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Bringing Adam Home: The Abduction That Changed America Audiobook
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(3.02) - 913 listener ratings
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“Les Standiford’s account of the decades-long attempt to solve the murder of Adam Walsh is chilling, heartbreaking, hopeful, and as relentlessly suspenseful as anything I’ve ever read. A triumph in every way.”
—Dennis Lehane, author of Mystic River
“The most significant missing child case since the Lindbergh’s….A taut, compelling and often touching book about a long march to justice.”
—Scott Turow, author of Presumed Innocent
The abduction that changed America forever, the 1981 kidnapping and murder of six-year-old Adam Walsh—son of John Walsh, host of the Fox TV series America’s Most Wanted—in Hollywood, Florida, was a crime that went unsolved for a quarter of a century. Bringing Adam Home by author Les Standiford is a harrowing account of the terrible crime and its dramatic consequences, the emotional story of a father and mother’s efforts to seek justice and resolve the loss of their child, and a compelling portrait of Miami Beach Homicide Detective Joe Matthews, whose unwavering dedication brought the Adam Walsh case to its resolution.
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"This is the story of Adam Walsh's kidnapping, brutal murder, and the sloppy police investigation that followed. As someone who has long wondered about what really happened to Adam, and who the killer really was, I found this book immensely fascinating and satisfying. The author pulls no punches in describing the failings of the Hollywood, Florida police department. He also reveals who the real killer was and goes into painstaking detail over every little aspect of the crime that should have been prosecuted long ago. Along the way, he also talks about the Walsh family and how they were affected by the crime and the reforms they have championed in the media and in the law concerning missing and kidnapped children. Some parts of the story are grisly and disturbing, but the story would be less powerful if the particularly brutal aspects were glazed over. If you ever wondered about what happened to Adam, this book is for you!"
— Nancy (4 out of 5 stars)
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“This tale of the most significant missing child case since the Lindbergh’s—that of TV host John Walsh’s son Adam and the twenty-seven-year search for his killer—is truly terrific. A taut, compelling, and often touching book about a long march to justice.”
— Scott Turow, #1 New York Times bestselling author -
“Chilling, heartbreaking, hopeful, and as relentlessly suspenseful as anything I’ve ever read. A triumph in every way.”
— Dennis Lehane, New York Times bestselling author of Mystic River -
“A riveting account of a child abduction and murder that went unsolved for twenty-seven years—both an unsettling exposé of police incompetence and a portrait of an extraordinary and dedicated detective.”
— Joyce Carol Oates, National Book Award–winning author -
“[A] heartbreaking story of incompetent police and determined parents…Novelist and nonfiction author Les Standiford does a masterful job of re-creation, reporting and research…Readers will be haunted by the maladroit investigation and the added anguish this caused the Walshes.”
— Los Angeles Times -
“At its heart, this well-written and well-told book isn’t so much an account of discovering the truth behind one of the nation’s most notorious slayings as an autopsy of a botched criminal investigation that identified a solid suspect but soon sputtered and took wrong turns for more two decades…Readers willing to confront the horrifying nature of this crime will come…to admire the determination of Matthews and the Walshes for refusing to give up.”
