A Serial Killer's Daughter: My Story of Faith, Love, and Overcoming (An Insider's Look at the True Crime Story of the BTK Killer, Dennis Rader)

This was a book telling how Evan ride from the worst circumstances, well written, and good too if you want to know more about how BTK’s choices affected his family.

I rarely write a review on a book because I prefer to begin another one as soon as I finish a book. For this story, I feel compelled to say that it’s a truly remarkable story. The author’s willingness to be so open about the pain and trauma of knowing that her dad is a serial killer was eye-opening for me. I can’t begin to imagine how difficult this knowledge is for her, her family, and everyone who “thought” they knew her father. She doesn’t overlook the families of those he murdered, but this story is more about the trauma and PTSD of one whose loved one is the person who took those lives. Society tends to gloss over the pain of the families of killers. This story gave me a deeper insight into what those families go through. I appreciated the author’s biblical references and that she credits God’s enduring love for helping her healing process. I also found her storytelling skills engaging when she described her experiences when she was growing up and her current family life. I especially liked reading about her hiking trip in the Grand Canyon. Her description of her dad’s volatile temper resonated with me because my “ex” had a similar temper. (the main reason he’s my ex.) I hope and pray that the author will find that writing this book contributed to her ongoing need for healing.

This book was awesome. I couldn’t imagine having my dad with me for that long in my life and then finding out he was a serial killer. It’s crazy to think about and I don’t see how anyone could get through that, but with God, all things are possible. Thank you for sharing your story, the good, bad, & ugly. Always praying for you, your dad, & your family.

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 have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I love that it’s a really in-depth, first-hand view into something most of us will never experience. It’s raw, honest, and really breaks down those first few minutes, hours, days, weeks, and months of her experience both with the media and with herself and her family. It also shows letters between her and her dad as she tries to relearn the man she knew. It written in a fun way, and I love the distinction in the story between events, conversations, and her inner monolog of thoughts. It really opened my eyes to some struggles Kerri and her family went through, and how they helped each other get throughout everything. It’s an interesting introspection of things she never knew or realized, and the unraveling of clues hidden in plain sight. It’s a great read if you are really nosy and want to have that “fly on the wall” perspective. On the other hand, despite the innumerable hours she spent immersing herself in this case - The articles, news stories, weeks of court transcripts, documentaries, books, and even movies about this case and her father, she doesn’t want anything to do with hearing the personal testimonies from the victims families? That’s the only part of the trial she has never read. She even mentions how upset she was at not having a say in whether or not the victim’s stories should be told in full during her father’s sentencing. She felt her family was a victim as well, and should’ve had an equal say in whether those details should’ve been discussed in full in court. I’m not saying her family wasn’t a victim to his crimes, they absolutely are - but let's not completely level the playing field here. The victims deserved to have their stories told, they deserved justice, and their families had every right to make that decision. The entire book came off as a PR piece for her and her family. I’m glad she is sticking up for herself and her family, I’m glad she is telling her story, and taking a part in changing her own narrative - that’s amazing for her. However, in the same breath she is upset that the families of the victims had that right as well - in the time they deserved it most. Why? Why is she so against hearing from the families? Why is it that the victim impact statements are the only transcripts she has never read from the trial? Why was she so against them having their stories told? It doesn’t sit right with me. Sure, every person grieves differently, and she has every right to feel the way she wants to, and heal the way she needs to - but it’s weird she doesn’t see that imbalance.

I couldn't put this book down. What a raw and honest look at what its like to find out your Father is the well known BTK. I admire Kerri for being brave enough to tell the world about her journey . Its part true crime but also a guide to survive betrayal by a parent. Its a lesson in how turning to God can save you when you are completely lost and without hope.

"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.

Truly his own family was victimized and tortured. The honesty that Kerri writes with is amazing, I doubt many of us could so boldly face the lies, deception and devastation that he perpetrated on his own family. To wake up one day and discover that everything you knew was a lie.....that you had been deceived by your adored father in the MOST horrible ways....and to fight back and then share your story is amazing. BTK has haunted me since I was 12 years old. His favorite area of stalking was the area that I lived in and I worked at the same mall as Nancy Fox did WHEN she did......there were always so many similarities that I had to wonder how close he was. I cannot thank you enough Kerri for giving all of Wichita the gift of closure. For YEARS we have wondered about his family, his past, who would do this kind of thing, whatever happened, etc. It isn't pretty and it doesn't tie it in a neat little bow, but your honesty gives answers. The hard truth is no one spotted him in plain sight. Not even his family. And the fact that you have grown in to a lovely young woman with morals and compassion and decency just gives credence to how much NO ONE knew. He was good at hiding. He was good at covering up. He was a master of deception. And that is probably the most horrifying of all. Even his own family had no idea. You are indeed victims of BTK. I am so thankful that you wrote this book and were so honest. It helps me realize that truly, we can survive the unimaginable with God's help. I wish you the very best.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Family is complicated and this is the story of one daughter’s attempt to understand the father she knew, and the father the world eventually knew. I admire her for writing the book and I understand her need to do so.

