Dear Jacob
Patty Wetterling
Mentioned 3 days ago
Where Are You Jacob?
Unforgettable true crime mysteries, exclusive newsmaker interviews, hard-hitting investigative reports and in-depth coverage of high profile stories. Now listen throughout the week with the official 20/20 After Show, the True Crime Vault, and our spotlight of true crime originals.
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From Crime Victims to Suspects to Survivors
The episode featured the author discussing the new memoir that recounts her and her husband’s kidnapping, explaining the choice of the title and noting that, despite its tragic content, it also serves as a love story. The conversation highlighted the personal transparency of the authors and presented the book as a compelling account for listeners.
The book was presented as the new memoir recounting Denise and Aaron's kidnapping, explaining why they chose the title and noting that its content was tragic yet also a love story.
Your new book is called Victim F. Why'd you pick that name?
When the FBI agents were writing the affidavit for the arrest of Matthew Moeller, they asked us specifically, do you want your names in it? And typically, in affidavits like that, victims remain anonymous because of the sensitive and violent nature of the crime. But we weren't anonymous, and we said, of course, yes. We can't rebuild our lives until people can see the truth. I was Victim F for female victim. Aaron was Victim M for male victim.
Although a lot of what we wrote about in the book is tragic and sad, it is actually really our love story.
It was observed that the shooter was holding a copy of the novel The Catcher in the Rye at the time of the incident.
He had a copy of The Catcher in the Rye.
— Episode: John Lennon: His Life, Legacy, Last Days
It was observed that the shooter was holding a copy of the novel The Catcher in the Rye at the time of the incident.
He had a copy of The Catcher in the Rye.
Fast Times, Post-Punk Weirdos, and a Tale of Coming Home Again
The speaker said they were inspired by the bestselling Goosebumps books.
My research broke out of the basement. It's unstable and fragile. Is that a scream? Inspired by the bestselling books. What? Goosebumps. The Vanishing. Are you going to be okay out here. I'm not sure.
— Episode: The Lies Beneath
The speaker said they were inspired by the bestselling Goosebumps books.
My research broke out of the basement. It's unstable and fragile. Is that a scream? Inspired by the bestselling books. What? Goosebumps. The Vanishing. Are you going to be okay out here. I'm not sure.
The host referenced the Goosebumps series as an example of a bestselling paperback book.
It has been described by everyone as non-fiction fiction that even John Grisham couldn't write. Goosebumps. The Vanishing.
— Episode: True Crime Vault: Murdaugh Family Murder...
The host referenced the Goosebumps series as an example of a bestselling paperback book.
It has been described by everyone as non-fiction fiction that even John Grisham couldn't write. Goosebumps. The Vanishing.
A Prosecutor's Journey Through Love and Death
The book was introduced by guest Matt Murphy, with the host noting that he had written it and that it would be discussed later in the show.
Matt Murphy said he had written a book titled The Book of Murder, A Prosecutor's Journey Through Love and Death, and that they would discuss it later in the show.
When we come back, Matt literally wrote the book on murder. In fact, it's called The Book of Murder, A Prosecutor's Journey Through Love and Death. And we're going to talk about it when we come back.
A Hercule Poirot Mystery
The case was compared to the classic whodunit novel, noting its similarity to the mystery aboard a train.
And... it's almost like one of those crazy things, like on the train or something, like Murder on the Orient Express or something.
— Episode: The After Show: The Vanishing of Nancy W...
The case was compared to the classic whodunit novel, noting its similarity to the mystery aboard a train.
And... it's almost like one of those crazy things, like on the train or something, like Murder on the Orient Express or something.
It was mentioned as the origin of a musical number, with a performer singing "Master of the House" from Les Misrables.
Here he is singing Master of the House from Les Misrables.
— Episode: Her Last Note
It was mentioned as the origin of a musical number, with a performer singing "Master of the House" from Les Misrables.
Here he is singing Master of the House from Les Misrables.
S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure
The speakers recalled reading the book 14 years earlier, describing it as a lifechanging experience that seemed written directly for them.
Princess Bride to this day is so many people's favorite film of all time I read this book 14 years ago
— Episode: The Rob Reiner Story: A Hollywood Traged...
The speakers recalled reading the book 14 years earlier, describing it as a lifechanging experience that seemed written directly for them.
Princess Bride to this day is so many people's favorite film of all time I read this book 14 years ago
when I was 26 I read it and I just flipped out I mean it was one of those experiences where somebody is writing just for you where they're like in your mind and you're reading every page and it's like boy this person knows exactly how I think
Princess Bride like imagine trying to pitch that well it's a comic fantasy it's got Andre the Giant in it it's got Wallace Shawn in it you know Robin Wright's in it too right and Carrie Elwes you know at the height of his Carrie Elwesness Death cannot stop true love all it can do is delay it for a while how can it possibly work how can it possibly work inconceivable
The series was referenced in a promotional spot announcing a new season of its TV adaptation on Disney Plus and Hulu.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians. New season two episode premiere December 10th on Disney Plus and Hulu. Rated TV PGV.
— Episode: The After Show : Inside the Courtroom wi...
The series was referenced in a promotional spot announcing a new season of its TV adaptation on Disney Plus and Hulu.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians. New season two episode premiere December 10th on Disney Plus and Hulu. Rated TV PGV.
