No, Daddy, Don't!: A Father's Murderous Act of Revenge

by Irene Pence

Book Overview

The horrifying true story of John Battaglia, an abusive husband who committed the ultimate act of violence and betrayal by murdering his two young daughters, as their mother listened helplessly on the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786022205
• Release Date: July 2003
• Publisher: Pinnacle
• Length: 317 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 0.9" x 4.1"

Customer Reviews

intriguing read

I recommend this book to any true crime fan. The story was disturbing obviously, but it takes a good writer to make the story come to life. I love the character development, the background, and the story. This one you'll read in a day!!!

But what goes on behind closed doors?

One might suspect that any book with the title "No, Daddy Don't" would be serious and bloody. That assessment would be correct. NDD is first tier true crime and recommended without reservation. NDD is a hard and uncompromising true crime tale about a horrific, brutal abuser named John Battaglia. The setting is in Dallas. Battaglia murders his two daughters while on a visitation. His former wife actually hears the murders via cell phone! This takes place in the earliest pages. TDD proceeds to unfold like a classic noir crime tale: the story line is a flashback. This is a tried and true device, which does not detract from the suspense. Readers will be kept enthralled to learn if Battaglia will ever be brought to justice on two counts: one is for the murders, the other for the gross abusiveness to his second wife, Mary Jean. This observer won't give the plot away but the curious are forewarned. NDD is not light reading (an occasional true crime tale may be). There is only one complaint from this source-the absence of an epilogue. Since NDD is now on its' third reprint, one thinks the author could have completed the circle of where the main characters are today. Also: "The Ann Rule rule" is definitely is effect for NDD. Those centerfold photos reveal the ending! Skip over them till the very end. Sadly, one has to wonder what goes on behind closed doors in many marriages? How many spouses suffer physical and mental abuse in private with no one to turn to?

Well-Written and Compelling

Ms. Pence does a wonderful job of bringing a horrifying and unbelievable story to life. The characters are vividly depicted, and readers are given a deep understanding of the tragic and inevitable result of Battaglia's insane need to control and subjugate the women in his life. This is a difficult story to read, and I almost didn't buy the book, because I knew how horrific and unbelievable the crime was. I live in the area, and will never forget the first news reports of this crime and the search for the killer. It may seem difficult to understand why two intelligent, successful, and attractive women would marry this man and endure his abuse. But as an attorney, I can attest that I have seen many such situations, although none as extreme as this. Ms. Pence's book takes the reader a long way toward reaching some understanding of this too-common situation, and provides a chilling and instructive look at our flawed justice system.

Crime without Punishment

Irene Pence is a fine True Crime investigator and writer. She's so good at what she does that the reader forgets the writer's there - none of the over-written stuff that pulls the reader out of the story to focus on the raconteur. Ms. Pence artfully lets the Tale do the Talking and her words don't get in the way. And what a tale she tells. John Battaglia Jr's unpunished stalking and physical abuses of his ex-wives is a ringing indictment of a judicial system that winks at the Good Ole Boy Defendant and says: Now don't do that again, OK? A system that didn't quite get around to revoking John's slap-on-the-wrist probation until after he had murdered his two young daughters, with whom he had court-ordered unsupervised visitation, at point-blank range, with their momma on the phone to them as they screamed: "No, Daddy, Don't!"Finally, and way late, the system did something. Reviewed by Tundra Vision

Family Law Lawyers and ALL Judges MUST read this!

Man abuses wife, wife tries to deal and justify it. Man abuses wife, woman tries to get away. Man abuses wife, woman files protective orders. Man violates orders, woman pays high price. Man remarries and starts over. New wife files protective order, man violates them. Man beats wife, man gets out of jail free. Again and again. Man teaches new wife lesson: takes away the two things she lives for. Forever.Even his first severely beaten wife, Michelle Ghetti, thought he was a good father. So who would have thought notorious accountant, John Battaglia, would have committed the most devestating and horrendous act possbile? Worse still, little Faith and Liberty, his daughters, KNEW what was coming.Mary Jean Pearle and Michelle Ghetti, with all their might, share their story with master true crime writer, Irene Pence, of domestic violence, injustices of the so-called-legal system (in place to protect them) and heartbreak.During the story, if there is a time you are not terrified for Battaglia's wives, you are ensconced in Pence's terrific use of imagry. She shows you the story in such a way, it's as if you are there and living it--yet at a safe distance.As incredible as the crimes Battaglia committed, is the American "justice" system. Many times, after making bail for one offense or another, the very place meant to keep the public safe--the jail--would actually ASSIST Battaglia stalk and taunt both Michelle and Mary Jean by allowing him to use the phone to taunt and threaten them!Liberty, Faith, and Laura are the three children in the story. Laura is the lucky one; she survived her dad. But the horror will haunt her forever. Thanks to the courage of Mary Jean to come forward, Michelle for diligently working at changing the laws, and Pence, for making the story known, we just may be able to prevent another true crime from happening.Don't read this story if you don't like domestic violence stories, because I guarantee, it's a shocker.