This is a very sad book. The book begins a few hours before the crime itself and then goes back in time to tell the story of the perpetrators. The girls in this crime all had difficult lives. The mastermind behind the crime, Melinda Loveless, wanted to kill Shanda Sharer because of another girl, Amanda Heavrin. Loveless had an upbringing that few would envy. There were allegations of incest between Loveless and her father. Loveless was a lesbian who had her heartbroken by Amanda Heavrin.
Laurie Tackett, Hope Rippey and Toni Lawrence were the other teens involved in this crime.
Laurie Tackett was a girl who had a controlling mother and a passive father. Laurie was also a lesbian with a chip on her shoulder. Toni Lawrence, a quiet girl, didn't have a clue as to the other arrangements planned. Lawrence was of the understanding that the four of them were only going to a punk show in a neighboring area. When she got into the car she learned there was more than a show in store for the evening. Hope Rippey was an acquaintance to Laurie Tackett. A passive girl but completely aware of the events to take place.
The victim, Shandra Sharer, was thirteen. The relationship between Sharer and Heavrin began during detention. It wasn't long after that the typical teenage letters were being exchanged. Heavrin eventually broke up with Loveless and began seeing Sharer exclusively. Sharer had a horrific death that spanned several of the early morning hours on January 11, 1992. She got into the car willingly but under false pretenses.
Aphrodite Jones does a great job of telling this story. This story is told in a narrative manor versus the journalistic tone that is sometimes seen with true crime books. She has done well with her research on each person. A lot of background information had to told to fully understand (but not justify) what was going on with all of the girls.
This is the first book I have read authored by Aphrodite Jones and I enjoyed it. I am currently reading another of her books at this time.
There is a myspace page dedicated to Shanda Sharer at: www.myspace.com/shandashearer.
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