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longtimereader's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't fully aware of this being a book based on a true crime, but reading it, the realism is outstanding. In a journalist style we learn about Cherry Walker, a young woman with some mental issues. She is controlled by another woman, Kim Cargill. Kim is an abusive personality, and soon takes over Cherry's life. Kim is a narasiscst, basically a sociopath and she has no problem killing Cherry. After all, she has aboused her husbands and children, so ending a life isn't a big deal for her. IIt's a horrible sad, true story, that is written so well it feels like a thriller/suspense. The sad part, is that it was real and happened. An excellent example of why you have to pick your friends and relationships very carefully.
My copy came from Net Galley. I have left this review of my own free violation. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
My copy came from Net Galley. I have left this review of my own free violation. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
wellwortharead's review against another edition
3.0
This is a factual account of the cold blooded murder of Cherry Walker, and the trial and conviction of Kim Cargill for that murder. Cherry was mentally handicapped and although she was in her late 30s, she had only recently begun to live on her own with the help of an aid who would check in on her and help her with her daily living skills. Cherry was so proud of her little apartment, and everyone who knew her loved her, and was proud of her accomplishments. Everyone but Kim Cargill that is, who saw her as an easy target to be used and manipulated. Kim had 4 children by 4 failed relationships, often telling her various men that she could not get pregnant and then "surprising" them with a pregnancy in order to manipulate them further. She did not seem to want any of her children or get any joy from motherhood. Her children were an outlet for her anger, something to bully and beat on and take out her rage. But after already having lost custody of one child she was willing to kill to keep from losing custody of another. Not because she wanted him, or cared about him, or loved the child, but mainly because she did not want to have to pay child support. I am not a violent person but honestly this book made me want to throttle Kim Cargill myself. It was satisfying to learn how her lies caught up with her and ultimately landed her on death row. I would have liked to see pictures of her trial but the version I received did not contain any.
I received an advance copy for review
I received an advance copy for review
petra_reads's review against another edition
2.0
[book:Don't Tell a Soul|30556343] narrates the true account of the tragic death of 39-year-old Cherry Walker in Texas in 2010. Cherry was developmentally disabled but lived independently with the help of a carer/an aid. Kim Cargill, a 43-year-old mother of four, was later accused of murdering Cherry to stop her from testifying in a child protective case. Cargill had used Cherry as a babysitter for her youngest son.
The book starts off at the time Cherry's parents begin to wonder where their daughter is and leads through the investigation and the subsequent trial. The reader learns a lot about Kim Cargill's background, family, relationships, and her erratic and abusive behavior.
This was my first experience of reading true crime, so I was unsure what to expect. I assumed this genre was going to be more an objective reporting of facts, but there were several instances where the account seemed pretty subjective. I'm not doubting the decision the court arrived at in any way, but I was surprised by the way some of this was worded. I also really disliked that Cherry was constantly referred to as "mentally retarded". Seriously, do people still use this term?! After reading about 20% of this, I was almost ready to give up, but I'm glad I finished it (although it took me ages). It became more interesting the more I read. However, it was repetitive and there was too much over-explaining. With some good editing, it could have been condensed.
The author, [author:M. William Phelps|256982], seems to have quite a following and is a well-known journalist and true crime writer, so don't let me put you off reading this. This is purely my personal reaction to this particular style of writing and the language used, and I know I'm a fussy reader when it comes to those two aspects.
Lastly, the cover doesn't do the book any favors either. In my opinion, it's more a fictional romance/romantic suspense cover.
Overall, I'm still inclined to read other true crime books, but this one just wasn't right for me.
I was invited to read this book by the publisher who provided me with an ARC.
The book starts off at the time Cherry's parents begin to wonder where their daughter is and leads through the investigation and the subsequent trial. The reader learns a lot about Kim Cargill's background, family, relationships, and her erratic and abusive behavior.
This was my first experience of reading true crime, so I was unsure what to expect. I assumed this genre was going to be more an objective reporting of facts, but there were several instances where the account seemed pretty subjective. I'm not doubting the decision the court arrived at in any way, but I was surprised by the way some of this was worded. I also really disliked that Cherry was constantly referred to as "mentally retarded". Seriously, do people still use this term?! After reading about 20% of this, I was almost ready to give up, but I'm glad I finished it (although it took me ages). It became more interesting the more I read. However, it was repetitive and there was too much over-explaining. With some good editing, it could have been condensed.
The author, [author:M. William Phelps|256982], seems to have quite a following and is a well-known journalist and true crime writer, so don't let me put you off reading this. This is purely my personal reaction to this particular style of writing and the language used, and I know I'm a fussy reader when it comes to those two aspects.
Lastly, the cover doesn't do the book any favors either. In my opinion, it's more a fictional romance/romantic suspense cover.
Overall, I'm still inclined to read other true crime books, but this one just wasn't right for me.
I was invited to read this book by the publisher who provided me with an ARC.
vesper1931's review against another edition
2.0
Unfortunately it didn't take me long to realise that I didn't like the style of writing, but I read on to the end. For me there was just too much over explanation. This is a version of the true story of Kim Cargill, and her trial for the murder of her son's childminder Cherry Walker.
