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sheilakay's review
5.0
Gripping memoir of a man wrongfully imprisoned 25 years for his wife’s murder beginning in 1986. Demonstrates the devastation that occurs when law enforcement and prosecutors look for easy answers rather than searching for truth and justice. Takes place in Texas( no surprise) but is unusual in that the author is white and middle class. Morton’s book, drawn from journals he kept throughout his time in prison, is poignant and compassionate, even towards his wife’s real killer( who is found and tried in the course of the book). I’m surprised this has not been made into a movie. Made me more familiar with and appreciative of The Innocence Project, the organization that was instructed in securing his freedom.
wallflower11216's review
5.0
"October 3, 2011, was my last night in prison--My last time locked in a cell, my last restless sleep on a plastic mattress and a steel bunk. I had spent 8,980 days of my life in prison for a crime I did not commit." --- Chapter 23, page 207.
This book should scare the hell out of you. A man spent 25 years of his life in prison because of corrupt police officers, prosecutors, and judges. Leaving a 3 1/2 year old boy without his mother and then without his father.
It is another example of why I am so adamantly opposed to the death penalty. Michael Morton is quite lucky in that he didn't receive the death penalty in his case. If he had, it is likely that he would have been dead years ago.
This book should scare the hell out of you. A man spent 25 years of his life in prison because of corrupt police officers, prosecutors, and judges. Leaving a 3 1/2 year old boy without his mother and then without his father.
It is another example of why I am so adamantly opposed to the death penalty. Michael Morton is quite lucky in that he didn't receive the death penalty in his case. If he had, it is likely that he would have been dead years ago.
rly18's review
5.0
This story is haunting to say the least. Michael Morton went to work one morning and by the afternoon his life, as he knew it, was over. When and how he finds out that his wife Chris has been murdered in their bed, with their three year old son home , is heartbreaking. It’s hard to attribute positive words like fascinating and page turning to such a tragic story but that’s how I would describe the complete railroading and injustice that took place when the local sheriff’s department immediately zeroed in on Michael as the killer. How he was treated, questioned, and then arrested was mind boggling and I listened in a state of bewilderment.
I know I’m being somewhat vague but I don’t want to give away important plot details about the case because there’s so much that happens over the 25 years it took Michael Morton to get justice that you really need to listen, or read, for yourself. This being a memoir we get in depth, first hand accounts from Michael about what happened the day his wife was murdered, how he felt, and what he was thinking and feeling. We also get his first hand account of life in prison for 25 years and his pursuit of and determination to get to the truth of who really murdered his wife Chris.
While this is a memoir, it’s also a real life mystery because there are questions about the case that the sheriff’s office completely ignored such as: what did Michael’s son who was 3 at the time, and home with his mom, actually see and hear? What about other physical evidence that was found on the property? Will these unanswered questions lead to the real killer? You’ll have to listen or read to find out!
This story caused me to feel so many things while listening…anger, sadness, confusion…it’s all there. Sometimes, even if the story sounds interesting , I’ve found it hard to listen to a book because the narrator’s voice just didn’t work for me. That wasn’t the case with this audiobook, however, because the narrator, Roger Wayne, was fantastic. I recommended this book to my book club and they all read the print version and also loved it, so either way you “get” this incredible true crime story you won’t be disappointed.
sonya3312's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
thepagemistress's review against another edition
5.0
When I received the book, I figured it would be just another biography. I was wrong, so wrong. This story is so horrible and beautiful at the same time. Mr. Morton is a man to look up to. Not only for what he has accomplished but what he has let go to make his life better. This was beautifully written and he is a genius. I did not expect to fall in love with the story the way I did but it's hard not to. I laughed, I cried, I felt pain, and I felt guilty for all the things in my life that I have taken for granted. This is one of the best pieces of literature that I have ever read. I will forever support Michael and think of his strengths when things look grim. He is an innocent man that took on a burden he never would have dreamed of and came out on top. A wonderful father. A great husband. He is a hero.
khisle's review against another edition
5.0
An incredible story. I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. This story both chilled and moved me. It was a more powerful tale about the legal system than all of the many John Grisham books I have read. The insight and emotional journey Michael Morton went through is an inspiring testament to the power of hope and persistence.
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