Torture Mom

A Chilling True Story of Confinement, Mutilation and Murder (True Crime)

By: Ryan Green

Narrated by: Steve White

In July 1965, teenagers Sylvia and Jenny Likens were left in the temporary care of Gertrude Baniszewski, a middle-aged single mother, and her seven children.

The Baniszewski household was overrun with children. There were few rules and ample freedom. Sadly, the environment created a dangerous hierarchy of social Darwinism where the strong preyed on the weak.

What transpired in the following three months was both riveting and chilling.

In October 1965, the body of Sylvia Likens was found in the basement of the Baniszewski home, where she had been imprisoned. She was starved, beaten, burned, and had the words "I am a prostitute and proud of it" carved into her stomach.

Gertrude Baniszewski oversaw and facilitated the torture and eventual murder of Sylvia Likens. While she played an active role in Sylvia's death, the majority of the abuse was carried out by her children and other neighborhood youths.

The case shocked the entire nation and would later be described as "The single worst crime perpetuated against an individual in Indiana's history".

Caution: This audiobook contains descriptive accounts of abuse and violence. If you are especially sensitive to this material, it might be advisable not to listen any further.

©2018 Ryan Green (P)2018 Ryan Green

Simply unbelievable how beyond cruel people can be

Torture Mom by Ryan Green left me pretty speechless. The fact that it's a true story is just...wow. I know the book has a warning that if you're sensitive to descriptive account of abuse and violence then you may not want to listen to this story is a well placed warning. I love true crime, horror, suspense, etc. and this was just over the top. Gertrude Baniszewski is pure evil, plain and simple. What she did, and allowed and encouraged others to do to poor Sylvia and Jenny Likens is just reprehensible beyond anything I can even describe. While listening, I was thinking of the psychological affect that she had on her children and the other kids that she allowed and encouraged to torture Sylvia and I'm just speechless. It's difficult to listen to, but if you want a true crime story that will really get under your skin, this is the book you want to listen to.

Steve White did a good job narrating this audiobook. I simply don't have a complaint. Did his narration blow me away? No, but this wasn't a book where the narration allowed the reader to really show off narration skills. He did a good job and I had no problem following along and enjoying the listen, as well as one can "enjoy" this type of story. I'd listen to narrations of his in the future. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher for an honest review.

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Narration was off-should have been female.

The story itself was sad and horrifying but they should have discussed more about the sisters life after. Her parents reactions and others who let Sylvia down.
Narrator was telling a story about 2 sisters and a decrepit woman. Should have selected a female voice. Regret purchasing.

That woman should have never left jail.

It is hard to comprehend how anyone could inflict such horrors on another human being. And work up a small mob to actively participate in what was going on. Some of them got very light sentences, I thought. As for Gertrude, she should have been locked up, never to be freed. Ever. Then again, the fault also lies on all the other persons that saw something and said nothing, the parents that were only too happy to find a place to dump their two daughters, to really check where they were leaving them. And the list goes on. Sad sad story.

lost for words, eyes full of tears.

amazing book/narrator! hard to stop reading / read the torture Sylvia went through. This book is well written and put together describing the horrendous acts being done . even explaining why "mom" may have done what she did. Although reading this book broke my heart and turned my gut it also told the tremedous strength of Sylvia and how she remained a pure sweet innocent girl while going through what can only be described as a living hell !

Simply an unbelievable true crime

It amazes me that this abuse and torture went on for so long and resulted in murder before it was discovered. This book reads like a fiction thriller. In fact, I read just such a thriller: The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum.

Ryan Green has covered most of the important details of this case in a highly readable, albeit quite disturbing, narrative, starting with Gertrude's background and culminating with recent updates on the perpetrators. And Steve White's superb performance complements Green's writing. This is simply an unbelievable true crime.

NOTE: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.