Book description
When a 12-year-old girl's murder shocked a quiet Indiana town in 1992, it wasn't just a crime-it was a horrifying mirror held up to the darkness hiding in plain sight. Aphrodite Jones, the award-winning true crime journalist who's dissected cases like O.J. Simpson and Jon Benet Ramsey for decades, doesn't just tell you what happened in Cruel Sacrifice-she makes you feel the icy dread of that freezing January night. And listening to this audiobook? It's the most powerful way to experience it.
Jones' voice, calm but unflinching, guides you through the tangled web of twisted love, childhood trauma, and unthinkable violence that led four teenagers to commit a crime that still chills America. You hear the details not as cold facts, but as a visceral journey-how the girls' fractured lives collided, how Shanda Sharer, innocent and full of promise, became the ultimate sacrifice. Jones doesn't sensationalize; she illuminates. Her decades of reporting mean she knows the unspoken truths, the hidden scars, the moments that made this case unlike any other.
This isn't just another true crime story. It's a rare, intimate look at how small-town America can harbor secrets that explode with brutal force. You'll understand the why behind the horror-not to justify it, but to grasp how broken systems and desperate hearts can spiral into tragedy. And as Jones unravels each chilling detail, her narration makes you lean in, feel the tension, and confront uncomfortable truths about jealousy, abuse, and the fragility of childhood.
Hearing this as an audiobook transforms it. You're not reading words on a page-you're immersed in the story, guided by a master storyteller who's lived this world. The pacing, the pauses, the weight she gives to every revelation? It's like having a trusted expert walk you through the case file, step by step. You'll find yourself pausing to process, to reflect, long after the final chapter.
This is the kind of true crime that matters-a story that refuses to let Shanda's life be reduced to a headline. It's a testament to Jones' skill that she turns a harrowing case into a deeply human exploration of how darkness takes root. If you want to move beyond the headlines and understand the heart of a tragedy that still echoes, Cruel Sacrifice is essential listening. You won't just hear the story-you'll feel its weight, its urgency, and its profound, heartbreaking truth. Listen to understand.
FireBrang
The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my audio content much more enjoyable in noisy environments. ποΈ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures β this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. βοΈπ ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session.
Hoboken Nightingale
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NexusNinja
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Skylark
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Sienna Princess
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. ππ Rekindling my passion for books β this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! π₯π Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook! The app never crashes. Itβs reliable and stable.
Succubus In Training
This app is a book lover's dream come true β a vast library right at your fingertips. The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. π Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks β this app turns errands into epic quests! ππ Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. π±π
Rope
This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience.
Golden Cougar
I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features β from chapters to playback controls. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I learn and enjoy audiobooks. I can adapt the pace to my needs, maximizing comprehension and retention.
ForumFlare
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly. Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Uncle Psycho
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an indispensable tool for my audiobook enjoyment. The statistics feature is a fantastic addition β knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze.
Pepper
Finally, a way to enjoy literature on the go without straining my eyes. I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations β they're spot on. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch has made audiobook listening a part of my daily routine.
42nd Street
π± An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts β it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! ππ‘ The app never crashes. Itβs reliable and stable. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just rightβnot too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Fennel Dove
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QuestQuill
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Palomino Cake
Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. ππ ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content.
Trip
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldnβt necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Gov Skull
I'm hooked on this app's effortless downloading process β I can have my favorite audiobooks in seconds. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level.
Achilles Mountain
Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to.
Pinball Wizard
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Boost Princess
Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze. The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace. Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience