Welcome to The Official Websleuths Investigative Book Club !

[cujenn81]

The evidence and legal proceedings will always be dense reading in most cases because there’s not a lot room for creativity when it comes to facts that can’t really be embellished.

Show don’t tell is certainly the best practice for fiction, but it doesn’t always work well for non-fiction. I think it’s a matter of personal preference. It actually annoys me when a true crime author editorializes the narrative. In my experience, it doesn’t happen a lot (but I occasionally see it when an author is well known for writing fiction or it was co-authored by a popular fiction writer).

 

[CatsCradle8]

Great question!

I don't believe it would have happened as it did. They might have picked up Shanda and tried to intimidate her, but I do not believe the level of violence would have escalated like it did. I think Melinda was angry and hurt and instead of lashing out at Amanda, who she most likely did not see as a safe target, she then directed her anger at a younger, weaker, victim. Laurie was the gasoline that fueled and continued to drive the violence to higher and higher levels. The crime would not have happened if it was only Laurie or only Melinda, it took the two of them. CatsCradle8 (aka RaineyDaze)

 

[CatsCradle8]

The evidence and legal proceedings will always be dense reading in most cases because there’s not a lot room for creativity when it comes to facts that can’t really be embellished.

Show don’t tell is certainly the best practice for fiction, but it doesn’t always work well for non-fiction. I think it’s a matter of personal preference. It actually annoys me when a true crime author editorializes the narrative. In my experience, it doesn’t happen a lot (but I occasionally see it when an author is well known for writing fiction or it was co-authored by a popular fiction writer).

I agree the trial section of the book was awkward. It did provide some insight to each of the perpetrators' perspective and added to their overall history and the family dynamics when they were incarcerated.

 

[DeathbyBoobie]

I think all the girls are monsters except for maybe Toni and i don't want to spoil anything so i am just going to say that i am disappointed. Not in the book but the justice that was not served adequately in this case.

 

[watergirl62]

I have been looking for analogous cases to compare and contrast. If you can think of any other cases, please post.

Payton Leutner (Slenderman attempted murder)
Skylar Neese
Ka'niyah Baker

GUILTY Thread 'WI - 12-Year-Old Girls Stab Friend 19 Times for Slenderman, Waukesha, 31 May 2014 #1'

Jun 2, 2014

Police say two 12-year-old girls lured a friend into some woods in southeastern Wisconsin where one of them held her down as the other stabbed her 19 times.

The 12-year-old victim survived the attack on Saturday in Waukesha and police say her condition is stable.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/12-year-wisconsin-girls-stab-friend-19-times-23959855

• SurfieTX
• Replies: 1,054
• Forum: Recently Sentenced and Beyond

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GUILTY Thread 'WV - Skylar Neese, 16, Star City, 6 July 2012'

Jul 12, 2012

Never started a thread before.....
Asked to share by a friend.....

Missing Poster:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?....268647889822219.65708.212865135400495&type=1

Police in Star City are looking for a 16 year old girl who has not been seen since last week.

Police told 5 News that 16 year old Skylar Neese was last seen Friday. Family members describe her as being about 5'4" or 5'5" and around 130 to 140 pounds.

She has brown hair and blue eyes and was last seen wearing yellow shorts and a multicolored shirt. If you have any information call...

• kmartin96
• Replies: 1,101
• Forum: Recently Sentenced and Beyond

• 

Thread 'SC - Ka'Niyah Baker, 13, considered to be in danger, Hopkins, 13 Jan 2025 *Arrests*'

Jan 16, 2025

Ka'Niyah Baker was last seen on Auburnleaf Drive, in the Greenlake community off Old Leesburg Road in Hopkins, on Monday, January 13. According to information from RCSD, Baker could be in the Farrow Road area, near Beltline Boulevard.

Missing Richland County teen found dead following house fire; homicide investigation ongoing

Ka'Niyah Baker, 13, was found deceased during a Columbia house fire. Police are investigating her death as a homicide but haven't identified publically suspects.

www.wltx.com

• imstilla.grandma
• Replies: 22
• Forum: Awaiting Trial

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[Penguin-338]

I agree the trial section of the book was awkward. It did provide some insight to each of the perpetrators' perspective and added to their overall history and the family dynamics when they were incarcerated.

Part of that was suddenly switching to last names only (which is typical for legal docs) when the last names were barely used in the rest of the book.

 

[Bipolar Express]

I just finished the section “the girlls” where its talking about their home lives etc. its very disjointed and hard to follow in places. Lauries mom was a nightmare and Melindas whole situation was wacky and gross. Those girls never stood a chance.

The book stated “Larry began sleeping with Melissa”….does this mean he was sleeping in het room or if he was raping his daughter? It want clear and it really should have clarified.

Unfortunately I believe Larry was raping Melissa …if thats what the author meant, its pretty gross to use the term “sleeping with”…

 

[Bipolar Express]

I feel like Laurie and Melinda turned out the way they did because of their homelife.

Yet their siblings didn't kill anyone…just goes to show nurture and nature (as individual make up) together are ingredients that made these monsters. Im thinking there has to be a certain gene thats present or a certain brain chemistry make up that gets triggered in individuals when abusive upbringing is present. A catalyst if you will, that were present in both Melinda and Laurie, that wasnt present in their siblings. OR is it all how individuals perceive their abuse thats the difference???

 

[watergirl62]

I thought Melinda acted very similar to her father but in her own way. So if her borderline diagnosis is correct that could explain why she was super possessive with abandonment issues and intense rapid mood swings but her sisters weren't like that. So mental health is also a factor.

Consider the worst possible combo from your parents gene pool, that's what you could end up living with for life. Same goes for your children.

 

[DeeMax]

Remember, we are going to start reading the first 60 pages of Aphrodite Jones' book, Cruel Sacrifice.
The first official post on this thread will be Sunday, December 14th, around 5 PM Eastern, but you all can start posting and talking about the first 60 pages anytime after the first post.
We'll be discussing the book club more tonight (Saturday) on Websleuths YouTube Live at 8 PM Eastern.
CLICK HERE to watch

Can you send the link for the person who did the audio version? I can’t remember who provided it .
Thank you!

 

[justice4joe]

The fact that Shanda was only 12 is so shocking. Where were the other’s parents when they were out all night?

 

[Insightful1]

One of our amazing members

Can you send the link for the person who did the audio version? I can’t remember who provided it .
Thank you!

if you would like the audio just email me. [email protected]

 

[Insightful1]

Hey everyone! One of our amazing members recorded Cruel Sacrifice on audio. If you would like the link. Just email me at; [email protected] , I’ll send you the link.

 

[Avalona]

I have just finished the book. I am thankful to the author because I had not heard of this case. I saw the girls are all out of jail now and I would love to know what they have been up to. I wish there had been photos in the book. I had to google to see what Shanda looked like. I also want to know what happened to Melinda’s monster dad after his arrest. I can’t find anything. Looking forward to the zoom meeting.