Helpful Score: 7
I thought this book was very interesting in regards to how the human psyche works both with the perpetrator and the victim. There is a section at the end explaining how missing children have been looked at over the years, which was very enlightening as well. Sad story but it was an interesting read.
Helpful Score: 7
I could hardly put this book down. This true account of a young girl who somehow fell into the hands of a convicted pedophile, who raised her as his own child,is one of the most haunting books I've ever read. The fact that she was a brilliant, vivacious, and beautiful person makes the truth of her life all but unbelievable. How could such a thing happen? Why didn't she ever confide her predicament to anyone? This is a well-researched book with information on the various agencies that help in searching for missing and exploited children.
Helpful Score: 7
Sharon Marshall was the daughter anyone would have loved to have. Smart, popular and an outstanding member of the ROTC, she appeared to be going places in her life. But this sweet girl next door had secrets too horrible to share with anyone. Caught hopelessly in a web of deception with the man she referred to as her father, Sharon's story remains one of the most baffling unsolved crime cases in America. It is very well-written, but incredibly sad because it is a true story. It is amazing to think someone really went through the things she did. You will be affected deeply by this book. I recommend it for anyone interested in the true crime genre.
Helpful Score: 5
Wow! True crime at its very best. This book had me glued to the pages all the way to the very end. I am utterly impressed at what the author went through to put this story together. This is the true story of a mystery girl that was kidnapped by a ex-con pedophile at a young age who he subsequently raises as his own daughter. This mystery girl is an amazing person that left a remarkable imprint on numerous lives during her short time on earth. The fact that her true identity is still a mystery as of today (July 2009) is very sad. The book details the weird life of her 'father' Franklin Floyd. It truly makes you wonder how many more lost children are out there. Thank you to Matt Birkbeck for assuring that 'the beautiful child' will not be forgotten in death.
Helpful Score: 4
Wow...wow...wow. This book was amazing. It really is such a sad story and it is true. This story really stayed with me for days. After I was done reading it I still couldn't put the book down.
Helpful Score: 4
This is the horrifying true story of a mysterious young woman caught in the violent web of the murderous fugitive she called her father-and a heartrending testament to the profound courage and perverance of one woman trapped in the grip of extreme evil.
Helpful Score: 2
This is a very disturbing book almost unreal.Very much worth the read.If for no other reason to honor the memory of the girl who to this day truly remains Unknown.
This the the MOST amazing book I have ever read, please, please, please read this book. I could not believe this story, I could not stop reading this book. I was actually saddened that the story was finsihed. You will certainly look at life differently after you read this book. May Sharon Marshall rest in peace, whoever she was.
Helpful Score: 1
This is really a disturbing story. A young woman's husband is really her father? Who is this young woman and what happened to her real family? How did she wind up living with a pedophile and no one ever found out? What makes it even scarier is this is probably going on with other children out there.
Helpful Score: 1
This story is a page turner, and you will never forget it.
Helpful Score: 1
This is one of the best written true crime books I have ever read! Birkbeck didn't just sit at his computer and let information flow to him, he went out and did his own research and interviews. Given the quality of writing and detail I would say Sharon Marshall's story effected him the way it effected all those involved with the Floyd investigation. It's a heartbreaking mystery that's impossible to not leave a lasting impression.
Sharon's story leaves so many asking how, why, who, and where. I myself started searching through missing persons files while reading this, even going so far as to join Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community to discuss this case with others who want answers. This is not a story that will be forgotten by those who read it. This is the kind of story that will shake you someplace deep inside and make you want to take action to help find the answers to all those questions.
Sharon's story leaves so many asking how, why, who, and where. I myself started searching through missing persons files while reading this, even going so far as to join Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community to discuss this case with others who want answers. This is not a story that will be forgotten by those who read it. This is the kind of story that will shake you someplace deep inside and make you want to take action to help find the answers to all those questions.
Helpful Score: 1
A sad, sad story about a sick man who stole a beautiful child who grew up (briefly) not knowing if this guy was her father, or later, her husband. A heartbreaking story about misogyny and well, evil.
Very good True Crime book, has pictures as well.
This is one story that will have you up till the wee hours. This young girl lived her short life in a living hell---hard to imagine this is true. Harder still to know it still goes on.....
This book is about a girl who was kidnapped when she was young by a pedophile. She was a gifted student in school and got a scholarship to college. She could have had a chance at a better life. Her kidnapper wouldn't let her go. He ruined her life the instant he kidnapped her.
A good read with psychological/criminal twists and turns that you don't expect.
Riveting book that has everything...so good I couldn't put it down and read it in one day! Don't miss...
This was a very thought provoking book about a pedophile and his victims-very disturbing.
Good book about a girl/women that is a mystery.
Such a sad story. Wish they could find out her real name.
