Who Killed My Daughter? By: Lois Duncan

Who Killed My Daughter? is the heartwrenchingly true story of the murder of Lois Duncan's daughter Kaitlyn Arquette. It is probably the only book I have ever read more than ten times.

I was twelve years old the first time I read this book. I had just read Duncan's book Ransom for school when I received my monthly scholastic book reader (I believe that is what they're called, I may be wrong) and saw this book in there. Having enjoyed her other book I decided I'd probably like this one as well. It wasn't until I received the book in the mail that I realized it was a true story. I sat down and read the book in about a day and was generally shocked and appalled at how Kait's case was handled by the police.

As she was driving home from a friend's house one night in the summer of 1989 Kait was gunned down in her car. At first the police seemed as though they might actually be helpful telling the Arquettes that their "input [was] very important to [them]." However, every single piece of information uncovered by Lois and her family was completely ignored by the Albuquerque Police Department. The APD decided Kait's murder was random, in spite of all the evidence pointing towards a professional hit. What were they trying to cover-up? Who were they protecting? What did Kait see?

Lois's search for the truth led her into the underworld of Vietnamese gangs, police corruption, and a ring of criminals that stretched across three different states. Throughout this journey she found more and more questions than answers and repeatedly found that the APD didn't care. Twenty years later, Kait's murderer has still not been brought to justice.

Throughout this story I was moved by the determination of Lois and her family, appalled by the failure of a justice system so corrupt it no longer protects, and inspired by the unconditional love Lois had for her daughter. Even after finding out out about Kait's secret life, which likely led to her death, Lois never once lost her resolve to find Kait's killer. One would think that after so many years of following up on leads that have gone nowhere she'd give up. However, due to her everending love for her daughter she has kept searching. The information that this book brought about, has actually led to the arrest and convictions of several criminals involved in insurance fraud scams in California.

Many things in this book had me thinking about life in totally different ways. The idea of psychics being real, time not existing, reincarnation, communication with the dead, the corruption of the justice system. As the impressionable twelve year old I was when I first read this, I daresay this book changed my way of thinking. I no longer see psychics as completely ludicrous and I have a huge belief in reincarnation. And quite frankly, I have never been very trusting of the police.

Every time I re-read this book I hope I'll find something new that'll help me see who the killer is, but sadly, there just isn't enough information. By the time this book was published, the APD had dropped Kaitlyn's case, and now the Arquette's rely on private investigators and the tips of others who may have information about the APD or the crime ring Kait stumbled upon.

I definitely urge everyone to read this book, if not for the story, then for the information on where the justice system in the US is headed if there isn't a change. I also strongly urge everyone to check out http://kaitarquette.arquettes.com/ for more information about where the case has headed since the publication of Who Killed my Daughter? in 1991. And while you're at everyone should also visit http://www.realcrimes.com/ you never know if you can help another family who may be going through the same thing. The majority of the cases on this website come out of New Mexico, mostly from the Albuquerque area. However, it is obvious this kind of corruption is rampant across the country.

Hopefully, by the time Duncan's sequal to this book (The Tallykeeper) is released the Arquette's will have their questions fully answered and Kaitlyn's murderer will be brought to justice. And on the off chance that Mrs. Arquette actually sees this "review," I want you to know that your family is always in my thoughts and my prayers and I truly do hope you find the closure you've been looking for and that you undoubtedly deserve.

"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society." -Krishnamurti

I Love You, Beth Cooper By:Larry Doyle

At his high school graduation Denis Cooverman decides he has a few really important things to say. Among them is this: he is in love with Beth Cooper. Unfortunately for him, Beth Cooper doesn't really know who he is, even if he sat behind her in almost every one of their classes throughout high school.

Even though his declaration of love is the most important aspect of his speech for driving this story, it is actually used as a segue into the rest of his speech about saying things we want to say without regret. He tells his 512 classmates to be "unafraid to confess, I am so stuck-up because, deep down, I believe I am worthless." He continues on with this speech for the next few minutes until finally the Prinicipal tells him he's done.

An hour or so later he finds himself having his first actual conversation with Beth Cooper. Denis tells her that he is having a get together at his house later and hopes that she will come. The he discovers that Beth has a boyfriend, and he's in the Army, he is also a little crazy.

From there on out everything in the book is complete insanity. It's one adventure after another for Denis and his best friend Rich thanks to Beth Cooper. The majority of the things that happen are things I could never really picture happening in real life to anyone. But it definitely makes for an interesting story. But seriously, what seventeen year old sells the airbags in their car for $400 dollars?

In a way this book reminds me a little of the John Hughes movies of the eighties... with the different high school social classes. Right down to Beth Cooper and her two friends who pretty much have to do what she says because of her status as the head cheerleader. All of the characters are very smartly and uniquely written, even the minor characters such as Denis's parents and the principal of the high school.

Almost all of the characters remain fairly static, but even still, Larry Doyle paints an interesting picture as to why these characters are the way they are. Overall, I'd say this book was very well written and incredibly funny. Larry Doyle has definitely proven himself to be a great writer (although I would daresay the fact that he used to write for the Simpsons had already proven this) and I'll be looking forward to any new books he may write. All in all, I'd definitely recommend this book and I give it a 4 out of 5 stars.