FIVE STAR REVIEWS
“Almost Eleven is authentic….Crowson did an excellent job on covering the suspect Pennington’s
life before the crime, the investigation and trial and other interesting
details. This book is worth a read. Well done, Mr. Crowson.”
Sheriff Cois Byrd, Former Sheriff of Riverside County, Murietta, CA. (Sheriff Byrd was a RCSO detective assigned to the Sayers
case in 1965).
"I have read the book. It is very well-written. Many of my friends are reading it.”
Arona Ferris, Holtville, CA (September 7, 2013)
(Mrs. Ferris was on the original jury that found Pennington guilty).
"Mr. Crowson, you have performed an important service by writing this book. You have collected and preserved a piece of Brawley history, much of which would have otherwise been lost, and all of which would have remained scattered. You have shown the participants the whole picture and where we fit in. I can imagine some old codger down the line saying, 'My Brawley roots run deep. My great-grandmother served on the Brenda Sue Sayers jury'. And, thanks to you, being able to prove it. Thank you for writing the book."
J. Perry Langford, Retired Superior Court Judge, San Diego, CA (October 14, 2013)
(Judge Langford served as Pennington's attorney before the State Supreme Court and during the second trial).
“A very well done true crime novel. Crowson does a good job of conveying the atmosphere of a
small California agricultural community in the ‘60s. Excellent read.”
Honorable Judge Jeff Jones,
Superior Court Judge of Imperial County, El Centro, California.
“In 1965, when I was in the 4th grade, Brenda Sue Sayers, my age, but at a different
elementary school was kidnapped, raped, then murdered. That crime changed my
little town. The details filled our newspapers, but as a young child, I remember
only the rumors swirling around my friends and the fear instilled in our
families, our neighborhood, and our schools. Finally, I get
the whole gritty, terrible story. I know why little Brenda said yes to going
with the stranger, that and so many questions that remained in my head all these
years get answered. I could not put the book down.”
Betty A. Miller, The Desert Review,
Imperial Valley, CA
“This book was written about Brenda Sue Sayers and it
took place in the town I live in. I remember what happened to her and knew most
of the people involved except for the murderer. It was well written and the
author is also from here. Job well done.”
Vickie Foster, Brawley, CA
“Definitely a must read.”
Cindy Wright.
“Just finished Almost Eleven. It was fascinating…description of Brawley’s physical and cultural layout is spot
on. Really enjoyed the book!”
Gretchen Seabolt Wendelin.
“It is amazing...factual and well written. Well done!”
Kae Bradford Dessert.
“Captivating!”
Evelyn DuBose.
“Fabulous. It is just great! As sad as the topic is, (Crowson) really nails it with all the
research. All the names and all the historical references brought back so many
memories.”
Mary Frances Fleming.
“Wow! Just finished Almost Eleven.
So well written and I really enjoyed all the history included. It really took me back to 1965.”
Leigh Ryder Leaming.
“It was great!
Read it in a day, couldn’t put it down. Thank you for writing this!”
Peggy Wilson.
“Very interesting. History of our little town. Well done!”
Valerie McWilliams.
“The book was great! Thank you for writing it.”
Carol Catchlow Shinn.
“This is a fascinating, well researched look into the search for the killer of a small girl. I felt like I really got to know the people involved. I was afraid the killer would get away with the murder.”
Barnes and Noble, October 15, 2013
“Good book with all the facts.”
Barnes and Noble, November 4, 2013.
“Intriguing read. This book although sad was a page turner. Had a hard time putting it down. Very well written!! Wonderful author!”
Ann Lindstrom, April 4, 2014.
“Must read. Very well written…..My thoughts and prayers go out to the surviving family members. The killer should have got the death penalty not a second trial.”
Larry, March 28, 2014.
“I read a lot of true crime and I enjoyed this book. …I recommend it.”
Eirefire22, Denver, CO, March 22, 2014.
“Love true crime books this is one of the best. I would suggest it to anyone who likes true crime.”
Lou Pope, February 15, 2014.
“An interesting true crime novel. A fast-paced retelling.”
