Shattered Innocence

If it weren't for the fact that three people were slaughtered in the most brutal manner imaginable and that a young woman went through nearly a decade of horrific abuse, this story would be laughable. Christopher Hightower was one of the dumbest criminals imaginable: he told the most foolish lies, never worked to support his family, treated people around him like dirt, even as they gave him financial support...One can only wonder what in Hightower's background created the monster he became, but it's really hard to have as much sympathy for Susan Hightower as I should. Part of her excuse for enduring Hightower's abuse stems from--get this--her parents saying "Just do your best," which she translates into not being good enough for them! Another reason she gives is that she was "too fat" in the seventh grade. With a loving family who was clearly willing to support her, why did these silly reasons bother her? Who knows? But Christopher Hightower is where he belongs, in prison for life. A shame RI had no death penalty.

I purchased this book because i personally knew the father and daughter of the family that was killed.I had visited them on a few occasions with my mother to discuss the Bible.I was only 11 at the time..but i remeber them vividly.I grew up in the next town over,and knew exactly all the settings in this book.Its a well told story...and the fact that it is also true makes it even more bone-chilling. I highly suggest it.

The reason I read this book was to find out if the wife and family of Mr. Hightower realized before the murders that he had problems and was capable of murder. It was an interesting and well written book explaining point by point the relationship, from start to finish of Susan and Chris Hightower. I think it was a necessary book to write and to read, as it shows the complete selfish and cruel nature of Chris Hightower and for a brief moment you can see through his eyes and, as crazy as he is, you begin to understand why he thought he could get away with murder. One of the reasons I think people should read the book is because it examines the non-physical side of abuse that is just as harmful and probably more long lasting than the physical. Had Susan been aware of the manipulation that was controlling her, she might have ended the relationship years earlier and saved herself all the heartache. Christopher Hightower would very probably have murdered or attempted murdering someone who got in his way with or without Susan. The horror of what he did to the Brendel family is unbelievable and painful to read but the book brings it out factually without glorifing the brutality of Hightower's actions. I am glad I read it and I hope it will help others not to casually become intimately involved with strangers without meeting their family and finding out who they are or as much as you can about them.