Mother Love, Deadly Love: The Susan Smith Murders

by Andrea Peyser | Nonfiction |
ISBN: 0061008273 Global Overview for this book
Registered by akashafamily of Lithgow, New South Wales Australia on 12/13/2006
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15 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by akashafamily from Lithgow, New South Wales Australia on Wednesday, December 13, 2006
A very sad story.

From the back of the book:

Susan Smith, a lovely young mother, separated from the father of her two handsome boys, is found wandering, delirious, on a South Carolina road, claiming that her car has been stolen with her children still inside. She appears on television, hysterical, apparently hopeful that her beloved boys are still alive.

It was a story that had the entire nation glued to their television sets, praying for a happy ending to this tragedy. For nine days the nation conducted two investigations - one that chased down leads from all parts of the country, and one that probed whether Susan Smith herself was guilty of an unspeakable crime. Then finally, with the eyes of the world turned towared tin Union, South Carolina, the country sheriff announced that Susan Smith had confessed to killing her own children.

Written by a journalist who has covered the heartbreaking saga from its beginning, here is the untold story of how an apparently loving mother could sacrifice the wo most precious people in her life.


I am going to send this book out as my first bookring.


Journal Entry 2 by akashafamily from Lithgow, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, December 21, 2006
International Bookring!

Bookring Rules:
1. Journal when you receive
2. PM next person for their address when you're nearly finished reading
3. Let us know what you thought of it in a journal entry
4. Post on to next participant
5. No strict rules with time, but stay in touch


Bookring Participants:

mallary (Europe)
Cassiopaeia (Europe)
nuriayasmin (Int)
missprisy (US)
acountkel (Int)
Bookworm-lady
vis007
Shelly-Sparkles
bargainqueen <-- is here now


Journal Entry 3 by akashafamily at Lithgow Post Office in Lithgow, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, December 21, 2006

Released 17 yrs ago (12/21/2006 UTC) at Lithgow Post Office in Lithgow, New South Wales Australia

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Posted to mallary the first participant in my first bookring. I hope you enjoy it.

Journal Entry 4 by Mallary from Ginestas, Languedoc-Roussillon France on Thursday, March 1, 2007
Arrived today in rainy France.
I was surprised to receive it as I had forgotten I'd joined this bookring.

Journal Entry 5 by Mallary from Ginestas, Languedoc-Roussillon France on Thursday, March 15, 2007
I've made a start but unfortunately I just haven't time to read this so I'm passing it straight onto Cassiopaeia.
Pming for her address.

Journal Entry 6 by wingCassiopaeiawing from Cardiff, Wales United Kingdom on Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Many thanks for sending this book on to me mallary. It was waiting for me tonight when I came home.
I hope to start it the middle of next week.

Journal Entry 7 by wingCassiopaeiawing from Cardiff, Wales United Kingdom on Monday, April 9, 2007
Not an isolated case as we would hope, this type of crime happens quite a lot. This was an interesting look at a crime that took place in an isolated Bible-belt town in South Carolina at the end of the 20th centuary. I found the setting and social detail surrounding this story very interesting, not something you always get from newspaper commentary. Thanks akashafamily for sharing.

Waiting to hear from nariayasmin.
In the post today Friday 13th April, this is really tempting fate!
Hoping to hear of its safe arrival .

Here are two links you will find interesting when you have finished reading the book.
Susan Smith
Notorious Murders

Journal Entry 8 by nuriayasmin from Barranco, Lima Peru on Wednesday, April 18, 2007
The book safely arrived here yesterday. Hope I won't take too long to read it, I'll try my best.

10.05.07
The book is now on its way to missprisy. I found all the background information very interesting, I vaguely remember the case but it surely didn't get as much attention from the press here in Germany than it did in the USA. However, we've just recently had several terrible cases of mothers murdering their babies. It's beyond my understanding, no matter how psychologists and psychiatrists try to explain it.

Journal Entry 9 by missprisy from Edmond, Oklahoma USA on Monday, May 14, 2007
This ring is now in my hands. I have a few rings/rays in front of this one, but will get to it shortly.

Journal Entry 10 by missprisy from Edmond, Oklahoma USA on Sunday, June 3, 2007
This is such a sad story. I remember when Susan Smith killed her children. I was in High School and couldn't believe anyone would want to kill their own children. Sadly it does happen more than I like to think. Thank you for sharing this bookring. It's headed to acountkel in the next day or two.

