Michelle A. (TXMichelle) reviewed Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I read this book many years ago loved it then. Reread it when I read of Eli Stutzman's suspicous suicide death recently in Florida. A very good read. Be sure you have time to devote to it as there are many charactors involved.
Melanie C. (MelanieCap) reviewed Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Graphic sexual content.
Kristi H. (NateandKatesMom) reviewed Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" on
Helpful Score: 4
There were a lot of different people put in to this book that made it hard to follow along all the time. It was mesmorizing however, I couldn't stop thinking about the book even when I wasn't reading it. Not as good as Ann Rule books, but a good true crime story.
Ethel I. (RoyalCatwoman) reviewed Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" on + 278 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
The author, Gregg Olsen delivers with this one! Well written, researched and crafted, Olsen weaves a tale that will pull the reader into a world (thank God) most of us will never see. I don't want to give away any surprises but I will say that in the end I began to wonder if its possible that some people are born without a soul much less a conscience. Go ahead, buy it and read it, I highly recommend it, but be prepared this Amish tale aint about quilts and growing corn.
Eileen K. (ECK1730) reviewed Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" on + 32 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
an incredible true store of murder, obsession, and Amish secrets
Joy K. (joylorraine) reviewed Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Excellent true crime story of an Amishman named Eli Stutzman, his criminal life and the murder of his son.
Eva Marie L. (babyjulie) -
Helpful Score: 1
This is one of the better written t.c.'s out there/ Olsen is one of the better t.c. authors though.
This guy featured in this book is just nasty. That's the best word I can think of for him. (Oh, believe me, I can come up with some others but just an overall nastiness is what I get from him and even his look. Ugh.)
This poor little boy, not to mention this guys unfortunate wife and "friends"/"roommates"/"lovers" who came into contact with him.
I doubt I've ever said this in this situation and I honestly feel funny saying it but as sad as this is, I think this little boy is better off.
The things this boy supposedly saw and did and had done to him no one should ever have to deal with unless it's as an adult and of their own accord. To be fair, there was no blatant sexual abuse that was ever substantiated but the "little" that was known was enough for me.
This man should have been caught when he did what he did to his wife. How do these people slip through the cracks?
This guy featured in this book is just nasty. That's the best word I can think of for him. (Oh, believe me, I can come up with some others but just an overall nastiness is what I get from him and even his look. Ugh.)
This poor little boy, not to mention this guys unfortunate wife and "friends"/"roommates"/"lovers" who came into contact with him.
I doubt I've ever said this in this situation and I honestly feel funny saying it but as sad as this is, I think this little boy is better off.
The things this boy supposedly saw and did and had done to him no one should ever have to deal with unless it's as an adult and of their own accord. To be fair, there was no blatant sexual abuse that was ever substantiated but the "little" that was known was enough for me.
This man should have been caught when he did what he did to his wife. How do these people slip through the cracks?
Donna S. (dolldooties) reviewed Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this book although I wish there had been more details about what actually happened to Danny (the little boy). I guess we'll never know! I also agree with another member about the graphic homosexual content. TMI comes to mind!
Rebecca C. (angelize99) reviewed Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" on + 118 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This was one of the best true stories I have ever read. It was sad...and kept me tuned in until the end.
Shirley (junebug-annie) -
Helpful Score: 1
This is a case of religion colliding with evil. A God fearing man merging with a heart bent on destruction. A hidden soul of darkness. The father of this twisted man saw what he was early in his life. Stood by and did nothing. Teachers of little Danny suspected the abuse. Stood by and did nothing. The outcome was Eli's Son Danny was taught the deviant side of life by the master manipulator who was, in his early part of life, raised in the strict upbringing of the Amish.