Die Verbrechen des Serienmörders BTK in Wichita haben weltweit für Aufsehen und Entsetzen gesorgt – vor allem, als herauskam, dass sich hinter dem selbst gegebenen Pseudonym BTK („bind – torture – kill“) der biedere, bodenständige und scheinbar sehr normale Familienvater Dennis Rader verbarg, dem es 30 Jahre lang gelang, gegenüber aller Welt zu verbergen, dass er ein sadistischer Psychopath und zehnfacher Mörder ist. Dennis Rader entsprach in vielem keineswegs dem Klischee von einem rastlosen Serienmörder, und war nach außen hin gesellschaftlich bestens integriert. Hinzu kam: Dennis Rader führte eine stabile Ehe und war Vater von zwei erwachsenen Kindern – und nach allen Berichten war er ein guter Ehemann und ein hingebungsvoller Vater. Seine Familie hatte keine Ahnung von dem mörderischen Doppelleben, welches Rader jahrzehntelang führte. Nun, 14 Jahre nach der Verhaftung ihres Vaters, schreibt seine Tochter Kerri Rawson in A SERIAL KILLERS DAUGHTER erstmals ihre Lebensgeschichte nieder. Wer hier ein Buch aus der Rubrik „true crime“ erwartet darf sich keinen falschen Erwartungen hingeben. Kerri Rawson schreibt eigentlich nichts über die Verbrechen von BTK, was man nicht auch aus anderen Büchern bereits wüsste – wie der Titel schon klarstellt handelt A SERIAL KILLERS DAUGHTER primär von Kerri Rawson und nicht von BTK. Der Autorin geht es vielmehr darum, ihre Lebensgeschichte und ihre emotionalen Traumata dem Leser darzulegen: von einer sorglosen, behüteten Kindheit in einer intakten Familie über die unvermittelte Erkenntnis, dass ihr Vater ein sadistischer Serienmörder ist bis hin zu den Jahren danach, in denen sie als Mutter und Mensch versuchte, ihr Leben neu zu ordnen. Natürlich schildert Rawson die Tage Ende Februar 2005 ausführlich – eben die Tage, in denen ihr Vater als Serienmörder BTK überführt wurde und sich ihr ganzes bisheriges Leben regelrecht auflöste. Ihr gelingt es dabei sehr gut, das emotionale Chaos zwischen Wut, Trauer, Angst, Scham und (vor allem) kompletter Verwirrung zu schildern. Ein weiterer Fokus liegt natürlich auf all den Jahren danach – wie geht man mit der Tatsache um, dass sich der Vater als zehnfacher Mörder (auch von zwei Kindern) entpuppt hat? Kerri Rawson gibt dem Leser hierauf keine simplen Antworten, was A SERIAL KILLERS DAUGHTER für mich sehr glaubwürdig macht. Die Autorin schildert vielmehr ihre extremen emotionalen Konflikte… wer denkt, dass es angesichts eines solchen emotionalen Dilemmas einfache Lösungen geben kann liegt falsch. Die Autorin selbst fand nach langer Zeit Halt in ihrem christlichen Glauben, allerdings stellt sie auch klar, dass dies für sie ein persönlicher Anker ist, A SERIAL KILLERS DAUGHTER versucht als Buch also auch nicht zu missionieren, sondern eben (schonungslos offen) die Konflikte der Autorin und ihre Lösungsansätze darzustellen – nicht mehr und nicht weniger. Alles in allem hat mich A SERIAL KILLERS DAUGHTER sehr beeindruckt und bewegt. Die Autorin stellt ihre Gefühle schonungslos offen dar, und es gelingt ihr zu zeigen, dass es selbst in Momenten tiefster Verzweiflung noch Hoffnung geben kann.

An account of Kerri's childhood, her relationship with her father, and how she subsequently dealt with being the 'daughter of a serial killer'. I loved the way it was written and found it hard to put down. Great read.

Très bien écrit. Facile a comprendre

really engaging and a nice copy