Release #39 for Guinaveve's Keep Them Moving 2007 Challenge

Journal Entry 11 by acountkel from Charlotte, North Carolina USA on Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Received today.
I am interested in reading this.
I can't imagine how a mother could murder her own kids.

Journal Entry 12 by acountkel from Charlotte, North Carolina USA on Monday, July 2, 2007
I remember hearing about this case when I was still living in New York, about 1 year before I moved to Charlotte, NC. To me, it was just another horrible story that became a media frenzy like the OJ Simpson case. Now, 12 years later, I am a wife and a mother. This case had more meaning to me. I can not and will not ever understand how a normal person could ever kill their children. Especially the way these boys were killed. I thought the author did an excellent job putting this book together. Not only did you get the facts about the case, she obviously did her research on the death penalty, race relations, and the economics and social aspects of Union, South Carolina. I believe the focal point of all of her data was to show the average person that this was just a small town filled with church going people who did not feel threatened by the outside world. This town was not the type of town to produce a killer like Susan Smith. And yet, it did. The chapter “Who Are You Calling Crazy?” came the closest to an adequate explanation of the kind of person Susan was and why she did what she did. But, as a wife and mother of two beautiful children, it still did not satisfy me. I give kudos to Miss Peyser for her excellent journalism that I thought was non-biased and well researched. I didn’t enjoy this book but I am glad I had the opportunity to read it.

Thank you akasha for including me.
Pm'ng and sending on.

Journal Entry 13 by wingBookworm-ladywing from Madrid, Madrid Spain on Saturday, July 14, 2007
Received yesterday my mail; thanks for sharing!
And thanks for the very interesting journal entries included here...

Journal Entry 14 by wingBookworm-ladywing from Madrid, Madrid Spain on Thursday, December 6, 2007
Now, this is a really terrifying story...

How could she? is all that you can think about.

A very well researched book, by a journalist who covered the story. A lot of interesting material is included abot life in a close-knit community...

Also a very deep study on death penalty.

Thanks for sharing!

Soon to be sent to vis007.

Journal Entry 15 by wingBookworm-ladywing from Madrid, Madrid Spain on Sunday, December 23, 2007
Sent to vis007 yesterday...
Enjoy!

Journal Entry 16 by vis007 from Gent, Oost-Vlaanderen / Flandre Orientale Belgium on Monday, December 31, 2007
I received the book a few days ago. Thank you for sending it. And thank you for the nice postal card from summer-Spain. It makes one dream of holidays and cocktails and barbecues and all those other great things in life ... especially in these cold winter days.

The book will have to wait its turn ... some other books are still waiting. But I will read it asap.

vis007

UPDATE 17/2/08: Just to let you all know that I will soon start to read the book. I haven't forgotten it ;-) .

Journal Entry 17 by vis007 from Gent, Oost-Vlaanderen / Flandre Orientale Belgium on Wednesday, May 7, 2008
I have (finally) finished reading this story. I write 'story', because it doesn't meet the standards of a 'book' to me: too flat, biased, sensational. I miss the personal portrait of Susan and the events that create the context for such a tragedy to happen. I miss the real story about Susan. Because she is a real character that is still living (sorry to spoil that part of the story) in an American prison : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Smith .

To all people who find this person "horrible", who "don't understand how this could happen", etc. I deeply recommend the movie "Il y a longtemps que je t'aime". A European movie ... little chance that it will reach US or Australia, but the Internet has no borders.

Anyway, the book is continuing its journey... This time it will be traveling to the other side of the world: from Belgium to Australia. Enjoy the reading, shelly_sparkles!

Journal Entry 18 by Shelly-Sparkles from Toogoolawah, Queensland Australia on Monday, May 26, 2008
I am looking forward to reading about anothers human nature.
Thanks for posting book to me.
Happy Days

Journal Entry 19 by Shelly-Sparkles from Toogoolawah, Queensland Australia on Wednesday, May 28, 2008
I did not like this authors sytle of writing.
Contacting next person on the list.

Journal Entry 20 by bargainqueen from Avondale, Queensland Australia on Monday, August 4, 2008
This arrived safely with me today! What a well-travelled book! I am in the middle of Janet Evanovich's latest but will get onto this straight after. Thanks for posting to me.

