Megan's Reviews > Judgment Ridge: The True Story Behind the Dartmouth Murders

Drawn to Lehr's books and Zuckoff's books. I've read 3 now in the past few weeks.

Jan 18, 2024 - I am 1/3 of the way through this nonfiction book, so I can't give final ratings, but there is a lot of backstory. Sometimes it drags on and on. I know it is a true story, and the information is vital about each friend of the couple murdered, about the murderers, about their families. But it is long and a lot, and sometimes I just wanted to get to the point of the story.

A serious concern for me in the story is the lack of school control over the students. As a teacher, I don't love the idea of students getting out of school early or coming in late. There are too many variables - are their guards or security at the doors of schools checking all of these students to make sure they are students? Where are they when they leave school? I understand the argument of students having jobs if they leave school at noon, and being able to earn money for college, but that wasn't the case in 2001 in Chelsea. These kids weren't working (many of them). They were causing problems. Also 21 credits - that isn't the rule now. But I do see so many kids getting out early and causing problems, or being entitled, doing nothing with their time. A traditional school day is important, and if it means more study hall teachers to cut down on crimes, is it worth discussing? The fluidity with Robert and Jim just coming in and out of school for certain classes or clubs should have raised red flags. Then again, as a teacher, not having the problem kids in class every day is nice.

January 19, 2024 - I have done nothing but read this book for the last 24 hours (thanks to a snow day), but I had to take frequent breaks to process everything. It was long, and I made a comment about there being so many details, but finishing the book, it all made sense. I needed to understand Robert more, and his motives, and Jim's. I doubt I am giving away anything (no spoilers) in saying that Jim had such remorse, and Robert did not. I cried and cried at the end. I thought about my students and how some get volatile, and is anyone watching for signs or concerns?

Last year I read a book - Murderous Minds - by Dean Allen Haycock, and I learned so much about what needs to be done but as of 2014 hadn't. There needs to be more funding to test what makes up a psychopath vs someone who has psychotic tendencies. I am just so impressed wit the officers, psychologists, investigators, and all those who tirelessly kept fighting to get to the truth, even just to give the victims' daughters some peace.

I can't write more because I need to process, and I will process for days. I am definitely inspired to research more about these cases and others.