Jodi Arias Story, Picture Perfect

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The Jodi Arias Story, Picture Perfect, is about a girl who becomes obsessed with her on and off again boyfriend Travis Alexander. When she finds out he is not being monogamous her frustrations lead her to murdering Travis. His body was found in his home in Mesa, Arizona and even though evidence pointed to Jodi Arias it was going to be a long journey before any verdict would be agreed upon in this case. His murder was very brutally done; he had been shot in the face, stabbed in the heart, and slashed across the throat (Hogan, 2014). The death was a shock to many because he was loved as a motivational speaker and as a friend. Following his death would be investigations with the prime suspect being Jodi Arias. Although Travis Alexander didn’t deserve to die in his relationship with Jodi, he had been culpable in provoking her stalker-like behavior. Shanna Hogan even stated, “So while I think he suspected there was something wrong with her he didn’t realize the depth of her mental issues until it was too late”.
This true crime book is well written; also the style of writing used makes the book a quick page turner. The book is unique because it shows when you combine law enforcement and the media you never know what will happen. There is a common technique used to bring out the suspense; this is the “show, don’t conclude” technique where readers are left to make their own conclusions. For instance, after the murder of Travis, the case goes to the court and the death penalty is to be determined later. It is upon the reader to judge whether a death penalty will be passed following the underlying conditions (Hogan, 2011). When asked what she would have done different when writing the book Hogan replied with, “The end of the book! We close...

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...swer this question. One is dead and the other is a compulsive liar. But, in this murder we know the important things that happened and we know without a doubt Jodi Arias killed Travis Alexander. This story is a good reminder to all of us that you never know what someone is capable of doing when you mess with their emotions. If Travis would have seen the signs and left Jodi alone, maybe he would still be alive today.

Works Cited

Ference, S. (2008). November Memories: Inside the Christopher Porco Case. Lulu.com.
Hogan, S. (2011). Dancing with Death: The True Story of a Glamorous Showgirl, her Wealthy Husband, and a Horrifying Murder. New York: St. Martin’s Press.
Hogan, S. (2014). Picture Perfect: The Jodi Arias Story: A beautiful Photographer, Her Mormon lover, and a brutal murder. New York: St. Martin’s Press.
Hogan, Shanna . Personal interview. 20 Nov. 2014.

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