SHATTERED

Ok, for those of you who REALLY know me... you know that I am obsessed with any kind of true crime story I can get my hands on, whether it is on t.v. or a book, mag, or internet. I've even gone as far as saying I wanted to go back to school to study forensic science, and not JUST BECAUSE of CSI.

Well approximately last Christmas, my mom had told me about a crime writer, Kathryn Casey, she saw on t.v. (or something) who was writing a novel due in June about Belinda Temple. Right then I marked my calendar!

So fast forward to this past Sunday. I went to my favorite search engine, ASK.com, and typed in "Belinda Temple murder book", and sure enough, it was the first link... it read as follows.

SHATTERED - Kathryn CaseyMysteries and True Crime

Woo-hoo! I clicked and got super excited. I checked to see if it was in stock at Barnes and Noble. Sure enough it was. So Tuesday I scurried as fast as I could (after work) and cruised through the true crime section. I immediately found SHATTERED, the book I went in for. But then, due to my passion for these stories, I looked to see if any more might interest me. Much to my surprise I had 7 before I knew it. I narrowed it down to two, and they were both Kathryn Casey novels! She must be my new favorite crime writer!

Anyway, the book is amazing! I read it in less than 24 hours, and that is with sleep, working 2 jobs, and or course life. I even read while at stop lights (I KNOW, I AM INSANE)! Let me tell you a little about why I am so interested in this book.

Flashback to 1999, as a Senior walking through the halls of KHS, slowly heading to class, I remember seeing my favorite teacher in the hallway. Mrs. E was a short, loving, loud and fun teacher who chatted with some of her best friends in the quad between classes as she monitored the hallway. I remember one of her friends, this short fiesty teacher, Mrs. Temple, who would hurry us to class and monitor the hallway in the nicest way possible. The ladies would chat, and laugh, and make students smile. Mrs. Temple was always smiling and friendly. She was (at that time) about 6 or 7 months pregnant. I remember seeing her at all the pep rallies. She was more "decked out" (in her red and white painted overalls)that half the campus! She certainly had TIGER PRIDE and was a true fan of KATY FOOTBALL.

Then I remember the day she wasn't at school. I remember the "breaking news" that evening, and I remember the day our school closed early at 11:30 so that students and staff could attend her funeral. Mrs. Temple was tradgically murdered, 8 months pregnant, in her own home by her husband, while their 4 year old was home. I don't want to give away too much just in case you would like to borrow my book or pick up one for yourself!

Another reason why this book means so much to me is that my parents are familiar with him/his family. I think David (the husband) used to look after our animals sometimes. I've heard some stories about him, and the book gives some more. The Temple's (David's parents; or his childhood home)live not far from where I used to live. He was also a "hometown hero football star." (if you grew up in Katy, you know those Varsity lettermen could DO NO WRONG)

Anyway, many people spoken of in the book are people I know or knew when I was younger living there. The events in this book are almost unbelieveable. It is hard to believe this is how it all played out. I remember watching Nancy Grace, and discussing the case with my mom when it was finally over.

This is a truly tradgic story about a young beautiful woman, who loved her husband and her children, whose life was taken too soon for no reason at all!  I highly recommend this read. Read it, see what happens then we can chat about the craziness that is this case! You will never believe what happens!

PS- The other Kathryn Casey novel I chose (for now) is "A Descent Into Hell."  It's the story of the 2004 (or 2005) murder of Jennifer Cave by Colton Pytoniak in Austin, TX.  He and Laura Hall fled to Mexico where they spent a week partying right after literally chopping up Jennifer.  This is another case near and dear to me, as I had a close friend who was there with Colton and Jennifer the night she was taken from this world.