Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - In the Middle of the Night: The Shocking True Story of a Family Killed in Cold Blood

In the Middle of the Night: The Shocking True Story of a Family Killed in Cold Blood
In the Middle of the Night The Shocking True Story of a Family Killed in Cold Blood
Author: Brian McDonald
AN INNOCENT FAMILY — The affluent suburb of Cheshire, Connecticut, seemed like the perfect place for Dr. William Petit and his wife, Jennifer Hawke-Petit, to raise their two lovely daughters... Until July 23, 2007, when, according to police, two ex-cons invaded the Petit home hoping to embark on a routine robbery--one that would ultimately prove ...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780312945749
ISBN-10: 0312945744
Publication Date: 9/29/2009
Pages: 244
Rating:
  • Currently 3.1/5 Stars.
 16

3.1 stars, based on 16 ratings
Publisher: St. Martin's True Crime
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed In the Middle of the Night: The Shocking True Story of a Family Killed in Cold Blood on
Helpful Score: 4
Please do not buy or read this book. It makes me very sad and angry that this book got published! All the information is from one of the killers who says he didn't do it, the other guy did. This was a beautiful family and it makes me sick that Dr Petit, has to go through this again and again. This book comes out BEFORE the trail of the animals that murdered his beautiful wife and two daughters.Read this: Book That Gives One Defendant's Version Of Cheshire Killings Coming Out Before Trials -- Courant.com
Source: www.courant.com
Sandiinmississippi avatar reviewed In the Middle of the Night: The Shocking True Story of a Family Killed in Cold Blood on + 265 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
The book is primarily about one of the killers. Given this, I could not call it an accurate overview of the crime - but the crime was so disgusting and senseless, that I found this insight into how someone could do such a thing interesting. The author evidently did not have access to the surviving husband, but he gives details of the victim's lives gleaned from friends. He had correspondance and visits with one of the killers instead. He in no way glosses over the brutality but does give some ideas of how someone becomes so twisted.
ilovebooksanddogs avatar reviewed In the Middle of the Night: The Shocking True Story of a Family Killed in Cold Blood on + 356 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is one of the most unusual true crime books I've ever read and it really made an impression on me. The author concentrated more on the lives of the two men who committed this horrific crime than on the victims. Now I don't care for that, I have never been one to wonder why someone commits a crime, I care more for the victim than the perpertrator and always will but reading about Joshua Komisarjevsky's life was fascinating for me. He had his whole life handed to him on a silver platter, he was intelligent and well schooled and yet chose to throw it all away and for what? To seem like a big bad man? The parts of the book where he broke into homes at night and sat in living rooms or stood over sleeping people just to hear them breathing made chills run up and down my spine. Our homes are our sanctuaries and knowing this had happened somewhere at some time has scared me to the point where at night I am now finding myself aware of every little sound in my house. I thank God I have dogs!
Both these men were walking time bombs who obviously slipped through the cracks and I hope that crack swallows them whole!

I liked the way the author skipped back and forth between the crime and what led up to it. It was fascinating and chilling reading. It was written before trial and after I finished I googled to find out what sentences they received. Joshua was sentenced to death on Jan 27,2012 as was Hayes in 2010. Once again it amazes me when the courts take so long to bring justice to the victims. And of course with years of appeals looming in the future these two will sit on death row for many years to come. Our court system needs re-vamped, the victims should always come first but sadly that is not the way it is and I doubt it ever will be. Many people have been sexually abused as children and don't commit crimes and I believe using that as an excuse is a big load of bullshit! I cannot wait for the day I hear these two have paid for this horrific crime. My heart breaks for Dr. Petit and his family.
Read All 5 Book Reviews of "In the Middle of the Night The Shocking True Story of a Family Killed in Cold Blood"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

DimensionX avatar reviewed In the Middle of the Night: The Shocking True Story of a Family Killed in Cold Blood on + 65 more book reviews
I liked the story, but I really prefer to read a book that is written after the trial takes place. I had to look up the ending of this story on the internet. Also found on the internet: Hayes wants to become a woman.
murder101 avatar reviewed In the Middle of the Night: The Shocking True Story of a Family Killed in Cold Blood on
This is a book about the Petit murder.One of the men accussed of the crme gave the author over 200 written pages and met him face to face,he did this before he went to trial which caused a stir .it is the most horrible crime i have have read about in a long time,


Genres: