RESTLESS SOULS by Alisa Statman & Brie Tate

If you are of a certain age, you have heard of the Sharon Tate Murder committed by the Manson family in August 1969.

Depending on your age and where you lived at the time, you may remember a great deal about the tragic murders or just have minor recollections. I remember hearing of the murders and watching news reports about the trials, along with all the speculation of why the murders occurred. After that it was the occasional news report concerning something to do with a Mason family member and a parole hearing.

I never really stopped and considered these heinous murders as a domino effect. The actions of these people (the Manson family) not only touched the lives of the victims and their families, but also so many others.

RESTLESS SOULS covers the murder of Sharon and her houseguests, but it also touches on her life prior to the murders. In addition, it tells how her death effected her family and continues to do so several generations later.

As a result of Sharon’s death, her mother Doris became a spokesman for victims’ families and their rights. Her efforts resulted in several changes to the law giving victims more rights including the victims ‘impact statement’ that can be read at parole hearings.

When Doris died from cancer, Sharon’s sister Patti took up the cause. Following Patti’s death (also from cancer), her daughter Brie stands ready to carry on their work.

RESTLESS SOULS gives insight into what the victims’ families have faced for the past 40-plus years. It tells of their struggles not only with the media coverage of the crime, but their struggle as a family unit.

While I recall bits and pieces from the coverage of the case and the occasional news story on parole denials, there was a great deal about the case I didn’t know. This is not a step-by-step account of the murders or of the trials. It does touch on these issues including Sharon’s father P.J.‘s effort to help find her killers. From there the story focuses more on the efforts to keep the killers in prison and limit their ever-increasing privileges. 

There are many sides to a story, especially one as famous as this, but this account gives a frank look at what victims’ families are faced with. This story was compiled from a vast array of resources such as personal letters, tape recordings, private journals, interviews, public documents, and more.

The narration by Gabra Zackman, Eliza Foss, Therese Plummer and Ron McLarty brings the story to life. They each did a great job of portraying the various victims, as well as the killers. Their combined efforts draws the listener deeper into the story. Listeners are returned August 1969 as the murders occur and then brought to the present as Sharon’s family continues their crusade for justice and victims’ rights. 

 
Restless Souls: The Sharon Tate Family‘s Account of Stardom, Murder, and a Crusade by Alisa Statman and Brie Tate; Read by Gabra Zackman, Eliza Foss, Therese Plummer and Ron McLarty; Harper Audio; @2012; Unabridged; Digital Download; Approximately 14 Hours, 26 Minutes

FTC Full Disclosure - This digital audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

 

Do you remember these murders? Do you follow true crime stories? Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have a great Saturday and remember to share a book with someone.