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I went into this book already knowing the case.
Like many people, I had followed the headlines. I’d watched a TV special (either 20/20 or Dateline), and I had also seen the Netflix documentary. I thought I understood the story—or at least the outline of it.
What I didn’t know was how much happens in the quiet spaces between what the public sees.
I chose the audiobook, and that decision mattered. Hearing Shari Franke tell her own story—in her own voice—made this a very different experience than watching coverage or documentaries. You can hear the emotion she still carries, but also the control she’s worked hard to build. It never feels sensationalized.
What I Expected Going In
I expected:
- More shocking details
- More focus on the broader family
- A rehash of what had already been reported
I assumed the book would fill in the gaps with more information.
What I didn’t expect was that it would fill them with context instead.
What the Book Actually Does
This book is very intentionally not about everyone.
Shari makes a clear choice to center her own experience, while protecting her younger siblings—who are still minors—from further exposure. That restraint stood out to me immediately. She acknowledges what happened without putting children who are still processing trauma into the spotlight.
She’s also careful about how much detail she gives. The abuse is not glossed over, but it’s never described in a way that feels gratuitous. The focus stays on how events were processed internally, not on shocking the reader.
That balance made the book far more powerful.
Why the Audiobook Hit Harder
Because Shari narrates it herself, you hear:
- hesitation
- emotional weight
- moments where her voice tightens or softens
Those moments made it clear this wasn’t a performance—it was lived experience. If you’re deciding between formats, I genuinely think audio adds something meaningful here.
Reading This as Someone Who Works With Traumatized Kids
This part surprised me the most.
I work with children who have a history of trauma, and listening to how Shari describes her internal processing—especially the confusion, loyalty, fear, and normalization—gave me insight I didn’t expect to gain from this book.
It helped me better understand how children can live through extreme situations and still struggle to name them as harmful in the moment. That perspective alone made this read valuable to me on a professional level, not just a personal one.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t a book that tries to go viral. It doesn’t push shock value or demand attention.
It’s thoughtful, controlled, and deeply human.
I recommended it to a coworker, and she loved it too—for many of the same reasons. If you’re looking for something that expands your understanding rather than overwhelms you with details, this book delivers.
