Mommy's Little Girl: Casey Anthony and her Daughter Caylee's Tragic Fate [Mass Market Paperback]

Diane Fanning (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 3, 2009

When news broke of three-year-old Caylee Anthony’s disappearance from her home in Florida in July 2008, there was a huge outpouring of sympathy across the nation. The search for Caylee made front-page headlines. But there was one huge question mark hanging over the case: the girl’s mother.

As the investigation continued and suspicions mounted, Casey became the prime suspect. In October, based on new evidence against Casey—her erratic behavior and lies, her car that showed signs of human decomposition—a grand jury indicted the young single mother. Then, two months later, police found Caylee’s remains a quarter of a mile away from the Anthony home. Casey pled not guilty to charges of murder in the first degree, and she continues to protest her innocence. Did she or didn’t she kill Caylee? This is the story of one of the most shocking, confusing, and horrific crimes in modern American history.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

THE FIRST FULL-LENGTH, IN-DEPTH ACCOUNT OF THE CAYLEE ANTHONY CASE

When news broke of three-year-old Caylee Anthony’s disappearance from her home in Florida in July 2008, there was a huge outpouring of sympathy across the nation. The search for Caylee made front-page headlines. But there was one huge question mark hanging over the case: the girl’s mother.

• Why did Casey Anthony wait one full month before reporting her daughter missing?
• Why were searches on chloroform and missing children found on her computer?
• Why did she go out partying with friends less than one week after Caylee disappeared?

As the investigation continued and suspicions mounted, Casey became the prime suspect. In October, based on new evidence against Casey—her erratic behavior and lies, her car that showed signs of human decomposition—a grand jury indicted the young single mother. Then, two months later, police found Caylee’s remains a quarter of a mile away from the Anthony home. Casey pled not guilty to charges of murder in the first degree, and she continues to protest her innocence. Did she or didn’t she kill Caylee? This is the story of one of the most shocking, confusing, and horrific crimes in modern American history.

* With 8 pages of alarming photographs *

About the Author

Diane Fanning is the author of the Edgar Award finalist Written in Blood: A True Story of Murder and a Deadly 16-Year-Old Secret That Tore a Family Apart. Her other works of true crime include the best-selling A Poisoned Passion, The Pastor’s Wife, Gone Forever and Through the Window. She has been featured on 48 Hours, 20/20, Court TV and the Discovery Channel, and has been interviewed on dozens of radio stations coast to coast. Before becoming a nonfiction writer, Fanning worked in advertising, and she earned more than 70 Addy Awards. She lives in New Braunfels, Texas.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's True Crime; Original edition (November 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312365144
• ISBN-13: 978-0312365141
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (116 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #381,733 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am the author of eleven true crime books published by St. Martin's Press including the Edgar Award nominated WRITTEN IN BLOOD and the best-selling MOMMY'S LITTLE GIRL. For the work I began with THROUGH THE WINDOW, I received the "Defender of Innocence" award from the Downstate Illinois Innocence Project. My latest true crime is HER DEADLY WEB. Additionally, I have written six mystery novels including five in the Lucinda Pierce series from Severn House. The latest is FALSE FRONT.

I have been featured on 48 Hours, 20/20, The Today Show, Biography, Forensic Files, Deadly Women,Behind Mansion Walls, Deadly Sins, On the Case with Paula Zahn, Justice with Judge Jeanine, MSNBC News, Court TV, Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell, the Discovery Channel and local TV channels and have been interviewed on dozens of radio stations coast to coast.

I am an experienced non-fiction, fiction and commercial writer. I earned more than seventy Addy Awards in the twenty years I wrote for radio, television and print. I worked as an Executive Director at non-profit organizations for more than a dozen years. In that capacity, I served three terms by appointment of the Governor of Texas on the State Advisory Committee and received the 2002 NACG Freedom Fighter Award.

I was born in Baltimore, Maryland, lived more than two decades in Virginia and now live in New Braunfels, Texas with my husband and a cat with an attitude.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

189 of 229 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible January 31, 2010

By Royal Book Sleuth

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I don't know where all of these people are getting their ratings from. Did we read the same book? The only possible reason this book could be a "best seller" is because of how notorious the case is. I have been following this case very closely, and am a huge true crime reader. I am also just an avid reader. This book was simply all of the information I had already read on the internet mashed together. Nothing new, no surprises no insight. I found it tedious to read page after page of law enforcement interviews verbatim--easily accessible from docstoc.com. There was little if any author input or insight and any insight or input given was delivered strangely and in a strange word order that had me re-reading sentences to make sure I understood. In addition to this the author's sentences were very clipped and short. There was no flow, no eloquence, no suspense. It is truly one of the worst books I've read, and it is a shame because I so looked forward to it--in fact, I followed the case so closely, I COULD HAVE WRITTEN IT BETTER! I'm sorry, but I feel like I wasted $7.00. In all fairness, perhaps my distaste for the book was in part due to my knowledge of the case. Maybe those who have no knowledge might enjoy the book. I wouldn't recommend it, but if you want the "cliff notes" to the case, this is the book for you.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for people who haven't been following the entire case July 18, 2011

