Friday, January 31, 2014

Book Review: Please Don't Let Me Die



by Patrick J. McCarthy

Patrick McCarthy, his wife Lisa, and six of their children lived the worst nightmare any family can live. They lost their youngest daughter and baby sister, Danielle, a victim of homicide. The legal term in Washington State was Homicide by Controlled Substance. The particulars of how Danielle died constitute heartbreak in itself.

This book is written by a father who had questions about why his daughter had to die  and was unfamiliar with the legal system. Mr. McCarthy and his family had to wait eighteen long months for the main perpetrators to be brought to ‘justice’. The wait was hard because Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy did not understand why the process took so long. Each time there was a court date, they had to drive a great distance to the town where Danielle had been on the morning she died.  One bright spot was they had support from their family who mostly lived out of state.
All the while this nightmare was going on, they had one big question, Why were they the LAST to know of their daughter’s/ sister’s tragic death?
This is a book I would recommend to counselors or pastors. I believe this would be a hard read for someone who has gone through a similar time, unless they are going through counseling.


I received a free copy of this book from Carpenter’s Son Publishing and the author, Patrick J. McCarthy through The Book Club Network. All I was asked to do was read it and give an unbiased review.  

Graphic: barnesandnoble.com

10 comments:

  1. It's such a sad situation. It sounds like a heart-wrenching story. I hope it helped the family to heal by writing the book.

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    Replies
    1. Peggi: Thank you for stopping in. I can't imagine what they went through. I believe they will always have some question as to be the last to know of their loss.

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  2. Hi Cecelia! You have been a busy reader! I think I would have a hard time reading this book. What a nightmare. But your leading questions, and the wondering why they were the last to know...piques the interest too.

    This is a great review. I'm interested, and you didn't give anything away. Nice job :)
    Happy Weekend!
    Ceil

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    Replies
    1. Ceil: Thank you for your warm thoughts. The title of the book is what the daughter kept asking those she was with that night.
      On the website from which I received these books, an author pointed out to one of the reader/reviewers that the reviewer had given away an important plot point in her write-up. It has made me bit cautious. Blessings to you.

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  3. What a tragic thing to happen. It's hard enough losing a loved when long before their time but to have to wait so long for justice. Terrible!

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    1. Elsie: Thank you for stopping by. I found this story one of continual upheaval for the family. First, they found out about her passing after everyone else. Second, they were put through a lot of heart-breaking issues in this long process of the system.

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  4. Quietspirit, the book seems to ask the question why do bad things happen to good people. I guess we'll never know until we get to heaven. I hope the book brings comfort to them and others who have experienced a similar situation.

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    1. Angela: Thank you for stopping in. Yes, the question is there. It also asks the question of "Why did they have to be the last ones to find out their daughter had passed," This family was unaware of the process their case would have to go through,

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  5. Hi Cecilia .. certainly your description looks like the book would be an interesting read. It is tragic how some people's lives are determined by others ... and so sad that we cannot resolve things reasonably quickly - dragging out tragedy is just too terrible.

    Thank you for sharing with us - Hilary

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I would be honored to hear what you think about this.

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