This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Susan van der Walt for Readers' Favorite
In Scrapped: Justice and a Teen Informant, Lisa A. Peebles and John O'Brien investigate the abduction of Heidi Allen on the early morning of Easter - April 3, 1994 - from the store where she worked. Despite no evidence linking them to the crime, two brothers, Dick and Gary, are charged with kidnapping and brought to trial. Records found Dick was the last person to buy from the store before Heidi's kidnapping. Ironically, he was found not guilty, but his brother Gary was convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life. It is clear early in the book that Gary is innocent. Lisa and John's investigation shows the incompetence of the Oswego County Sheriffs' department, ignoring critical leads, misplacing vital documentation, and twisting evidence to fit their theories. And even the judges conspire to protect the system instead of ensuring justice.
This book is not an easy read. At 64 years, Gary has been in prison for 22 years. Lisa is in a race against time to prove Gary's innocence as his health deteriorates. She repeatedly loses in court despite endless hours scrutinizing all the information and evidence. But even when Lisa Peebles and John O'Brien discover the truth about Heidi's kidnapping, she has no legal way to have Gary acquitted and the real culprits prosecuted. In the end, there was no justice for Heidi Allen or Gary, an innocent man who died in prison. Scrapped: Justice and a Teen Informant is an extraordinary book and will suit readers who love true stories, court dramas, and root for the underdog.
