Adnan's Story: The Search for Truth and Justice After Serial Hardcover – August 9, 2016

I pre-ordered the book when it first popped up in 2015 and my copy has arrived, but I have in fact listened to the audiobook instead (due to time commitments) through Audible.I preface my review by saying I am unabashedly in the camp of Adnan and his supporters. I hope, however, I can provide a balanced review here.It should be noted from the outset that this book is not and was never meant to be an unbiased investigation into the case. The book is written firmly in the view of Adnan and Rabia. Notwithstanding that, I think the story is told as they know and understand it. No one - not a single person involved in this case - would be able to provide an unbiased account of what happened in 1999 and since. I didn't feel the book sugar coated Adnan's "weaknesses" as a human being or a Muslim (weakness being a perception here, rather than perhaps the reality).When I listened to Serial, I felt unconvinced either way of Adnan's guilt or innocence - exactly as Serial designed, I sat on the fence. I was unequivocal that a fair trial had not been afforded Adnan and that there was plenty of reasonable doubt.The Undisclosed podcast changed that, through careful legal analysis and investigation. I firmly believe now that Adnan Syed did not kill Hae Min Lee, although I am not as convinced as others about who the perpatrator might be. I have thoughts on possibilities but I don't think there is a case to be made, beyond reasonable doubt, against any suspects (based on what is in the public domain). I was concerned before listening that perhaps allegations would be made in this book, as have been made by others, but I was relieved to find that while other suspects are analysed (and ought to be so further), no such affirmations were made. I don't think it helps the case for having Adnan exonerated to be making assertions of guilt against others without bullet-proof evidence. That is no better than his own conviction.I found the book beautifully written - Rabia's speaking style is engrossing, and I think listening to it brings a dimension that cannot be found on the page. I enjoyed hearing Adnan's "voice" through the book, especially his letters to Sarah Koenig. I especially enjoyed the peripheral story of Rabia's life and how that interwove with her support of Adnan - it is worthy of a seperate book in itself. The evidence presented makes a coercive case - it is difficult to believe anyone could think, at best, his trial was fair. Rabia is unequivocal (and in my opinion correct) in her assessment of the justice system as being broken - a fact mirrored in most western justice systems, sadly. If I could be persuaded that all the law enforcement and prosecution lawyers had behaved legally and ethically, perhaps I could accept the verdict (whilst still believing in Adnan's innocence). I cannot be persuaded on the facts of this case.Despite having listened to the podcasts (including Truth & Justice), I certainly learned new and interesting information through this volume. I feel I have a deeper understanding of Adnan the person and the (sad) impact his conviction has had on his family. I also feel I have come to understand Islam a little better - for better and for worse. Like all religions, it has strengths and weaknesses. It is a faith which I am interested in at least learning more about and coming to a better understanding of.Overall, if this is a case of interest to you, your time will not be wasted reading or listening to this story. There will be some who will never be convinced of Adnan's innocence and that's their prerogative. However, if you have an open mind, there is plenty to absorb here in a well written and compelling story of how being the "other" can be the difference between the life you imagined and the life you're consigned to, by the design of others.Highly recommended.

