Carolyn reviewed Vanished at Sea: The True Story of a Child TV Actor and Double Murder on + 29 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
I read this book in two days, but that doesn't mean it was good. It's the story of Tom and Jackie Hawks, a married couple who live and set sail on their yacht. Tom and Jackie are in great shape, love life, their family, and have lots of friends. When their first grandchild arrives, they decide they want to sell their boat and buy a home to be closer to their son and his family.
Skylar Deleon is a pathetic loser. He along with his loser wife and three loser friends scheme to kill Jackie and Tom, and take possession of their yacht and their bank accounts. The story unravels quickly and is one of the most horrific books I have ever read (I have read lots of TC).
Their is one drawback to this book: The book came out before Deleon went to trial. Want to read a good book on this case? Try Dead Reckoning by Caitlin Rother.
Skylar Deleon is a pathetic loser. He along with his loser wife and three loser friends scheme to kill Jackie and Tom, and take possession of their yacht and their bank accounts. The story unravels quickly and is one of the most horrific books I have ever read (I have read lots of TC).
Their is one drawback to this book: The book came out before Deleon went to trial. Want to read a good book on this case? Try Dead Reckoning by Caitlin Rother.
Sandra D. (bookcrazychick) -
Helpful Score: 3
This book is heartbreaking. I have been reading True Crime for 25 years and this one just made me incredibly sad. An innocent couple places an ad to sell thier luxury yacht. This couple was not rich by any means. He was a retired probation officer, she a home maker. They had just scrimped and saved for years to afford thier dream - live at sea. Once grandchildren entered the picture they decided to move back on land. This sociopath and his wife wanted the boat. They had no money. So he and some thugs lured the couple on a test drive of the boat, stun gunned them and forced them to sign a bill of sale for the boat along with a Power of Attorney which would give the killer access to all their financial assets. Then tied them to an anchor and threw them overboard. The thought of what this couple went through during the last minutes of their life is just almost to much to bear. I feel so sorry for thier families.
Gail K. (MrsTazInCT) -
Helpful Score: 2
This book was such a GOOD read. I had a hard time putting it down !!!! If you like true crime and need a fast read this is your book !! such a sad story .
Audrey S. (auddiemae) -
This book was a freightening story of how a trusting couple put their boat up for sale, then made the tragic mistake of taking the "buyers" on a test drive - never to be seen again.
The story is well written, flows well and tells the story without bogging the reader down with long trial documents. A retired detective and his wife took to the ocean in a ship they called "Well Deserved." After cruising for a few years, they decided to once again settle down into a home to be near a new grandson. An add was put into a paper, and a greedy couple answered the add with no intention of actually paying for it....
The author does a fantastic job of giving the reader the background of all parties, and is a book that is hard to put down.
The story is well written, flows well and tells the story without bogging the reader down with long trial documents. A retired detective and his wife took to the ocean in a ship they called "Well Deserved." After cruising for a few years, they decided to once again settle down into a home to be near a new grandson. An add was put into a paper, and a greedy couple answered the add with no intention of actually paying for it....
The author does a fantastic job of giving the reader the background of all parties, and is a book that is hard to put down.
Frank M. (mingo1968) -
This was a very good book. If you like true crime. My heart went out to the Hawks family.
June A. (pertdoe) reviewed Vanished at Sea: The True Story of a Child TV Actor and Double Murder on + 191 more book reviews
I enjoyed this book very much. It was written very well and told a great story. It's hard to believe that such things could happen to such nice people, but of course they do. The research was excellent. If you enjoy this genre you will enjoy this book.
