Customer Reviews

Mother's Trial, A

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dear Amazon: You have a review from Sarah Wrigley, who is one of the central characters of this book, written on February 9, 2004! Sarah is the little girl the Phillips named "Mindy" who was removed from the family's custody. Sarah, I have often wondered how you are and am delighted you wrote a review.

I have read and re-read this book from cover to cover, and still do not know if Priscilla Phillips is truly guilty. Nancy Wright's descriptions of Priscilla and her family & friends do not lead us to an inescapable conclusion. This is excellently written and crafted, and rolls along at a much faster pace than most novels that involve court cases. I have worn out my first copy (which eventually came to "live" in my car for times when I needed reading material - doctor's appointment, etc.) and have just purchased another copy. What has happened to Priscilla? From the author's detailed descriptions I found her to be a rather unlikeable but very real and alive person. Each of us knows someone like Priscilla (loud, attention-grabbing, my-way-or-the-highway) who we may not particularly like. But did this well-educated caring person commit these crimes? I am not convinced.

Okay, I am not an idiot. I can read and understand a book. I do ER billing. This book should not be ordered unless you are really into reading technical results of labs and a sad and slightly boring story. Munchausen is a really interesting topic but this book just didn't do it for me. I am sorry for mom and her seemingly adorable little girls. I just found the book unreadable. No pics in my edition. I would have loved to see Sara Shimoda, MD. I felt like I was at work the entire time. The book was work. Not recommended. I think "Sickened" was a much better book on this strange subject.

I was happy to see the other 5-star reviews here, as I think this is one of the most readable true crime books I have read, and I have read hundreds (probably). In fact, I think I read this years ago when it was first published (1984), and when I started it last week I said to myself, Yes, I've read this........ But I kept on going because it was so compelling. It reads like a novel. I am sad to see that evidentally Nancy Wright has not written any other true crime books -- or has she? Does anyone know? It is also very interesting to see the note below from the real-life Mindy, now known as Sarah Wrigley, and I too am happy to see that she is apparently living a good and healthy life.

As far as Munchausen Syndromy by Proxy is concerned, it is interesting to note that since this was given a name, several children (usually girls) have come forward now that they are adults. Most have terrible memories of the medical aspect of their young lives, but most also love their mothers and try to understand the illness that drove the mothers to harm them as little children. Terribly sad.

Although, I'm still not convinced that she was guilty, this was a very good book. Too bad all true crime writers can't present the facts in such an unbiased fashion. By the way, according to the book, she was never diagnosed with any mental abnormality including MSBP. I'd liked to know whatever happened to her.

This book was based on a true story...
although Mrs. Phillip was tried and found guilty and did time in prison some people involved with the case said she was innocent. Not remembered it at time cause I was small child I think in my heart i would say she was innocent for a crime she never did ...
after a many years after the trial my family keep close contract with her we just recently in past few years lost contract with each other... Putting past behind us

I rarely ever feel compelled to write a review, although I am an avid reader. In the past 3 years I have read a lot of "true crime" and this book is on my top 5 list. Accolades to Nancy Wright for bringing to light "Munchausen by Proxy" and for allowing readers to form their own opinions about this case. I wish this book would be more available at mainstream bookstores because quality true crime authors are far and few between.

The tale is one that doesn't have a neat Hollywood ending, all tied up where you KNOW the bad person was caught. But reality has that way of not being a neat package--the book is however truly a page-turner that I could NOT put down. Did the mother do it? If not, who? Why? When one has young children about--the concept of inflicting any pain on them becomes even more impossible to digest--yet it happens. Child abuse is real, whether called crazy or a syndrome. Worth the while of a read for any true crime reader, or anyone who wonders--about Munchausen by Proxy.

I read this book 20 years ago. The story and the people are still burned in my mind. This is true crime at its very best: smart, literate, and sympathetic. Nancy Wright wrote a classic and if she ever writes another I'll be pre-ordering it. Highly recommended.