In a world that has changed so much, where young people disappear daily, this novel reminds us to warn our young women and men to always be on the lookout for sexual and social predators. The lives of so many families were changed in 1972 when Gerard Schaffer, a serial killer, whose twisted and manic mind decided to take the lives of young women who he felt did not deserve to live. Comparing these young women to prostitutes, he tricked, led, and tricked these girls into his lair. Gerard Schaffer, a man of superior intelligence, believed in his own mind that what he did was right. He felt justified in his murders and bragged about them to anyone who would listen.
Pamela Sue Wells and Nancy Ellen Trotter were his first victims to escape. As Deputy Sheriff Gerard Schaffer used his position of power and authority to terrify these two girls by claiming that he wanted to teach them a lesson. The lesson is not to hitchhike with strangers. He felt they were just whores to be taught a lesson. By handcuffing the girls and hanging them from different trees with a rope around their necks, he left them hanging from the trees. He took them to Hutchinson Island, a remote place, which he thought would be his final resting place. He told them about the evils of hitchhiking and would return with men who would sell them to slave traders.
Little did he know that Nancy Ellen Trotter with everything she had would manage to get out of her noose and get help for herself and Pamela Sue Wells.
Although he was fired from his post, this did not stop his reign of terror. Charged with two counts of aggravated battery, he did not appear to fear the consequences he could face for his actions. Although he was arrested and jailed for just two months, Judge DC Smith released him and helped spark a string of murders that would span many Florida counties and other states as well.
Throughout this graphic novel, this critic read the heinous mutilations, beheadings, and dismemberment inflicted on Shaffer’s victims. The list of victims and crimes seemed endless.
Trying to convince everyone that he was mentally insane and should be sent to an institution was not just a tactic by Schaffer to try to get out of jail for life, but one more way this critic realized how evil and cunning was this man. .
Although there were many who interviewed him in prison, and many who corresponded with him and wanted to try to write his story and listen to his words, none was as powerful as those of the victims who were silenced by him.
Georgia Jessup, Susan Place, Collette Goodenenough, Barbara Ann Wilcox, Nancy Leichner, Pam Nater, Nancy Trotter, Pamela Wells, Carmen Hallock, Leigh Hainline, Elise Farmer, Alice Briscolina, Belinda Hutchins and those we don’t know, this is your chance to may your cries be heard forever. Regardless of the pain it inflicted on him, without the amount of remorse for what he did, and using the media for over 30 years to tell his sick and twisted stories and poke fun at the families of his victims, his voices will now be heard and their will will be silenced forever.
When Gerard Schaffer finally got his just reward in prison, an inmate silenced his human voice. He used his knowledge of the law and his ability to write appeals and more to expose his fellow inmates and try to get the courts to allow him to be released.
To really understand and know how twisted; This man was crazy and sick, he needs to read this book and make sure his messages are sent out loud and clear to all young people.
To the true heroes of this story, Philip Shailer, Broward State Attorney Judge Trowbridge, who presided over the stand, was relentless and made sure he would never go free, thank you girls. To all the detectives in this case, to Jack for his diligence and hard work in investigating these murders and to all those in law enforcement who made sure this sick and twisted man did not go free, the victims of Gerard Schaffer shout loud and clear: THANK YOU!
To the victims of Gerald Schaffer:
A special compliment to the victims:
Their families met with great attitude
To come and honor you
To share the sweet memories
And express your gratitude
You were a great example
The way one should live
Your generous and loving spirits
They were the best gifts you could give
You took each day as a challenge
Exactly like cam
Your spirit stood firm
Life and its ups and downs and they never made you change
Your families would often marvel
By the strength and determination found in you
How much we will miss your courage
How brave your attitude
Life is a fragile thing
And it can change in an instant
Nothing is safe from the effects of change.
No person or possession is given to us
The only things we can hold forever
Are your memories in our hearts?
The love you gave us on earth
Before it was time to leave
Goodbyes are not forever
And this is not the end either
When the angels came to call you
They took you to a peace game to stay
The empty spaces in our hearts left behind
Inside this world that we all know
Reminds us of how we should appreciate each day
And how precious is our time before we go
LET THEIR VOICES BE HEARD AND NEVER SILENCE THEIR CRIES! MAY THE SOUL OF GERARD SCHAFFER KNOW NO REST AND BE TORTURED UNTIL ETERNITY.
There are not enough stars to give this book away. I would give this book five stars and five more for the outstanding and surprising author who wrote this important novel.
By Fran Lewis
