A Rip in Heaven

By: Jeanine Cummins

Narrated by: Jeanine Cummins

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

This program is read by the author.

The acclaimed author of American Dirt reveals the devastating effects of a shocking tragedy in this landmark true crime book.

A Rip in Heaven is Jeanine Cummins’s story of a night in April 1991, when her two cousins Julie and Robin Kerry, and her brother, Tom, were assaulted on the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, which spans the Mississippi River just outside of St. Louis.

When, after a harrowing ordeal, Tom managed to escape the attackers and flag down help, he thought the nightmare would soon be over. He couldn’t have been more wrong. Along with their entire family, he and his sister, Jeanine, were just at the beginning of a horrific odyssey through the aftermath of a violent crime, a world of shocking betrayal, endless heartbreak, and utter disillusionment. It was a trial by fire from which no family member would emerge unscathed.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company

©2004 Jeanine Cummins (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

A MUST READ

I purchased this book based on its reviews rather than its content. I am so glad I did. Thank you, Jeanine Cummins, the author. I believe your cousins would be and your brother is proud. I am one of the “curious humans” you write about. However, your story has forever changed my views on the death penalty. Your story has also pushed a “reset”: do I allow my mindless curiosity to read more about the crime and the perpetrator or shift that energy by helping to make a difference in the victim’s healing? I am forever changed. Victims of violent crimes deserve more!

What a great book!

I enjoyed this book so much and decided to write my first review.

It was a new book out so it was a flip of the dice with no prior reviews. Anyway good job author and narrator.
Sad story and I did skip a chapter or two because it was too intense. I loved it!

Betsy

Compelling, Heartbreaking Story of Crime. Justice

Jeanine Cummins' family tragedy could happen to anyone. This is a heartbreaking story told with psychological insight about the criminals and the police involved. I loved her American Dirt novel and liked this as much. Jeanine writes miningly and compassionately about hard realities. I couldn't stop listening.

A Clear Thought

Jeanine, when Gary Gilmore was given the death penalty and wanted to be executed there was a huge book written about him, and later a movie made. The day he was executed was a sad day BECAUSE of the MEDIA and their agenda to soften our hearts towards him.

Jeanine, my eyes are now wide opened. Thank you for your words and thoughts and FACTS to make me see CLEARLY, to pay attention to the facts that puts these men away.

Moving forward I will always think of the victims and their families when I hear of another death penalty or execution by the state.

thank you for your book

heart wrenching

tragic story well told, I enjoyed this book as much as anyone could enjoy such a horrible experience that the poor girls suffered.

Wow

I thought I was getting a good true crime book, came away with a lot more to think about than I’d expected. There are some truly gut wrenching scenes. I feel so bad for this family, and since the author was there, she tells it well. The only thing is I had to speed up the narration, otherwise it was too slow.

Gripping, Intelligent and Thoughtful

My first Cummins experience but definitely not my last. I found her writing compelling and her delivery courageous. I cannot imagine the pain of reliving every stitch of that nightmare to tell the full story and address such an emotionally charged societal topic. Thank you for sharing it all with us.

I couldn’t put down ...riveting

Very pleased with this book.
Story was riveting and factual as well.
Informative of our criminal justice system

Important True story deserved to be read and heard

People are saying this book is too sad or too vulgar... seriously? Well it's a true story about this very talented amazing author a celebrated author of American Dirt that has given voice to so many who needed her to be theirs . That has changed my views on so so much. This authors family and what she's finally been able to tell the actual story. It deserves to be heard and read. For the victims, her lovely cousins. Her strong brother who was accused and assaulted, traumatized. No it sounds like spoilers. But it is a very good book. Written from many souls. her sweat blood and tears went into it, you can feel it. May God bless her and her family and her dear cousins. Forever young and free and innocent

A tragic story beautifully written.

A tragic story beautifully written. Heartbreaking and devastating but Jeannine Cummins somehow made it poetic and a beautiful tribute to her cousins, brother, and to her family as a whole.