Beth -
Helpful Score: 4
Almost from the firt page, this book had me riveted. It's hard to believe these types of things could happen in America, even in the late 70's and early 80's. It was, by far, the most gripping, shocking, and horrifying true crime stories I have ever read. It makes one hope that Child Protective Services is doing a better job today than they did for the Sexton children. I also had to look this case up on the internet to see if it really was real.
Michelle (ShellyD77) -
Helpful Score: 3
"Eddie Lee Sexton is evil incarnate. Like Charles Manson, he exercised a cult-like mind control over others who did his dirty work. But unlike Manson, both Sexton's victims and his subjects were his very own flesh and blood." As strong as they are, these words from an assistant district attorney barely hint at the depravity hidden for years within the Sexton family. Strange notions about "Futuretrons" and hand markings that convey absolute power, revelations of incest and physical abuse, bodies buried in the camping area of a Florida state park-- House of Secrets has so many layers of weirdness that it will amaze even seasoned readers of true crime. Lowell Cauffiel has a talent for combining quotations from interviews and unembellished facts into prose that reads like a novel. Two people are dead, and the children who suffered the cruel fate of being born into the Sexton family may never completely heal from their injuries--but at least their story has been told.
Michelle L. (keyi) reviewed House of Secrets: A True Story of Family Murder and Madness on + 46 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I don't normally write reviews but the drama played out in this book deserves something. This family is/was so sick and twisted that I had to stop midway and look up this case on the internet because I couldn't believe it could be a true story! A horrifying tale of depravity just to unbelievable for words.
Pamela H. (pjwebee) reviewed House of Secrets: A True Story of Family Murder and Madness on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Disturbiing, disturbing, disturbing. Leaves a lot of questions unanswered, just like in real life where Social Services, Human Services, and The Justice Department have no idea what is going on. Fairly written with all the flaws exposed.
Charles T. (Gyp) reviewed House of Secrets: A True Story of Family Murder and Madness on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
The best true crime book I've read. You'll be horrified at the story of the sick and twisted deviant Eddie Lee Sexton and his brood. Dysfunctional family doesn't even begin to describe these people.
Tanya C. (my1lulabug) reviewed House of Secrets: A True Story of Family Murder and Madness on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
If you like true crime and you can separate yourself from the fact that there are very sick, disturbed and disfunctional people in this world that do horrible things, then you will like this book. Yes, it does have some very disturbing things like incest, beatings, rape and murder but it was very well written and the author did a very good job! Please don't read this if you are unable to handle the few things I have listed because I did find myself saying out loud "Oh My God" and he is one sick ________ ________ you fill in the blanks, amongst many other things. Squinting my eyes and shaking my head as well. There are also a few photos with some being very disturbing.
Heather W. (sinnaminika) reviewed House of Secrets: A True Story of Family Murder and Madness on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is one of my favorite books. It drawls you in. Very well written . A must own book .
I did find out a year or two later after reading this book that this crime was talked about on Sally Jessy Raphael . I could not find anyone who had taped the episode. I would have loved to see it. Maybe one day a copy will pop up on ebay !
I did find out a year or two later after reading this book that this crime was talked about on Sally Jessy Raphael . I could not find anyone who had taped the episode. I would have loved to see it. Maybe one day a copy will pop up on ebay !
Even for a true crime lover, this was by far the most disturbing. Could not put it down.
Tonette D. (tdinsc60) reviewed House of Secrets: A True Story of Family Murder and Madness on + 41 more book reviews
Shocking
Kris K. reviewed House of Secrets: A True Story of Family Murder and Madness on + 23 more book reviews
this is a twisted, though true tale. Some may find it difficult to read as it is very graphic, but these things do happen, so.......
THIS IS ANOTHER OF MY MOMS FAV BOOKS
this book is very disturbing. If you are very soft-hearted about "family" do not read this book. after i read this book it stayed with me for a few days. I had to read a comedy to get my spirit back together.
Paula B. (jmgrammy) reviewed House of Secrets: A True Story of Family Murder and Madness on + 16 more book reviews
This book kept me spellbound. It is hard to believe that this horror could go on in one house with this many members before one of them had the courage to tell. The end of the book gives stats for incest in the American family and it is staggering.
Rachel W. (starkissed2012) reviewed House of Secrets: A True Story of Family Murder and Madness on + 16 more book reviews
This has got to be the best true crime/child abuse book i have ever read, and i have read many. Its also the sickest book i have ever read. It is so shockingly hard to believe people like Eddie Sexton and his wife exist in this world. In comparison to other true crime books, i never got bored of this book ...like i do some... especially towards the end with the court cases. This book keeps the story going throughout with more sick details and revelations all the way to the end. Shocking pictures in here as well. Everything from Incest, physical and verbal child abuse, to murder. Once in a while it jumped around from character to character scene to scene , and there were so many children and people involved in the case it was a little bit hard to keep track of who was who, other than that well written book. Highly recommend if you like this type of genre of reading.
Amy W. (suspenseprincess) reviewed House of Secrets: A True Story of Family Murder and Madness on + 51 more book reviews
This book doesn't have a dust cover.
