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44th out of 212 books
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Abandoned Prayers: The Incredible True Story of Murder, Obsession and Amish Secrets
by
Gregg Olsen (Goodreads Author)
On Christmas Eve in 1985, a hunter found a young boy's body along an icy corn field in Nebraska. The residents of Chester, Nebraska buried him as "Little Boy Blue," unclaimed and unidentified-- until a phone call from Ohio two years later led authorities to Eli Stutzman, the boy's father.
Eli Stutzman, the son of an Amish bishop, was by all appearances a dedi...more
Mass Market Paperback, 416 pages
Published
April 1st 2002
by St. Martin's True Crime
(first published 1990)
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This is a case of religion colliding with evil. A “God fearing man” merging with a heart bent on destruction. A hidden soul of darkness. The father of this twisted man saw what he was early in his life. Stood by and did nothing. Teachers of little Danny suspected the abuse. Stood by and did nothing. The outcome was Eli's Son Danny was taught the deviant side of life by the master manipulator who was, in his early part of life, raised in the strict upbringing of the Amish.
Eli ...more
Eli ...more
Slayermel
rated it
The first half of this book was really interesting, as we learn a lot about the Amish life style. The author explains a little of what it was like to grow up on an Amish farm, the dating, marriages etc...
Eli Stutzman not only grew up Amish he was also gay. His wife dies in a mysterious barn fire and he takes off across the states with his son living a wild life of gay parties, turning tricks and pornography. This book gets into a lot of detail about the gay scene in the early 80's and ge...more
Eli Stutzman not only grew up Amish he was also gay. His wife dies in a mysterious barn fire and he takes off across the states with his son living a wild life of gay parties, turning tricks and pornography. This book gets into a lot of detail about the gay scene in the early 80's and ge...more
This is one of the better written t.c.'s out there/ Olsen is one of the better t.c. authors though.
This guy featured in this book is just nasty. That's the best word I can think of for him. (Oh, believe me, I can come up with some others but just an overall nastiness is what I get from him and even his look. Ugh.)
This poor little boy, not to mention this guys unfortunate wife and "friends"/"roommates"/"lovers" who came into contact with him.
I do...more
This guy featured in this book is just nasty. That's the best word I can think of for him. (Oh, believe me, I can come up with some others but just an overall nastiness is what I get from him and even his look. Ugh.)
This poor little boy, not to mention this guys unfortunate wife and "friends"/"roommates"/"lovers" who came into contact with him.
I do...more
Another true crime, but I definitely don't recommend this book. First of all, the Amish guy is a homosexual and it goes into too much detail about the homosexual lifestyle - really nauseating! Second, I don't like the way Gregg Olsen tells the story - its too disjointed and hard to follow.
Basically its about an Amish dropout who murders his Amish wife and his 9 year old son and a few others along the way. A really depressing story.
Basically its about an Amish dropout who murders his Amish wife and his 9 year old son and a few others along the way. A really depressing story.
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I do not read alot of true crime, but I am very glad I picked this one up by one of my favorite authors. I read this in one day because I could not put it down. It is superbly written and reads with such a fast pace that you are completely engrossed. I did not know the story of the child therefore for me it was interesting to learn the outcome, if you are already familiar with the story it may not be as page turning.
Gregg Olsen is a really good True Crime writer. This was a fascinating read. There is something about the Amish that makes most people want to find out more about them and their lives and customs. And the idea that an Amish man could be a murderer is out of the realm of possibility for most of us.
This story travels miles over U.S. highways and will always keep you guessing. Enjoy!
This story travels miles over U.S. highways and will always keep you guessing. Enjoy!
While I really enjoyed the story itself, I did not care for the writing of this book. I think it could have been cut in half if the author had stuck to the story itself and not the underlying sexual relations of Eli Stutzman. This is the second book by this author I have read and I think his style is a bit all over the place. I think it'll be the last of his I read.