Unlike so many other reviewers, I cannot say that I could not put this book down. Quite the contrary. Time and time again I found myself setting this book aside while I struggled to cope with the realization, of the truth and just how seriously our criminal justice system is failing us. While Rabia's faith and the loving environment in which Adan was raised come through in this book, acting like leavening to lighten the overall feel of this tragedy. This story is so sad on so many levels that the reader must either maintain an emotional distance, and believe the lie that we while we may not be safe from the bad guys, we have the good guys to protect us, or they must confront, the tragedy that lurks just off screen in their own life's movie. They must come to grips with how dangerous our criminal justice system can become if it is not constantly monitored by we the people.Adnan’s Story is a real life morality play about what can happen to anyone, even you, when enough people in your own circle fall victim to their own biases. I am not just talking about anti Muslim bias here, although there is enough of that to go around. This story is filled with people who believe they are doing the right thing for the wrong reason and those who believe they are doing the wrong thing for the right reasons. In this tale, nobody tells the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Instead everyone tells whatever story works for themselves. What is missing, except for Rabia, at first, is people willing to persevere in doing the right thing for the right reason no matter how difficult that is. Later on, her example attracts other kindred spirits such as Sarah, Susan, Colin, and Asia, and while it remains impossible to have faith in humanity in general and our criminal justice system in particular while Adnan remains incarcerated, the reader is eventually left with a sense of hope.Even more than hope, I was left with faith. A faith that while we are all subject to the same human frailties that lead us far from the path of righteousness, we know the light of truth and justice when we see it. And, as a species, we are attracted to that light like moths to a flame. Surely, as it happens in this book, some will stumble too deeply into the darkness and will never return to the light. They know who they are and don't need me to call them out by name. Fortunately, they no longer have the power to cast the shadow of guilt over an innocent man. For the rest of us, this book can light the way, it can help us understand the problems and pressures that are built into our system, forces which tend to push like the wind on the ship of justice. We will see that, as any favorable winds does, while it pushes the ship forward, these pressures also cause it to constantly weather off course. This book can inspire us all to act as beacons, pointing out to our elected leaders both the current state of the ship and our mutual goal of liberty and justice for all.Finally let me admit that Rabia is a friend of mine. We became friends after Serial, and she gave me a copy of this book before it came out. Not so I would write a favorable review, that was a given, but as a token of appreciation for our friendship. Meanwhile, I had already purchase an advanced copy for myself before her gift arrived, so I had two. Since then I have purchase a third copy as a gift for another close relative. I expect to purchase even more. If you cannot afford multiple copies, be sure to lend the one you have to someone you trust. It is actually more important to share the message, than it is to retain ownership of the book.

A must read!!! From listening to the podcasts and watching the documentary, the book is a must read! I’ve been very invested in this case and I love that the book shows more evidence than what you hear on the podcast.#FreeAdnan

Listened to the book on audio. Wonderful narrator.This book offers a wonderful description of Adnan’s case and the roller coaster he went through. Great balance of story telling and fact providing.#mysterybookcafe

Well written and with a relevant sequence of facts, deliberation which adds weight to the case of this tragic story. There are many facets which simply don't stack up in the case against Adnan Syed both legally and morally if this transpires to be true than a travesty of justice of the biggest magnitude has occurred. It is still difficult to be absolutely certain of guilt or innocence and this is not a reflection on this book or its efforts to present a wholly credible case for innocence, there are some questions remaining however l would urge people to read it not as a barometer of whether this young man is guilty but rather as a reference to see if justice was served...on that note it was not.

I heard serial quite late in the day - at that time I wasn't sure if Adnan was innocent but I wanted him to be and I certainly didn't think there was sufficient evidence to convict him. I followed the case after and the more I heard and read the more I became convinced of Adnan's innocence.Adnan's case is not the only one where we are aware of poor( criminal? ) police and prosecutor practices to secure a conviction, any conviction whether it is the right conviction or not. Rabia Chaudry's book gives you all the facts and also has a plea at the end to fix the justice system as this is clearly broken and many innocent people are convicted ( one day that could be you/me or a loved one) and meanwhile the guilty go free.

This book could have been five times as long and I would have devoured every single word. This is a MUST for all fans of Serial. While I was concerned that this would just be a recap of Undisclosed, it was so much more. This isn't just a story about Adnan, this is a story of police corruption, lies and a twisted plot to frame a young man for a crime he did not commit. If you think you are safe if you are innocent, this will make you think twice.#freeadnan

Adnan’s story is powerful, raw, wrong, and terrible. Rabia has done a wonderful service sharing it so well. But when I saw the date it was published I cried to realise he still had more years of disappointments ahead.

If I had one wish, it would be that there was a sequel with a happy ending. The light this shines on the American "justice" system, like so many other cases is just upsetting and the only thing keeping it going is that the majority of people, like many on the edge of this case, assume it's working.Not that the justice systems of other countries work all the time either.