Secrets in the Cellar

The True Story of the Austrian Incest Case That Shocked the World

By: John Glatt

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Josef Fritzl was a 73-year-old retired engineer in Austria. He seemed to be living a normal life with his wife, Rosemarie, and their family - though one daughter, Elisabeth, had decades earlier been "lost" to a religious cult. Throughout the years, three of Elisabeth's children mysteriously appeared on the Fritzls' doorstep; Josef and Rosemarie raised them as their own. But only Josef knew the truth about Elisabeth's disappearance....

For 27 years, Josef had imprisoned and molested Elisabeth in his man-made basement dungeon, complete with soundproof paneling and code-protected electric locks. There, she would eventually give birth to a total of seven of Josef's children. One died in infancy, and the other three were raised alongside Elisabeth, never to see the light of day.

Then, in 2008, one of Elisabeth's children became seriously ill and was taken to the hospital. It was the first time the 19-year-old girl had ever gone outside - and soon, the truth about her background, her family's captivity, and Josef's unspeakable crimes would come to light.

©2009 John Glatt (P)2013 Tantor

a well told story,

I wonder how Elizabeth and her children feel about it's publication and how they are doing now

Horrible man

Sad, sad story, can’t understand how someone could do that to their own daughter and wife for that matter. The narrator could not pronounce Elizabeth, he left out the h. Kind of got annoying.

Subject is horrible, story is well told

I love true stories, which is how I found this book. I don't remember ever hearing about this story in the news, but it sounds like it was a nationwide story.. It is a terrible subject, absolutely horrible what this woman and her children went through, but it is very well written, giving the listener a very clear idea of what is going on. I actually don't like knowing things like this even go on in our world, and after the first part of the book, I had decided I didn't want this horror in my mind, but after a few days, I had to listen to more to make sure Elizabeth survived.. She did/does survive, but the horrors her father put her through are unimaginable..

At the end of the book, a psychiatrist explains why he thinks this man did what he did. He isn't justifying it, just giving a psychiatric evaluation. I think that part is fascinating.. A lot of people would, and I'm sure do, just refer to his man's actions as being evil, but saying someone is evil is not a real explanation of why people do the things they do.. Everything has a reason, a cause, something turns something in a persons head to make them do the such horrific things..

Would I recommend this book to others? No, I wouldn't... It is very well written, but like I said, the subject matter is horrible...But if you don't mind this kind of thing being in your mind, and you enjoy true stories, then you will like this one.. I can't say anyone would enjoy this book.. Who would enjoy knowing this went on? But it is very well told...If I had heard about this story in the news years ago, and knew what it was about, I probably would not have purchased it..

Celler

The human mind amazes me. . and the psychologists trying to figure out the man's mind might be very helpful for future patients... but as long as this man is in prison for the rest of his life only seems fair. I'm fact, he should be out in a windshield dungeon with very little air for 24 years before he starts his prison sentence. .. but I figured. lol
The book was well written. The narration was awesome. I do wish the family a lot of healing.. I hope people will leave them alone and let them get on with it.

Worth the listen

If you are into true crime, you'll want to check this nook out. This case takes place in Austria and is a kin to the Turpin case in the US. What causes a parent to enslave their children for their own pleasure? listen to find out.

What a story

Astounding story of the continuing effects of war and family trauma. I was surprised to learn that I was the same age as Elisabet and that I was only miles from her torture chamber just weeks after she was locked away. I imagined loosing that much of my life in such horror. How on earth could you ever get past it and move on. The evil in the human race is unfathomable.
I hope that this case changed laws in Austria about the length of sentences and stacking for numerous crimes.
Concerning the writing of the book. There was lots of repetition. Sometimes I thought Audible had skipped backwards, but many times there were actual repeats of the same facts, not just a reminders. And they certainly could have said “the house”, “the cellar” or “the mental hospital” and such instead of the annoying address each time. That was my only complaint but it was an interesting story that I had never even caught wind of through history.

Tragic story

Great book with a horrific story line. I feel guilty about being so intrigued by stories like this!

flabbergasted

how could a mother do this to her child. narrator could have been better. very interesting read

great book

narration was great , it kept you wanting more. such a sad story but very interesting

WOW

Wow, can't even imagine this happening in really life. The story was intense. Recommended for those who don't have a weak stomach