A surprisingly beautiful book. Those who are interested in true crime but find it too dehumanizing may be interested in this. This can also be appreciated from a psychological standpoint - how nobody is all good or all bad. Of course it's also of sociological interest - how does upbringing and environment affect children's development.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

This is a story that’s so tragic it can’t be anything but true. It’s a statement about the failure of the system to save abused and vulnerable children until they evolve into damaged and violent young adults then attempts to punish them for being what they were forced into. Truely sad. The victim was an elderly woman, a borderline saint by all accounts with no wealth to speak of who had the misfortune of being caught in the scope of four unhappy and dangerous young women from poverty who sought to rob her and needed up viciously killing her for no reason. The racial implications were used as a strong factor in the sensationalized nature of the case because the victim is white and the perpetrators were black, and the fact that the grandson fought to keep the death penalty from being imposed is a huge factor in the story, and might be considered greatly inspiring to those of Christian faith. Over all I just found it all very disheartening. It’s well written and compassionate but also a study of humanity and the law in some less that flattering ways.

There are ways that an author inserting themselves into the narrative can be done well. This is not one of them. Within the first fifty pages, I feel like the author was far too present in the story and it kept me from being fully immersed in what was going on. The case is fascinating and I wanted do like this book. I just found it unbalanced and overall unpleasant to read.

Alex Mar’s “Seventy Times Seven” is a nonfiction work that focuses on the death sentence of a young woman named Paula Cooper. While in high school, Cooper murders Ruth Pelke, an elderly women who plays a prominent role in her community. Cooper is one of the youngest people ever sentenced to die through the death penalty, and her case becomes part of a decades long fight to abolish the death penalty for young people. While the grizzly crime did warrant a major sentence, Mar makes the reader question what severity sentence is too much for someone so young. This point is supported through Bill Pelke’s change of heart from someone who believed that Cooper should be sentenced to death to a staunch death penalty opponent. The evidence is clear that the period of life before adulthood is one where nearly everyone makes poor choices, and this one happens to be worse than others, but it still one for which Cooper should not be sentenced to death. This is a good read about the criminal justice system in America and how we can find forgiveness in the most horrible acts.

Alex Mar did a fantastic job with this book. It is expertly researched and well written. He begs the reader to ask themselves “what does justice truly mean?” His passionate is displayed throughout the story and lends to the impact this book will have on its audience.

I was not able to read this book because it was archived before I had the time to read it. I am not sure why the books on this site get archived before you are able to post a review, and then your score is decreased because you didn't complete the review.

This book was written beautifully and seemed to capture every aspect of this story. I had never heard of this case before, but this story has such an important message and is told with respect to all parties involved. Below is the link to the discussion I had with the author on the Feminist Book Club podcast.

I like true crime, this is more about the injustice of a 16 year old being placed on death row for murdering a sweet little old lady. I did not care for this book at all. I received an advanced copy for my honest review.

I have heard about this crime before, but I have never read a book on it. It was an interesting book, not exactly what I was expecting, but enjoyable and gave me a lot to think about.

True story of crime, violence and murder in seek of compassion. Forgiveness and determination. Very intriguing and full of despair you can’t help feel for the teenage girl circumstances would have been different in her up bringing maybe things would be different that day. Who knows or maybe it’s just what God had planned before hand and no matter the up bringing maybe she was destine to experience this and suffer. Her victim the Bible school teacher did not deserve to die that way but if her grandson could forgive why couldn’t anyone else? We are all marked with a death wether peaceful gruesome and violent or tragic we all can not pass judgement nor ,can we say if she had better representation maybe it Mosul’s have made a difference who knows 2 people can have the same representation but get 2 different outcomes because that is what was meant to be. Just my thoughts i enjoyed the book over all

I really appreciate the opportunity to learn in such depth about a murder that had such impact on the state I now call home. The book presents a truly fascinating story that will make readers question what the nature of justice and forgiveness are, and what terrible things humans are capable of when pushed. It's ultimately a tragic story, although the path to death penalty abolition work for the victim's grandson offers a glimmer of light. I took off one star only because the book was so detailed and thorough, nearly academically so, that sometimes it lacked a sense of storytelling that would have made this book stronger.

