their children because they know how to perform goodness. I think B had that same kind of power and control over the people in his life. He knew exactly how naive and trusting they were, and he used that against them.
Bob and Mary Ann were people who seemed to be trying to live their lives in a good and decent way, and they assumed other people were doing the same. That does not erase the harm or excuse every choice they made, but it does help explain how someone like B was able to get so close and cause so much damage.
I do recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more about Jan’s story, but be warned: it is just as frustrating as the documentaries and dramatizations. Still, the main takeaway should always be Jan herself. Her resilience, her power, and her ability to reclaim her own story are what stay with you the most.
November 11, 2022
Compelling
I remember at that time there was a
lot of movies and talk about aliens and manipulation of the Bible Berchtold used that to his advantage when grooming Jan and keeping her compliant. We need to be aware of any tactic that'll might be used if a friend or neighbor seeks us out for harm
I remember at that time there was a
lot of movies and talk about aliens and manipulation of the Bible Berchtold used that to his advantage when grooming Jan and keeping her compliant. We need to be aware of any tactic that'll might be used if a friend or neighbor seeks us out for harm
November 20, 2022
This book was much better than I expected. I wanted to read it after I watched the series A Friend of the Family. It tells the story of how a pedophile con man duped an entire family into giving him access to their young daughter. I liked the way the story was told from both perspectives- the mother and the child.
November 11, 2022
Wanted to "read" the book before watching any of the TV specials. Listened to the Audiobook; it was an interesting listen. Even though the book was written by both mother and daughter, Jan Broberg narrated the Audible Audiobook which provided an added layer to the reading.
Read
February 21, 2025DNF at 50%.
I know this story from the documentary and fictional series. I knew what I was getting myself into when I started this book.
I don't even know how to rate it. The writing is fine. These people...
These parents are the worst. Especially the mom. I don't want to hear the excuses. i don't want to hear, "Well, it was the 70's and people were much more naive then." NO. Your daughter was kidnapped and you did nothing. You allowed her to continue to spend time with this man. You let her get kidnapped AGAIN. You had intimate relationships with this man. You did NOT find help for or protect your child. Had anything even remotely similar happened to me, someone who was born in the 70's, someone would be in prison: either my dad or the man who committed the crimes. Had there been CPS during this time, all of your children would have been removed and you might have served time, and rightfully so. A parent's #1 duty is to their children.
These people purposefully and willingly exposed their child (children!) to her abuser and kidnapper over and over again. They were complicit, especially mom. I couldn't finish this book because I was so disgusted, both by the parents and the excuses. I don't care if it was the 1970's or the 1870's, people don't let other people mess with their kids. At least good parents don't.
I know this story from the documentary and fictional series. I knew what I was getting myself into when I started this book.
I don't even know how to rate it. The writing is fine. These people...
These parents are the worst. Especially the mom. I don't want to hear the excuses. i don't want to hear, "Well, it was the 70's and people were much more naive then." NO. Your daughter was kidnapped and you did nothing. You allowed her to continue to spend time with this man. You let her get kidnapped AGAIN. You had intimate relationships with this man. You did NOT find help for or protect your child. Had anything even remotely similar happened to me, someone who was born in the 70's, someone would be in prison: either my dad or the man who committed the crimes. Had there been CPS during this time, all of your children would have been removed and you might have served time, and rightfully so. A parent's #1 duty is to their children.
These people purposefully and willingly exposed their child (children!) to her abuser and kidnapper over and over again. They were complicit, especially mom. I couldn't finish this book because I was so disgusted, both by the parents and the excuses. I don't care if it was the 1970's or the 1870's, people don't let other people mess with their kids. At least good parents don't.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2023
5 Stars
This is the most horrifying true crime story I have ever read about in my life. I’m giving this book 5 stars solely for Jan’s bravery in being able to retell her nightmare.
I watched “Abducted in Plain Sight” on Netflix about four years ago. I didn’t know anything about Jan Broberg and her story, so I went into the documentary pretty blind as did most people. I still remember how horrified and shocked I was while watching it, and all those emotions came back to me as I recently finished watching “A Friend of the Family” on Peacock, which is the series based on Jan’s story. I remember when I watched the documentary, I kept asking myself “Is this real?” because I couldn’t believe how horrifying her story was.
Reading about ‘B’ in this book made my skin crawl. There were so many times where I just had to turn my Kindle off and go do something else because I was so disgusted with what I was reading.
This is the most horrifying true crime story I have ever read about in my life. I’m giving this book 5 stars solely for Jan’s bravery in being able to retell her nightmare.
I watched “Abducted in Plain Sight” on Netflix about four years ago. I didn’t know anything about Jan Broberg and her story, so I went into the documentary pretty blind as did most people. I still remember how horrified and shocked I was while watching it, and all those emotions came back to me as I recently finished watching “A Friend of the Family” on Peacock, which is the series based on Jan’s story. I remember when I watched the documentary, I kept asking myself “Is this real?” because I couldn’t believe how horrifying her story was.
Reading about ‘B’ in this book made my skin crawl. There were so many times where I just had to turn my Kindle off and go do something else because I was so disgusted with what I was reading.
June 23, 2023
Years ago I read Stolen Innocence, the first book written by Mary Ann Broberg, and also knew Bob and Mary Ann who were good friends of my grandparents, so I have been interested to know more of Jan’s story.
My husband was a grade ahead of Jan in school, and knew her, and other family ties. I also watched the series on Peacock.
I admire Mary Ann, and Jan for being so open about this horrible time in their family’s life, the mistakes that were made, and the gullibility which can happen to anyone. This book is an open and honest account of how a sick person can and will manipulate, not only his intended victim but the victim’s family. This is a book that needs to be read by everyone, because it shows what not to do in this type of case and more importantly, how to overcome such a horrible incident through the love of family, friends, therapists, and faith.
My husband was a grade ahead of Jan in school, and knew her, and other family ties. I also watched the series on Peacock.
I admire Mary Ann, and Jan for being so open about this horrible time in their family’s life, the mistakes that were made, and the gullibility which can happen to anyone. This book is an open and honest account of how a sick person can and will manipulate, not only his intended victim but the victim’s family. This is a book that needs to be read by everyone, because it shows what not to do in this type of case and more importantly, how to overcome such a horrible incident through the love of family, friends, therapists, and faith.
August 17, 2026
I didn’t finish this book for 2 reasons. One, the mother wrote the book (with Jan’s input), and it reads exactly like a book written by a mother trying to spin the story in a way that can explain how stupid her & her husband were., which leads into my 2nd reason: She asks for people to not blame the victim, that she & her husband were groomed right along with Jan, but I’m sorry - who are the parents/adults in that family? I feel so much for Jan, not only did she go through unimaginable, horrible things with “B”, but because of her parents, the abuse at the hands of “B” continued even after she was back home. I get he was a master manipulator, grooming the whole family for years, BUT that doesn’t excuse the parents lacking any common sense & protective instincts at all. I would have much preferred an unbiased true crime author take on this story.
April 23, 2023
no words can describe…
I was taken up by the Movie series “A Friend of the family”
Incredibly chilling and heartbreaking knowing the lengths that some child predators will go through to get their desired child!
This man … is the epitome of a psychopath and pedophile combined in a nuclear human!!
I think it’s necessary to read the book AND watch the movie series too.
People need to understand what to look for instead of hiding behind discomfort and unpleasurable topics because otherwise, we end up playing a role in possibly victimizing our own kids! It’s great to see how the Family and especially Jan! You get some closure … lots of resources and her own organization dedicated to helping survivors of abuse.
Watch it, read it, even audiobook it…
I was taken up by the Movie series “A Friend of the family”
Incredibly chilling and heartbreaking knowing the lengths that some child predators will go through to get their desired child!
This man … is the epitome of a psychopath and pedophile combined in a nuclear human!!
