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Are You There Alone? (Abridged): The Unspeakable Crime of Andrea Yates Audiobook
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(3.02) - 358 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Suzanne O'Malley takes a close look at the Andrea Yates murder trial and discovers medical misjudgment, professional negligence, misapplied law, and a revelation that led to the overturning of Yates's conviction.
It took a jury less than four hours to find Houston housewife Andrea Yates guilty of the drowning deaths of three of her five children—and a mere half hour to sentence the troubled woman with a stunning history of severe mental problems to life in prison. But beyond the media coverage of her heinous crimes, there is a story that only investigative reporter Suzanne O'Malley has fully illuminated.
This updated edition of Are You There Alone? features a new chapter on the appeal of the Yates case, as well as personal updates on both Andrea and Rusty Yates. Having drawn upon hundreds of interviews—with expert witnesses, close friends, family advisers, and Andrea and Rusty themselves—O'Malley has produced a riveting true-crime account that shatters our notions about criminal law, mental illness, death-penalty politics, and religious fanaticism in America today.
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"read this because I lived in Clear Lake City where this happened. I know people have all sorts of opinions about what happened, but I have to say that after reading this book, her husband should have been tried as well as her. Her story is incrediably tragic. This is not written from her point of view, either."
— Maureen (5 out of 5 stars)
Are You There Alone? Listener Reviews
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" How could a person - a mother - do such a horrid thing???? Suzanne O'Malley did a nice job of shedding light on Andrea Yates, her condition and how this tragedy was able to unfold right before everyone's eyes. I read this in an effort to try to understand why.... Still don't know "why" but definitely understand mental illness more and the dangers of complacency and denial in dark situations. Very sad and tragic, but hope in some small way Andrea's story can help someone else reach out for help or make sure a loved one gets the help they need. Sad... interesting... educational... and in a weird way O'Malley's words helped me find a place within myself where compassion lived for Andrea. "
— Jane, 2/9/2014 -
" This was a fascinating, very very disturbing book. I have overlooked it many times on the library shelves before finally deciding to check it out....O'Malley does an amazing job with this book; it is very informative and thought-provoking. It has a lot more "religious stuff" in it than i usually like, but it is a fascinating look at mental illness, the problems of diagnosis, and the problems of responsibility within the mental health field. Recommended, but eerie and unsettling. "
— Aurora, 2/8/2014 -
" Very good true crime. Explores the backstory of Andrea, and her illness. Raises a question of what to do when "justice" isnt enough.... "
— Kim, 1/25/2014 -
" Interesting, but gave me chills and made me sad for weeks. "
— Juliene, 1/15/2014 -
" WOW what an insight to Andrea Yates and the tragic event that left the world in shock. Great read and highly recommend for true crime fans. Could not put this down! "
— Michelle, 1/11/2014 -
" cried hard for Yates' kids T.T "
— Natalia, 1/4/2014 -
" Mental illness is real, and though I don 't condone her actions, my heart is saddened by all the signs that were missed. If only those many times that she and her husband had sought help had been realized ... seven lives may have been spared. "
— Jennifer, 12/29/2013 -
" Very freaky! This book shows how serious postpartum depression can be for a woman... and her children. The book was OK... the story, sad. "
— Katie, 12/2/2013 -
" Skimmed the book. It got too medical for me. And I was expecting to read more about their lives. Not so much of the trial. "
— Marshan, 11/15/2013 -
" This was a compelling and hard book to read. The author did a through job, but it was such an ugly topic I would find it difficult to reccommend to others. "
— Jody, 10/7/2013 -
" The cover of the mass-market edition paperback contains one of the most well-designed, creepiest visual effects I've ever seen on a book: when you look at the front of the book from a certain angle (in florescent light, at least; I never took it outside), Andrea Yates just disappears. "
— Sara, 2/6/2013 -
" A thought-provoking look at the preventable tragedy. "
— Kelly, 9/24/2012 -
" This was crap. Didn't even finish it and sent it back to the library so technically it isn't 'read'. Blurgh. "
— Siany, 3/4/2012 -
" This was a very well written book about Andrea Yates. She's the mother that drown her children in the bathtub of her home. It really opened my eyes about mental illness and the dangers of ignoring it. "
— Jenny, 8/28/2011 -
" Morbid curiosity drew me to this book and wasted my time. This topic is difficult enough without having to deal with bad writing and repetitiveness. A definite must NOT read. "
— Cecilia, 6/7/2011 -
" Andrea Yates was mentally ill and it was incredibly sad that the system failed both her and her children. The writing was on the wall but no one was reading it. "
— Lisa, 12/4/2010 -
" 4/8/12 ~ Ordered from paperback swap today. I always thought this was such a sad story. "
— Tara, 7/23/2010 -
" I read this book a year or so ago and actually enjoyed it. I am usually into true crime bc it intrigues me, not bc i think it's cool. I don't know how she could do something so sick as to kill her children, but i wanted to know her story. "
— Krystin, 6/25/2010 -
" The cover of the mass-market edition paperback contains one of the most well-designed, creepiest visual effects I've ever seen on a book: when you look at the front of the book from a certain angle (in florescent light, at least; I never took it outside), Andrea Yates just disappears. "
— Sara, 6/9/2010 -
" Interesting, but gave me chills and made me sad for weeks. "
— Juliene, 1/7/2009 -
" Andrea Yates was mentally ill and it was incredibly sad that the system failed both her and her children. The writing was on the wall but no one was reading it. "
— Lisa, 12/1/2008 -
" Very freaky! This book shows how serious postpartum depression can be for a woman... and her children. The book was OK... the story, sad. "
— Katie, 8/29/2008 -
" tragic.... <br/>pemahaman yg beda ttg cinta dan kasih... "
— Rie, 7/12/2008
About Becky Ann Baker
Becky Ann Baker, narrator and actress, has received critics’ praise for her readings of books by such authors as Stephen King, James Patterson, Patricia Cornwell, Iris Johansen, and Karin Slaughter. She has performed in numerous roles on Broadway, starring in Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins. Her many television credits include Girls, Smash, and Nurse Jackie, and her film credits include Spider-Man 3, The Discoverers, and Hope Springs.