For Laci: A Mother's Story of Love, Loss, and Justice

A daughter remembered
In 2002, Sharon Rocha was an ordinary California mom looking forward to her daughter's first baby when son-in-law Scott Peterson called her to report that Laci was "missing." Since then, she has never awoken from the horrible nightmare she chronicles in "For Laci: A Mother's Story of Love, Loss and Justice" (Crown, $26).


Say what you will about the attention the media overpoured onto the Peterson case, the chilling facts of the murder are just as horrifying today. Laci Peterson was seven months pregnant, she was killed by her own husband, on or around Christmas Eve, and Scott Peterson went on to lie, lie, lie about everything from his fidelity to his hair color — publicly and shockingly.

Those who followed the show more case may not learn anything new from "For Laci," but it indeed serves two purposes. It may offer some comfort to others who are grieving, as Rocha reiterates how she found solace in the support of others and small signs — such as ladybug and dragonfly sightings — that she believes Laci sent her. And if anyone out there is still hoisting the "Scott Was Framed" flag, they need to read about how he treated his mother-in-law — ducking her calls, changing his story, refusing to let her claim some of her daughter's belongings.

There are already plenty of books on the Peterson case (Catherine Crier's is exceptional), but Rocha was forced by cruel necessity to have a very intimate take on things. Her book is better-written than readers have a right to expect from a victim's family member, and she does her daughter proud by providing the voice Laci Peterson was denied. —G.F.C.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10839982/ show less

This is the story of a mother's loss, of unspeakable pain and the phone call that changed her life forever.

When the highly publicized event of seven month pregnant Laci Peterson's Christmas Eve disappearance hit the media, attention was riveted on this tragic event. As the story unfolded, Laci's husband became the prime suspect.

In painful, raw emotion, Sharon Rocha documents her initial reactions and then takes us through the trail and conviction of her son in law.

This is a sad and compelling book.

I saw this book at the library and couldn't help picking it up. It is exactly what you expect - heart wrenching and profoundly sad. Sharon Rocha is to be admired for putting all of it down. The proceeds of the sale of the book go to helping abused women extricate themselves from violent marriages. Hats off to Sharon for wading through all of her pain to help others.

Absolutely heartbreaking. I was so lucky to find a hardcover edition for only $3 at my local used bookshop.

For Laci is Laci Peterson's mother's very personal and well-written account of Laci's (short) life and tragic death. If you have any interest in the Scott Peterson case then this is the book to read.

I was not sure if I would like this book. I did not want to contribute to the sensationalism of the case but I had a feeling that it would be a good book since it was coming from the mother's side of the story. I was not disappointed. I learned more about the case and it helped me understand more of the facts...not just what the media reported. It was a touching story and I am glad I took the time to read this book.

I was so moved by this story because I didn't know a lot about the trial only what the media played out. But Sharon, Laci's mom, knows her daughter better than any other person, and it was hard at times to read a mother's heartbreak. If you want a first hand account on what the whole story was about this is the book to read.

this book is very hard and painful to read but the mother did a good job.