Couple Found Slain
Author: Mikita Brottman
I've read many true crime books and listened to even more crime related podcasts and audio books. Most delve into the case and end with the perpetrator being brought to justice. The cell door closes on the convicted criminal and the family/loved ones of the victim talk about justice....The End. That isn't how this book ends. Couple Found Slain starts with the history of the family involved, moves on to the murder, and then focuses on the subsequent decades of the killer's life in a psychiatric facility.
All true crime stories should be disturbing. They deal with harsh, real subjects, victims and punishment or cold cases where no solution was found. Those things are automatically disturbing. But this book takes it to a new level. I found myself completely disgusted by the victims...abusive, horrible people. And I was simultaneously sympathetic and judgmental of the killer....horrible way to grow up and understandable he finally had a mental break, but nobody has the right to murder anyone. And finally completely confused about how I feel about his incarceration in a mental facility. Should he be released? Should he stay confined? Yikes.... In the end, I just had to throw up my hands and say that I am not really qualified to have an opinion in this case. But, the book did get its point across. And leaves me with one main thought: is the justice system meant to rehabilitate and release at some point, or is it meant to permanently file mentally ill criminals away with no hope of living outside a facility? And are mental facilities real treatment, or extended torture for basically permanent residents? Like I said -- for me this book was disturbing as it left me with thoughts/questions on subjects that I am not qualified to even begin to form an educated opinion. I can form an emotional one....but not one based on facts.
Very interesting book! I loved the fact that the story didn't just revolve around the crime...but the history of those involved and the aftermath for the murderer. The entire story. Obviously careful and complete research went into this project!
I listened to the audio version of this book. Narrated by Christina Delaine, the book is just shy of 9 hours long, Delaine has a pleasant voice and reads at a nice steady pace. All in all, a good listening experience.
**I voluntarily listened to a review copy of this audio book from Macmillan Audio. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
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