by Dawn Schiller
Medallion Press, $19.95, 478 pages
There is a lot of mystery surrounding the Wonderland murders of 1981 and the central figure in those murders – John Holmes. Many have speculated about him and his past but author Dawn Schiller actually lived it. In The Road Through Wonderland Schiller provides a chilling look at the life of Holmes and the events leading up to the infamous murders. She paints a gruesome portrait of drugs and abuse and shares the story of how she survived this life of torture. This book is a must read, even for those who may not be familiar with the back story. Schillers’ writing is gripping and the reader gets sucked in to this twisted tale. The story is so shocking it’s hard to believe that she survived through these terrifying events. This book is hard to put down and definitely provokes the reader to want to continue to see what happens next. Schiller is incredibly brave for sharing her story with the world and I can only hope that she has made peace with everything that happened. This is by far the best book I have read in months and I highly encourage anyone reading this to go pick it up!
Reviewed by Nicole Will
Wonderful insightful and well written book. I enjoyed it so much and appreciate the authors courage.
Dawn Schiller’s true story is something a fiction writer would have a hard time imagining. Her account is filled with drugs, sex, and rock and roll, leaving the reader to wonder just how anyone could survive the chaos. The fact that Dawn has been able to come through it all to the “other side” is a testament to the power of faith and support.
“The Road Through Wonderland” is a well written, gripping account, showing the reader how a predator grooms his victim, making her dependent on him for the very things that sustain us, but the price is quite high for Dawn.
Dawn’s generosity is now focused on assisting “throwaway teens” through her non-profit organization E.S.T.E.A.M., whose stories are likely parallel to hers. There is no doubt she has the ability to guide them towards successful adulthood.