Overview

"It began on August 12, 1983, when a disturbed woman's bizarre accusation ignited hysteria across the small Southern California community of Manhattan Beach. Driven by over-zealous investigators and a sensational news media, the legend of The McMartin Preschool became the ""case of the century""-the longest, most expensive criminal trial in United States history. Four years later, in the spring of 1988, in the midst of the ongoing frenzy, authors Matthew LeRoy and Deric Haddad, students at San Diego State University, left school to follow the case, a path that led them to Manhattan Beach, an upscale community where a vortex of suspicion left most residents leery of outsiders. In this instance, however, where the inquisitors were two unassuming college students, many opened their doors . . . and they had so much to say. Through the summer of 1990, the authors conducted over one hundred interviews, as they bonded with key players on both sides of the conflict. No other journalists or network reporters were able to obtain such a diverse range of sources. Now, thirty years later, this extraordinary event comes to life. Written in a creative non-fiction format, They Must Be Monsters is told through the eyes of the ""mother who started it all."" Using exclusive content-her volume of lost archives-the depth of her paranoia is unveiled; the portrait of a schizophrenic woman whose dark visions became a microcosm of the community around her. These authentic, never-before-seen documents finally bring an end to the mystery behind her fateful accusations. The events of Manhattan Beach are true, an untold story, the calamity of an upscale seaside town gripped by fear, where friends turned on neighbors in a frantic campaign of misguided retribution-a devastating crucible that afflicted a generation of innocent people, an event eerily similar to the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. It's a tale of horror, rage, superstition, and faith; a shameful moment in American folklore that's been erroneously ignored by historians-a great injustice that should've never taken place-but, as history tends to repeat itself, most tragically did."

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9781732448902

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Very, very highly recommended not just for its detailed background research and approach; but for its ability to tailor a wealth of information into a digestible, understandable narrative non-fiction format that will hold readers riveted to the end, highlighting lasting questions about the underlying causes of community hysteria and its implications in modern times. Diane Donovan MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW They Must be Monsters is a true crime story that reads like a work of extraordinary fiction. Matthew LeRoy and Deric Haddad are able to dig deeper than even journalists of the day and present a narrative that is instantly engaging and thoroughly engrossing. I have to admit that this is the first I'd heard of the McMartin Preschool Trial and going in I had no idea what to expect. From the perspective of an uninformed reader, this played to my own advantage as I resisted the urge to search for a summary and, instead, allowed the story to unfold, layer by layer, without any preconceived notions. The result is a masterful, tension-filled tale where art actually imitates life in the most gruesome ways. The authors liken the event to Miller's The Crucible, an apt comparison for the 20th century. I'd recommend this book to lovers of the true crime genre, but also to those who enjoy thrillers, suspense, and mystery. 5 Stars - Congratulations on your 5-star review! Reviewed By Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite In this era of fake news allegations, -- They Must Be Monsters - is a refreshing addition to the realm of real news in that it reveals the untold story of the hysteria that engulfed the McMartin Preschool sexual abuse investigation. Authors Matthew LeRoy and Deric Haddad, by disclosing previously unpublished evidence in the case, offer an important and timeless lesson: that this should never happen again. --Larry M. Edwards, author, Dare I Call It Murder?

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