Loss of Innocence: A True Story of Juvenile Murder

by Eric J. Adams

true crime book

Genres: True Crime

275 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1991

Reviews

[Koren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two young girls are killed by a 13-year-old playmate in 1983 in Colorado. The story was interesting but I would have liked to have known more about why the 13 year old did what he did. He got off pretty easy because he was only 13 and later laws were changed so that teenagers could be tried as adults. I didnt read the little blurb at the beginning that said his real name and the name of the parents were not used until I was almost done and wanted to google to see if I could find out what became of him, but I understand why they could not use his real name. It sounds like he went on to live a productive life. Would have been nice to know for sure.

[Jennifer Wedemeyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is based on a true story that is so heart wrenching, it's hard to think about something like this happening to your family or anyone you know. Our family has been friends with the Janson family for about 25 years and it still breaks my heart to think about everything they have gone through. The parents of the murdered girls are amazing Christians with a tremendous amount of love for everyone they meet. The book is a good read but it made me feel sick because it's so close and personal and everything in it really happened to people we know.

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to read true crime and this was a heart wrenching story of a 13 year old boy that murdered two girls for no apparent reason other then taking out his anger and his destructive personality. It takes place in the 80's so laws have changed, but back then a juvenile was not treated as an adult and so I do not think the punishment was appropriate. It was an interesting read and shows how 30 minutes of mayhem can change the lives of many.

[Fishface · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read about a truly atrocious crime that led to a badly-needed change in Colorado law. The author does a good job of answering as many of the hard-to-figure-out questions as possible under the circumstances. The portrait he paints of the victimized family is both heartbreaking and inspiring. I do have to say that this book needed a final copyedit before going to press, but that's only a quibble.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrifying but fascinating read in a small town where you think nothing
really bad would happen here. This author did a fantastic job of writing this book
and I would recommend it highly.

[Jamie Lindemulder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the book was really boring and dragged out a bit. But overall it was a really good book. Would have liked to see some kind of update in the back (like 5 years later).

[Billie-jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking.

[wanderinggene]

I remember reading this when I was in 2nd year HS and opened my eyes to the world of crime books/novels. It was my classmate's book and I just cannot imagine being in that position considering I was around the same age as one of the victims and the suspect when I was reading it.