GIRL IN THE CELLAR
ALLAN HALL AND MICHAEL LEIDIG
ISBN #: 978-0-06-194529-8
March 2010
Harper
www.harpercollins.com
Mass Market Paperback
$7.99
263 Pages
True Crime
Rating: 3 Cups

Natascha Kampusch was a ten year old girl. Her parents were divorced recently and she lived with her mother. She was having difficulties dealing with the situation, had gained a bit of weight, and was not getting along with her mother.

Wolfgang Priklopil is a bit of a mama’s boy. Meticulous, neat, and intelligent, he is very good with his hands and in construction and electronics. He has long planned to kidnap and keep a little girl in the dungeon he has built in his basement.

On March 2, 1998 ten year old Natascha Kampusch disappeared completely, kidnapped by a madman. Over ten years later she managed to escape and her captor committed suicide. Based on research, contemporary reports, and interviews the authors piece together her life during this time and tell her story.

Though a bit of a rehash of reports at the time, the authors have managed to sort out and organize the details of this story. They have also interviewed quite a lot of people directly and indirectly involved adding a bit of personal detail missing from dry news reports. They also indulge in a bit of speculation about the thoughts and feelings of both the captor and captive and of their relationship. Some of this is unnecessary, particularly in regards to why Natascha did not escape sooner. Until the victim herself decides to reveal her reasons, that would better be left alone. Overall, this is a well organized and detailed account of a story that shocked the world.

Maura
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More