Kim. E.'s Reviews > Cruel Sacrifice

I had very mixed feelings about reading any book about Shanda Sharer. My career professionally crossed paths with this case years ago and I wasn't sure I wanted any reminder. None the less, recently I came across an older Dr. Phil episode about Shanda's mother and the culprits, so I decided that was my cue.

Because of the heinous matter of this event and the media attention it received this is one of two books written, the other called Little Lost Angel by Michael Quinlen. Now that I have read both I would suggest either reading this book first or skip altogether and only read the other.

I have watched Aphrodite Jones on television for years and usually enjoy the process and methods she utilizes with criminal cases, but was not impressed here.

Shanda Sharer was a 12 year old baby(I have a daughter and at 12 she was still my baby) who endured an unimaginable death that I will not describe here because I don't like it on GR when reviews explain the entire book. Once I read those I can forget the book entirely. I already know everything.

Anyway, Ms. Jones briefly, very briefly describes the events about Shanda then she isn't mentioned again until around page 135. Instead we learn every single life experience of one of her murderers in particular, including the entire marriage of that person's parents. I know the purpose is to show how life events can play a role in someone's actions, but it just became too much. It is obvious that the author didn't have the cooperation of the Sharer family, unlike the other author. By the time the trials occur she has spent so much effort describing every salacious event continuously I am numb to them, and that saddens me.

This book is very graphic and also includes crime photos. Even in the photos Shanda doesn't take precedence. Please skip this version and read " Little Lost Angel " instead.