First off there was a lot of sexually graphic content that disturbed me. It was a very
sad, true story. Although I feel that the actual story was interesting and worth reading it was way too
wordy and tended to drag on in places. I found myself skipping pages. What a sad story and life of
Danny Stutzman, and the shocking details surrounding his death.
sad, true story. Although I feel that the actual story was interesting and worth reading it was way too
wordy and tended to drag on in places. I found myself skipping pages. What a sad story and life of
Danny Stutzman, and the shocking details surrounding his death.
Very interesting book. No matter what religion you are raised in, there is always evil. Eli got away with so many things, and lives could have been spared if people would speak up, but rather hide their own sexuality than give information about suspicious activities. This book as a lot of gay relation details, so reader beware. Too bad we will never know what really took place.
A disappointing read. Not only do we know what happened, who did it and why early on, but the writing is very disjointed, making even the storytelling uninteresting. Plus, there are WAY to many chapters describing the killer's reckless gay lifestyle in detail. Abandon any prayers for a good read with this book.
A very well written true crime book. While I am always saddened by what has truly happened, I enjoy reading this genre to try to help me understand what makes villians the way they are.
Alright I have decided I love Gregg Olsens style of writing in fiction and non fiction. Feeling as if the questions I may have wanted to ask was answered in this book. I need to admit I love to read several types of books but 364 books are my favorite. If you are wondering why, where and how things happen this is the book!
Not as well written as Deep Dark and way too many sex details, but a good read. Also, why the title change? Not really any Amish secrets--just a wacko!
Very sad read. Eli Stutzman was an incredibly sick man and poor Danny must be one of God's very special angels now!
Compelling to read but I would have liked more psychological analysis regarding his motives on doing what he did.
I read this book awhile back and I still can remember it. It is such sad, sad story! I could have cried!
Incredibly disturbing and terribly sad, but very well written.
One of the saddest books I have ever read.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I love Gregg Olsen. I also love true crime books.
Gregg Olsen never fails to disappoint whether he is writing fiction or non fiction.
Writing a review for a true crime novel is hard. I enjoy reading true crime because I always want to know more and in knowing more maybe I can find out WHY someone would commit such an unspeakable act.
Gregg Olsen takes you behind the newspapers and the tabloids and shows you see the WHY....to me...more
Gregg Olsen never fails to disappoint whether he is writing fiction or non fiction.
Writing a review for a true crime novel is hard. I enjoy reading true crime because I always want to know more and in knowing more maybe I can find out WHY someone would commit such an unspeakable act.
Gregg Olsen takes you behind the newspapers and the tabloids and shows you see the WHY....to me...more
One of my favorite true crime books.
Religious zealotry strikes again.
just couldn't get into it...didn't finish
I had never read Gregg Olsen before, but now I am a fan of his. I was drawn to this book when I saw that part of the story took place in Austin, and when I saw that the main character was formerly Amish. This book is fascinating and frightening. It makes you wonder how it's possible for someone to get away with all that the main character did!
I read this sometime back. It was one of my first true crime reads. I could not put it down. I was so discusted how a father could do that to his own son. It was hard for me to read, being my fisrt true crime. When it described the sight of the boys body, well that is one image I will never forget. I do not know how police men do this everyday...
This was my first Gregg Olsen true crime book, and I found it fascinating to follow the crimes of a former Amishman. In fact, it would not surprise me if he committed crimes that were never proven or discovered yet. Gregg is one of the top true crime writers of his generation.
Very shocking and sad read about a former Amish man who appears to have turned into a serial killer. Interesting reading about the Amish culture and how some struggle against their rigid beliefs.
Id rec this to ne1. if uve neva read tru crime b4 start wit this one. i'm only 13 and got a real buzzzzz out of it. theres som weirdy peeps out there! gregg olsen is fab
Somewhat interesting, definitely sad. Especially since the guy who left such a trail of destruction in his wake is now out of prison.
Tragic!
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Throughout his career, Gregg Olsen has demonstrated an ability to create a detailed narrative that offers readers fascinating insights into the lives of people caught in extraordinary circumstances.
A New York Times bestselling author, Olsen has written seven nonfiction books, three novels, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.
The award-winning a...more
More about Gregg Olsen...
A New York Times bestselling author, Olsen has written seven nonfiction books, three novels, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.
The award-winning a...more
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