Witch Hunt: A True Story of Social Hysteria and Abused Justice [Mass Market Paperback]

Kathryn Lyon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1998

Using one of the largest child abuse scandals in America's history, an attorney turned investigative writer explores the extreme level of social hysteria and false accusations that destroyed lives and families.

It began with the cry of a young girl and escalated into the victimization of dozens of citizens for allegedly committing horrific sex crimes against children. Soon families were broken up, adults were accused of heinous crimes and were prosecuted -- without anyone' questioning the methods of the so-called experts. Now, an independent attorney, who spent a year in Wenatchee, pieces together the story of one of the most blatant cases of misuse of power and miscarried justice since the McCarthy witch-hunts.

"This is the scariest book I've read since Dracula, The sunstruck apple town of Wenatchee should cringe in shame at the atrocities performed in the name of the law on its most helpless citizens. Kathryn Lyon has performed a public service of the highest magnitude".

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 470 pages
• Publisher: Avon (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380790661
• ISBN-13: 978-0380790661
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,279,679 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A chilling account of good intentions gone wrong, December 7, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Witch Hunt: A True Story of Social Hysteria and Abused Justice (Mass Market Paperback)

This journalistic account of the civil rights violations that can occur in the name of helping children is a chilling, scary book. Those who are in denial, or doubt Ms. Lyons account should read the award winning series in the Seattle paper called The Power to Harm at www.seattle-pi.com/powertoharm. This account also updates the story past the end of the books time frame so the reader can learn about the ultimate outcome of many of the cases. One page even continues to update the story as it unfolds.

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Truth, October 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Witch Hunt: A True Story of Social Hysteria and Abused Justice (Mass Market Paperback)

I have lived in Wenatchee for twenty years, and I saw first hand these outrageous trials. Unfortunately, the whole book is true. I saw some other reviewers say that the book is "one-sided". Perhaps, but the other side in this story is a truckload of BS, and the "mental-health professionals" who claim that the investigation was valid are LIARS. I also saw a review that said that one child called in to say that she was indeed raped. Well, given how often the stories have changed, I would find it very hard to believe. Folks, the facts speak for themselves, Almost all the ones convicted had a public lawyer, and almost everyone aquitted or had charges dismissed had a private lawyer. I don't want to go too deeply into the story, because I would basically be paraphrasing the book, which I don't want to do. In conclusion, beware of anyone who gives support to Perez, that sorry excuse for a human being.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kathryn Lyon's ,has told the true story., March 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Witch Hunt: A True Story of Social Hysteria and Abused Justice (Mass Market Paperback)

The Citizens of The city of Wenatche, owe you for your hard work, Those that have been touched, those that are living and those who have live and died ,know about the abuse that has been going on far to long in this City of Wenatchee. I know,I lived there, and also have family that still live there ,and their lives have been hurt terribly by the 'Power Class",in this isolated town.. Kathryn, I take my hat off to you, , We Give you our Thanks,for a Great Job on this book Thanks for writing the truth!