Bronx D.A.: True Stories from the Domestic Violence and Sex Crimes Unit

by Sarena Straus

Sarena Straus was a prosecutor in the Office of the Bronx District Attorney's office, one of approximately 400 Assistant District Attorneys working in the midst of an area of America with the highest crime and poverty rates. This book is about her experiences in combating crimes against women and children during a three-year stint with the Domestic Violence and Sex Crimes Unit, mostly prosecuting sex crimes against children. The literal and emotional battles, both won and lost, eventually destroyed her. Ms. Straus began with a burning desire to be part of the safety net, to prosecute criminals who terrorize the most defenseless among us. How and why she finally had to stop is the unusual psychological tale of this book. It is a true-crime memoir; an account and a tribute to the assistant district attorneys and their support staff, the physicians, social workers, crime victim advocates and cops who do what is truly God's work.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime

320 pages, Hardcover

First published May 19, 2006

About the author

Author of the multi-award-winning novel, "ReInception" (Winding Road Stories, 2022)

A corporation's immensely popular mind technology is eradicating socially unacceptable behavior in 2126 New York City. When a college student and a government-labeled terrorist discover the truth of what's happening inside people's heads, they fight for their free will and the future of society.

Writer, attorney, and child safety advocate, Sarena has appeared as a commentator on numerous TV and radio shows. She is also the author of "Bronx DA: True Stories from the Sex Crimes and Domestic Violence Unit." In 2010, Bronx DA was sold as a pilot to CBS/Paramount.

ReInception is the recipient of multiple awards including and American Writing Award, Literary Titan Gold Award, and a LitPick Five Star review.

Reviews

[Marjorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[RaeBeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally I would start out by stating the books title and the author. With this memoir I'm afraid I won't do it justice. Bronx D.A. by Sarena Straus was and is a real eye opener for me. I'm not one who would normally read memoirs but I decided to give this one a chance. I'm so glad that I did. This book has forever changed my outlook on law enforcement in every aspect. So I would like to start by saying thank you to all those out there who live and strive to make our country a better place. This is one reason I'm so proud to be an American.

Ms. Straus tells her tale with such passion it makes for a heavy read. This book had me laughing and crying all in one sitting. I couldn't put the book down. I was pulled in from the beginning with curiosity and the want to know more. This was by far one of the best I have read. The daily crimes and cases Ms. Straus shares that she was apart of is both disturbing at times and at times they are joyful.

I think that each and every person out there should read Bronx D.A. by Sarena Straus. Especially those who like to read stories of passion because Ms. Straus definitely shows her passion for her work through her writing. I give this book 5 ***** stars. I am glad I had the chance to read it and I recommend it.

[Todd Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm admittedly biased - but Sarena really did a great job!

[DENISA HOWE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow..This book was not what I expected and I mean that in a good way. This is not a light read that can be accomplished in a few hours. To feel it all and experience exactly what the author did and that which she wants to share, you will read each and every word. I even found myself having to stop at times, to re-group and think about the chapter I had just read. Sections make the reader want to lay the book down and cry for those who were defenseless, cry with joy at some of the outcomes topped with some in between humor that she gently sprinkles. She brings us the stories of those often without a voice. This memoir was of her daily life and the choices and decisions that she had to make. This book brings a new view to the law enforcement, the criminals and those that were victims. Your emotions, all of them will be spent after each chapter of reading. You will walk away never ever really be able able to forget.

[Joe Kapraszewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, toughest 4 I've had to give... The book and the stories themselves are really great. I appreciated that the author showed some of her "losses" as an ADA. I enjoyed the stories (I'm a huge fan of Law & Order: SVU, so take my last comment for what it's worth knowing that) and the story telling abilities of the author were great. Overall I wanted to give this book a 5. The CONTENT deserves a 5.

However, at least in the Kindle version there were multiple times where words were clipped. This was VERY annoying when the words were verbs in the past tense. I could figure the word out by using context, but I should not have to do that. I have to deduct a * for that... though I would give it 9/10 if I could

[Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this through a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you to Serena Straus for sending this to me. This was an excellent read. Although the subject material made you shake your head sometimes (and because of that, I can see why Ms. Straus decided she could no longer do it), the book gives you an open view of what it's like in the DA office of a major metropolitan area. I highly recommend this for anyone who is considering going into criminal law, or for anyone who watches "Law & Order." I also imagine that, if you lived in New York during the mid-90s, some of the cases that the author discusses will make you say, "Oh, yeah! I remember that!"