Pretty Little Killers: The Truth Behind the Savage Murder of Skylar Neese Paperback – July 8, 2014

I can count on the fingers of one hand the books I've read that I had to force myself to put down in order to go about my day. This was one of them. Often, it BECAME my day. As far as True crime goes it is second only to "Helter Skelter" in terms of absorbing-the-attention factor. You get lost in its pages so easily.This case shocks me not only because the savagery, but the unanswered questions. These were smart girls. How could they possibly have thought that they were going to get away with it? What made them think they were going to live happily ever after? Stabbing someone to death is so up close and personal, bloody and awful. These smart little gals didn't figure on sleepless nights, guilty consciences and ultimate discovery in such a small town?And most importantly, how does one with no real history of violence graduate to this type of incredibly violent and gruesome homicide? That is such a broad jump and is hard to truly understand even after the last page is turned.The authors do their best to give the answers, but the black n white sort of answers just aren't always the case. The answers are often like a Hydra; multi-headed, each snapping and nasty in their own right. The conclusion I drew from it was that Shelia was the narcissistic sociopath, so attacks of "conscience" weren't an issue because she didn't have much of one. Rachel did (hence why she ultimately cracked and had to be institutionalized) but allowed herself to believe she could lean on Shelia's strength and "cool" to get through it. Bad move on Rachel's part.The criticisms of the book here are puzzling to me. The authors make it VERY clear when they are venturing into speculation (inner dialogue, thoughts, conversations, etc) and give cogent reasons for it. So I had no problem with it, despite finding such things as the notion of Shelia and Rachel having sex following the murder of Skylar to be a bit odd. It's possible, but I dismiss it until one makes an admission and don't let it spoil my enjoyment of this amazing book. The criticisms are nit-picky.An excellent read. Highly recommended.

Easy, interesting read. Only negative is every time I thought story was finished there was another chapter that revealed more details that were not really necessary.

Just got the book today. Of course I have not got to read it, but I just wanted to leave a review that it's in perfect condition for being a used one! The edges where the book open is a tad bit "ruffled", but that's hardly noticeable, besides that there's no creases in the pages, no tear, no markings etc. The seller took amazing care of it. After I read it i will leave a more informational review about the book itself! Til then i do have a lot to say. Skylar didn't live very far from me. I often travel to Morgantown as I have family that way. When her disappearance happened, of course I along with many other West Virginians', were in panic mode. We see & hear about kids across the country come up missing but not too often does it happen around my area, especially in a case like Skylar's, where a teen went missing & it was clear she wasn't a run away. Run away cases happen so often so it doesn't surprise me the police/investigators believed that was the case in Skylar's situation. I remember it being weeks with out her return & no new information. My heart sank. I prayed so hard for a girl I've never met before & had no ties to. I cried at the thought of her being held captive, kidnapped, raped & even worse, murdered. When I heard she was indeed found dead, I was furious. I didn't even consider anyone who knew her would have been responsible for her murder. When I learned it was 2 people she believed was her best friends, I cried more than I ever did during this case. I was so sick to my stomach & in disbelief. I'm still very sick over Skylar's murder. The two responsible, are sick twisted psycho *@#&'s Of course I can't say the name I call them. I will not consider them human or even "sick animals", because that's an insult to all human beings & animals out there who has never done a crime like this. I don't feel as if their punishment is enough. They were old enough to know what they was doing & I believe they thought since they were underage, they would get off easy, since others have who murdered in cold blood. I can't even explain the uproar there will be if these 2 psychopaths see life outside of prison when their parole date's come. Lord have mercy on the ones who will be responsible if they grant them parole. I have been deep into this case for years. Every single day since Skylar went missing, she has crossed my mind & I just get so upset thinking about what happened to her. I like many others, feel as if there's more we need to learn about this case. Which is why I got this book, hoping it gives some answers that the law enforcement, courts & prosecutors etc, didn't give. Yes they are Psychopaths, but I don't believe for one second that they killed Skylar because "they didn't want to be friends anymore". I know psychopaths do things like that but I don't believe that's the case here. As for Rachel, I hate speaking either names, but she has been getting pity, sorrow & remorse FROM OTHER'S, for the simple fact that she caved, told the truth, acted as if it was hurting her, gave a B.S. apology during her sentencing, & had the audacity to sit there & CRY during that sentencing. She had no remorse for her actions then nor will she ever. She has no heart, she's a cold blooded KILLER. If she had a speck of humanity or care in the world about Skylar & her family, she wouldn't have committed the heinous crime that she did. The ONLY reason she came clean, was for her own selfish benefits. She wanted a deal for her confession. If she truly felt any guilt or remorse for her actions, she would have admitted to it & accepted the consequences, without begging for mercy, forgiveness & less consequences that she deserved. As for Sheila, words can't describe the HATE I have for her, especially. For the fact that she had the nerve to sit on Skylar's bed with Mary, crying about missing her, comforting Mary saying it will be okay, asking why Skylar would do this to "her" since they were best friends, receiving comfort & so much support from Mary & Dave after she murdered their child in cold blood, plus so many other sick actions that proves she is a heartless murdering scum bag psychopath. The fact that she posted "We really did go on 3" proves what is wrong with this nut job. She's written letters to her friends & family completely avoiding mentioning Skyler's name or the case in general. She just goes on about how she misses them, she needs them, she's sorry for putting THEM through this & how it sucks so bad being in there. She can show sorrow towards her family but not an ounce to Skylar or her family, which even if she did, no one would accept it & that's only fair. She's trying to act as if it never happened by avoiding talking about it. The only people these 2 truly have are their parents & few immediate family members. They have had some family & "friends" cross them by going on TV shows, taking interviews, sending texts etc, talking negatively about them. They're all after the money! Sheila's family want to try to SELL her story! SICK!!!! I have seen parents turn their backs on their children for less, if my child became a cold blooded murder, & had actions like these 2 did after the murder, I would NEVER support them! I would always love them of course but I would not make excuses, point fingers to blame others, help pay for lawyers, help with their court process at all, I would not send money while they're in prison etc. I don't believe that the families knew nothing or suspected nothing the whole time. I don't believe they saw perfectly normal, sanity in their children before or after it happened. One more thing I want to say is how FURIOUS I was & still am, over the fact that these 2 were free to roam around for a MONTH after law enforcement learned that they did it. I know they were trying to get evidence, especially on Sheila.. but for a whole MONTH? They put many lives at risk by doing that. They could have at least arrested Rachel when she confessed. I'm not sure on the laws, but I believe they couldn't arrest Shelia based off of "hear say". It shouldn't have taken them a MONTH to get the proof/evidence they needed. From my understanding as well, based off of an interview I saw with one of the officers who Rachel confessed to, they didn't even tell Mary & Dave. They knew for lord knows how long before letting Mary & Dave know about their child's tragic murder & those at hand of it. These girls got to experience so much in that month that they shouldn't have gotten to do. Things that Skylar never got to do, because of them. Okay I'm done venting now. Time to read the book!!! Hope this gets posted so I didn't type it all for nothing!

Sooo much was revealed in this book that so many interviews overlook. Absolutely enjoyed reading it. I wish the girls would give a better why, but this book definitely helped put the final end on it. Prayers for the neese family as I can't even begin to imagine the depths of their grief.