Journal Entry 21 by bargainqueen from Avondale, Queensland Australia on Sunday, August 10, 2008
I've just finished this book and am quite impressed by the research and detail that went into it. I don't have kids and so am perhaps too far removed to judge; but I do think that there are certain personality disorders and extenuating circumstances that let the unthinkable happen. That is however not an attempt to explain away the horror of a Mother killing her two innocent babies.

After a pm from Akashafamily saying she doesn't want this back, I will take it to the Meet-up tomorrow night. I think Arrietty might like to read this. Thanks for the opportunity to read this book everyone.

Released 15 yrs ago (8/12/2008 UTC) at Bookcrossing Meetup in To a fellow BookCrosser, Bookcrossing Meetup -- Controlled Releases

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At the Meetup

Journal Entry 23 by Arrietty from Adelaide, South Australia Australia on Saturday, August 23, 2008
Bargainqueen gave me this book and she's correct it's just the type of book I like to read. I am so interested in human nature and what turns a person into a killer and more to the point what turns a mother into a baby killer. I think psychologists could debate this point for ages and still not come to any conclusion. After all the books of heinous crimes I've read, I can honestly say there is no definitive answer. It is often hit and miss. I bet if Susan had met up with a friend that night and they'd gone out and had a good time, the moment would have passed and she may never have been a killer. It was just a combination of depression, selfishness, opportunity and a burning desire to save face which made her push those babies off into the water and then lie through her teeth to the media and family. But that was probably one of the most calculating crimes, I've come across because Susan Smith wasn't a nutcase in any sense of the word.

thanks for sharing, I'll certainly check out the links people have posted.

Journal Entry 24 by Arrietty at St Helens, Tasmania Australia on Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Released 15 yrs ago (10/28/2008 UTC) at St Helens, Tasmania Australia

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Sending to sarahbear as I know she enjoys crime fiction.

Journal Entry 25 by sarahbear from St Helens, Tasmania Australia on Thursday, October 30, 2008
Thanks for sharing. I will be reading this one very soon.

Journal Entry 26 by sarahbear from St Helens, Tasmania Australia on Tuesday, November 4, 2008
I have to admit that I only read the first couple of chapters. As I am currently pregnant with twins I am extremely hormonal and this story is just too sad for me at this stage.

I will never understand how a parent can take their own childs life. It is all beyond my understanding.

Thanks for posting to me Arrietty.

AUSSIE BOOKRAY:
1. fairy-whispers
2. gabbysmum

wild release or pass on

Journal Entry 27 by sarahbear at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Released 15 yrs ago (11/5/2008 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada

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Sending as a ray to fairy-whispers.

Journal Entry 28 by seldombites from Mount Barker, South Australia Australia on Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Sunflower Thank You

G'day,

Just checking in to let you know I am safe and sound. I am having a nice visit with fairy-whispers before continuing on my travels. I hope you’re having as much fun as I am!

With Great Affection,

Your Book :-)

Journal Entry 29 by seldombites from Mount Barker, South Australia Australia on Monday, November 24, 2008
This is one of the most difficult books I have ever read. It is also the only book read in my adult life that has given me nightmares. I simply could not get the image of those poor boys - trapped in a sinking car for perhaps forty minutes, probably screaming for their mother but definitely awake and aware - out of my mind. As a mother, it is hard for me to understand how Susan could have done this to any child, let alone her own. Being written by a journalist, Mother Love, Deadly Love is interesting and technically easy to read. It is the content that makes it difficult. I would not recommend this for parents with a weak constitution.

Journal Entry 30 by seldombites at Woody Point, Queensland Australia on Monday, December 1, 2008

Released 15 yrs ago (11/30/2008 UTC) at Woody Point, Queensland Australia

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Dog Bone Hello

I’m missing you but I’m still having fun, so I’m off to visit gabbysmum. See you soon!

Journal Entry 31 by wingAnonymousFinderwing on Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Arrived safely today,looking forward to reading this one.

Journal Entry 32 by gabbysmum from Brisbane, Queensland Australia on Tuesday, December 2, 2008
arrrggg

The Anon finder above is me,I never ever log out of BC just close the page so I assumed {I know I shouldnt} I was logged in but as you can see I wasnt lol.


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