Precious Victims

Penguin True Crime

By: Don W. Weber, Charles Bosworth Jr.

Narrated by: Kevin Pierce

Length: 15 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

This is a New York Times best-selling true crime book considered by many to be a classic of the genre.

The police in Jersey County, Illinois, accepted Paula Sims' story of a masked kidnapper who snatched her baby girl, Lorelei, from her bassinet. Three years later, her second newborn daughter suffered an identical fate - and this time the police were unable to stop searching until they had discovered the whole horrifying truth. This is the full terrifying story of twisted sexuality and hate seething below the surface of a seemingly normal family and of the massive investigation and nerve-shattering trial that made the unthinkable a reality. Written by the lawyer who won the case and the reporter who covered its entirety, the listener is given a unique close-up of the riveting drama that unfolds, painting a dark picture of the depraved family who lived with a murderous secret.

©2015 Charles Bosworth, Jr., Don Weber (P)2015 Charles Bosworth, Jr.

This Is How A Crime Book Should Be Written

'Precious Victims' grips you from page one. Heavy in details however totally lacking in monotony taking you on a journey that will make you scratch your head and get you asking yourself 'Is it me or are some people born without a soul?'

This is a detailed account of the true and devastating story of a woman who reported that her baby daughter was kidnapped from the marital home. Sadly the child was found deceased shortly after. Her statement sounded wholly implausible however the police just closed the case and did not pursue it further. You would think that would be 'It' but no there was more. Three years later another daughter was born and another abduction occurred.

Totally unbelievable tale but it really did happen. Don W. Weber and Charles Bosworth are faultless in the recounting of this case from the beginning right through to the epilogue in 2015. Does not leave you wondering what they are doing now.

Kevin Pierce, as usual gives us another brilliant performance. However I doubt if he would know how to give less as he is always superb.

Worth a listen

Very in depth recounting of the inner workings of prosecuting an obvious killer. Focus is on the amount and kinds of detail both police and prosecutor need to spell out for a jury. Very little blood and guts and very much thinking a case through. Liked the book.

Awesome book!

This book grabbed my attention right off the bat and held my interest the entire time. it is an easy listen but not one to where I would lose focus or get distracted. I love true crime and this is awesome!

Fascinating and heartbreaking true crime

Again, I had never heard of this case when it was happening and therefore it was a mystery nonfiction -- perfect story for me. Although the tragic and unthinkable circumstances are reminiscent of 'Small Sacrifices' by Ann Rule (the Diane Downs story), there were distinct differences and unique defendant who was as secretive as Diane Downs was a chatterbox. There were segments that dwelled too deeply in my opinion on the individuals involved in solving the case - their childhoods, education, professional background, and I would have preferred the focus return to the crime itself and the suspects. There was a preaching tone, an air of arrogance I picked up through the narration. Not to fault in any way the narrator himself. I adore Kevin Pierce and find myself more I search of his name than an author's. But even Kevin Pierce's talent cannot mute the inadequacies of a writer. This is not Jack Olsen or Truman Capote, but it kept me on the edge of my seat and I recommend it as a good listen.

Wow...Incredible Story

I started hearing about this case after Randy & Robert passed away. The story made me curious and I picked up this book. The book is engaging and details the events with candor and compassion. I enjoyed the book, but it was hard to believe the facts of this case. Using the same story twice just seemed a bit absurd. I wonder if Robert was involved. I guess some questions will go unanswered.

Really Tragic

I love to listen to real crime stories, and this was truly tragic. I can't believe she murdered not one but two babies. Thank God for prosecutor Don Webber for finally putting her away. She was a really sick woman, and her and her husband were strange people. Don't know if his rules are what pushed her over the edge but she should have left him.

lacked a punch

I love true crime, but in this i just kept waiting to get hooked, for something explosive.

don't waste the time listening, the story could have been told in two sentences. 1. crazy lady says her two of her daughters are kidnapped 5 years apart, she killed them. 2. The end.

love this narrator.

REMEMBER THE VICTIMS

If you could sum up Precious Victims in three words, what would they be?

Lawyer's big Ego

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

For such a very sad story I felt the book was more about the prosecutor than the victims, the crime or the trial. It was clear that he found the whole process a fun game and loved to score points - and then laughingly brag about them in the book. This was such a sad crime but somewhere along the way the poor victims disappeared and it all became about Don Weber. It only reaffirms the things they say about lawyers, that the legal process is just a game to them.

Sad read

This book gave those poor babies justice.

I love Don Weber’s voice! I could listen to him for hours!

Okay

I was interested in the story, but it was stretched out too long. I was struggling to finish toward the end, but I wanted to know the verdict! I did appreciate the updates of the case in the later years.