Bringing Adam Home

Bringing Adam Home
By Les Standiford
Ecco, 2011. 291 pgs. Nonfiction

In July 1981, Adam Walsh was kidnapped outside of a Sears store in Florida. When his severed head was found two weeks later, life in America changed forever, and Adam's parents, John and Reve, pushed for legislation and organizations to better support victims of kidnapping and their families. Even as they advanced their cause, no one was charged with the kidnapping and murder of their son, despite the fact that Otis Toole confessed numerous times. Detective Sargent Joe Matthews, who tried to help the local police department from the start but was rebuffed many times over the years, did eventually piece together the evidence to the give the Walsh family the closure they needed.

This was a fascinating true crime story. It will draw readers into one of America's most infamous crimes. The writing can be a bit disturbing, due to some language and the nature of the crime, but overall, I think the author handled the subject matter as tastefully as he could while staying true to the story. A superb piece of narrative nonfiction.

AE