THE MURDER OF JEFFREY DRYDEN:
THE GRIM TRUTH SURROUNDING MALE DOMESTIC ABUSE
TROY VEENSTRA
READERS FAVORITE 5 STAR RATING!
Video's of Interest on Male Domestic Abuse
Product Details
- Paperback: 327 pages
- Publisher: Veenstra Publishing
- Printer/Co-Publisher: CreateSpace (November 20, 2011)
- Forward by Author: Brenda Irish Heintzelman
- Editors: Connie Lipsett
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1466494867
- ISBN-13: 978-1466494862
- Ebook ISBN: 9781466077423
- Library of Congress Control Number: 2012906156
- Genre: Non-fiction, True Crime, Domestic Abuse, Male Domestic Abuse, Dysfunctional Relationships
Book Description:
MISC LINKS:
News Article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
OTIS (MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS OFFENDER TRACKING INFORMATION SERVICE)
PRESS RELEASE 1, 2,
Jeff Dryden Memorial Facebook Page
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite The Murder of Jeffrey Dryden: The Grim Truth Surrounding Male Domestic Abuse by Troy Veenstra is an account of the circumstances surrounding the death of Jeffrey Dryden. In the early hours of July 18th in 2010, Jeffrey Dryden returned home after spending some time with his twin brother. Within minutes, he was dead, stabbed in the neck by his girlfriend, Chiquita. She was arrested and charged with the second-degree murder of Jeff but, as time went by, details began to emerge to show that life wasn’t all roses, that Jeff had been living a life of abuse, both verbal and physical. Jeff Dryden emerged as a victim, not just of murder but also of Male Domestic Abuse. This book talks about the time leading up to his murder and the trial of his murderer, as well as going into detail about the real problem of male domestic abuse. Wow. I have to say that although I was aware of male domestic abuse, I had no idea it was that widespread. The Murder of Jeffrey Dryden: The Grim Truth Surrounding Male Domestic Abuse is written by Troy Veenstra, cousin to Jeffrey Dryden. He has clearly done a great deal of research here to bring us the statistics on instances of men being battered by their female partners and, perhaps more importantly, why it is ignored the world over. Troy Veenstra has written an amazing book here, one that should be read by everyone to open their eyes about something that is real, something not to be ignored. Excellent book, well done. |
An interesting subject to tackle.
As for the book. For non fiction it is all about the facts and not the story or writing style.
I am sure this book will make people think, and if it brings this problem more into the open then all the better.
Joe
April 1 2014 from Rose Ellison -- Author Facebook page
This is a very well written book, on such a sad subject. Plenty of statistics that will surprise a lot of people. As a society we need to do something to stop all abuse. I hope this book will help open eyes, so that we can get some help out there for men that are being abused.
April 1 2014, Rose Ellison, Amazon.com 5 star Review
"The book was great, true crime is always so painful. I started reading it around 9am the morning I got it and didn’t want to put it down, sadly I had to go to work. I finished it that night, and found your words sad. It’s a shame something so tragic happened to such a fine young man. I hope that woman spends her time in jail contemplating her actions and if anything, admits her guilt, not only for Jeff’s family and friends, but for her own mortal soul as well. "
Victoria Melinn (Veenstra Publishing Website Direct E-mail) 12-18-11
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A MUST READ for all men and women in relationships
I read the whole book the same night it was bought for me and found it highly fascinating. The personal parts and the factual information on male domestic abuse was mind blowing and tear shredding. It really does get the message across about this horrible travesty. This was a murder that didn't have to happen. A murder that could have been prevented if one person, the woman of all people, would have used the common sense that God gave her. So sad that Jeff's death that night was all over a stupid cell phone. Would love to see this book in my local library some time soon. Overall i believe this book and Jeff's story needs to be read and told, so that others facing the same issues in their relationship can see what truly happens when you let your fears get the best of you.
Tia Rain
Posted December 20, 2011 on www.bn.com
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This review is from: The Murder of Jeffrey Dryden: The Grim Truth Surrounding Male Domestic Abuse (Kindle Edition)
I found this book to be okay. I do think this author does have potential however, I found some of it seemed to be a little bit repetitive. It seemed more of a book that gave statistics at times rather than the story of all that took place...that being said, I guess the author was writing about what they knew of the case and Jeffrey probably didn't go into detail with everyone about the hell he was enduring living with this woman. I would agree with the author that most people do not give much thought to male domestic violence. It was a sad story and I hope that Jeffrey's family is able to heal from this and at least they are able to do some good by trying to spread the word about male domestic violence. Best wishes to the family.
J. Johnson "Purpleluv1980`" (Michigan) Amazon Verified Reviewer
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This Review from: The Murder of Jeffrey Dryden: The Grim Truth Surrounding Male Domestic Abuse (Kindle Edtion)
This is an extremely important subject that needs to be brought to light. It is just sad that Jeffrey and his family had to go through this awful ordeal to bring this subject out. One of the things that was very interesting to me about this book were the statistics and studies that the author had talked about. The author had obviously done some research on the topic of male domestic abuse.
I think men who are victims of domestic abuse are probably too embarrassed or ashamed to talk about it because men are supposed to be "strong", but when you think about the way it happens (a woman can threaten to expose something that will get the man in "trouble", the woman can threaten not to let the man see his children, etc.) it is all too real.
