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.
Spunky Comet
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. 🚶♂️🌟 Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks – nature and narratives, a perfect match! 🚶♂️🎧 ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Swedish Pixie
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's seamless audio player. Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience.
Good William
I've become addicted to this app – in the best possible way! ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's elegant design and robust functionality make it a must-have for anyone who loves to listen on the go. 🎧📱 Absolutely in love with this audiobook app! The seamless functionality and easy navigation make my reading time pure bliss. 📚🎧
Frosty Sunshine
Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Thunder Tank
The ability to adjust playback speed is a game-changer for faster or more immersive listening. This app has made my road trips and flights infinitely more enjoyable. User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is a true marvel. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is a triumph. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Mrs. Voltage
This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of intellectual discovery – a win-win! Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I learn and enjoy audiobooks. I can adapt the pace to my needs, maximizing comprehension and retention. ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient! Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient.
RealmRanger
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. 🧘♂️ Finding zen through storytelling – this app makes meditation even more calming. 🧘♂️🎧 Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch – it's like having a personalized reading. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldn’t call it unforgettable.
Lumberyard
The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Trick Baron
I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook. The app is worth every penny. It’s packed with features and works flawlessly.
Aqua Monsoon
🎧 Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs – this app has it all! 📚💼 ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it!
StarZen
Audiobook excellence simplified – this app's functionality is a true delight. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Low Menace
Efficiency and ease combined – this app is a must-have for book lovers. Audiobook immersion without fuss – this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Judge
ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience – a fantastic feature. This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere.
Gas Man
Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions.
Green Ghost
I'm addicted to this app – it's a non-stop journey through captivating tales. 💡 This app has made my daily schedule more interesting – 'reading' on the go! 📱🚶♂️ ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Sky Dahlia
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. 📱 An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality – audiobook listening has never been this effortless. 📖🔗 Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration.
Rosie Bird
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Widow Curio
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Granola
This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is a game-changer! Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing. Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature! I love the car mode. It’s so convenient for listening while driving.
Mustard Centaur
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. 🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app makes each day a new adventure! 📖🚀 Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh.
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