In Plain Sight: The Startling Truth Behind the Elizabeth Smart Investigation

I have read all the books on the Elizabeth Smart case and this is buy far the best. Contrary to what some people have said, this book does not violate Elizabeth's privacy.There is really no new information on her in it. In fact, the book focuses on the investigations and the mistakes made by police in going after Richard Ricci long after Mary Katherine had said that it wasn't him. It gives many new details on the case that were not available in news reports or the other books. I attended a book signing given by the authors and Mr. Smart said that the LAPD had requested that he donated copies of the book so their officers could read it and benefit from the mistakes of the SLPD. If this book can help police departments in saving another missing child, it will be well worth it. Another thing that I liked about the book is that it gave a lot of background on the kidnappers and their twisted reasons for doing what they did.

This is an important book. It illustrates how one family successfully mustered its resources to strengthen the chance to recover their child. Within these pages are examples of family mutual support, broadcasting of the cirme to the entire country, assisting the police (and at times giving them a push), and laudable perservierence. Illustrating the possible is a way to put tools in the tool belts of others. In the case of child abduction people deserve all the tools they can get.

In Plain Sight, by Tom Smart (Elizabeth Smart's Uncle) & Lee Benson, is a fast-paced, heart-pounding account of the search for kidnapped Elizabeth Smart. Although I, and the nation, knew how this story ended; I found myself holding my breath in anticipation as I turned the pages. This is the behind the scenes story of the search for Elizabeth. It is not yellow-journalism; it is a respectful tale written with love for Elizabeth that is as pertinent in information as it is engrossing. It should be required reading for all law-enforcement. The near-misses in finding Elizabeth sooner, false stories about the Smart family and the lack of cooperation between the police and FBI left me distraught. Tom Smart is as honest with the readers about his own foibles and anguish as one could be. I've read the other reviews that seem to say this book was a gratuitous effort. I disagree. I think that it is a thank you letter to the thousands of people who helped to find Elizabeth and to those like me who followed the story and cried at the news that this little girl was found alive. Those who let their own egos overule the fate of a little girl must look in the mirror at themselves everyday and live with that. The brave heroes in this story, like John Walsh, can feel proud and deserve to be lauded. Much can be learned from this all too real tale. It seems to me that if Tom Smart and his family had not been so persistent then Elizabeth may not have returned. I walk away from reading In Plain Sight realizing that blind-faith in the authorities will not bring a loved-one's fate to light. This book clearly promotes being proactive. Aside from that, it is an extremely good book.

Tom Smart writes a book that is hardly about Elizabeth Smart at all but is about her family and community. Missing Elizabeth hangs over the entire book as a specter but this is, most of all, about the efforts and love, heart ache and pain a family and community went through to find a missing girl. Some members of the press and law enforcement look pretty bad in the light the book shines on their efforts and especially their selfish motives but the author is also not above showing his own failings. I found the book capivating, informative and valuable as a learning tool in how to handle media and deal with law enforcement in the face of tragedy. Clearly there could be some bias here but there are heros and falable humans presented from the point of view of one man and the book succeeds on several levels.

Written by two prize-winning journalists in Tom Smart's voice, this account of the investigation, search, and media coverage following the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping is the most detailed, engaging, and straightforward account yet. This book should come with a warning: Do not open unless you have time to finish! Only a family member could describe the wrenching hours that became months for Elizabeth's sleep-deprived but determined extended family; even so, the compassion, even-handedness, and humor are exceptional. The authors protect Elizabeth's privacy by saying little more about her ordeal than she and her parents have said publicly, yet they illuminate the increasingly deranged background of her alleged abductors. Tom Smart relates his own misguided (and eventually right-on) attempts to develop suspects as honestly as he expresses the inevitable frustrations with weary investigators and over-zealous reporters. This case delineates most clearly the complex interplay between law enforcement, media, the family, and the public around a major crime. And that combination, despite its failings, ultimately brought about Elizabeth's rescue. The reader sees the re-assignment of the FBI agent who isn't riveted on the wrong suspect; the search joined by thousands--until salacious innuendoes appear in national and local media accusing the Smart men; and the chilling near-misses when Elizabeth or her abductors are almost, but not quite, identified. Even those who think this case has been over-exposed are likely to find this behind-the-scenes account as enlightening as it is moving.