Where There Is Evil

Like the other reviewers, I couldn't put this book down... stayed up until almost 3:30 in the morning reading it. The story was riveting even if the writing was sometimes a bit awkward. The other reviewers have referenced the important lessons of this book, that it should be a must-read for every woman and parent, but what also caught my attention was the obvious complicity of governments in allowing this sort of situation to go unpunished. One is certainly reminded of the numerous cases of involvement of government officials in child porn rings and pedophilia. Even scarier was the reference at the end to the existence of a child abuse "snuff film" industry. There is another Sandra Brown who deals with these topics so it is worth mentioning her books here also for the benefit of the interested reader: How to Spot a Dangerous Man Before You Get Involved and Women Who Love Psychopaths. This last book is an interesting read especially when considering the mother of the woman who wrote "Where There is Evil" and the many family members who covered up for the abuser. Readers of this book might also like to read Political Ponerology (A Science on the Nature of Evil Adjusted for Political Purposes), Programmed to Kill: The Politics of Serial Murder and Predators: Pedophiles, Rapists, And Other Sex Offenders. As Sandra Brown points out in this book, it's not that these things happen more frequently nowadays than they used to, it's that it is only now "more openly discussed." Her father may have victimized over 100 children in his career as a pedophile... I can't say that any of this type of reading is "enjoyable", but it sure is essential!

I could not put this book down. I started reading at three in the afternoon and continued until four in the morning. I have passed my copy onto my mother and after her there is 5 family and friends waiting to get their eyes into it. Get yourself a copy because not only is it a wonderful read, it is testament to the hidden world of child predators, and how they can be one of your own family or friends. The lessons learnt from this book is that People out there lead secret lives, and people in power assist in the cover-up, we need to understand this to prevent similar incidents happening in our neighbourhood, to our families. This book would be interesting to anybody who grew up in Scotland in the 1950s as the author has not only written of the tragedy but also of fond memories of a Scottish childhood and the friendships formed. You will be left astonished by what you read, and of the authors courage in uncovering it.

I have just finished reading this book which my mom bought for me in the UK. I read it in two days and couldn't put it down. The book tells the horrifying true story of a daughter's discovery of her own father's involvement in the murder of a 12 year old girl who vanished in the 1950's in a small Scottish town. The book traces Sandra's investigation of her own father, and the hideous discovery she uncovers of his [love of underage children] and the deplorable policing that failed to investigate the murder or pursue many allegations of [physical] abuse against Alexander, Sandra's father. The lesson in this book is to recognize that abuse is everywhere, often in front of our very eyes, and we need to be conscious and vigilent in order to prevent it's continuance. I highly recommend this book.