Roberta Laundrie explained that a threatening letter referenced a book she had given Brian called Burn After Writing.
Roberta Laundrie would later say in an affidavit the letter was a reference to a book she had given him called Burn After Writing and it was intended as a way to bond with her son.
— Episode: Gabby Petito: Her Parents Speak Out
Roberta Laundrie explained that a threatening letter referenced a book she had given Brian called Burn After Writing.
Roberta Laundrie would later say in an affidavit the letter was a reference to a book she had given him called Burn After Writing and it was intended as a way to bond with her son.
Dorothy Stratten, 1960-1980
The book was brought up in a true‑crime episode as Peter Bogdanovich’s posthumous attempt to make sense of Dorothy Stratten’s murder, framing the tragedy like a mystery and critiquing Hugh Hefner’s influence on her life. The host noted that it served as Bogdanovich’s way of sorting out what happened and examined how the event unfolded. The discussion highlighted its focus on the circumstances surrounding her death rather than promoting it as a must‑read.
It was published five years after Dorothy's death and was described as a way for Bogdanovich to process what happened, framed as a murder mystery, and discussed Hefner's role in Dorothy's life.
Five years after her death, he publishes a book about Stratton.
I think The Killing of the Unicorn was a way for him to sort out what had happened and look at it almost like a murder mystery.
How did this event happen?
He went after Hugh Hefner with both barrels.
Dorothy, when she got to Hollywood, found herself maneuvered by Hefner into a sexual situation that she found very shocking and in fact it traumatized her.
A witness saw Cheryl Dunlap reading a red hardcover book at Leon Sinks before her disappearance. Investigators later found a collection of similar red hardback books in her home, with one missing from the set.
A woman was sitting about maybe 35 feet away. She was sitting there just quietly reading a book.
— Episode: Wild Crime: Cat and Mouse | S3 Ep. 2
A witness saw Cheryl Dunlap reading a red hardcover book at Leon Sinks before her disappearance. Investigators later found a collection of similar red hardback books in her home, with one missing from the set.
A woman was sitting about maybe 35 feet away. She was sitting there just quietly reading a book.
It was red in color and I believe it was a hard cover.
And they were in order except for one perfect space where the book was taken out.
This same description we got from the witnesses of her reading a red book.
And one book is missing out of this collection so it has to be the book that they were talking about.
It was noted that James Sullivan liked to read, and one of his favorite authors had written a book called For Whom the Bell Tolls.
And one of his favorite authors wrote a book called For Whom The Bell Tolls.
— Episode: A Puzzling Murder
It was noted that James Sullivan liked to read, and one of his favorite authors had written a book called For Whom the Bell Tolls.
And one of his favorite authors wrote a book called For Whom The Bell Tolls.
The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor
The book was briefly noted for its cover, which featured a man with a square jaw and a come‑hither stare. No host offered a recommendation or critique, and the discussion was limited to this visual detail.
It was mentioned that the cover of a book Nicole was reading on her honeymoon featured a man with a square jaw and a come-hither stare.
The man on the book cover had a square jaw and a come-hither stare.
In the episode, the book was cited as incriminating evidence when a character's purchase of it and related silencer materials was uncovered, highlighting its role in the storyline. The hosts noted the title as part of the investigation details.
It was mentioned that Marney Yang had purchased a book titled 'How to Make a Disposable Silencer' as well as the materials to make a silencer from Home Depot, which was presented as incriminating evidence.
They find a bank statement that they read and it says purchase on her debit card, Ray Rowling's Arms
And that's when they find out about the book how to make a disposable silencer and the fact that you're at a volume one and volume two
My Story of Faith, Love, and Overcoming
The host introduced the memoir as the title of the author's story about growing up with a notorious father, and the author explained that she wrote it to confront her father's legacy and to reach forgiveness. The discussion highlighted the personal and emotional motivations behind the book.
The host noted that the daughter's memoir was titled A Serial Killer's Daughter, indicating it was the book she had written about her experience.
Your book is called A Serial Killer's Daughter. Is that how you see yourself?
I wrote my dad in the summer of 2007 because I wanted to let him know I was pregnant. ... I do because in 2012 I was able to forgive my father.
The book was brought up when the victim's mother quoted it while delivering her impact statement, speaking in her daughter's voice in court. She used the story to illustrate her daughter's bravery and the perseverance of those seeking justice. The hosts noted the reference as a poignant illustration rather than a formal recommendation.
The victim's mother referenced this book when she spoke in her daughter's voice during her victim impact statement in the courtroom.
And basically she talked about, I will never get married. I will never have children. I will never have the life that you took from me, essentially. And, you know, the only sort of inspiring part about it is that it was Beth's bravery, Jane Doe, number one, that helped keep investigators on this end. It was Sarah who kept crusading for her daughter. And it was Vince who just would not give up.
The Perfect Solution (Mastering Essential Math Skills)
The hosts noted that a mathematics book the girl was teaching herself was found in her suitcase, using it to illustrate her loneliness and potential vulnerability.
It was mentioned that Becky Powell, a young girl, was teaching herself mathematics, and her book was found in her suitcase, suggesting her loneliness and potential for being misunderstood or abused.
There was a mathematics book that she had been teaching herself.
And I was reading that book and it was bringing to tears if you could tell she was lonely.
Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.
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