Bebo76, January 28, 2014
“Almost Eleven is authentic….Crowson did an excellent job on covering the suspect Pennington’s
life before the crime, the investigation and trial and other interesting
details. This book is worth a read. Well done, Mr. Crowson.”
Sheriff Cois Byrd, Former Sheriff of Riverside County, Murietta, CA. (Sheriff Byrd was a RCSO detective assigned to the Sayers
case in 1965).
"I have read the book. It is very well-written. Many of my friends are reading it.”
Arona Ferris, Holtville, CA (September 7, 2013)
(Mrs. Ferris was on the original jury that found Pennington guilty).
"Mr. Crowson, you have performed an important service by writing this book. You have collected and preserved a piece of Brawley history, much of which would have otherwise been lost, and all of which would have remained scattered. You have shown the participants the whole picture and where we fit in. I can imagine some old codger down the line saying, 'My Brawley roots run deep. My great-grandmother served on the Brenda Sue Sayers jury'. And, thanks to you, being able to prove it. Thank you for writing the book."
J. Perry Langford, Retired Superior Court Judge, San Diego, CA (October 14, 2013)
(Judge Langford served as Pennington's attorney before the State Supreme Court and during the second trial).
“A very well done true crime novel. Crowson does a good job of conveying the atmosphere of a
small California agricultural community in the ‘60s. Excellent read.”
Honorable Judge Jeff Jones,
Superior Court Judge of Imperial County, El Centro, California.
“In 1965, when I was in the 4th grade, Brenda Sue Sayers, my age, but at a different
elementary school was kidnapped, raped, then murdered. That crime changed my
little town. The details filled our newspapers, but as a young child, I remember
only the rumors swirling around my friends and the fear instilled in our
families, our neighborhood, and our schools. Finally, I get
the whole gritty, terrible story. I know why little Brenda said yes to going
with the stranger, that and so many questions that remained in my head all these
years get answered. I could not put the book down.”
Betty A. Miller, The Desert Review,
Imperial Valley, CA
“This book was written about Brenda Sue Sayers and it
took place in the town I live in. I remember what happened to her and knew most
of the people involved except for the murderer. It was well written and the
author is also from here. Job well done.”
Vickie Foster, Brawley, CA
“Definitely a must read.”
Cindy Wright.
“Just finished Almost Eleven. It was fascinating…description of Brawley’s physical and cultural layout is spot
on. Really enjoyed the book!”
Gretchen Seabolt Wendelin.
“It is amazing...factual and well written. Well done!”
Kae Bradford Dessert.
“Captivating!”
Evelyn DuBose.
“Fabulous. It is just great! As sad as the topic is, (Crowson) really nails it with all the
research. All the names and all the historical references brought back so many
memories.”
Mary Frances Fleming.
“Wow! Just finished Almost Eleven.
So well written and I really enjoyed all the history included. It really took me back to 1965.”
Leigh Ryder Leaming.
“It was great!
Read it in a day, couldn’t put it down. Thank you for writing this!”
Peggy Wilson.
“Very interesting. History of our little town. Well done!”
Valerie McWilliams.
“The book was great! Thank you for writing it.”
Carol Catchlow Shinn.
“This is a fascinating, well researched look into the search for the killer of a small girl. I felt like I really got to know the people involved. I was afraid the killer would get away with the murder.”
Barnes and Noble, October 15, 2013
“Good book with all the facts.”
Barnes and Noble, November 4, 2013.
“Intriguing read. This book although sad was a page turner. Had a hard time putting it down. Very well written!! Wonderful author!”
Ann Lindstrom, April 4, 2014.
“Must read. Very well written…..My thoughts and prayers go out to the surviving family members. The killer should have got the death penalty not a second trial.”
Larry, March 28, 2014.
“I read a lot of true crime and I enjoyed this book. …I recommend it.”
Eirefire22, Denver, CO, March 22, 2014.
“Love true crime books this is one of the best. I would suggest it to anyone who likes true crime.”
Lou Pope, February 15, 2014.
“An interesting true crime novel. A fast-paced retelling.”
Bebo76, January 28, 2014