A NetGalley Book
A NetGalley Book
micasreads's review against another edition
3.0
I had never heard of Cherry Walker or Kim Cargill. This was a heartbreaking story of a woman with learning disabilities who is just starting a life on her own. Sadly, that life is cut short when she meets Kim Cargill and begins to babysit her son. When Kim begins to lost control over her life, losing custody of her sons one by one, and finds out that Cherry has been subpoenaed to testify in the custody hearing for the little boy she had been sitting for. The manner in which this gentle soul loses her life is horrific and the punishment her murderer receives in just.
gretel7's review against another edition
3.0
I received this ARC from netgalley.com in exchange for a review.
Mentally retarded 38 yr old Cherry Walker is found dead and burned on the side of a road. All things point back to Kim Cargill whose child Cherry used to babysit.
True crime journalism is not my most favorite genre but it is interesting. This book was comprehensive and read just like I was watching a crime drama on TV.
3☆
Mentally retarded 38 yr old Cherry Walker is found dead and burned on the side of a road. All things point back to Kim Cargill whose child Cherry used to babysit.
True crime journalism is not my most favorite genre but it is interesting. This book was comprehensive and read just like I was watching a crime drama on TV.
3☆
biblio_beth's review against another edition
3.0
NetGalley provided ARC.
Given the nature of this book, I cannot say I liked it but the subject was well researched. It was very easy to see the author's bias while reading this though I do agree with his conclusion. I'm just amazed that Kim Cargill was allowed to abuse her husband's and children and manipulate friends and neighbors for so long. If someone had spoken up sooner maybe Cherry would still be alive.
Given the nature of this book, I cannot say I liked it but the subject was well researched. It was very easy to see the author's bias while reading this though I do agree with his conclusion. I'm just amazed that Kim Cargill was allowed to abuse her husband's and children and manipulate friends and neighbors for so long. If someone had spoken up sooner maybe Cherry would still be alive.
veereading's review
3.0
I received this novel as an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really like true crime shows. Ugh, okay, that sounded really messed up but what I mean is that I like to see how the investigation process works in solving a crime. I've never read a true crime novel before so this was definitely an interesting experience for me!
Cherry Walker is a sweet, innocent young woman who took care of a neighbour's little boy. When she was asked to testify in court against his abusive mother, she reluctantly agreed. However, she never got the chance to do it. Cherry's body was found on the side of a road after being doused with lighter fluid and burned. As police investigators piece together the events that led to Cherry's tragic death, they start to suspect that the killer is the little boy's mother, Kim Cargill. Attractive, manipulative, and violent, Kim is the mother of 4 children and she will do anything to keep her secrets hidden. But will she succeed this time?
Like I mentioned before, this is my first time reading a true crime novel. It made for an interesting experience! The author gave a great deal of factual information on the crime, the evidence, and the investigators' thought processes, all of which were quite valuable. In the beginning, I found the language to be abrupt but the story and the facts pulled me through and kept me going. The author goes into great detail about Kim Cargill's sociopathic tendencies, citing many examples of physical and mental abuse that she put her children through. This can be difficult subject matter to read so consider this a fair warning! One thing that I would like to point out is that I expected this novel to be a bit less biased. I know that Kim Cargill has been convicted of this crime, but the author also made it obvious what his own opinion on the matter was, and I would have preferred if the author had maintained a more objective stance on the crime. Overall, a really interesting read that gave good details on the investigative process and the mind of a sociopath!
For more reviews, visit: www.veereading.wordpress.com
I really like true crime shows. Ugh, okay, that sounded really messed up but what I mean is that I like to see how the investigation process works in solving a crime. I've never read a true crime novel before so this was definitely an interesting experience for me!
Cherry Walker is a sweet, innocent young woman who took care of a neighbour's little boy. When she was asked to testify in court against his abusive mother, she reluctantly agreed. However, she never got the chance to do it. Cherry's body was found on the side of a road after being doused with lighter fluid and burned. As police investigators piece together the events that led to Cherry's tragic death, they start to suspect that the killer is the little boy's mother, Kim Cargill. Attractive, manipulative, and violent, Kim is the mother of 4 children and she will do anything to keep her secrets hidden. But will she succeed this time?
Like I mentioned before, this is my first time reading a true crime novel. It made for an interesting experience! The author gave a great deal of factual information on the crime, the evidence, and the investigators' thought processes, all of which were quite valuable. In the beginning, I found the language to be abrupt but the story and the facts pulled me through and kept me going. The author goes into great detail about Kim Cargill's sociopathic tendencies, citing many examples of physical and mental abuse that she put her children through. This can be difficult subject matter to read so consider this a fair warning! One thing that I would like to point out is that I expected this novel to be a bit less biased. I know that Kim Cargill has been convicted of this crime, but the author also made it obvious what his own opinion on the matter was, and I would have preferred if the author had maintained a more objective stance on the crime. Overall, a really interesting read that gave good details on the investigative process and the mind of a sociopath!
For more reviews, visit: www.veereading.wordpress.com