What defines a crime so violent and appalling that it would justify the taking of another life, especially one under the age of 18? Seventy Times Seven follows the pathway of 16 year old Paula Cooper and three other girls (Karen Corder -16, April Beverly -15, and Denise Thomas -14 ) who brutally ended the life of 78 year old Ruth Pelke in Gary, Indiana. Paula's story and sentencing will shock many of us in 2023, but in 1986 she was the youngest member on death row, and many in Gary agreed with the sentencing.

Despite enormous evidence of physical and emotional abuse from her step-father, her mother's attempt at murdering her and her older sister when she was in elementary school, the shuffle from foster-home to foster-home after she requested to no longer live with her mother, Paula was the only girl out of the four who was sentenced to death. Many believed that Paula was justly sentenced, at the time, given her level of involvement in the crime. However, after several years, the person you would least suspect, decides to come to Paula's rescue; Ruth Pelke's grandson, Bill Pelke.

Through the help of Bill, her lawyers, and the international coverage of her case which garnered interest of the Pope, Paula's sentence was commuted to 60 years in prison, 30 if she displayed and maintained good behavior. What began as a hopeless pursuit, now becomes a tale of redemption, forgiveness, and rehabilitation.

Well-researched and a thorough example of how separation of church and state can play a huge role into our court system, Mar provides the reader with a fascinating recount of this story. This was an incredible read and showcases how emotions can override a court when faced with difficult cases. I really enjoyed reading about the various stages of our court and how our belief system has evolved. This story will really push you to question your own beliefs of the death penalty and what is just when it comes to murder.

Thank you The Penguin Press and NetGalley for this advanced copy.

Let me start by saying that this is not a book that you are going to just devour in one sitting. This book is one that will have you truly considering your beliefs on capital punishment whether you are for or against it. This is a story that will forever remain in my head and my heart. It is the story of victims of crime, victims of society, and victims of the justice system. I highly recommend this book.

Ruth Pelke has dedicated her life to helping others. She is an amazing mom, grandmother, and Bible school teacher. She tells her children that she wants to stay in her home after her husband passes even though they try to get her to live with them. One afternoon, four girls make a plan to rob the lonely grandmother. Ruth brutally loses her life while the four girls leave with $10 and the keys to her car. Paula Cooper, 15 years old at the time of the murder, is the main culprit in the murder, and she is sentenced to death. When Ruth's grandson, Bill, has a vision of his grandmother heartbroken, he knows that his grandmother would not want someone to die in her name. He offers his forgiveness to Paula and begins the campaign to save her life. While the story does speak of the crime, the bulk of this book covers the aftermath for Paula Cooper, Bill, and others in the fight for the life and rehabilitation of a minor.

When 15-year-old polic Cooper was arrested for murder she was in a perfect storm in the state of Indiana the drug she would go on Pranav campaigned oh no plea bargains and he would stick to his word even sentencing young Paula to death row. The story of the team murderer would gain momentum even going internationally with thousands of Italians sending her letters in the newspaper even sending a reporter to talk to her in person. This was such a good book and although my opinions may differ from the rider I do believe Paula Cooper was way too young to be on death row this is a book that is a real page turner in one I couldn’t put down I was so invested to see if young Paula would get a new sentence and although this job can be very frustrating it’s always due to the outcome of certain situations and not the writing. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. Well as much as you can enjoy True Crime book. I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Matthew 18:21-35
King James Version
“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”

I’m no Bible scholar; some translations of Scripture interpret this response as “seventy-seven.” I was curious about it. The meaning of seven is “completeness” or “fullness.” Apparently, Jesus meant that one should forgive an unlimited number of times.

