"Some books stay with you long after you turn the final page. I suspect Killing Henrietta is to be one of them. About a 1959 unsolved murder that took place in Leonardtown. The crime at the heart of this book is horrific - whether it happened in a big city or a quiet Southern Maryland town. We like to believe places like ours are immune to such darkness, but history reminds us that evil can surface anywhere, even in the most idyllic settings. What makes this book especially powerful is the care with which it is written. Leslie LeDonne clearly did extensive research and presents the facts thoughtfully, without sensationalism. Henrietta`s story is told with dignity and respect, allowing the truth - the sadness and the shame of it all - to speak for itself. It is engaging, deeply unsettling and heartbreaking. And it is absolutely worth reading. While Henrietta may never receive justice, remembering her - learning her story and speaking her name - may be one small thing we can still do for her. Killing Henrietta is available locally at Cecil`s Country Store, among other places, and is also available on Amazon. Highly recommended but be prepared for a disturbing true crime that will be hard to put down."
- Spooky Solomons
"Phil and I are both reading your book and can't put it down! I love the format. Weaving the newspaper clippings and St. Mary's County history through Henrietta's story is a great way to present all the information. Very compelling!! We love the book."
- Jacqueline Draper
Attorney at Law
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"This is a heartbreaking true story of a woman who was murdered and raped. The investigation was bungled from the beginning and it seemed that the people of power and prestige in the community just want this inconvenient "mess" to go away, which is exactly what happened. I was flabbergasted at the lack of empathy and humanity not shown to this woman who was brutally murdered in her own home. It was only by a change encounter that Leslie acquired all the "lost" reports and evidence that she is able to tell this true story. A murderer has walked free, this case never even made it to court, why? What if this were your relative? I don't think you would have settled for this outcome. Leslie provides you with true evidence as well as information from recent interviews with people who lived at the time. It's up to you to decide who you think murdered this poor woman who was desperately trying to better herself. May His have mercy on Henrietta's soul. "
- C. Smith
"Thank you for writing this book and delivering Henrietta’s story with such respect, empathy, and accuracy. I didn’t want you to put it down, finishing it only to want to read it again . Thank you for being the voice of such a tragic and misunderstood figure. No one could have told her story better!"
- Pamela VannMieghem
" Finished reading Killing Henrietta yesterday. Couldn`t put it down! Wow! What a story. I loved the whole journey; how your beauty career played a major role, how you gave us the history of Southern MD, how the people you met along the way, your persistence, courage and tenacity questioning and gathering your information, how you uncovered the "coverups", how you showed us that ultimately her Faith in her demise, how you were and still are a voice for Henrietta! Fantastic job! It actually is a BIG deal! Very proud of you Leslie. I just may read it again!
- Anna Schibler
"Thank you for writing this book and delivering Henrietta's story with such respect, empathy and accuracy. I didn`t want to put it down, finishing it only to want to read it again. Thank you for being the voice of such a tragic and misunderstood figure. No one could have told her story better!
- Pam Van Mieghem
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