Read this book! It will open your eyes to a very important subject. My heart goes out to Jeffrey's family. Nobody deserves to die this way and I just pray that Jeffrey's story will help someone else get help if they find themselves in a similar situation.
Blue --- Amazon Verified Reviewer
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Sad that this really happened to a dude:
I found this book very sad yet informative. What horrors Jeff must have gone through those last moments... all because of this abusive B#%CH...
Gadget Lover -- Amazon Verified Reviewer
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I had to write this to you Directly:
hi troy, i just finished reading your book and i'd like to begin by saying i'm so sorry for your loss. i cannot imagine your pain, so i won't pretend i can, but i want you to know that i'm sorry you and your family have lost someone so very dear to you all.
i also want you to know that your words seem very direct and honest, heartfelt, and i was most impressed with how you included the letters from jeff's mom,
as a mom myself, her words really touched me…..
i'm a survivor advocate, and i teach two classes on domestic violence (NMC traverse city) plus i write and speak also, in fact, to groups in grand rapids even. i'm also a real estate broker, a firearms instructor, and i'm in the master of science graduate program criminal justice administration after having recently graduated calvin college with b.a. in psychology. plus, i've worked with the wyoming police dept, the michigan state police, and the circuit court judges' office. i love it that you are so open, that really comes across in you work too, that's what i love most about your book is that your words are so direct and seem so writte from your heart,
i would love to see your book hit big across the country b/c people need to know what domestic violence is instead of just brushing it aside and thinking the people who stay in abuse are somehow the problem. society needs to learn how victims of dv are truly trapped in the abusive relationships, and your work could really help teach them this b/c the fact in your case where the victim is male should really get their attention. i think the fact that a strong male with a supportive family felt trapped is so important b/c it illustrates how abusers gain such power over their victims and how society needs to understand the issues specific to dv in order to really offer the help victims need to safely escape the abusive relationship.
write anytime and again, i'm so sorry for your loss, my son just returned from his second tour of Iraq so for the last three almost four years i've felt this sense of fear of possibly losing him when he was overseas, but i still can't imagine how much this hurts for you and for your family.
Brenda Irish Heintzelman -- Author of Protecting Our Children ~ Defending Ourselves -- Sent directly to me through troy@veenstrapublishing.biz
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I just finished reading your book about your cousin Jeff. Unbelievable! I am terribly sorry for the loss that you and your family experienced. It is just devastating and I (being the mother of a grown son) cannot imagine what Jeff's mother must go through every day. I am just so terribly sad that your family had to go through this.
I guess the reason I am writing is that I have some thoughts and questions that maybe you can or cannot answer, but your booked touched me so much, I just needed to get this out.
First, I am very closely related to someone who went through some of the same things as Jeff did as far as domestic abuse and I feel I understand that to some degree. I think what people really don't understand is that a man can have the same emotions, feelings, and insecurities as a woman and certain women can play on those feelings.
Having said that, I hope you can understand where I am coming from in this next part of my email:
I cannot fully understand your anger at your cousin's murderer (I cannot even bring myself to give her a name) as I have never been, and pray that I never am in your shoes, but I do feel the anger is justified. From what I read, you and your family are Christians, as am I, and I wonder, do you think you will ever find forgiveness in your heart? Please, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you should forgive her. I guess my concern is more for you and your health and peace of mind. I don't feel like that woman should have any place in your life; not a thought, not a feeling, not anything! And if forgiveness is not possible (again, please know I'm not saying that is the right or wrong thing to do) I'm just wondering if forgetting her and, not Jeff, is a possibility for you? I just think it's a shame that anytime you have memories of Jeff, you also have memories of her. Throw her away! She doesn't deserve a spot in your life. She doesn't deserve a spot in your families life. She is exactly where she belongs and hopefully will be there for a very, very long time.
Your book made me think about a lot of things that I didn't want to think about. Especially, the forgiveness part, because I truly do not know if I could forgive in a situation like that. And that kind of scares me as I don't ever want to have to think about that. I just recently tacked a quote to my bulletin board above my computer - "if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins" and now I just wonder if I could really do that if I were in your shoes.
Anyway, this email is not intended to give advice or anything of that nature, your book just brought questions to my mind and I just wondered what your feelings are on the whole forgiveness thing?
I also wanted to thank you for bringing out the fact that domestic abuse IS NOT a one way street; men can be abused as well as women. That is something society doesn't want to think about, but it is real. Thank you for bringing this topic out.
Sincerely,
-- CONNIE LIPSETT -- Sent direct through Veenstra Publishing E-mail at Troy@veenstrapublishing.biz
WHERE TO PURCHASE:
PAPERBACK & HARDCOVER
Click "Buy now" for direct from the Author below
(Above) First book signing and introduction to Jeff's family and close friends
(Above) Jeff's mother, Paula Dryden, in this photo she is looking back towards the woman with the red shirt that she describes in the book.
(Above) Chiquita Rena Fizer, Accused & Convicted Murderer of Jeffrey Dryden, Charged with 2nd degree murder now serving 14 to 45 years at the Huron Valley Womens Correctional Complex.
If you feel the desire, the need, or the want to contact Chiquita and share your thoughts with her you may attempt to send her mail at the address listed below:
Warden Millicent Warren
3201 Bemis Road
Ypsilanti, MI 48197-0911