Crush: VERB 1) to press or squeeze with a force that deforms or destroys

By Carole Barker

When Mormon missionary Keith Barker meets Patty Jenkins, he is unaware that one step inside her home will catapult him into the life of an accomplished sociopath. Patty's life story includes rape,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595522254
• ISBN13: 9780595522255
• Release Date: October 2008
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 172 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A fast-paced and heart-wrenching read

Crush is a fast-paced page turner that alternately broke my heart and scared me out of my mind. I kept wishing that it was fiction---the story is achingly sad in its truth of the abuse of Steven by his sociopathic mother. Heroes are borne in the story---especially in the form of Keith's wife Beth. The world would be a better place if we were all more like her.

Riveting and Educational book

Loved this book! My husband and I read it together and couldn't put it down, reading non-stop until we finished it after 1 A.M. The author has done her homework on the subjects of sociopathy and Munchausens by proxy. This is a heroic true story of a father's ongoing battle to be part of his son's life and provide him with positive and loving experiences despite the endless crazy stunts the abusive sociopathic mother pulls to keep the boy from his father. The author has an engaging writing style taking you along with her as they experience the frustration of dealing with the legal and medical systems, and the urgency of getting the boy away from his mother. We couldn't stop thinking about the story for days after reading it and of course visited the author's website to get updates on how the story is unfolding. Definitely a must read for parents and anyone who works in the public sector as we all encounter people who exhibit sociopathic behavior and need to be more aware. Thanks for writing.

A MUST FOR MEDICAL AND DOMESTIC ABUSE WORKERS AND VICTIMS

This book is an excellent source of how to witness and document ANY abuse. It is an account of abuse in its sickest form - directed toward a child. It's clear and concise and so compelling that I couldn't put it down until I was finished. Her website keeps you informed of their ongoing battle with an abuser that is not being held accountable for her actions. I recommend it to anyone and everyone!

This is someone's life. . . .

I couldn't put this book done once I started reading it. I was up until 3:30 in the morning, on a work night, turning page after page, dying to know what kind of roadblock was coming up next. This is an extremely well written and reader friendly book. If nothing else, its educational and I give kudos to the writer for bringing this kind of abuse of children into the light. I am a long time fan of Stephen King, Ann Rice, and Dean Koontz and this book gave me the chills. I wanted to tell myself that "its only a book, its only a book" but the sad thing is, that this is someone's life and the families that are involved are real.

Fascinating Story

A must read book. You feel like you are reading fiction - it is that fascinating. You can't stop reading! Amazing tale from two perspectives. First, it is a heart wrenching story of a young child with a very disturbed mother - who goes to unbelievable lengths to serve herself. Second, it is a heart warming story of a young child who is very fortunate to have an amazing father and stepmother (yes- you read correctly - an amazing stepmother) who go to very impressive lengths for a son they love very deeply. A can't put down book! You will be touched on so many different (and opposite) levels.