Sunday, December 28, 2008

December #8 - IF I AM MISSING OR DEAD


Title: If I am missing or dead: a sister's story of love, murder and liberation

Author: Janine Latus

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Copyright: 2007

ISBN: 978-0-7432-9653-3

Series or stand-alone: Stand-alone

Genre: Memoir, True Crime

Setting: Michigan, Missouri, Florida, Tennesee

1st Sentence:
July 9, 2002
Two months ago I left my husband, and now, for the first time in years, I am neither scared nor angry.

Surlygirl's Quick Comments:
This book is a true account of one family's cycle of abuse with a tragic ending. Early in her life, Janine suffered several episodes of abuse which influenced her view of what a relationship is, should be and what is "acceptable". This skewed perception only led to more abuse including physical, emotional and psychological abuse. Her younger sister Amy had the same schooling so it was no surprise that she ended up in the dysfunctional relationships that she did and while Janine was encouraging Amy to leave her abusive relationships, she was frightened to do so with her own. When Janine finally gets the courage to leave her husband, Amy goes missing and her relationship with Ron Ball did not have a happy ending. In fact, he strangled her in July of 2002. This book is about abusive relationships and a family's denial that led to far worse things. It is a compelling story that will probably resonate with every woman if they were to look back over their relationships in their lives. You either are one or you know one. And you are not alone.

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