Lost Girls - Caitlin Rother

Lost Girls

By Caitlin Rother

  • Release Date: 2011-10-24
  • Genre: True Crime
Score: 3.5
3.5
From 137 Ratings

Description

“Rother is the next Ann Rule.” —Gregg Olsen

Chelsea King was a popular high school senior, an outstanding achiever determined to make a difference. Fourteen-year-old Amber Dubois loved books and poured her heart into the animals she cared for. Treasured by all who knew them, both girls disappeared in San Diego County, just eight miles and one year apart. The families’ anguish galvanized the community and captivated the media. A desperate search led authorities to John Albert Gardner, a brutal predator, convicted sex offender hiding in plain sight—and a complex man whose own mother, a psychiatric nursing professional, failed to see the signs of trouble.
 
Ultimately, Gardner shared a prison unit with Charles Manson. In 2010, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Chelsea's Law: anyone convicted of certain sex offenses against a child in California would get life in prison without parole. Based on Pulitzer-nominated author Caitlin Rother’s exclusive access, Lost Girls is an incisive, heartbreaking true-life thriller that strikes at our deepest fears.
 
“A a cautionary tale and a horror story, done superbly.”
Los Angeles Times

 
“A terrifying portrait of a man who was sweet and cuddly one day and a crazed killer the next.”
San Diego Reader
 
“Gripping . . . chilling . . . a must-read.”
Sue Russell

 
“Boldly dissects how a boy with psychological problems formed into a man indifferent to his monstrous acts.”
Katherine Ramsland

 
“Caitlin Rother stirs up the lethal stew of family dysfunction, mental illness, substance abuse and deadly psychopathology. . . . Frank and riveting.”
Diane Fanning

 
 
Includes dramatic photos
 

Reviews

  • Good read

    4
    By Devilphrog77
    The book was good I couldn't put it down til the end. However I would have liked more details about the killings. I live in RB within walking distance of where king was killed. If more details were in the book I would have rated it 5 stars.
  • Mom

    4
    By Hopefulb
    As a mom with child with a mental disease. I understand his mom. We want to believe our child will not do something this wrong but I have to say I worried about son. He is doing very good on medication but you still worry! I am sorry for the parent's of these girls but I feel this story tells how hard we mother's try to prevent something bad from happening. I am also a nurse who worked with mental patients for years and my son was dx as being bipolar. No matter what you do it is never enough.
  • Fascinating

    5
    By John Hoadley
    First things first: ignore all the negative reviews. They are not accurate. This author has the right to write a book and inform the public of what really happened as the local media failed to do. The media left out so much important information that you must read this book to find out the chilling details as to how this monster was able to roam uncaged. I am a San Diego resident who followed these cases very closely. The media failed to dig into the background of this monster and divulge details about his upbringing constant violations, and the way that he was finally captured. This book is impossible to put down once you start reading it. The author does a fabulous job of giving details of the two cases and keeps you hooked as a reader. Do not give into the the ones who decry this novel for reason other than to try and make a ludicrous statement against the writer. Lastly, to those who gave it bad reviews for the sake of the author writing the book on these two heinous crimes : a phrase goes like this," 'bad' publicity is better than no publicity at all" and you sure gave it to this author which was the way I discovered this book and PURCHASED it.
  • Lost Girls

    1
    By Chinachic6
    Awful. Didn't finish it.

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