A Serial Killer's Daughter

My Story of Faith, Love, and Overcoming (An Insider's Look at the True Crime Story of the BTK Killer, Dennis Rader)

De: Kerri Rawson

Narrado por: Devon O'Day

What is it like to learn that your ordinary, loving father is a serial killer?

In 2005, Kerri Rawson opened the door of her apartment to greet an FBI agent who shared the shocking news that her father had been arrested for murdering 10 people, including two children. That’s also when she first learned that her father was the notorious serial killer known as BTK, a name he’d given himself that described the horrific way he committed his crimes: Bind, torture, kill. As news of his capture spread, the city of Wichita celebrated the end of a 31-year nightmare. For Kerri Rawson, another was just beginning. In the weeks and years that followed, Kerri was plunged into a black hole of horror and disbelief. The same man who had been a loving father, a devoted husband, church president, Boy Scout leader, and a public servant had been using their family as a cover for his heinous crimes since before she was born. Everything she had believed about her life had been a lie.

Written with candor and extraordinary courage, A Serial Killer’s Daughter is an unflinching exploration of life with one of America’s most infamous killers and an astonishing tale of personal and spiritual transformation. For all who suffer from unhealed wounds; the crippling effects of violence; betrayal; or anger, Kerri Rawson’s story offers the hope of reclaiming sanity in the midst of madness, rebuilding a life in the shadow of death, and learning to forgive the unforgivable.

©2019 Kerri Rawson (P)2019 Thomas Nelson

interesting

I felt for the author going through this terrible situation, Ive never heard from the child of a serial killer so that was interesting. My only complaint is there was SOOOO much god talk. hard for an athiest to hear over and over and over

If u like ‘tru life murder mysteries’, you’ll like this book.

Agreed. The 1st 6-8 chaps, only lay the foundation of a ‘normal’ life, which doesn’t make for exciting dialogue. But then, the ‘tru-story crime’ picks up, and overall, I really enjoyed, and appreciated the author for putting this in print. There’s a lot of religious redemption for the author that is a part of this story. I never understood, tho, what triggered the killer. The story alludes to a childhood that involved killing animals in the woods as a boy, but very little of his young life, other than that sentence or two, was explained. Also, what ‘triggered’him as an adult, wasn’t clear. Could have been that some things were too much for the author to bear. That’s understandable. The author has done a remarkable job resurrecting her life.
I suspect there’s a LOT about her father that she still just doesn’t know.

Anguish, Heartache, & Forgiveness

I was riveted. This book is much better than any of the book tour interviews suggest. This is the heart wrenching story of a young girl who believed her family was perfectly normal, how that all came crashing down and her struggle to regain a sense of normalcy in her life through therapy, religion, and forgiveness. I hope in 10 years she writes a sequel. There is more to this story.

Good

A bit more religious than I would typically read but overall a good story. Sympathy for all that suffered due to this man.

Awesome book

Very cool book. Can't imagine what it's like to have a serial killer as a father but she's did a good job describing what it's like.

Ask any random woman about her day

I wanted to feel for her but this read like you picked a random woman in walmart and asked her about her day for the first half. The second half repeated the same bible verse so often I was sick of hearing it. I didnt get much from the book. Even from the text, it seems like she just wrote the book because she needed cash. It did make me want taco bell.

therapeutic

I found this to be a very therapeutic book. it was a lot more christian-based than I initially anticipated, but initially the contrast between who BTK is, and who her father is, is related very well here. I feel that a lot of this is v mulling over of events in order to retain a daughter's love for a father while coming to terms with his secret life. The desensitization that she had to go through in order to be comfortable in her own skin was enlightening as well. if you're looking for a true crime in sight, this is not the book for you. there are not a lot of details about any of btk's crimes. I feel she actively avoids many of the details, understandably. however this is a fantastic insight into who he was when he was not overwhelmed by whatever it was that led him to murder 10 people. The contrast of him not fitting the proverbial serial killer soup, but instead compartmentalizing himself so thoroughly. I enjoyed this insights.

Amazing

To start off BTK has always been my favorite serial killer. When I heard this was coming out I was so excited! That being said, it took me until now to read it. I wish I had read it a year ago! I wanted to cry for her. I never really thought about the trauma experienced by family but this book sheds a light on that. It makes me rethink many things about serial killers in general. It’s an amazing book and I’m so glad she shared her story.

Fascinating story - LOVED the Christianity through

I applaud the Mrs. Rawson and hope she received even more healing by bringing this story to light. I LOVED that she waited until she had forgiven her Dad to write it....and loved the scripture throughout.

My only negative comment is that the narrator wasn't my favorite. Other than that it was a superbly written and thoughtful book, written by a courageous and God-devoted woman.

Loved this book!

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves memoirs with true crime mixed in! Very powerful to read/listen to her work her way through something so incomprehensible.