— Washington Post
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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Selected for the March 2011 Indie Next List
Bringing Adam Home Listener Reviews
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" I read a book years ago about the Adam Walsh case;however, this book has alot more detail about the crime. It certainly kept me reading. It also evoked emotions of anger and disbelief about the errors and egos that got in the way of this case. Very moving, very detailed book. Loved it. "
— Lesley, 2/19/2014 -
" So insightful into the world of a psychopath and the problems an ignorant band of detectives can have on the solving of a case. "
— Wayne, 2/16/2014 -
" Decent read. Interested, sad, scared, glad, but mostly angry. I was interested in reading about a crime I had known about, but did not really know many details. I was very saddened by what happened to Adam Walsh and what his parents went through. I was scared criminal acts like this are not solved even with seemingly overwhelming evidence. I was glad perserverence finally brought the truth to light. But mostly, I was so very angry at the actions of people who I normally expect to be helpful and thorough when others are in need. Their clouded judgement and ego prevented the truth from being discovered for so long. Unforgivable. "
— Karen, 2/9/2014 -
" This is a very sad book, to think the family had to wait over 25 years to find the true killer, though it was known immediately who did the crime. The police department did a 'no care' attitude on this case, leaving one investigator helpless, since he was not the boss. We all know about the show "America's Most Wanted," but read about the moderator's own heartache and frustrations he and his wife went through all those years. It is unbelievable. It will leave you angry, but will lead to many discussions, too, on how we must NEVER have such botched up police departments again. However, it does still happen, everyday. I highly recommend this book, with you then recommending it to others. "
— Marie, 2/2/2014 -
" Engrossing tale of a crime I remember only too well and one that really did change all of our lives. "
— Susan, 2/2/2014 -
" Loved this, but very sad. A lesson in reality and why we all need to be careful and look closely at the people we come in contact with. This guy ran all over creation victimizing people before he was finally arrested. "
— Charlene, 1/7/2014 -
" Very disturbing all the mistakes that were made in the investigation. Glad the family was finally given a bit of peace. "
— Tammy, 1/7/2014 -
" This book makes me rage for the parents and in shock that the police could do this. "
— Ashley, 12/21/2013 -
" Wow....I thought I would be more upset than angry with this story. Must read John Walsh's book... "
— Laura, 12/19/2013 -
" Very disturbing... "
— Mary, 4/19/2013 -
" What a heart wrenching experience for the Walsh's or any other family that has a child abducted. I could not finish this book because othe graphic description of what happened to Adam was too much for me. "
— Jennifer, 3/10/2013 -
" I still remember this case(Adam Walsh). Horrible, and how tragic the way this case was handled from the beginning. It took 27 years for these parents to finally get justice. "
— Kathy, 10/21/2012 -
" Fascinating book. I am glad that the Walsh family finally have some kind of closure. It's just too bad that nothing will ever be done about the detectives who bungled the investigation and those who covered it up to protect the department's image. "
— Sue, 9/3/2012 -
" This book is a very quick read. The events within are touching and will often bring you to anger and confusion. It's also a true story that will bring you to tears. A must read... "
— Tyrone, 7/17/2012 -
" Very disturbing how incompetent the police were on this case. At least some did come as a result. "
— Jean, 4/27/2012 -
" I'm glad to know what actually did happen to that poor little boy. "
— Cindy, 2/28/2012 -
" I still remember this case(Adam Walsh). Horrible, and how tragic the way this case was handled from the beginning. It took 27 years for these parents to finally get justice. "
— Kathy, 4/22/2011 -
" This is more like 2 1/2 stars. I liked it but it was a little too technical in areas for me. I liked the story part, not the nitty gritty details. "
— Amy, 4/21/2011 -
" I never knew the depth of the institutional malfeasance and incompetence that contributed to this case remaining unsolved for 25 years. A stunning work. "
— Scott, 4/15/2011
About the Authors
Les Standiford is the author of several critically acclaimed books, including Last Train to Paradise, Meet You in Hell, and Bringing Adam Home. His book, The Man Who Invented Christmas, was a New York Times ‘Editors’ Choice’ and was made into a feature film starring Christopher Plummer and Dan Stevens in 2018. He is a professor of English and founding director of the creative writing program at Florida International University and holds a MA and PhD in literature and creative writing from the University of Utah. He attended the US Air Force Academy and Columbia School of Law and is a former screenwriting fellow and graduate of the American Film Institute in Los Angeles.
Robert Fass is a veteran actor and twice winner of the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. He has earned multiple Earphones Awards and been named in AudioFile magazine’s list of the year’s best narrations for six years.
About Robert Fass
Robert Fass is a veteran actor and twice winner of the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. He has earned multiple Earphones Awards and been named in AudioFile magazine’s list of the year’s best narrations for six years.