Lucie Blackman―tall; blond; twenty-one years old―stepped out into the vastness of Tokyo in the summer of 2000; and disappeared forever. The following winter; her dismembered remains were found buried in a seaside cave. Richard Lloyd Parry; an award-winning foreign correspondent; covered Lucie's disappearance and followed the massive search for her; the long investigation; and the even longer trial. Over ten years; he earned the trust of her family and friends; won unique access to the Japanese detectives and Japan's convoluted legal system; and delved deep into the mind of the man accused of the crime; Joji Obara; described by the judge as "unprecedented and extremely evil." The result is a book at once thrilling and revelatory; "In Cold Blood for our times" (Chris Cleave; author of Incendiary and Little Bee).The People Who Eat Darkness is one of Publishers Weekly's Top 10 Best Books of 2012
#14824 in Books Letts Elizabeth 2016-08-23 2016-08-23Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.53 x 1.31 x 6.51l; 1.25 #File Name: 0345544803400 pagesThe Perfect Horse The Daring U S Mission to Rescue the Priceless Stallions Kidnapped by the Nazis
Review
73 of 74 people found the following review helpful. Extremely well researched; interestingBy H. SapiensI really struggled with this book on two fronts 1) Incredible story / 2) bit disjointed writing at times. Overall; it is a fascinating story spanning decades with an impressive amount of research backing it up. The author does a good job of building up the backstory and approaches the story as a historical account; with included photographs; which I appreciate. In some places; she breaks from the story and gives long historical accounts splashed in with some storytelling that seems flat. These instances for me were difficult to read. I keep flashing to the Cruelest Miles where Salisbury stays in the tale while remaining historically accurate. For the Perfect Horse; I feel like Letts focuses on being historically accurate and then weaving a tale around it. However I think historical nonfiction is one of the most difficult types of writing. I felt had this book been a bit more focused it would have been better; but it was still very interesting if not gripping.51 of 51 people found the following review helpful. Be advised! This book is an incredible but gut-wrenching story of the horrors of WWIIBy Almost LisaIf you liked Unbroken and War Horse; you will like this book. The writing and research in this book are excellent. I can't imagine how the author found all the details she did about the characters and horses; who are long gone. The facts read like a story and the book is both interesting and extremely moving. However; keep in mind that it is a WWII book and some of the scenes are perfectly horrible. I would not recommend this book for kids or sensitive animal lovers. The descriptions of the horses dying of slaughter; exhaustion; injury; and starvation are gut-wrenching and I wasn't even sure I could continue reading it at some points. The author follows the characters and the horses throughout their lives and at the end; I cried all the way through the last few chapters. That said; the whole tale is amazing and a testament to the horrors of war and the incredible courage and perseverance of these dedicated horse lovers. Have Kleenex nearby!73 of 75 people found the following review helpful. Loving this storyBy Doug HibbardI'll admit it: I don't know if I'm 5-star rating this because the book is great or because the overall story is fascinating and engaging.But it gets the five anyway. First of all; the story is well-told. Letts relies on the reader's general knowledge of World War 2 without expecting an in-depth understanding.Second; she engages with the various individuals--after all; history is about what groups of individuals do; but we are better able to identify with one or two people.kThird; Letts works non-horse people through some of the horsemanship discussions without being condescending. After all; some of us just know that you put on the saddle and ride--but if you don't know "dressage" from "dressing;" this book will guide you through what you need.All in all; this has been read by myself and 2 of my teenagers. We all loved it; for the history; the horses; and the heroism.