Seventy Times Seven: A True Story of Murder and Mercy, the title of Ms. Mar’s non-fiction account of the violent death of Ruth Pelke and the decades that followed is apt. How does anyone forgive a horrific crime? When four Black teenage girls entered the Gary, Indiana, home of the 78-year-old white Bible school teacher, intending to rob her, something went terribly wrong. She was stabbed, stabbed repeatedly. Brutally stabbed to death. The four girls were arrested and tried for murder. In each case, the prosecution sought the death penalty. Three of the girls were given long sentences. Only one, Paula Cooper, was sentenced to death row. She was 15 years old. At the time of the murder, there were 30 juveniles on death row nationwide. Since 1945, 75% of minors executed have been Black. There is much in this book that reminded me of Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption.

The judge did not take mitigating circumstances into account. Although Paula received a poor defense, the judge felt he had no choice under Indiana law. Paula was in many ways a victim herself. She had poor parenting and had run away from home numerous times. The prosecutor, Jack Crawford, was out to make a name for himself. Once convicted, Paula went to Indiana Women’s Prison. Fortunately, she soon had allies who began working on her behalf. Among them were, law student Monica Foster, who would stick with her through thick and thin, as would public defender, Bill Touchette, public defender, and his personal assistant Patti Wolter. Eventually, word of Paula’s case spread overseas to Italy. The Italians rejected the death penalty, particularly for teenagers. Anna Guaita, NY- based Italian journalist, first international reporter to write about Paula’s story. Even the Vatican petitioned the governor to commute Paula’s sentence. Paula asked her papal visitors to pray for her. More than anything, she struggled to forgive herself and to forgive her mother for their damaged relationship.


Perhaps the most surprising example of forgiveness was one of the victim’s own family members, her grandson Bill Pelke. He was in the courtroom during the trial, and like the rest of his family, he supported the verdict and sentence. Over time, however, he had a conversion. He truly believed that his grandmother Ruth forgave Paula and that others should forgive her too. He wrote to her in prison, and over time, the two corresponded many, many times. Bill became part of a group, MVFM - murder victim family members who are against capital punishment, who marched and spoke out against capital punishment.

The book is a detailed account of Paula’s years in prison, her legal team’s appeals through the courts, and of other’s actions on her behalf. Paula’s emotional and behavioral ups and downs are documented. We learn of Bill’s growth as he came to realize his “calling” as a Christian and as a person called to help others. There are some details about Paula’s family as well as political figures of the time.

Paula’s story is one of human struggle - overcoming adversity, of hope, growth, despair, love, violence, determination, and tragedy. And forgiveness.

I received a digital copy of Seventy Times Seven as an ARC in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Press, and the author.

4 stars

Passionately written and thoroughly researched. It begs the question how do you define justice? The book will definitely have you thinking could you truly give forgiveness? An all encompassing story, not just about Paula, but the question of the death penalty. Complete with pictures and a detailed (and very interesting) resource list. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

It would be very easy to turn a book like this into a morality play, or a hagiography. After all, the story turns on Christianity: it was Bill Pelke's faith that inspired him to forgive his grandmother's murderer, and the Christian community that rallied behind the campaign to have Paula Cooper's death sentence commuted. But doing so would have done a disservice to everyone involved; it would have flattened the participants in this story into easy-to-digest caricatures instead of fully fledged human beings. Fortunately, Alex Mar isn't interested in doing that.

What he does instead is offer a clear-eyed examination both of who Bill, Paula, and their friends and family were as people, and of the larger social forces that brought them all together. No one in this story is a villain, and nobody is a martyr; they're all complex, flawed people who are the products of the world they were raised in. When telling stories of race and violence and the justice system in America, it's very easy to want to default to easy answers. Mar's goal is to show that they don't exist. He succeeds admirably at it.

I would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I will admit, I had not heard about this tragedy, how this young girl was one the youngest persons ever on death row and how the victim's grandson forgives the girl, against his family's wishes. Raises many questions about forgiveness, the value of a human life and how two people can become friends, despite an act of violence.