Customer Reviews

Murder at Yosemite (St. Martin's True Crime Library)

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

 

 

Sorry, this quickie book leaves so much to be desired. "MAY" is another example of the evil quickie true crime book that does a disservice to the readers of this genre. Terrible research, incorrect information, and psuedo-pop psychology from the author detract from this tragic tale of four slain innocent women. It's hard to support a book that cannot get even the most basic facts correct: for example Steven and Cary Stayner lived on "Bette Street" not "Betty" and Joie Armstrong's murder date is listed with two different dates---despicable. For a more thorough, much better written, and accurate outlook on this truly fascinating story I was much, much more pleased with Dennis McDougal's "The Yosemite Murders." Plus McDougal is not afraid to take on the FBI who bungled this case, while Smith comes across like a FEEB lapdog.

Cary Stayner's poor excuse for turning into a murderer is that he was in the shadow of his younger brother (who was kidnapped as a boy)??? If standing in the shadow of a sibling is reason to become a murderer then half the country would be out there killing people. The writer gives a very tabloid type of read. There is nothing substantial to the book. John Walsh gave a chapter in one of his books to this story and I remember him describing the room that the three women stayed in. It was described so chillingly that I got goosebumps.

Unfortunately, I probably read more information and had more insight on this crime having read the local paper. Not only was the editing poor but the whole story lacked any substance. Too bad! I love true crime but after this I won't buy any books by this author. Sorry! Don't waste your money.

The book is rather confusing with the details sparse. It starts off recounting the ordeal of Steven Stayner, then slowly gets into the ordeal of the murdered tourists and the step by step process the police and FBI undertook to find the killer. The author seems to go off on a tangent with minor suspects' backgrounds to a distracting degree. By the time you are nine-tenths finished with the book, Cary Stayner shows up as a major character and is given short shrift after he confesses at the conclusion of the book.

All in all the book seems hurried and without much human interest.

On the back of the book it's mentioned that Cary Stayner was arrested at a California nudist "colony." The use of the term, "colony," instead of "camp," "resort," or "park," reflects the sad state of the fact checking in the book. Speaking as a nudist myself, I can assure you that "colony" hasn't been accurate in nudist circles since the 1960s.

On February 15, 1999, three women disappeared without a trace from a motel at the entrance to Yosemite National Park. They were athletic women and in good health. They were Carole Sund; her daughter, Juli; and an exchange student from South America, Silvina Pelosso. For more than a month authorities searched extensively for any indication of what happened to them. It was the 20th of March before an answer was uncovered. Carole Sund's rental car was found. The remains of two bodies were in the trunk. They were identified as Carole Sund and Silvina Pelosso. Juli Sund's remains were found five days later near Lake Pedro.

Witnessed reported odd behaviors on the part of Cary Anthony Stayner, a 37 year-old handyman working in Yosemite. Authorities located him on July 24, 1999. He immediately confessed to the murder of Joie Armstrong. Then, he confessed to killing Carole Sund, Juli Sund, and Silvina Pelosso.

Great controversy exists over Stayner's guilt or innocence. Many believe he did not actually commit the murders, but simply confessed for the attention. His younger brother, Steven, was abducted at age seven by a pedophile. He was forced to live with the pervert for seven years before he could escape. Steven received extensive media coverage, including a movie. From the time of his arrest, Cary constantly asked about getting on television and having movies made.

There is also controversy about whether he acted alone, if he is, indeed, guilty. Most people feel that he could not have handled three athletic women. They question how he could have held the gun on them and tied them up with duct tape. Many feel that there are other guilty parties still roaming free. At the time of the writing, this case had not gone to trial.

The author frequently omits the word "that" from his sentences. This greatly reduces the clarity at times and I found myself stopping to reread a sentence slowly to discern the meaning. There were many inaccuracies and a few wayward tangents. All considered, I felt this was a poor excuse for true crime journalism and I am really disappointed that St. Martin's would allow such slipshod editing to pass.

It is hard to tell who this story is about. It has as much about Steven Stayner as anything else. It is very poorly written. I do not think it took the auther more than a day to complete.

This is a 2 for 1 book. Not only do you get the story of the Sund/Pelosso murders but you also get the story on Steven Stayner (I Know My First Name Is Steven). This book was written before the trial of Cary Stayner ended but it was still a very good read that gave information that I don't remember hearing in the new.

That the Stayner family could survive the tragedy of their youngest sons disappearance,return & then untimely death is unbeliveable. It is impossible to comprehend their ability to deal now with thier older son being the perpretator of these ghastly murders. This book details the investigation into those murders & offers insight to the shadow Cary has lived under all his life. It is not a page turner in the sense it is suspensful but once started you cannot put it down as it reveals how the tragic circumstances transpired & then relates Cary's confession of the hideous crimes. If you are going to follow the trial I recommend this book for the background it provides.

As a person who happens to be friends with Cary Stayner (correspond often), I would have to agree with the previous reviews. According to things I've learned first hand, this book is TOTALLY INACCURATE in many areas. For example, the book said Cary didn't attend Stevens funeral...that is an outright LIE! McDougals book is much more accurate and fair for all involved.

This was the first True Crime book I have ever read (I'm 13) and I fell in love with them after finishing this. I will agree that the author did tell an awful lot about Steven Stayner but I think that that helped us to realize some of the reasons why Cary Stayner did what he did. I really enjoyed the book and am moving on to more True Crime books-right now It's Bodies of Evidence.