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Read Abandoned Prayers: The Incredible True Story Of Murder, Obsession And Amish Secrets (2003)

Abandoned Prayers: The Incredible True Story of Murder, Obsession and Amish Secrets (2003)

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3.77 of 5 Votes: 3
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ISBN
0312982011 (ISBN13: 9780312982010)
Language
English
Publisher
st. martin's true crime

Abandoned Prayers: The Incredible True Story Of Murder, Obsession And Amish Secrets (2003) - Plot & Excerpts

True Crime -- maybe sometimes I read it just because some of the writers seem to me the last bastion of objective reporting techniques. Although sometimes Gregg Olson stretches too far for those little details that paint the picture, overall his writing style is muscular as well as nuanced.The sordid story of pathological liar and murder Eli Stutzman is seen through the eyes of his friends, family, used and abandoned lovers, and the cops who investigated his cases. We almost get to know the guy TOO well.Along the way the investigative details highlight some odd corners of crime, child abuse, and murder and societal angles thereof. Without coming out and saying it, this story shows how the fear of homophobic reactions kept some of Eli Stutzman's lovers from sharing information that MAY have helped save his son from his untimely death.Homophobia or the fear of it also caused various reactions in the cops that investigated the cases and maybe even caused one cop to flub the only interview which Eli Stutzman ever allowed to be conducted without a lawyer present. The cases were investigated in the 70s and 80s for the most part, and the book also highlights the problems faced by small town police departments.In the end it seems like Eli Stutzman's character, which comes across not only as a pathological liar but also as a sociopath with possibly a splintered personality, was perfectly suited for the life of conman and serial killer. It seems likely that at least five people, including his wife, child, roommate, and two others fell prey to this madman. The book's promise of "secrets of the Amish" to me falls flat as very little of the book has to do with the Amish faith. Instead, it seems like Eli Stutzman is the type of sociopath that might occur in any family, or in any faith. I'm always interested in the intersection between religion and true crime, but I didn't find that here. I believe Stutzman used his Amish roots as part of his smoke screen to fool people, con people, and make them like him. In the end, Amish murderers are more rare than two-headed beasts, and much more monsterous if this book paints a true picture.Gregg Olson's writing is such that I would definitely try another book by him. He writes not only true crime, but other thrillers including YA thrillers. A good read if you are interested in the dark side of human psychology.

This is a case of religion colliding with evil. A “God fearing man” merging with a heart bent on destruction. A hidden soul of darkness. The father of this twisted man saw what he was early in his life. Stood by and did nothing. Teachers of little Danny suspected the abuse. Stood by and did nothing. The outcome was Eli's Son Danny was taught the deviant side of life by the master manipulator who was, in his early part of life, raised in the strict upbringing of the Amish.Eli was into the world of drugs, homosexuality and deviate behaviour. He cared for no one and used and manipulated everyone he met. Then the killings began. Lover after lover was used and thrown away. His Son Danny was shown the underbelly of a sin filled lifestyle. Then came the time that he too was used and discarded by the man who worshiped money and sex more than his own offspring just as he did his wife years earlier. Eli being a true sociopath who spread his venom wide. He did not receive justice before he died but instead must stand before a judge much more powerful than man could ever be.

What do You think about Abandoned Prayers: The Incredible True Story Of Murder, Obsession And Amish Secrets (2003)?

This is one of the better written t.c.'s out there/ Olsen is one of the better t.c. authors though. This guy featured in this book is just nasty. That's the best word I can think of for him. (Oh, believe me, I can come up with some others but just an overall nastiness is what I get from him and even his look. Ugh.) This poor little boy, not to mention this guys unfortunate wife and "friends"/"roommates"/"lovers" who came into contact with him. I doubt I've ever said this in this situation and I honestly feel funny saying it but as sad as this is, I think this little boy is better off. The things this boy supposedly saw and did and had done to him no one should ever have to deal with unless it's as an adult and of their own accord. To be fair, there was no blatant sexual abuse that was ever substantiated but the "little" that was known was enough for me. This man should have been caught when he did what he did to his wife. How do these people slip through the cracks?
—Eva Leger

It's pretty rare that I give a true crime book a low rating. On the surface, this should have been an interesting book-formerly Amish guy turns out to be murdering psychopath. However, rather than delve into the psychology of Eli Stutzman and his life with his son, this book goes into a tedious description of Eli Stutzman's "gay lifestyle" and uses this as proof of his psychopathology. I realize this book was written 20 years ago and I hope that in the present day, we have figured out that, just like there are good and bad straight people, there are good and bad gay people and your sexual orientation doesn't make you inherently pathological. Eli Stutzman may have been a particularly promiscuous gay man who had no qualms about exposing his young son to some pretty inappropriate things but this really doesn't prove that he killed anyone. Most of the book seems to be based on hearsay from various people and I never got the feeling that this author really got to the root of the story. There were some interesting parts in the beginning about how the Amish live but about halfway through this book, I got so tired of the descriptions of Eli Stutzman's crazy sexual life that I just wanted to finish this book. If you really want a great true crime book, I definitely recommend Ann Rule, who does actually research her books and present a complete story. Gregg Olsen is definitely not in her league.
—Shana

The first half of this book was really interesting, as we learn a lot about the Amish life style. The author explains a little of what it was like to grow up on an Amish farm, the dating, marriages etc...Eli Stutzman not only grew up Amish he was also gay. His wife dies in a mysterious barn fire and he takes off across the states with his son living a wild life of gay parties, turning tricks and pornography. This book gets into a lot of detail about the gay scene in the early 80's and gets quite graphic in parts. Eli's son Danny turns up dead in a ditch and he's not the only body that seems to get linked to Eli. Eli also seems to be a pathological liar. About half way through the book the story begins to drag as we read statement after statement after statement. Some of which I don't even think where worth mentioning as they never come up again in the trial, and also don't seem to hold any real facts. I really enjoyed the story, it's just a shame that it got kind of boring for the last half. The real sad part about the whole story though is, I have to wonder if Danny would still be alive if a lot of Eli's lovers would have come forward and spoken up instead of fearing others finding out about their sexual orientation. Also could Eli have been convicted early if the Amish would have questioned more about Ida's death, and not left everything up to the will of God?
—Slayermel

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