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Is He Dead?  By  cover art

Is He Dead?

By: Rick H. Drew
Narrated by: Andrew Start
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Publisher's summary

During the fall of 1984, as this case was reaching its tragic conclusion, I was a detective in Central Florida. This homicide case was assigned to me.

This story is about the lives of two children, a brother and sister, who endured unthinkable cruelty at the hands of their stepfather. Their journey lasted for nearly a decade in the bowels of Southern Tennessee and came to an abrupt ending in Central Florida.

As you hear this book you will learn of the horrific experiences forced on these two kids and the failures of our system to protect them. You will be inspired by their will to survive and the love that they had for each other. Is He Dead? will take you on a journey that will affect all of your senses. Their intimate thoughts will be revealed to you as you watch their childlike plans to steal a gun and execute their stepfather. You will be on the edge of your seat each time their plans fail. I was with this monster when he died; I watched his last gurgling breath as blood oozed from his wounds. Not knowing what he had done, I actually felt sorry for him.

©2014 Rick H Drew (P)2015 Rick H Drew

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What listeners say about Is He Dead?

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing, Frightening, Horrific

Would you listen to Is He Dead? again? Why?

I have read the book and now listened to the audio version I am not certain i can make it through it again. When I was finished i couldn't relax, I had to walk off the stress the story created for me

What did you like best about this story?

It was so down to earth, the cursing and sexual content were rather strong but so realistic.

Which character – as performed by Andrew Start – was your favorite?

In a story like this it's hard to side with anyone except the good guys, but Andrew performed the Tom character very well scary even

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did not stop until it was over, an amazing book

Any additional comments?

Once I started listening to this book I did not stop until it was over. The narrator made such a horrific story even more frightening. Very graphic and very well well written. How those to kids were able to survive for so long. Thank God for cops like Rick Drew

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

5 Stars from me!

*I received this in exchange for an honest review
This is a true-crime story about 2 children, Amanda and Robert, who have been abused for 10 years. When their stepdad, who’s been in their lives for the last decade, ends up dead the police get involved and start asking questions. The book is the account of the investigation, statements, and a behind-the-scenes type view of police work. It is very much a statement, not a made up story. A warning to any that may be sensitive to hearing of abuse to others, you need to think about it before reading/listening to this book, because you might have problems at some parts of the book. Having a law enforcement background, I think this is well done.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A horrifying true crime tale

Any additional comments?

IS HE DEAD?

Author: Rick H. Drew

Type of Book: Audiobook - Unabridged

Narrator: Andrew Start

Genre: True Crime

Length: 5 hours, 38 minutes

Release Date: May 12, 2015

Publisher: Rick H. Drew

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

* I received a free copy of this audiobook through Audiobook Blast in exchange for an honest review.

** This book is not suitable for anyone under the age of twenty-one due to both graphic violence and graphic sexual acts.

The author of this book readily admits that he is not a professional writer. He is a cop. This is the story of the most horrific case he ever had to deal with during his career.

This is a True Crime novel, the events of which occurred during the late 1970s and came to a conclusion in 1984.

This is the story of two children who were physically, emotionally and sexually abused over a ten year period by their step-father. It also highlights how the very system that was designed to protect them failed miserably.

I have to give kudos to the narrator. This story is filled with the most heinous and depraved acts of continuous child abuse that I have ever heard. It must have been difficult to keep his emotions in check while narrating this story.

The fact that this is a true story is what makes it so appalling. How someone can abuse a child is beyond me. I can't understand it. As a mother myself, I find it ridiculous and inexcusable and evil that the mother in the story not only did not protect her children, but also actively participated in the sexual abuse of both her male and female child. The father got what he deserved.

This audiobook is tough to listen to. You cannot help but feel sympathy for these two children and what they had to endure. But it also a story about hope. That these children were able to ultimately help themselves is a testament to their strength and their will to live.

I rate this audiobook as 4 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Addicting, Yet Disturbing

A fast moving story that totally enveloped me. I read the book and then decided to listen to the Audible version, not expecting too much of an experience. I was pleasantly surprised by Andrew Start's narration of the story I had just read. His voice is pleasant to listen to, with a slight south Midwestern accent. Author Rick Drew states that he is not a writer, but was a law enforcement officer, yet he has done an excellent job investigating and telling the story of a dysfunctional family that is run and terrorized by an alcoholic stepfather obsessed with control issues.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Horrific abuse

What made the experience of listening to Is He Dead? the most enjoyable?

The experience was my first time listening to an audiobook. The story line was more intense as the narrator went through the story. I had read the paperback when it came out, found the story so very sad, yet listening to it, brought more emotions into it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I can't name a favorite character because of this storyline dealing with horrific abuse, but if I was to favor one person to another, it would be Amanda. She wanted so bad to stop this abuse and save her little brother from this animal, that her only choice was to plan a way to end this never-ending nightmare.

Have you listened to any of Andrew Start’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first audio-book, so this is also my first time listening to Andrew Start.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

This book had me in tears, I wanted these children to speak up, to inform everybody that came in contact with them of the abuse that they lived day to day and not be afraid of what could happen after. Yet the fear they had for this garbage took over and they would retract the story.

Any additional comments?

This was intense, Can't understand how the local authorities in two different states missed so many opportunities to help and put an end to this torture and severe abuse, Yet, what is more frustrating is the fact that their so called "mother" PERMITTED AND PARTICIPATED
in this horrific acts. This book is powerful, well written, hard to read and listen to, because of the horrible acts these children endured at the hand of this monster, but very hard to put the book down or stop the audio once you start. Rick H Drew, has done a fantastic job of bringing the abuse and the missed opportunities to the surface. Rick Drew as a policeman, detective and narcotics vice agent stated ' It's one thing to write true crime, it's another to have lived it." Andrew Start has done a magnificent job as the narrator. Highly recommend this book, paperback, Kindle or Audio-book. This book should be read by mature readers, the story is graphic and contains language not suitable for young readers.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome book

I really enjoyed listening to Andrew Start tell the story of Rick Drew's book Is He Dead? This is a book you will find yourself reading or listening to more than once. It's a story about horrible abuse that two children endured from their step father for far too long. Their mother played a terrible part in the abuse also. I'm amazed that the kids survived and are now living a happy normal life. I highly recommend this book. I'll be reading Rick Drew's next book for sure!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A true look through the eyes of justice and pain

This was one of the most heart wrenching, difficult, terrifying, reads I have ever experienced. The author places you as a silent witness to the horrors these children have endured. I found myself screaming for justice that almost never came. It touched a very deep, private pain. For the reader that has never experienced such atrocities, pain and triumph, you will when you read this.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Quite disturbing

its a chilling description of torture abuse and rape. Not much in the way of a story though . But more like the author was just telling you what happened . For what it is it was a good listen. Very graphic however so be prepared for that . I wished I could find the real case files on this story but came up empty searching the internet.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Acts of unspeakable Crimes!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I had already read the book but listening to an audiobook brought this case to life even more.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It would actually be both the sister and brother

What about Andrew Start’s performance did you like?

I really enjoyed Andrew Start's narrarating capability

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

This whole book moved me. I really appreciated the author Rick Drew's telling of the case. This story of child abuse /sexual abuse was extreme. There were many missed opportunities that could've ended this earlier.

Any additional comments?

Since he personally handled this particular case no one could have relayed the story better than Rick Drew the author .

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very well written

This is probably the worst case of child abuse, rape and incest I have ever heard. How these two kids lived from day to day not knowing what that evil stepfather would do to them is unfathomable to me. I know their mom was also abuse, but she’s just as guilty as he is!

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