Listen Carefully: Truth and Evidence in the JonBenet Ramsey Case

by True Crime Detectives Guild

What really happened to JonBenet Ramsey? Was her death intentional or an accident, covered up to look like a botched kidnapping? What are the facts about the case DNA? What does it really tell us, and is it relevant to the crime or contamination? Can it be tied to an intruder, or was District Attorney Mary Lacy’s attempt at exoneration of the Ramseys based on faulty interpretation of the actual lab results?

“Listen Carefully: Truth and Evidence in the JonBenet Ramsey Case” contains 12 pages of explosive DNA reports from Bode Cellmark Forensics that had been hidden until recently, as well as details of the 2013 shocking revelation that John and Patsy Ramsey were indicted by a Grand Jury in 1999, but the Boulder District Attorney declined to prosecute.

Exposing the many myths and misrepresentations of facts in the Ramsey case, the book uses documented evidence and detailed research, as well as extensive interviews with many who were involved in the case, to present the truth surrounding JonBenet’s death and the 20-year investigation.

With a thorough linguistic analysis of the ransom note, as well as handwriting comparisons, new photos, footnotes, a bibliography for further reading and five appendices (including timelines, Ramsey house plans, and a guide to understanding DNA), the book is essential for anyone interested in not only what happened to JonBenet, but why.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime

437 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 20, 2016

About the author

Using expertise in various disciplines, The True Crime Detectives Guild studies cases of unsolved crimes, particularly those that affect the public’s trust in an impartial media and an unbiased system of justice.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen Carefully is quite an interesting read. If one is obsessed with the JonBenet Ramsey case, then this is the book for them. It is full of facts about the investigation and debunks myths and other rumors the public has believed over the years. The authors thoroughly explain many aspects involved, including how the DNA was tested. The book has color photos and diagrams that are easy to read and understand.
I think all would find something new they did not know about this complex case. 
This is my top favorite book I have read on the events involving this investigation. 
100 stars

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book for Kindle to read whilst traveling to and fro during the holiday season. I had heard about the JonBenet Ramsey case from a few friends over the last several years, so even though I was familiar with the general information, I did not know much. This book provides an exceptional, detailed overview of the events of the case. Each chapter centers on a different aspect of the case and/or evidence, and gives technical information without being boring to the reader.

I thought the inclusion of lines from the ransom note as subheadings for each chapter was quite clever. I also appreciated the "who/where they are now" bit at the end of the book. Overall, it is very well researched and professionally presented. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is remotely interested in the death of JonBenet or the inner workings of a forensic case.

[Heather Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on the Ramsey case!

If you have any interest in knowing the facts and truth concerning this case, this is where you want to start. Or maybe you're like me and have followed this case from the get go, and have put passion and extra time in your research and just want this poor lil girl to get some sort of justice. Well, this is the only justice, IMHO, that Jonbenet will most likely see, too many hands in this pot, I believe. But the Truth, is the only justice I see happening legally.
Great Job True Crime Detectives Guild!! :)

[gwinna stover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straightforward

This book was written for those who just want the facts. It doesn't lean towards any particular person(s). And even though it's my first read of this tragic crime, I found it to be very detailed. Recommend.

[Chikira7878 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've followed the Ramsey case for 20years. I have read most of the books on the case and all the viewpoints on the different crime forums. Over the years, there have been an conflicting accounts, books written by many different people, including the Ramsey family themselves and multiple theories, ranging from the plausible to the completely absurd. This book is the first to lay out clearly in a way to state the absolute facts, debunking so many of the myths and lies that have been told. The book gives the reader the sequence of events in a logical, manner. When exposing so many of the myths that have built up around this case, the authors have verified their information with officially backed up documentation. They refrain from giving their own opinion and simply present the facts, leaving the reader to make up their own minds. This book is absolutely the best I have read on this case. I could not put it down. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who has had doubts and questions about this case. I think this book answers them all. Along with Detective Steve Thomas' book, this book is a simply must read for any follower of the Ramsey case

[MARK LAING · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally well- researched and written book. It seems there should be a by-line rather than "True Crime Detectives Guild." If it was several contributors then they did a terrific job. Great analysis, super-detailed DNA section (more than was needed in this reader's opinion) and dispassionate, logical detective work.

The trouble with this JonBenet stuff is it becomes an obsession - and this was a pager turner for sure. But this could perhaps be the one book to buy if you can only read one. Steve Thomas's was excellent but this is written some 16 years later and has the benefit of the Grand Jury scandal, new DNA technology and more digging. This is the definitive version for my money. I only wish the authors would be more up front and simply give an opinion of what happened. This is somewhat open-ended and leaves a lot of it up to the reader but I could hardly put it down for a moment nonetheless.

[Susan Bureau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised that there was anything I didn’t know about the Jonbenet Ramsey case—except what really happened. True crime is a guilty pleasure for me, and this is a good one, especially if you love to get into the weeds of forensic evidence.

[Lycoris Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book but it will make your blood boil!

This is a fantastic book. I read in within a day. Be warned it will make you so mad to think this family got away with murder!

[Frank Bruno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Precise- Thorough-Readable.

And the first two may be an understatement! Combination of good prose narrative, highly detailed tech stuff , e.g. handwriting and DNA, along with pull-no- punches commentary. Excellent choice if your objective is a one stop , well-rounded understanding of this sad ,tragic and horrible case.

[Chad Montabon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast read with the facts laid out about the very sad case of JonBenet Ramsey. Everybody in the stadium knows what happened, but wealth, privilege and the desire to minimize hurt lead to a travesty.

[Christine Matha · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book on this case. With so many books on the Jonbenet Ramsey case that are fulll of biased opinions, I found this book refreshing to have a book that presented facts. No matter how many you have read there is insightful information held within the pages that will be surprising. Perfect addition for anybody interested in this case or for adding to a True Crime library. Two thumbs up, Detectives Guild for publishing.

[Chrissy Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fairly dispassionate and meticulous unravelling of the JonBenet murder case. The facts are recounted and analyzed systematically. The evidence is overwhelming in a particular direction, but there is ultimate uncertainty about the guilty party. An intriguing mystery that will probably never be solved. But the case is irresistible with its mix of tiny beauty queen, wealthy and socially prominent parents, suggested child abuse and obvious deception.

[Dewin Anguas Barnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe this is my ninth book on the JonBenet case, and I would rank it the best. It was full of great information and analysis that is lacking in the other books I have read. The handwriting analysis section and the DNA discussions were the most informative. So glad I read this one. Highly recommend.

[Andrea Hickman Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing new or unexpected.

[Justkeepreading85 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this one really wordy. Nothing new about the case.

[Carolyn Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and hard to put down. Highly recommend it!

[María Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing.

[Samantha Beaty · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book definitely had information in it that I didn’t know. it went into great detail. the reason I gave 3/5 stars is because it was a little too long in my opinion.

[Alicia Rothman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Sandy Priester · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very thorough look at the 20 year old unsolved murder of JonBenet.
Excellent explanations of the evidence, and especially the DNA tests.
I recommend this book for anyone interested in the case.