Bringing Adam Home: The Abduction That Changed America

Still Sad after Thirty years

As the author reminded me there was a time before Adam Walsh that I had not experienced as a parent. I definitely remember being a child and being allowed to roam free as long as I was home for dinner. My oldest child was born in July, 1981, just before Adam was abducted, and I remember vividly the national attention this case generated. I became a parent with a watchful eye, and while paranoia was not part of my mindset, we all knew the rules about 'stranger danger'. This case still draws attention today as the thirtieth anniversary of Adams abduction approaches. I learned things from this review of the case that I had not read earlier, but it was a struggle for me to finish this book. Not because of the violent content, or the horror of the crime, but for the way it was written. This book is mostly focused on the mismanagement and mishandling of evidence by the detectives in charge of the case, and it was appalling to realize that the person responsible for Adam's abduction and murder was never brought to justice. That is certainly well documented in the book, but unfortunately the writing is poor and a drudgery to get through. I needed to finish it to the end, and was glad that I did but the editors should have taken more time to help the Detective Sgt. Matthews bring this story to us. I think readers who are in law enforcement will find it interesting but as one who reads true crime, memoirs, and biographies on a regular basis it was a disappointment. Read it if you need to know what John and Reve Walsh went through to get justice for their son. Read it if you live in Florida and think police can do no wrong. Or if you know someone in law enforcement and want to see how things can really go wrong when prejudice and self righteousness rule. Otherwise remember Adam Walsh through the great work his family has done in his name, and give this book a pass.

8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

This is a profound look at one of the key (and the first) "Abduction that Changed how America deals with crimes against children

In July, 1981 in a Sears store in a Hollywood, Florida mall, six years old Adam Walsh vanishes. His frantic parents Reve and John worried about their son's safety until two weeks later when Adam's partial remains were found. In 1983, Jacksonville police arrested Otis Toole for arson and murder. He confessed and recanted his confession of killing a child. Over the years Toole continued to confess killing Adam, but also withdrew his confession though he knew details that only the killer would have known. Evidence was mishandled and vanished so he was never was charged with the little boys homicide. In 1996 Toole died in prison.

Although John and Reve became voices of advocating the rights of children and strong laws to protect the young, they never found closure with Adam's death. Finally in 2006, they hired retired Florida police officer Joe Matthews, who was on the original inquiry, to look into the cold case murder of their son over two decades earlier. Matthews analyzed Toole's confessions and other deviance. In 2008, Matthews and his team using modern technology determined who killed Adam.

This is not an easy read as John Walsh explains no one gets closure even with the case solved. Much of the true crime account faults the police for shoddy work, which can after awhile detract from the overall emotional impact of what the Walsh family emotionally went through (and still are going through) and the macabre riveting comments by Toole. This is a profound look at one of the key (and the first) "Abduction that Changed how America deals with crimes against children.

Harriet Klausner

3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Page turner that makes you question everything you know about society and the people you trust.

The main reason I wanted to read this book is because I am a fan of AMW and John Walsh. Growing up and watching AMW I had always heard bits and pieces about John Walsh's son Adam being abducted and then murdered. I recently tuned into a recent episode of AMW and thought to myself that I should really learn about a crime that has impacted our society for so many years.

My heart goes out to the Walsh Family. No one should ever have to go through so much pain for so many years trying to get to the bottom of what happened to their son.

It sickens me to know that the man who stole Adam's life will never be brought to justice. He confessed almost 30 times to various people but the main investigator was so damn lazy when it came to his job!!! He literally did all he could to prove Toole didn't commit the crime instead of getting all the facts and evidence in order to prosecute him.

It took almost 30 years but the Walsh family finally could say in truth without any doubts who murdered Adam. It should have been done 25 years earlier and especially while the killer was still alive!!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

highly recommended

A quick read...difficult to keep track of all the people involved in the story

Loved it

I love this book. It takes you back to the time when i was a kid. Has alot of details. Could not put it down at times. Reminds you of how quickly it can happen.

Wow!

This is an amazingly horrible story... but it was told honestly and gave insight into John Walsh's life. So sad.

Have my fellings changed sence i have been reading

Yes becuase this book descridbes or monafies that u should not be scard of anything. It makes u fell like u are strong or tough becase you ar not scard if someone is threating you.like of they are saying ha they are going to kil u or somthing like that.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Spellbinding

This book is very well written. I found it extremely hard to put down. God bless Adam and his family.......heartwrenching.

Bring this book home. Everyone should get a copy.

I am a law enforcement professional and reading this book helped me understand the emotional drama and struggle the parents of a lost child go through. It is very graphic and at times it will make you sad. This case is one that did change America. RIP Adam Walsh you will always be rememered. Because of your dad many people have been reunited with lost loved ones and many cold cases solved. You should be proud.

Loved it!

Couldn't put it down.

wondereful book

well written and a good read

Highly recommend despite the heartwrenching subject matter.

I had no idea the investigation into Adam Walsh's murder was such a debacle. I hope the changes in the way American law enforcement treats missing children cases because of Adam's story brings some small comfort to John and Reve.Very compelling story.

Excellent book

Very good book that looks at the investigation of the abduction of Adam Walsh. This book provides the view of one of the detectives who helped early in the case and later did his own review of the investigation at the request of the Walsh family. The authors talk about all the errors that were made during the investigation and the evidence/statements that were ignored and how these errors affected the outcome.

Great read!

Anyone with children will appreciate this book. A tragic story that could have happened to anyone. The work of the Walshs has helped the world to be a better place....saving the lives of many children in the work and dedication in the name of their son.

Compelling story of an investigation gone wrong

Bringing Adam Home by Les Standiford & Joe Matthews is the true story behind the abduction and murder of Adam Walsh in 1981 and the subsequent investigation. The story is well known to most Americans because it changed how they viewed the world around them. It was no longer a safe place, and children needed close supervision, even in the corner store where they had previously been thought safe. Adam's father John turned his grief and frustration at the stalled investigation into crusading zeal and helped get the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children founded, as well as beginning Fox's longest running program America's Most Wanted. But even with all the good the Walshes accomplished in the wake of Adam's murder, they still lived daily with the question that haunted all of America: What had really happened to Adam? John and wife, Reve, asked friend and investigator Joe Matthews to take a look at the twenty-five year old evidence and interviews and see if he could finally give them an answer. What Matthews uncovered was incompetence by the Hollywood, Florida police department, including willful destruction of evidence by chief investigator, Jack Hoffman. Readers will find their own frustration and anger rising at Hoffman's repeated and deliberate refusal to acknowledge the truth. Ottis Toole, a serial killer associated with Henry Lee Lucas had confessed to Adam's murder multiple times, and almost as often recanted. The evidence is laid out before the readers in a logical manner, and readers will come to agree with Matthews' conclusion, especially with the inclusion of photographs that sat at the crime lab for a quarter century without being developed! The book is a powerful indictment of the Hollywood PD's refusal to request help when they knew they were over their heads, as well as their malicious sabotage of the careers of anyone who tried to stand in their way. The evidence is conclusive as to Adam's killer. Matthews should be commended for the great burden he has lifted not just from the Walshes but from everyone in American who has been haunted by this tragic story.

good but repetitive

this was a telling look into the horrific experience of the walsh family following the abduction of their six year old son adam. it will certainly make you question the credibility and motivation of law enforcement. i was appalled at what i learned and although i assume done for impact i found some of details redundant. all in all a good book.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.