Lee Boyd Malvo's chaotic life at the hands of 'caregivers' didn't make headlines until he pulled the trigger. Carmeta Albarus's detailed account-from extensive interviews with the boy who was groomed by a predator to murder-provides compelling insight into the mitigating circumstances of his story.
Kathleen Carty, president of the National Organization of Forensic Social Work This is an extremely ... Read morewell written book that reads like a novel, but is based on true events. I strongly recommend every medical student, psychiatric resident, and fellow in forensic psychiatry read it to learn of the psychodynamics behind homicide and violent behavior and the details of developing a proper mental health defense.
Robert L. Sadoff, clinical professor of forensic psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine The Making of Lee Boyd Malvo offers the unabashed truth about children who face emotional and psychological scars resulting from feelings of rejection, abandonment, and other trauma by being left home by parents who immigrated overseas.
Geneive Brown Metzger, former Consul General Jamaica in New York fascinating Publishers Weekly A good book for readers interested in criminal justice, psychology, and social work. Library Journal helps explain how a good kid turned bad enough to coldly kill one person after another...fascinating Atlantic The book can be illuminating, especially when Albarus describes what it was like to pierce Malvo's shield and help wrest his psyche from Muhammad. Newark Star Ledger The book makes no effort to exculpate the Jamaican-born Mr. Malvo, but traces his life in detail.
Paul Koring Toronto Globe and Mail One of the more interesting aspects of the book is its lengthy excerpts from Malvo's writings, poetry and artwork, which reveal an introspective youth trying to make sense of his crimes.
Del Quentin Wilber Washington Post Named a Best 2012 Book About Justice - if you want a sense of the damage a broken life can create for innocent victims decades later, read this book.
Andrew Cohen The Atlantic Show Less