crime and criminals

After reading this book I feel truly blessed to have married my dear sweet husband, because not everyone is so fortunate. This was a very good book. I was able to finish it in 2 days, you can't put it down. It is a very fast paced book that makes you keep reading to find out what happens next. You never get bored. Irene Pence did a good job in giving great detail to paint a picture of what happened. This book really showed how violent and troubled the father was and how it affected everyone around him. It also makes you mad about the way how law enforcement handles domestic violence. This takes you through the years of torture the 1st and 2nd wife went through to try to rid themselves of the evil they married. Luckily, the justice system prevailed and a crazy man was brought to justice for killing two little girls. If you are thinking about this book, order it! It was very interesting and I proudly display this book with the rest of my collection.

Man abuses wife, wife tries to deal and justify it. Man abuses wife, woman tries to get away. Man abuses wife, woman files protective orders. Man violates orders, woman pays high price. Man remarries and starts over. New wife files protective order, man violates them. Man beats wife, man gets out of jail free. Again and again. Man teaches new wife lesson: takes away the two things she lives for. Forever.

Even his first severely beaten wife, Michelle Ghetti, thought he was a good father. So who would have thought notorious accountant, John Battaglia, would have committed the most devestating and horrendous act possbile? Worse still, little Faith and Liberty, his daughters, KNEW what was coming.

Mary Jean Pearle and Michelle Ghetti, with all their might, share their story with master true crime writer, Irene Pence, of domestic violence, injustices of the so-called-legal system (in place to protect them) and heartbreak.

During the story, if there is a time you are not terrified for Battaglia's wives, you are ensconced in Pence's terrific use of imagry. She shows you the story in such a way, it's as if you are there and living it--yet at a safe distance.

As incredible as the crimes Battaglia committed, is the American "justice" system. Many times, after making bail for one offense or another, the very place meant to keep the public safe--the jail--would actually ASSIST Battaglia stalk and taunt both Michelle and Mary Jean by allowing him to use the phone to taunt and threaten them!

Liberty, Faith, and Laura are the three children in the story. Laura is the lucky one; she survived her dad. But the horror will haunt her forever. Thanks to the courage of Mary Jean to come forward, Michelle for diligently working at changing the laws, and Pence, for making the story known, we just may be able to prevent another true crime from happening.

Don't read this story if you don't like domestic violence stories, because I guarantee, it's a shocker.

This book was very hard to put down. I will never forget Faith's last screams. I can only imagine what it was like to be her mother and hear those screams. I absolutely loved this book.