Reviews

Catch the Sparrow: A Search for a Sister and the Truth of her Murder by Rachel Rear

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margos_lit's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced

4.5

erine277's review against another edition

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4.0

This takes place in Rochester and is about the murder of Stephanie Kupchynsky. I happened upon it at the library and didn’t recognize the name. But as soon as I saw the Missing poster, I remembered seeing them.

On page 89, she states Canandaigua is “just north of Rochester.” That bothered me more than it should, I guess because it’s easy to check. Otherwise, an interesting yet very sad book.

cornmaven's review against another edition

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4.0

This book is part true crime, part bio memoir. Rear grapples with the family dynamics, family abuse, and the murder of her half sister, whom she never met, but whose father was her stepdad. Very interesting, given that Rear is a journalist with the skills to ferret out the truth.

baileygay's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

alissa417's review against another edition

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3.0

As someone who loves a solid true crime book, this one was one of the better ones I've read recently. Very personal, even though author never actually knew the victim (but was raised in her family for several years). Good research, and there is resolution of sorts in the end. "Her middle name was joy" resonates at the end. Good read.

mjl71998's review

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emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

I had no idea what this book was about going in, but I really enjoyed it. The honesty about the complicated dynamics of her family and how she wanted to know more about her stepsister really spoke to me. I believe Rear found the peace she was looking for.