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Feb 19, 2018KateHillier rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
As always it is very difficult to give a rating on someone relating their personal experience. This book is a hybrid of a true crime book and a memoir and it works very well. On one hand you learn about the case of Ricky Langley, a man convicted for the murder of a child. The author comes across his case as she goes through law school; she is a staunch opponent of the death penalty until she comes across his case. She is shocked at how much she wants him to die and how much his situation and crimes resonate with her own life. What follows is an investigation into her family and her life - and the crimes committed there. It is both a fascinating and deeply upsetting read. I had to close the book several times to take a breath and sort through what I was reading. The author is incredibly brave and thorough with both Ricky's case and her own and it is presented emotionally while incredibly factually as well. It is an experience, and a trial, to read but the fact of this book being out in the world gives a record of the author's experiences as having actually happened. I hesitate to elaborate since the book jacket doesn't say much but tread carefully as this book deals with the death of a child and other terrible and unspeakable things done to children. It is, as already mentioned, incredibly difficult to read at points but it is an amazing piece of work that took a lot of time, effort, and strength to produce