By Lisa Bailey

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am from central FL so I was intrested in the case from the beginning but this book puts information I didn't know coming from Casey's grandparents. I am still upset by the verdict. I know we'll never know what really happened but the jury was truly ignorant of what their verdict could be. Everyone we've heard from the jury seems to think the only verdict was the death penalty or not guilty! There was more than enough for child neglect in the very least. Shame on all of them for being so ignorant and not asking any questions to assist in making their verdict!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Mommy's Little Girl May 30, 2011

By Rebecca

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book provides a very timely review of the tragic Caylee Anthony case. I purchased the book before I knew the trial would be going on this week. Nice review for those who like the details of true crime events.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Lies Will Never Become The Truth... May 16, 2011

By LaBellaNovella

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this book after watching the jury selection for the trial, and I have followed (off and on) the case from the beginning. I plan to watch the proceedings and hope justice for Caylee will FINALLY be found.

Casey Anthony is a sick, depraved, twisted and unfeeling individual. There is no grey area in that. That is the fact, clearly shown in the book, and that fact cannot be dressed up and made to look different when you simply take it all in, piece by piece, lie by lie. After reading all the facts laid out, I do not envy the team of lawyers assembled to un-ring the bell Casey Anthony rang...and rang hard.

The book highlights, in rapid fire, the extreme way Anthony's world imploded in short order. Her tower of lies and half truths sprawl across the page. The balls of this woman will make you internally cringe, they are so far fetched and unbelievable. Yes, there is relatively no "new" information, but the author does a nice job summing it and making it easier to understand. Her parents outrage followed by total indifference when it comes to truth and fact and accountability will make the reader literally sick.

The thing about understanding a case like this, with it's multitude of twists and turns and layers, is that often times facts get lost in the shuffle--like Casey habitual thievery-- having them all together, in one place, make it's easier to absorb and understand.

This title is an excellent read for anyone looking to follow the case. It's short and fast and the pace keeps the reader going.

30 of 41 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great compilation! November 5, 2009

By Kathryn Pardee

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I was not able to put this book down. The author does an excellent job of putting everything on record into chronological order. Warning: Don't start this book unless you have nothing else of paramount importance to accomplish. Don't start reading it in the evening if you have to work the next day. You'll be up until 3:00 AM or however long it takes to finish it.

36 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Good "Cliff Notes" on the case... November 13, 2009

By Gypsyrunner

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I'm retired and have admittedly spent too much time keeping up with this case. There is so much raw data "out there" that it's been difficult to put all the pieces together. Periodically, due to Florida's Sunshine Laws, there are prolific amounts of documents released. Diane Fanning methodically went through every bit of it and wove it into a tightly-knit presentation. It helped me understand the backstory on Casey, her family dynamics and a potential scenario of the crime itself. (There has since been another "document dump" that puts a different light on how the crime might have been committed.) Still, I highly recommend this book for anyone who plans to be around watching at trial time.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Huge title mistake! June 8, 2011

By Michelle T.

Format:Mass Market Paperback

This book should've been called "That Little Girl" because that's what Casey called her in any jailhouse-taped phone conversation that I've heard... when she talked about Caylee at all, that is. I'm really disappointed that the author missed that.

28 of 39 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars I'm reposting my original review which I removed due to "reviewer pressure" November 10, 2009

By B. Ryan

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

OK - I upped the book to three stars. I was and am fascinated with the Casey Anthony story. There is nothing new in the book that hasn't already been covered by the news. If you go onto youtube, you can watch every Casey Anthony interview with her parents. The author only copied those interviews, literally word for word. There were a few interesting e-mails between Cindy Anthony and her brother. One or two things I didn't already know. I could be wrong, but I believe that Casey Anthony said "I'm as much of a victim as all of you...". I'm sorry I spent my money on this book. I could have written this book (a reviewer made fun of me and said "Right, you could have written the book - well why didn't you" - that is just so not the point). OK, so if you want to criticize me, go ahead. I can take it. Hey, if you've lived on a desert island and have not had access to the tv or internet, this book is for you.