Our Georgia - Robin Eveleigh & Lynette Williams

Reading Challenge Category: Free ARC from NetGalley

Official Blurb:

Georgia Williams’ murder at the hands of college pal Jamie Reynolds was a crime that shocked the nation: chillingly executed and horrific in its sexual depravity.
But when Georgia’s devastated mother, Lynnette, and father, Steve, questioned the events leading to their daughter’s death, they discovered it was also entirely preventable.
At the time of Georgia’s disappearance, Steve was – ironically – a highly-commended murder squad detective serving with West Mercia Police.
The same force, Steve and Lynnette discovered, had had Reynolds in its sights for years before Georgia’s murder, but let him slip their net.
Drawing on Steve’s inside police knowledge, the couple exposed the litany of failures that let Reynolds infiltrate their daughter’s life, and allowed him to kill.
Now, in her powerful and moving memoir, Lynnette tries to get beyond the platitudes of ‘mistakes made and lessons learned’ to effect real change, and also details the heartbreaking aftermath of a crime that should never have happened.

My Thoughts:

Our Georgia by Robin Eveleigh & Lynette Williams is a true crime book that tells the story of Georgia Williams, a young woman from Wellington, Shropshire, who was brutally murdered by a friend in 2013. The book provides an in-depth look into Georgia's life before her tragic death and the events that led up to her murder.
At first, I thought the book was just a typical true crime story, but as I got further into it, I found myself getting more and more emotionally invested in Georgia's story. However, it was easy to forget that it was a true story as I found myself being swept away by the amazing life she led up until that fateful day. The authors do an excellent job of portraying Georgia as a real person with hopes, dreams, and a bright future ahead of her. It is truly heartbreaking to think about what she went through and what her family must have endured.
What struck me most about this book is how easily Georgia's murder could have been prevented. The warning signs were all there, but the authorities failed to take action, resulting in a young woman losing her life. It's frustrating and angering to think that this could happen in our society, and it makes you wonder how many other potential tragedies are going unnoticed. Reading this on the back of the James Bulger books, it is becoming more and more concerning how the criminal system works and how justice is often overlooked in favour of protecting the criminals.
Overall, I would highly recommend Our Georgia to anyone interested in true crime. It is a well-written and engaging book that sheds light on an important issue. While it may be a difficult read at times due to the subject matter, it is an important reminder that we must always be vigilant and take action when we see warning signs of potential harm.