Content warnings: Rape, abuse, torture, manipulation, coercion, kidnapping, and imprisonmentThis was an alright book. I mostly read this because I wanted to know more about the trial because I already know a bit about the case itself.I didn't like McGuire putting in her personal shit into this. Especially shit that had NOTHING to do with the case.It was enough that I actually took notes while reading because it angered me so much.I did like and conversely didn't like that the parts were different perspectives. Perspective of what she went through and then perspective of the trial and leading up to the trial.So my list of things I noted:Why do we care that McGuire was previously married and divorced?Why do we care that McGuire set high expectations for herself to get through school?Why do we care about McGuire's childhood?Why do we care that McGuire was the first in her family to graduate college? Particularly cum lade?Why do we care that McGuire's child was sick before the preliminary hearing and before some of the interviews she conducted?Why do opinions of McGuire's peers on her demeanour in the courtroom (as being seen as being bitchy or too serious because she didn't joke in the courtroom and is serious) matter to the case? Why do the anecdotes about McGuire not joking in the courtroom matter?Why do we care that McGuire and her husband went to the Greek Isles for 2 weeks before the trial?Why do we care that McGuire had a deteriorating relationship with her husband?Why do we care that by the end of the trial McGuire divorced her husband?Why are the continuous problems in McGuire's marriage even brought up?What does McGuire's divorce have to do with anything?Why is McGuire's personal feelings about the case added in? Regardless of her feelings she's still required to do her job especially since she fought to get the case and how offended she was that she wasn't automatically given the case.All of that is anecdotal at best. Has nothing to do with impacting the case whatsoever. And the bits about how serious she was in the courtroom and how she might be seen as a bitch just further the image that women are suppose to be accommodating to men and be seen as pleasant else they're just bitches. Which angers me on a lot of levels. That don't have much to do with this book.It was interesting to read of the lengths that McGuire went to recreate things and to make sure that she had all the facts she could straight. I plan on reading the book that Colleen Stan wound up writing about her experiences. When I can get a hold of it that is.If you don't mind personal anecdotes about McGuire's personal life that have nothing to do with the case this is a decent book to read. If you do, DON'T READ THIS BOOK.
Whereas a lot of reviews for this book focus on the content...in other words, how awful it was for a human being to be treated in such a way (which it was) I would just like to comment about the WAY the book was written.At first, it takes you back to what happened. You're living through what Colleen lived through and then the next 'section' of the book takes you to the court proceedings which divulges a little into what else happened with her and it leaves you thinking 'Hold on, where did it mention that' but then you realise that the next section goes back again to what she was going through and so it goes on. You get used to it pretty quickly. Now a little about the content - This crime happened in America, in the days when I was too young to really care what happened on the news so this was the first time I had heard of it. I had to keep reminding myself throughout the book that it really DID happen and it wasn't a sick figment of the author's imagination! I didn't know the outcome of how many years Cameron Hooker got or anything so for the last 100 pages or so I became a bit impatient, just wanting it to end but I've finished it now so I'll be giving it 3 stars as it wasn't one of the most fantastic reads I'd ever read but then again I found it quite interesting.
I'm not sure how I came across the book I'm guessing that I thought it was the true crimes story which Jack Ketchum's The Girl Next Door was based. It isn't Rather, this story involves a woman named Colleen Stan was a young woman who was abducted by Cameron and Janice Hooker in 1977 and they proceeded to keep her as a sex and household slave while until 1984. They kept continue of her by placing her in a "head box",various tiny room and then in a specially made areas under their bed and holes dug in the yard. The odd thing about her captivity is that she had opportunities to escape, but she was slso held captive by the Hooker's explanation of a Company which trafficked in sex slave - apparently Colleen, a young, naive woman believed all of this. Anyway, it's a hellish existence, and then a very long story about the trial, a bit overdone in place, but it was interesting.
—Erin
I knew quite a bit about this story before I read the novel. I found the writing to be pretty good. I liked going back and forth with the timeline.Wow what an insane, twisted individual Cameron Hooker is. I don't think Janice Hooker deserves immunity... she should have ended things before they started. I read this book on the way to florida on vacation and then on the way back my dad read it. He said he couldn't believe that colleen (k) was so gullible that she believed everything about the company and all... I disagree. Its really not that farfetched with the crazy shit that goes on today. Even if she didn't totally believe him, she was too afraid to take the chance and put not only herself but her entire family in danger!! Who knows what they would do in the same situation.Sometimes you stay because its easier than to leave. Colleen Stan will NEVER be the same person again, no matter what people think.
—Tamary Anderson
I know the Victim (Colleen) personally.one of my sons and her daughter were best friends in 8th grade.I haven't seen her in the past couple years.Colleen gave me this book to read when we first became friends.It is written by her attorney and Colleen makes nothing from the book.She always felt the attorney victimized her also.This book is a sad true crime story about hitchhiking that lead to brainwashing and being held in a box for 7 years.But thru it all Colleen survived and thats what's amazing.She is an awesome person and if she didn't tell you her storyyou would never guess it from looking at her!
—Karen
