Twilight of Innocence: The Disappearance of Beverly Potts Kindle Edition

If you are interested in the story of Beverly Potts, this would be an interesting read. I was only 5 years old at the time, so wasn't really aware of what had happened, but as the book points out, it has been talked about for over 50 years. Because it was never forgotten by the media or those who lived in the neighborhood, the story was a part of my life. However, I do believe the price is a bit high for a book that is only 187 pages long. I can buy a full 350-400 page paperback for less than $10.00.

I only just read this book recently; eerily it arrived by post on August 24, 65 years since Beverly's disappearance. I enjoyed it as I love any mystery but I found some frustrations. As so little is known for sure about this case a student of it must make assumptions in trying to explain what may have happened. So the value of the book comes down to the reasonableness of those assumptions. The author repeats the various sources of testament that Beverly was very shy around men and boys. This trait of hers forms the foundation of the suspicion that she was taken by someone who knew her as she would run from a stranger and was virtually unable to interact with friends parents etc. Well, maybe. This ignores how cunning a criminal at that level (child abduction and murder) can be. It is also mentioned she does baby sitting so has to interact with parents of her charges. That to me seems at odds with her suggested level of shyness.The other factor leading to that main assumption was that "No one saw a thing" well it is a well known fact that witnesses rarely report crimes in progress so had a violent abduction taken place within view of the gathered crowds; I would not assume anyone would get involved. I think people in 1951 may have also tended to mind their own business.The author discusses how several witnesses including some known to Beverly saw her talking to two young men in the old coupe. This was clearly the main line of enquiry for the police yet Mr Badal seems not to accept it was her seen by witnesses, owing to the assumption she was too shy to talk to strangers. Maybe a slight case of tunnel vision in the assessments made by the author of the circumstances surrounding the event.Lastly a very significant issue regarding the Potts family was that older daughter Anita left the following year; only to return for her father's funeral in 1970. Her mother dies in 1956 so why did she not attend that; was she estranged from her parents following Beverly's disappearance?. That the author did not canvass this intriguing issue, even after many interviews with Anita reduced the books integrity a little in my view.There is a clear indication in the end of the book that the abductor may have been a member of the extended family living near Beverly and if I read it right it is the mothers side of the family. If you can tolerate the lack of resolution it is worth a read.

A well researched and well written book, one I found interesting because I grew up in Lakewood, Ohio, close to the border of Cleveland, and heard about Beverly Potts as a child in the 1960's. I have been interested in crime since then, having been myself a victim of some crimes. This author is the only person I have ever known who remembers another crime, the murder of Arthur N. by his father. It was a very upsetting thing for me to realize Arthur's step-father was the killer. Anyway, I loved the book and hate the fact that her murderer has never been found.

The disappearance of Beverly Potts remains unsolved after all these years. Badal's book doesn't solve it, but it made me aware that missing children aren't anything new. People tend to think child abduction is a modern crime, but not so. These same people think the Lindbergh kidnapping was a fluke, an isolated incident (if they've ever heard of it at all) . Badal's book is a great read, bringing to life the Beverly's family, friends, the Cleveland neighborhood where she lived and even Beverly herself. She could have lived in any neigjborhood anywhere in America. Sadly, her kidnapper/killer was never found. I hope that this book will inspire someone to solve the mystery and bring overdue justice to Beverly.

I am reading this book & find it so interesting since I grew up on the West Side of Cleveland & the places are familiar. I also worked with Pat Swing, who Beverly went with to Halloran Park. Very sad that not on3 trace was ever found of Beverly. With DNA just maybe one day this case will break.

This was a very well written and thorough study of the Beverly Potts case. Very sad story and I’m still hoping there will be some resolution

As a former Cleveland girl growing up when Beverly disappeared, I.can only remember the terror that we all lived under as our parents were afraid it would happen to us. I remember some of the stories that were appearing in the papers too. This answered a lot of questions in regard to this occurrence and very readable. I hope that it will eventually be solved too.

Excellent book on this interesting cold case. The most information you will ever find on the case! The author did such a great job at writing this!