Murder by Family: The Incredible True Story of a Son's Treachery and a Father's Forgiveness

Forgiveness and Love

A compelling title, astonishing story, and strong Christian message of how God helps us forgive even the unthinkable events in our lives. I highly recommend this quick read of one father's journey into his son's hidden life and how he welcomed home his own prodigal son.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Astounding story of a father's love and forgiveness

Murder by Family by Kent Whitaker is an unbelievable story of betrayal and forgiveness. What would you do if someone killed your spouse and child, shooting you as well? Could you forgive? Could you do it if you found out that it was your other child? Kent Whitaker faced just that dilemma. Returning home one night after celebrating his eldest son Bart's graduation from college, his life changed forever. He heard a shot when younger son Kevin walked into the house, another as his wife stepped forward, and as she fell, he saw a figure wearing a face mask, before Kent was hit in the shoulder from another shot. When a fourth shot rang out, Kent thought that Bart must have been shot as well, and as he lay in wracking pain and bleeding out, believed that his entire family had been killed. While lying in the hospital, Kent felt God's peace come over him, and he forgave the shooter and murderer of his wife and Kevin, but as the police quickly focused in on Bart as their number one suspect, that forgiveness was tested. Kent compares his suffering to that of King David with the betrayal of son Absalom; even though his son tried to have him killed, he did all he could to model God's unconditional love and forgiveness. Kent's story is absolutely amazing and could only be told by someone with enormous faith. I've read some poor reviews of this book, and I don't think that those reviewers can comprehend the power of faith. Kent doesn't excuse Bart's actions and faces all of the consequences of the shooting, however, I do think that he spent too much time trying to explain the inexplicable. It's a powerful story of a father's love.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Compelling and Emotional Journey to Forgiveness

I found myself absorbed into Kent's story and unable to put the book down once I'd opened it. I'd orginally checked this book out due to my love for true-crime novels, but right away found myself immersed in a soul searching read. I began checking my own insecurities with God and related to Bart's lost feelings. I can't determine one way or the other if I absolutely believe Bart's found his way back to God, but that is not up to me to decide. One part of the book states "It is often the same charateristics that we despise about others that we despise about ourselves." That really hit home for me. Overall, this is an amazing tale of heartbreak and forgiveness when forgiveness seems the last thing to do. I envy Kent's ability to forgive someone who hurt him and the rest of his family so deeply, yet I applaud his faith and ability to reach out to others.

I recommend this book

I found this book fascinating. I had watched this story on "48 Hours" and on "Oprah" and was interested in the forgiveness this father had for the son that murdered the rest of the family. I must say that while I find his forgiveness amazing, I am not convinced of his son's repentance but, then again, I don't have to be. I felt bad for the father, but do think the son got what he deserved especially since the murder was his third attempt to kill his family. If his friend had been a better shot, the father wouldn't be here to tell his story either. I was also appalled that the son didn't seem to have any problem finding morally corrupt people to help him. I think they all should have gotten the death penalty, although the son was the worst since it was his family that he should have wanted to protect--it was the ultimate betrayal. I hope the father finds peace in this life and I think he will if he hasn't already thanks to his deep faith. I was happy to hear the treatment that the son receives in prison--I think that's what all prisons should be like. I don't feel bad for the son at all. I think he had to be a sociopath to do this. I don't buy the "poor me, I didn't like myself but now I am better" defense at all. My sympathies go the victims not the murderer.

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