You may have heard about the murder of Laci Peterson in December of 2002. She was almost eight months pregnant when her husband, Scott, killed her. For Laci is a memoir about Laci Peterson written by her mother, Sharon Rocha. It tells the heart-breaking story of the search for Laci and the horrifying experience that Laci’s family had to go through. When I read this book, I couldn’t put it down and I definitely cried at some points. I don’t read non-fiction books often because I find most of them boring but this story was far from boring. While reading this book, it was hard to come to terms with the fact that the events described actually happened to someone. Hearing the story from the point of view of Laci’s mother puts the whole thing into a different perspective and my heart aches for her. I definitely recommend this book but some parts of it may be too sensitive for young teens.
……………………
Laci Rocha Peterson, 8 months pregnant, was last seen by her sister, Amy, in the late afternoon of December 23, 2002. She spoke to her mother, Sharon Rocha, at 8:30 p.m. that night. This would be the last time anyone from her immediate family ever spoke to her.
A search began which lasted an agonizing four months. Sadly, Laci Peterson and her son Conner were found dead on the shores of San Francisco Bay on April 18, 2003.
Her husband, Scott, was eventually arrested and charged with the murder of Laci and Connor. After a sensational, media-saturated trial, Peterson was found guilty of capital murder and was sentenced to death on March 16, 2005.
This book deals with the story in three separate sections: first, Sharon describes the ordinary, loving life her daughter led, including fond memories of her childhood and adolescence. Second, it covers her marriage, disappearance, the community’s moving search for her, and her and Connor’s eventual recovery from San Francisco Bay. Third, it tells the story of the trial in detail not before revealed. Sharon will also talk about victim’s rights, a subject on which she now campaigns regularly.
Between the Covers 