Invisible Chains: Shawn Hornbeck and the Kidnapping Case That Shook the Nation

by Kristina Sauerwein

Book Overview

In January 2007, two boys were found in the home of Michael J. Devlin, a "nice enough guy" who managed a pizza parlor in Kirkwood, Missouri. One boy had been kidnapped four days earlier. The other,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1599213443
• ISBN13: 9781599213446
• Release Date: April 2008
• Publisher: Lyons Press
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Amazing Story Well Told

An amazing story very well told. This book deals sensitively with a complex and delicate subject. The way the author lays out the events chronologically was logical and thorough. This book does a good job of covering both the broad "strategic" aspects as well as the "tactical" details of the story. The quotes from psychiatrists and researchers were informative and helpful in understanding what went on and why. It was interesting to read about how the events affected the people in the Kirkwood community as well as about how the parents never gave up on finding Shawn. I mainly read military history, so this book was a departure. It turned out to be well worth the time - it was very enjoyable and interesting to read.

Outstanding Book, Head and Shoulders Above the Rest

Kristina has done a great job of delving into tough subject matter. She takes delicate care in holding the two victims in high esteem, while demonizing the suspect and rightfully so. I am better off to have read this book than not. I commend Kristina for excellent writing and strong use of experts to carry out the title of the book.

Real-life mystery- well told

This news story was a mystery - why had this boy waited so long? Was he jealous of the newboy brought into the home, did he in fact feel affection/love for his abductor? Was it simply the Stockholm Syndrome? The author has given us a good story that reveals rather than exploits these young boys. I am buying more copies for friends. I highly recommend this book. Shirley

Interesting and In-Depth

I frequently read true crime books of all varities, and this is one of the best I have read lately. The story was so shocking, as it was originally reported, and it really left me with more questions than answers. The author really puts the events of January 2007 in context with the disappearance as first reported. The expert accounts and information is tremendously insightful.

Insightful account of the Devlin tragedy

A great read! I truly enjoyed that this book was not a sensational account of a true tragedy. The author presented the story in an extremely intelligent way, citing experts in many fields. I appreciate the journalistic look at such a compelling story. It is nice to read a book on a subject like this where the author does not take liberty with the facts. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to get a complete and comprehensive account of the story that rocked the nation last year.