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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Suspenseful, Dramatic, Gripping!, November 27, 1999
This review is from: No Mercy (Mass Market Paperback)
I've never come across a book like this before. It was so well-written I couldn't put it down! Every element that makes a good read is there - suspense, drama, poignant scenes that pull at one's heartstrings and the enormous feelings of triumph and relief you share with the victims and the writer, at the end of the story when the fugitive is caught. No Mercy is a true gem. It documents several real-life crime cases that John Walsh and his team at the America's Most Wanted (AMW) TV programme helped the Police and FBI to solve, thanks to the tips received from the over 14 million TV viewers throughout the United States. The book also tells us the ups-and-downs of the AMW programme, from how/why it was developed right up to the time it was pulled off the air by the Fox Studio, before a huge public outcry and rally pressured Fox Studio into reinstating the programme, about 7 weeks after it went off the air. There're some B&W photographs inserted between the pages of the book - mostly of the victims and the fugitives. An excellent idea because they make the cases seem even more real to the readers. AMW must certainly be one heck-of-a-programme. In my opinion, John Walsh is one of the best models of perseverance and true grit. His crusade and relentless pursuit of justice for the victims and the victims' family are truly admirable deeds. This guy is a hero! Years ago, I read the heart-breaking story of how his young son, Adam was abducted and then murdered. His world was torn apart (his first book, Tears of Rage documents the story). But Walsh fought back by fighting in his own way to ensure that no parent has to go through the same agony he went through when his child was taken away from him. Our local television used to air the programme, Manhunter also hosted by Walsh which is about crime cases solved by AMW. I never miss the show. Buy this book - you won't be dissapointed.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Chilling But Empowering, October 23, 1998
I started reading No Mercy as soon as it arrived from Amazon.com, and I found that I couldn't put it down. John Walsh, whose own son was abducted and murdered in the early 1980s, has turned his anger into a powerful force for good. He and co-author Philip Lerman are the inspiration behind America's Most Wanted, the Fox television show that has helped capture over five hundred dangerous criminals. No Mercy tells several of the most famous stories from America's Most Wanted, all of which are emotionally wrenching. The most intriguing is "The Strange Case of the Green Parrot," an incredibly improbable set of circumstances that sound like a Hollywood script. I'm not going to give away the ending, but I will say that this tale alone is worth the price of admission. The stories in this book are chilling, and they may give you nightmares. It's difficult to believe that we share the same planet with monsters who can do the things that Walsh and Lerner describe. But at the same time, the authors show that caring people can and should and do fight back. I confess that I have never watched America's Most Wanted--I prefer books over television. But I may begin to watch the program after reading this book, out of a sense of responsibility if nothing else. Walsh's efforts have probably already spared countless hundreds of people from the pain that he himself had to endure. The more people who watch his show or read this book, the more criminals will be caught before they can hurt or kill again. The book includes information about children who are still missing, as well as about several fugitives who are still at large--perhaps some reader will send in the tip that brings these cases to a close. The one omission that surprised me was this: as far as I could tell, the book did not give a web site for America's Most Wanted. (I looked it up, and it can be found at amw.com or americasmostwanted.com). It semes to me that the Net is the ideal place to post bulletins and updates between airings of the show, and it would have been useful to put this bit of information in the book or on the jacket.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
No Mercy:The Host of America's Most Wanted Hunts...., May 15, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: No Mercy (Mass Market Paperback)
I felt that John Walsh was supberb when co-writing this book. I bought this book in order to get some/more information how the criminal mind works so that I can learn to recognize the evil creatures. I am learning from this book that you cannot recognize him/her. They often hide behind a mask. I am a child advocate and can only admire Mr. Walsh for taking his rage and having the courage to use his unfortunate and traumatic experience to catch scum-bags. His book is easy to read (I can't put the book down once I pick it up). He makes me understand from the beginning to the end how much hard work goes in to finding these rotten-evil-dirt bags. Thank you John Walsh for your endurance in helping us find our children and putting many of these animals where they belong (out of society). My emotions, tears, and heart goes out to these people who have suffered. Buy this book you will not regret it!!!!!!!!
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