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Book Review of Shattered Silence: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer's Daughter

Shattered Silence: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer's Daughter
KristinF avatar reviewed on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3


Melissa Moore really got a crappy deal. Her childhood was far from storybook. In this book, she bravely shares her story of growing up the daughter of a serial killer in a very dysfunctional family. Melissa's father killed and raped 8 woman starting when Melissa was 10 and ending when he was arrested during her sophomore year of high school.

The oldest of three children from an abusive and evil father. Her mother shifted into self preservation as Melissa watched the horror that her father dished out such as being loving and sweet one minute and brutally murdering her cat the next. Her father would talk to her like an adult and tell her things no child should hear. When Melissa's mother finally left her father she replaced him with a physically abusive husband and a string of financial troubles.

Following the divorce, Melissa had infrequent visits from her father and his unpredictable behavior. Luckily she listened to her inner voice and was able to make it to adulthood where she is now still dealing with the trauma from her childhood. Sadly, she took on the guilt of carrying with her what her father had done. This deep secret troubled her as she was afraid of what others who do if they knew. She also struggled with still wanting the love and attention of her father and shutting him out of her life in order to protect herself. This book written at the urging of Dr. Phil, may have proved to be a theraputic release for her while offering the reader a glimpse into what it's like to be the daughter of a serial killer. It does not detail his crimes or offer him glory through her writings. She mostly writes about her life and how it was affected by her sad up-bringing.

Melissa shares that for every criminal locked in prison... they leave behind a mother, father, daughter, son to deal with the affects of what they've done.

You can't help but hurt for Melissa yet also cheer her on as she pulls herself up and out of her tragic experiences.

For more information or to see Melissa's interview with Dr. Phil and Oprah visit her website www.melissagracemoore.com and look under "press".