Customer Reviews

The Relentless Pursuit of the Truth: A Tribute to Jacqueline Jane Wurst, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class, United States Navy

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have known Tommy Brannon since 1964 when we were both NIS special agents and I was sent to DaNang RVN to assist in the overwhelming case load building up there where Tommy was trying to keep his head above water. His reputation as an outstanding interrogator and polygraph operator were well-known even back then. After that first meeting and working closely with him on several cases over the years this reputation only continued to grow.

But this book was surprising to me. I was ready for an indepth account of a complicated murder investigation which eventually would result in the apprehension and conviction of the murderer, the type of book we see filling the non-fiction sections in bookstores today. But reading this book was a very pleasant surprise. Certainly, the murder case was solved and the suspect arrested and convicted, due to the dilligence of Tommy Brannon; however, this is only the skeleton for the real purpose of the book: the celebration of the life of a remarkable young woman who had great promise. We seldom are priviledged to come in contact with a person devoid of character flaws, but Jacqueline Wurst was definitely one of those rare individuals and the loss of her life was therefore even more tragic. If you can read this book without your eyes watering, you are a remarkable person. Reading it will make you sad that this fine young woman and U.S. Navy sailor never had the chance to become all that she could be (apologies to the U.S. Army) but conversely it will make you happy that you had the chance to meet her through Tommy Brannon's efforts. This is a very good book and a welcome departure from other non-fiction crime stories. Read and enjoy. Thanks, Tommy.

The author has taken a unique story line with this book, which was frankly very refreshing. Although this story could not have been told without also telling of the horrific and tragic murder of Jackie Wurst, the actual basis for the book is Jackie herself. It is evident a great deal of research was conducted in order to find out about the real Jackie Wurst, and the impact she had on a great many of people. Well done.

This moving story of Jackie Wurst covers many years, locales and people - all part of the young woman's life in the handful of years she was in the US Navy. All of the pieces of her story, reconstructed 25 years after her death, come together month by month and friend by friend, culminating in Jackie's own words at her last assignment. A beautifully constructed tribute!

You certainly have reasons to be proud at the accomplishment of this fine book.
For those of us who never met Jackie, her story reminded me that brutal statistics are often read and dismissed because they don't touch our lives. You took us on a journey where indifference isn't acceptable. The tragedy touched many lives and it's impact is still strong after all these years. By telling Jackie's story, I think it must have brought a sense of peace. A change in closure, perhaps, from the violent last moments to the gifts she gave to so many.
Congratulations!

This is a very well done book paying tribute to a young lady any man would be proud to take home to his mother. I have extensive knowledge of what I have just stated, as I was one of the original investigators of her senseless murder. We interviewed numerous people during this case and never once heard a bad word about her. She was a genuine, well loved person. She was an fine example of great upbringing by her parents. Thanks to the heads up information supplied by Tom, this case was solved and the murderer locked up and hopefully never to pray on society again.
Tom has supplied the facts in a manner that makes it hard to put this book down once you start reading it. Well done Tom, this book needed to be written. I echo what others have said, "Must Reading".

Darryl Henry, Captain (Retired)
Kings County Sheriff's Office

A rare and informative story of a murder, the pursuit, and the apprehension of a killer. The author belongs to a class trained to serve without the thought of reward and his needs are only furnished through his outstanding performace to duty. He excels at describing in detail the"ins and outs of law enforcement"-what works and what doesn't. And for once describing the victims life and what was taken away at such a young age. A must read............

Tom Del Torrre
San Francisco PD
retired.

This book about the horrible murder of a beautiful young Navy woman serves as a story of the actual events but more importantly a tribute to her short life. We all consider ourselves fortunate when we meet that special person that changes our life in a markedly positive way, Jackie was just such a person. Kind, helpful, talented and beautiful inside and out, she is remembered literally by all as a positive influence and not just a victim of a senseless crime. A fitting tribute and a must read!!

Although I haven't read the book, I knew of the story first hand, and my family took part in the recreation for the TV show "The Real NCIS". (My husband is the Coroner, one daughter can be seen in the crowd, and the other 'plays' Jackie, as the body in the bag brought up the river bank and placed in the van.)

I was a 22 year old girl, living just miles from the area where Jackie was killed and found. I saw the Sheriff's cars and other official vehicles driving down the 'river road' near my house that fall after my mother had died. Her words echoing in my brain as word got out that there was a murderer near our small community of Stratford (about 7 miles from NAS). It was terrifying knowing that my mom was right, 'don't ever go down to Chris' Landing!' *which is what we called the place known as the Lemoore Marina.* It was a rough place, with a 'bar/pool hall', and people 'partied' out there along the river. Being a farmer's daughter, we used the river as a family recreation area, for swimming, water skiing and BBQs...this proved that there was a dangerous, dark side to what had always been a place of fun for me growing up. The worse part for me was, my mom was gone now, and I couldn't help but wonder if that murderer would strike again.

It was interesting having my family take part in the recreation of this story, something I'd known about years earlier, that now was much more real and tangible, giving this young woman and her story a forum. All life is precious, and even though I didn't know her, I felt a connection to her. Her death verified what we country girls had been told, and who knows, she may have saved some of us.

A well written and easy to read true story about an All-American girl from the heartland of America who serves her country in an all volunteer US Navy. The book is more about the way Jackie lived her life and not so so much about how she was tragically murdered. An NCIS Agent reading the paper and drinking coffee one morning solves the murder by seeing the acronym "AD2" in a story about the murder. A must read.

Book has some decent information, but is not very strongly written. It often shifts between first person and third person, without really deciding whether it is autobiographical or simply a non-fiction account. I wouldn't recommend it to the casual reader, though those with a local knowledge are likely to be interested.