I think it’s necessary to read the book AND watch the movie series too.
People need to understand what to look for instead of hiding behind discomfort and unpleasurable topics because otherwise, we end up playing a role in possibly victimizing our own kids! It’s great to see how the Family and especially Jan! You get some closure … lots of resources and her own organization dedicated to helping survivors of abuse.
Watch it, read it, even audiobook it…
January 16, 2023
This is one of those "Truth is stranger than fiction" stories.
If you have seen the documentary, "Abducted in Plain Sight" then you know the story. I really enjoyed the way the book was written. It begins with the story immediately without a lot of boooring details about the family -- some memoirs feel the need to go back as far as telling how people's GRANDPARENTS met.
This one picks up right where you want it to so you can get to what happened quickly. It's so bizarre. A quick read and a page - turner.
If you have seen the documentary, "Abducted in Plain Sight" then you know the story. I really enjoyed the way the book was written. It begins with the story immediately without a lot of boooring details about the family -- some memoirs feel the need to go back as far as telling how people's GRANDPARENTS met.
This one picks up right where you want it to so you can get to what happened quickly. It's so bizarre. A quick read and a page - turner.
December 29, 2023
This story/experience is absolutely heartbreaking, horrific and baffling
I can't fully begin to express/imagine the levels of courage and bravery it would've took to so openly and honestly share such things - experiences, feelings, etc. with the public - But it is so very important that this was shared. ❤️
People need to be made aware of and look out for the many possibilities and red flags present in this story.
I can't fully begin to express/imagine the levels of courage and bravery it would've took to so openly and honestly share such things - experiences, feelings, etc. with the public - But it is so very important that this was shared. ❤️
People need to be made aware of and look out for the many possibilities and red flags present in this story.
August 19, 2023
Excellent, thought provoking and eye opening
As a long time child welfare worker this book held my interest throughout the entire book. I am proud of Jan, her parents and sisters for telling their story. It is heart wrenching, disgusting and educational. I have no doubt it will be a book that opens the eyes of those who read it. Well done Ladies well done.
As a long time child welfare worker this book held my interest throughout the entire book. I am proud of Jan, her parents and sisters for telling their story. It is heart wrenching, disgusting and educational. I have no doubt it will be a book that opens the eyes of those who read it. Well done Ladies well done.
October 11, 2023
I liked this more than I was anticipating. I read it to fill the “local author” category. I had already watched the documentary and had a negative opinion on the story, the parents “stupidity” based on the documentary. In hindsight - my opinion was softened and I felt more charity for this family having been taken in my this psychopath. Very clean although heavy subject matter.
February 20, 2026
A Stunning Read
I am glad to have read this book. We do not oftentimes recognize a predator. This book has helped me to more aware of how “nice” people can groom someone. I will be praying for this family.
I am glad to have read this book. We do not oftentimes recognize a predator. This book has helped me to more aware of how “nice” people can groom someone. I will be praying for this family.
October 11, 2022
Such a strange, interesting, & terrifying story this is. I highly recommend the Netflix documentary “Abducted in Plain Sight.”
January 21, 2023
Interesting story, but I wish it had been told more from Jan's POV. Instead, we got her mom, Mary Anne, who was so passive about everything. We only get excerpts from Jan's diary entries.
September 22, 2023
Sickening, heart-wrenching, but ultimately left me with so many questions. Also, did this not go through multiple edits? The grammar was shockingly bad
October 29, 2024
Crazy.
January 6, 2026
It's a quick read. Very straightforward and simple description of the true events around the case. The writing doesn’t adequately capture the absolute freak levels of this case though.
October 21, 2026
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your story! It does have a happy ending! Prayers for you and your family! God is good!
Thank you for sharing your story! It does have a happy ending! Prayers for you and your family! God is good!
February 21, 2023
Before I read the book I watched the show on Peacock and was blown away. This story is very interesting and insane. The book had details the show didn't have like diary entries from Jan, letters from Bob, etc. If you love books about crime/kidnapping this will be right up your alley!
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