At Road's End - by David Wayne Brown (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

At Road's End: Robert Lee's Extraordinary Journey to Forgiving a Heinous Murder is a true crime story that rocked Tennessee from one end of the state to the other.

In 1999 Barbara Ann Lee, a beloved West Tennessee horsewoman, and her dog are kidnapped in her own SUV while having lunch at a fast-food drive-in. Subsequently, she was then tortured and murdered by three teenagers at the end of an old farm road.

She pleaded with her killers not to take the life of her dog, Otis.

The murderers soon lead two dozen law enforcement officers from four separate agencies on a 24-mile, two-state car chase that ends with their capture in a Mississippi wheat field. Their arrests mark the beginning of an anguishing odyssey for widower Bob Lee, who must endure years of trials and a lawsuit while trying to find the strength in his heart, mind and soul to forgive the killers who show no remorse.

Just as his wife pleaded for her life and that of her dog, Bob Lee begged the killers for information about her last moments of life. Finally, one of the killers agreed to write a transcript of her last words. Under heavy guard, the killer met with Lee, flaunting a white envelope that he teased him with during their conversation. At the end of the meeting, he refused to give him the envelope. Lee and the guard followed him to the elevator, at which point the killer handed him the envelope as he stepped onto the elevator. When Lee opened the envelope it contained only blank pages.

As his gut-wrenching journey progresses, he moves from the position of a victim to a victim's advocate and finds personal victory over the darkness in his life.

Review Quotes

"Ann Lee's choice was as light a decision as they come: To turn her SUV into a Sonic Drive-In for lunch. Bob Lee's choice was among the heaviest: To try forgiving the murderous trio who carjacked his wife in Sonic's slot No. 22. Our life journeys are filled with intersections and choices, big and small. Author David Wayne Brown, with Bob Lee, takes us on a harrowing trip with heart-stopping turns. The ride starts with a nightmare and grows even darker on an isolated farm road. But thanks to the human spirit this journey does not end there."-Tom Bailey, Memphis journalist