Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
MOMMY DEAREST..., 15 Jun 2008
This is a well-written, gripping true crime tale. I simply could not put the book down! It is a tragic story that is profoundly sad, as it deals with the murder of a woman, Jane Bautista, by her older son, Jason Bautista, with the knowledge and blessing of the younger one, Matt Montejo. Jane Bautista was mentally ill, and they simply could no longer deal with her erratic and frightening behavior. Jason's regrettable act was one that he deluded himself into thinking would restore normalcy into his and his brother's lives, only to find that his young life would never be normal as a result.
The book lays out the pattern of the children's lives over the years, living with a mother that had, undoubtedly, developed paranoid schizophrenia in her early adulthood. Her behavior was erratic, frightening, and totally paranoid. Although she came into contact with adults, including her own family, displaying frightening, irrational, and peculiar behavior, no one did anything or notified anyone to intervene in what certainly must have been a very difficult situation with which to cope for her poor children. Their life was anything but normal.
The Deputy District Attorney who tried the case seemed to be totally without compassion, seeking the maximum penalty for this murder. He saw it simply in black and white terms. It is true, however, that Jason, who was about twenty years old at the time of the murder, could have sought outside help or simply left the household instead of murdering his mother in cold blood. Instead, he not only killed her but chose to dispose of her remains in a way that shocks the conscience. Although given his home life, it is difficult to expect him to have been totally rational. Yet, there is simply no way one can condone what he did. Still, one cannot help but feel that the criminal justice system dealt with Jason over harshly, given the context out of which his actions arose.
This is an excellent true crime book, three dimensional in the telling and well-researched. It is certainly one that aficionados of the genre will greatly enjoy reading.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really well written book, 2 Dec 2007
I have read loads of true crime books but this is one of the most well written ones I have ever come across. I could not put it down. I think the author did a fantastic job of putting across everyone's side and I finished the book feeling sad for the whole family.
The only criticism I have was being disappointed not be able to find anything else by the same writer!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read, 17 Nov 2008
I found this book difficult to put down, it was an interesting and extraordinary read. I found myself feeling sorry for Jason, yet, there is no way one can condone what he did. But feel that the criminal justice system dealt with Jason over harshly, given the context out of which his actions arose.
The only negative comment about this book was the 8 pages of alarming photos were not in the book?
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