Eli was into the world of drugs, homosexuality and deviate behaviour. He cared for no one and used and manipulated everyone he met. Then the killings began. Lover after lover was used and thrown away. His Son Danny was shown the underbelly of a sin filled lifestyle. Then came the time that he too was used and discarded by the man who worshiped money and sex more than his own offspring just as he did his wife years earlier. Eli being a true sociopath who spread his venom wide. He did not receive justice before he died but instead must stand before a judge much more powerful than man could ever judge.
Eli was into the world of drugs, homosexuality and deviate behaviour. He cared for no one and used and manipulated everyone he met. Then the killings began. Lover after lover was used and thrown away. His Son Danny was shown the underbelly of a sin filled lifestyle. Then came the time that he too was used and discarded by the man who worshiped money and sex more than his own offspring just as he did his wife years earlier. Eli being a true sociopath who spread his venom wide. He did not receive justice before he died but instead must stand before a judge much more powerful than man could ever judge.
Sandy R. (Sam75) reviewed Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Good true crime.
Justine L. (sftbalmom) reviewed Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" on
I was really engrossed with the book. I read it 2 days.
Donna B. (lovemydogs) reviewed Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" on + 44 more book reviews
Very graphic, would recommend for any true crime lover.
Edna B. (progressiveedna) reviewed Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" on + 2 more book reviews
This is a very sad story, but one I would recommend to anyone who has thought about child abuse and what could have been done to revent it.
Glenna D. reviewed Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" on + 16 more book reviews
Really enjoyed it! Easy read. The story of life of a little boy and his perverted father, of who killed him and left him on the side of the road to die.
Becky W. (Beckaru) reviewed Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" on + 19 more book reviews
This book reflects excellent and extensive research. It is very well-written. It is long, but isn't overdone nor could be shortened like some books that are 400 pages.
Kathy W. (Kwitt) reviewed Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" on + 25 more book reviews
Great reading. Incredible story.
Mindy H. (Mindy) reviewed Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" on + 71 more book reviews
This is a true-crime book, given to me by my mother who loves mysteries. I have nothing against true-crime, per say, but haven't been able to get into the book. It's about a little boy found dead and abandoned in Nebraska. His father was Eli Stusman, the son of an Amish bishop, but involved with pornography and other unsavory activities.
Sue W. (nana4) reviewed Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" on + 88 more book reviews
I realy liked this book; it is a page turner. However, I thought that the author went into too much detail when he was describing the sexual happenings going on among the gay men. I didn't like that part of the book at all.
Robbie . reviewed Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" on + 9 more book reviews
great book
Marianne S. (sfc95) -
I do not read alot of true crime, but I am very glad I picked this one up by one of my favorite authors. I read this in one day because I could not put it down. It is superbly written and reads with such a fast pace that you are completely engrossed. I did not know the story of the child therefore for me it was interesting to learn the outcome, if you are already familiar with the story it may not be as page turning.
Tonya B. reviewed Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" on + 6 more book reviews
Could not really get into it but it was still good.
Katie R. reviewed Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" on + 39 more book reviews
Another crazy child molester. They're everywhere, they're everywhere.
Neomi M. (truecrimefan) reviewed Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" on + 115 more book reviews
A shame when crimes are against innocent children, someone should pay
Christa P. (romeo) reviewed Abandoned Prayers: The Shocking True Story of Obsession, Murder and "Little Boy Blue" on + 334 more book reviews
On Christmas Eve in 1985, a hunter found a young boy's body alongside an icy cornfield in Nebraska. The residents of Chester, Nebraska buried him as "Little Boy Blue," unclaimed and unidentified-until a phone call from Ohio 2 years later led authorities to Eli Stutzman, the boy's father. Eli Stutzman, the son of an Amish bishop, was by all appearances a dedicated farmer and family man in the country's strictest religious sect. But behind this quiet facade was a man involved with pornography, sadomasochism, and drugs. After the suspicious death of his pregnant wife, Eli took his preeschool-age son, Danny, and hit the road on a sexual odyssey ending with his conviction for murder. But the mystery of Eli and the fate of his son didn't end on the barren Nebraska's plains. It was just beginning...
