Aruba: The Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise [Hardcover]

Dave Holloway (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 11, 2006

One father's mission to find his daughter

I am a father who has no idea what has happened to his child. The questions run through my mind all day long. They keep me awake at night. Is she dead? Is she alive? Is she being held captive somewhere? Are they hurting her? Is she crying out for me? 

These are the impassioned words of Dave Holloway, father of Natalee Holloway, whose disappearance in Aruba sparked a media frenzy and an international scandal. This book is the heart-wrenching story of his search, the most complete account of Natalee Holloway's disappearance in Aruba. Continuing his investigation to this very day, Holloway discloses:

• behind-the-scenes details of the investigation
• new revelations about the corruption of the Aruban law enforcement
• and the countless trails leading to possible rape, murder, and even sexual slavery

This book is the first insider's account of one of the decade's most disturbing and mysterious stories. Using never-before-seen photographs from their family album and stories of Natalee's childhood, Holloway relates the horror of personally searching through crack houses and trash dumps for Natalee-working alone, with authorities, even with psychics-while enduring the stonewalling of Aruban officials.

Learn what really went on behind the headlines of the tragic disappearance of Natalee Holloway.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Though nearly a year old-an eternity in media time-the story of 19-year-old Natalee Holloway's disappearance in Aruba continues to stir in the public consciousness (a new arrest was reported as recently as April 16). This latest addition to the missing girl's casefile is co-authored by her father, whose motivation for writing the book is straightforward: "I am a father who has no idea what happened to my child. ... Is she dead? Is she alive? Is she being held captive somewhere? ... I need to know." Trouble is, Holloway doesn't know. As such, there isn't enough new or complete information here to draft a true crime story, and Holloway is repeatedly frustrated in his attempts to investigate. While he remains convinced that Dutch teen Joran van der Sloot and his friends are connected to Natalee's death, Holloway also floats possible involvement by the Mafia, a sex ring, and the drug trade. The closest Halloway comes to a complete theory, "Either ... local boys chase after unsuspecting girls, drug and rape them the night before they leave ... or there is a much larger conspiracy where girls are made to disappear at the whim of some higher-ups," is too broad and unsubstantiated to generate much suspense. Sadly, those who follow the case will discover much more about the anguish of a confused and desperate father than they will about Natalee Holloway or her disappearance.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595550631
• ISBN-13: 978-1595550637
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (98 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #499,189 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Wonderful Book!, July 1, 2006

By 

CRIME BUFFER (Portland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aruba: The Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise (Hardcover)

I have read a lot of true crime books, but this one was so riveting I couldn't put it down. I loved the way the book takes the reader through the entire ordeal while leaving the door open for us to decide for ourselves what actually happened. After all, we really don't know for sure, do we?

The Shango riddle is incredible and shows that someone on the inside wanted to let us know what happened, but they were too afraid or too closely involved to come forward.

Dave Holloway's passion comes through clearly, thanks to his co-authors who must have spent months listening to his heartfelt frustrations while he was trying desperately to find his daughter. His account of the difficulties faced when attempting to work with the Aruban authorities leaves the reader hating the police while feeling a bit sorry for the native Aruban. How tragic that the authorities didn't let the family know until the last minute that their hands were tied due to their overseers, the Hague. One would think that between the Aruban and Dutch authorities working on the case, they would be able to deal with the crime of a missing person without having to defer to an even higher authority. What a bunch of baloney to hand the family so late in the game!

Clearly written, to the point, very articulate and passionate. Quick read, yet thought-provoking and somewhat stunning. I learned things I never saw on the news. The only thing left to be answered is "Who done it?" I'd suggest this book to anyone who loves true crime. It made the New York Times Best Seller list for a reason...it's a truly great book!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Natalie Holloway, December 4, 2006

By 

Patty Hopper- Reeves "Mimi Patty" (Florida) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Aruba: The Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise (Hardcover)

I followed the story of Natalee Holloway through the media and several websites so I approached this book with what I thought was a good amount of knowledge on the case. Absent of all the hype and emotion that surrounds the disappearance of Natalee Holloway on her senior trip to Aruba, her father, Dave Holloway, presents his story like the insurance investigator he is. With factual reference, this book flowed easily from start to finish as it outlined the details of his, former wife Beth Twitty, friends and familiy members who joined him in Aruba during the search immediately after her disappearance and in the months following. I appreciated his narration for it's focus on events as they unfolded absent the hysteria. Dave details events as they were presented to him from the moment he learned his daughter was missing, through learning the boy she was last seen with had a father with high official connections and beyond the immediate. He provides specifics, names, dates and unfolds a timeline that, sadly, reveals the ineptness and corruptness of an island political hierarchy seemingly more concerned with their tourist image than finding this missing girl. Recommended to those readers of crime, corruption, family drama, or looking for something interesting and new. Based on true events. Also made for television movie available.

23 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ FOR ALL PARENTS, April 21, 2006

By 

Carol Linn (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aruba: The Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise (Hardcover)

This book is well written, and touched my heart so. I think that all parents should read it, my heart goes out to Dave and Robin, and also Beth and Jug, for what they have had to endure in their search for their daughter. I would like to hope that if this ever happened to one of my kids, that I would have the strength and determination that they all have had to not give up on my search, no matter how long it takes. Dave, the world and God is behind you.