Men in My Town

Keith Smith's "Men in My Town" is a novel based on a true event that happened to Smith when he was 14-years-old and living in Rhode Island. The boy hitch-hiked his way home one day in the winter of 1974 and the man who picked him up, a normal-looking guy driving a purple AMC Gremlin, never stopped to let the boy out where he was supposed to, but drove on to an isolated spot and beat and sexually assaulted him. Keith's desperate race to get home and his fear and hiding at the sound of every car he heard makes for a thrilling page-turner that doesn't slow down. Keith knew that the more details he could remember, the better the chances the police would have for finding this man, so he used his keen power of observation to take in as much as he could about the man and his car.There are a lot of male characters in this 106-page book, all members of Keith Smith's community and all men in his town. They hold various jobs and positions in the community, but they all have one thing in common. They all want to see Keith's abductor caught and punished and they all have Keith's back. They watch out for him so that he feels safe, but Keith is still afraid that he's going to be out and about one day and he'll see that purple Gremlin again. I couldn't help but think that someone who committed such a crime would have been driving a less conspicuous-color car to try to blend in.This is a well-written and suspenseful story of something that no child should ever have to go through. It is understandable why the author, to this day, still has nightmarish memories of that time that haven't gone away. I hope that writing about it helped.Highly recommended.

This is a true story of horrible childhood abuse. It is an education for certain. The actions of the men in this young man's town, if they are factual, are very gruesome and speak of retaliatory murder pure and simple. That part was very difficult to read. It is a short read and moves along well, as a cohesive work. As one who also was sexually abused in childhood I found it a bit dangeroous for me. Survivors may want to think twice before reading it. However, it is also hopeful in that it shows that not all abusers get away with their crime. To me, it is a book that loudly proclaims to pedophile abusers that this world will not put up with their crimes. They would do well to seek medical help ASAP. At the same time, people cannot take the law into their own hands. That is a slippery slope we dare not start down.

When I arrived home from work last Thursday, Men In My Town had arrived in my mailbox. I went inside and sat down to read the first few pages......and didn't put it down until I was finished. This is a well-told story of a 14 year-old who is abducted and raped by a local pedophile. A sad story to say the least because things like this should never happen but unfortunately happen far too often. It's a great read because of the courage and determination of this young person to make mental notes of evidence he would share with the authorities to bring a degree of justice to the perpetrator. Unwittingly, his forthrightness may have sparked actions by the men in his town. Each of the "men" in his town is well described and I found myself comparing some of these "town fathers" to individuals I've known; those that care for their town, their family, their friends' families and who work to make things right. I found the ending wholly satisfying. Smith and others who bring awareness to sexual abuse are to be commended.

Mr Smith has portrayed his real life experience with HONEST feelings! I am so sorry his life was changed in this tragic way.His book is riveting. He is truly an excellent author, describing scenes so the reader has a vivid picture of the town and it's residents. He tells of a small town that some of us remember, and others yearn for. He describes a time when neighbors looked out for each other.I read this book in one day; I could not put it down.Mr Smith truly has a talent for writing! I do not wish any more traumatic experiences for him, but I would hope he continues with his writing career!By the way, I, too, do not use or like the "F" bomb as some have called it. I have to say, it was used sparingly. When it was used, it was not gratuitous. It was used to give emphasis to a specific incident.

I applaud Mr. Smith for sharing his story, but it wish he took his story in a different direction. I'm glad his perpetrator is dead, but I hope he doesn't confuse that with his nightmare being over. I hope Mr. Smith has had the courage to get help for the traumatic events he has suffered at such a young age and is not suffering through the residual effects as an adult. Any child who suffered like this could easily become an adult filled with anger. While reading this book, it made me shed tears for this child. I hope Mr. Smith takes time to cry for the child too.

THIS WAS A GREAT READ. YES THE TRUE STORY BEHIND IT IS HORRIBLE, BUT SADLY MORE COMMON THAN NOT THESE DAYS. IF ONLY ALL OF THESE SICK PEOPLE THAT HAVE HURT INNOCENT CHILDREN AND ADULTS COULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY VIGILANTES IN THEIR TOWN, TO THE SAME EXTENT, WE WOULD ALL LIVE IN SAFER TOWNS !!

**spoiler alert** This is less about the crime itself and the author's ability to deal with his trauma, and more about glorifying gangsters that took justice into their own hands. I'm all for street justice in fiction - hell, Batman is my favorite, but in reality...This was also confusingly written. I'd be following one part of the story, only to jump directly into the gambling problem of some guy that hadn't been introduced. A bit jarring, to say the least.Props to the author for writing this, but it could've used some stronger editing and clearer direction. And maybe a less misleading description.

The first two chapters really drew you in but the next few were confusing although it got back on track and had a satisfying ending -cant say good due to the subject matter.There were a few sections that were overly descriptive.Good on the author for being brave enough to share such an experience.

Boring