A Serial Killer's Daughter

I was impressed as I purchased a used book. It was in mint condition. It’s a great read.

"A Serial Killer's Daughter" starts off with a bang: the day the FBI told the author that her father was the BTK killer, and then it jumps back in time to tell the story of Kerri Rader (later Rawson) growing up with her loving but slightly off father for over twenty years. The book spends an inordinate amount of time and details on their trips, especially the one down to the Grand Canyon. Having said that, their interaction on these trips lays the foundation for the reader's understanding of the relationship between father and daughter (and rest of the family). Of course, most children grow up thinking that their families are "normal," but still young Kerri was jarred from time to time by her father's behavior, especially towards her brother.After February 25, 2005, life changed forever for Kerri and her family, and for me, that's the most interesting part of her story. You need to read her story to appreciate what she went through. I must add that I am not a deeply religious person, so when Ms. Rawson increasingly speaks of the integration of her faith into her life and recovery from events, it did not make that much of an impression on me. Having said that, Ms. Rawson was actually quite judicious in her faith-based discussions, and they did not detract too much from my appreciation of the book. I also realize that social structures in the midwest are much more infused with religion than other areas of the country.This is a book I read in two major sittings, with a little bit thrown in here and there. It's a wonderful read. I'm not sure I appreciated the organization of the book, which often is marked with date dividers...which range from exact days to months, and almost never with text to connect one time frame to another. Yes, I would expect gaps in the telling of one's life, but when reading ten pages of events on one day and then time shifting two months in the future can be somewhat jarring when you really wanted to know what happened the next day or the next week.Still, all in all, it is a great read that provides perspective that is not normally shared or available: the innocent victims of those related to criminals.

That was one of the best books I've ever read! Once I started, I couldn't put it down.I'm one of those women who know more about serial killers than most people are comfortable with, but it's due to my interest in not what a serial killer did, but what got them there. I admit that after reading this fantastic book, I'm more confused than I was about the psychology behind the making of BTK.In the documentaries, BTK was easy to loathe but then I happened upon an interview of Kerri and I fell in love with her instantly. She seems so nice and genuinely kind, how could she be BTK's daughter?? Wow, the rabbit hole of anguish her family went through after finding out about his truth, my heart broke for her!In the book, you get to know Dennis Rader through her eyes and my heart ached for the betrayal she suffered because you felt as if you were on the rollercoaster with them. He was a pretty cool dad that anyone would wish for... she grew up in a family that anyone would wish for. I found myself liking Dennis Rader, I even cried for him as I read about him crying over his dying father, as my family did with ours.Kerri wrote about her pain, paralyzing anxiety, and that vile broken record in her head that wouldn't give her peace... I could relate to and feel all of it.Fantastic book! I bought the Kindle edition at 11:30 before going to bed (to relax before sleeping) but I found myself finishing as the birds were singing and the sun started coming up.So worth it!!!!!Thank you Kerri for sharing your beautiful pain, I'm better for it.

I really like Kerri, I feel so sorry for all she's had to go through but her story telling ability is so good as you read you just lose yourself in her story and the events that happened. It also gives us another perspective of Dennis Rader, of how the family saw him and shows us that besides being a murderer and a very disturbed man, he was a complex person who was also able to love his family. After reading Kerri's story I have more sympathy for the families of these killers as they're victims too. I wish I could be her friend in real life to support her but buying her books is the next best thing I think.

Very good insight to the BTK family life, to much guff about God but still good.

Kerri, you are an inspiration, how you’ve managed throughout the years is incredible. Keep being the true you. Thoroughly enjoyed

This book was hard to put down.I think a lot of people are misunderstanding the angle of this book— this is not a “true crime” book, this is a book detailing the experience of someone finding out that someone she knew her whole life is not who she thought they were (in the worst way).This is the story of someone who after 26 years had to reassess and reprocess every memory they had of their upbringing.The story of finding out someone she cared about and trusted so much has brutally killed and terrified people— and broken apart families. And having to grapple with still caring about this person that the world thinks is an absolute monster— and being so horrified by what they’ve done.When she talks about her hiking trip with her dad, the intention here is to highlight now normal things were, and then you see how she had to reassess all these memories afterwards.I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the psychology of trauma.

Wow. This book was equal parts fascinating and also hard to read. What a brave woman Kerri is. Well done on an excellent book

This was a difficult one for me to get through, but I couldn’t put it down. The dichotomy between serial killer and father was tough to process, so I can’t imagine being his daughter. Kerri explains her feelings quite well and at the end I saw her as a victim. I wasn’t sure I would, because how can you live with someone this vicious and not know it?I think there were indeed indications that this man was not quite what he pretended to be. He seemed to be controlling to everyone in his household and quite mean at times. The kids probably didn’t know any different,so they believed that was “normal”. The hike to in the grand canyon had me furious at him, as other things he did.There’s a lot of god talk in this. I guess we all need something to hang onto when dad is a beast. Also, I don’t believe he is forgiven by god (if there even is one) as he has said the words, but he doesn’t feel it in his heart. He seems rather proud of his crimes.I just kept going back to the victims of his violent actions and the families. He is a monster.All in all a good read. I hope this family can continue on and stop making him the Center of their existence.