Wow, what a story. OK, I will say it, Theresa Knorr Cross is a horrible, horrible person. She treated everyone who loved her like her own personal slaves, that everyone should always be at her beck and call and do her bidding. She screams at you if you did anything wrong. She had to always make herself look good. She even did this to her own children, or rather, especially to her own children. And husbands. This book is about the murders of 2 of her daughters, caused by her in so many ways. These girls deserved so much more. The book itself is well-written and well-researched, not an easy feat either with all of the details needed. I really liked this book and do recommend it. ( )

I remember the story was very weird but that the book was not well written because I only gave it a 7 out of 10. ( )

This thoroughly researched book on the horrific crimes of Theresa Knorr begins with her parents and follows her through childhood up until her pre-trial. The interviews with everyone including childhood neighbors do bog down the story at points, focusing on details that don't seem to have a much explanatory power. At the same time, the inclusion of ex-husbands' and both her sons' and daughter's perspective results in a more balanced depiction than the A&E special on the case, narrated only by her daughter.

Despite the variety of interviews, the book only describes Theresa's actions, without making any significant attempt at explaining them. It would have been interesting to hear from the two psychiatrists in the court case (one who judged her sane, another who didn't) or better yet, from Theresa herself, though that almost certainly would have been impossible, at least at the time it was written.

While not as gripping as I'd hoped, the book is worth a few hours' time for any true crime reader. It is definitely an unforgettable series of cries committed by a mother who ranked highest on the (admittedly dubious) "scale of evil".

(Q) ( )