A Shocking True Life Crime Story

WARNING- this opinion does tell allot about the story and plot line.

Last fall I decided to head back to college to help finish my degree in early education. In one of my classes we were studying criminals working minds. As part of our requirement we were to study at least three true crimes incidents and write an essay on these. Heading to my local bookstore, I went straight to the True Crimes section.

There were vast array of books to choose from, for some reason this book called to me. From the moment I started to read this book I had a very hard time putting down. Maybe it was because the events that unfolded were true horrible to believe or the need to finish the book and find out the ending.

This book was purchased from Borders Book store for $6.99 in paperback. This book is published through the Dell Publishing Co. and copyrighted in 1988. The author of the book is Christine McGuire and Carla Norton. Christine McGuire was former criminal prosecutor and now true crime author. Christine McGuire was the acting prosecutor on this case and much of the writing in the book is told from her perspective and evidence and trial information that they obtained. Christine has written such famous books as Until The Day They Die, Until We Meet Again, and the new book called Until the Final Verdict.
Carla Norton was the co-author on this book, her previous writing credits include the book Disturbed Ground.

The book starts off setting in 1977 where Colleen Stan was preparing to hitchhike from Oregon to California. That was the last anyone saw of her for over seven years. No one knew if she was dead or alive. This story tells of the incredible true story of strength and determination to survive. Cameron Hooker and his wife Janice Hooker held Colleen captive for seven years. Living in a mobile home, the couple invented a coffin like box hidden under their waterbed. For seven years poor Colleen Stan was held captive and forced to endure years of sexual perversion at the hands of her captures. Over the years her captures would eventually enslave her mind and body. Cameron Hooker brainwashed Colleen by telling her she was now his slave, and that he belonged to an underground organization. So if she tried to run or contact any family members, he would seek help from the organization. Implying that they would kill her and the family member she contacted. You will follow the seven years of torture this poor woman had to endure, and how she escaped from her captures.

Here is an example of the authors writing in this story. "Now it was clear-cut in black and white. She was a slave. He was the master. And the relationship was as fixed as the seal on the slavery contract she signed. She was no longer Colleen Stan, but simply K. A servant. Property."

Perfect Victim is an easy to read and understand book, the flow is very easy to follow. Never flashing back upons scenes, the story takes you from the beginning to end and leaves you wanting to read more when you are finished. The story contained alot of information from trial transripts, media details and mostly the true account from Colleen herself. In the middle of the book you will see 8 pages of black and white photos. In here you will see photos of the criminals Cameron and Janice, photos of the coffin like chamber that Cameron built under his waterbed to hold Colleen captive. Also included are photos of Colleen Stan herself in court during the trial, and photos of the mobile home in which she was held captive for seven years. The final photo is of the author and former criminal prosecutor on this case Christine McGuire.

This is a paperback book pretty easy to find at your local bookstore. The book was easy to read and had a nice flow to it. There are 370 spine tingling pages to turn. If you were looking for an interesting true crime story I would highly recommend this book to you.