Bringing Adam Home: The Abduction That Changed America (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
Adam Walsh's kidnapping and murder in 1981 are very well known, in large part because John Walsh later went on to become rather famous as host of America's Most Wanted and an advocate for missing children. He's also the reason why parents today are much more fearful about stranger abduction than parents of the 70's or 80's, and that's not necessarily a good thing. But still, that's not what this book is about. It's about the botched hunt for Adam's killer.Botched is a pretty loaded word, but there's really no other word for it. Ottis Toole confessed to the crime, to multiple people, at multiple times over the years, giving details of the crime that nobody else knew about. But he was never charged. This is in and of itself a very interesting story. The problem with this book is the author. He's just a terrible writer. Nothing but cliches. I actually thought he was trying to be funny at the beginning, though it's a morbid subject to try to write a comedy about. Bringing Adam Home was both sad and intriguing as well as hugely impacting to the nation. As I read the story, I was saddened by how the case was handled, especially how it appeared that one man's ego seemed to get in the way of getting this case solved in a timely fashion. Confession after confession was made by one man and evidence piled up but was never organized in such a way as to bring about a conviction. In fact, evidence was overlooked, peoples' interviews never recorded and tips not followed up. In the end, one really feels bad for the Walsh family and the length of time they had to suffer without closure to their son's case. However, thanks also goes out to the Walsh family for promoting means by which missing and exploited children can be found.
What do You think about Bringing Adam Home: The Abduction That Changed America (2011)?
This kidnapping haunted me as a kid. Was interesting to now read about it as an adult.
—mischy87
Cannot believe how the police messed upon this case.
—Wackywall
