SKU: 63560125619

Now They Lay Me Down To Rest Hodgie’s Story

Sale price$57.60 Regular price$64.00
Save 10%

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 12 - Jul 17

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

Now They Lay Me Down To Rest Hodgie’s StoryNew York State Police Investigator Thomas M. Aiken was asked to reopen a 22 year old cold case homicide in August of 1994. It involved a little boy who was abused, beaten, tortured, and starved literally to death. A little boy who never felt the love or protection of a mother in his short life with the fatal strike occurring just before his third birthday. As they began their grueling investigation, they discovered one lie after another by the

New York State Police Investigator Thomas M. Aiken was asked to reopen a 22-year-old cold case homicide in August of 1994. It involved a little boy who was abused, beaten, tortured, and starved literally to death. A little boy who never felt the love or protection of a mother in his short life with the fatal strike occurring just before his third birthday. As they began their grueling investigation, they discovered one lie after another by the professionals that were trusted to protect these children, allowing a murderous monster to walk free for 22 years and horrendously abuse six additional siblings. Until a caring and dedicated prosecutor, tenacious investigators, and world-renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden, put all the broken pieces together and obtained justice for a little boy who no one ever thought anyone would ever care about. All the while during the non-stop gathering of evidence and statements, this book also includes a couple of other chilling homicides that were intertwined during this investigation with all of this adding up to a made for TV movie.

Now They Lay me Down to Rest was written from the perspective of Connie, Tom’s wife and mother of six children, who navigated her way through a 30-year career involving over 100 homicides and 700 horrendous child abuse cases all coming home to her. One case in particular, the story of Hodgie, has always been on their minds and in their hearts. They knew someday they wanted to write a book about this case to bring awareness to help children that are in similar situations. Their goal is to educate police, CPS, doctors, teachers, neighbors, and anyone who is in a position to observe children being abused or hear their cries, and to give them the courage to speak up and take action.

About the Author

Connie and Thomas Aiken have always been a very family-oriented couple but have never lost sight of who they are and their interests. That is what they believe has made their marriage successful as they approach their 38th wedding anniversary. They are both very active people and love planning their family vacations, boating, swimming, and family get-togethers. They have had a very stressful life together as they have navigated Tom’s 30-year career in the New York State Police, as many of these cases came home with him while raising their three sons. They went on to adopt three Asian daughters internationally. That in itself has kept them very busy. After Tom’s 30-year career and retirement, they made a life-changing decision to move south and have absolutely enjoyed every moment of that decision.

Comments from October 4, 2021 Lecture at the University of South Carolina Beaufort:

“The knowledge of the presenter and how he presented it. It was fascinating, horrifying, and enlightening.”

“The most moving and deep presentation I have ever attended…outstanding!!!”

“Unbelievable how evil people can be. True evil in this world…frightening!”

“Extremely informative. The instructor’s work experience. More than I expected. Excellent”

“Totally riveting! Created multitude of emotions! Yes, I cried during the “I Miss You Daddy” video/song. But touched at the passion and dedication to help make a change when evil lives among us! Continued success and bless both of you for your caring and dedication. I look forward to your book! As an aside…makes me angry!”

“Yes, this class has too many WOW factors to adequately recognize here. I gained a high level of appreciation for the focus, determination, and professionalism of our civilian police forces and especially the detectives who work to solve these horrific and unsettling crimes. I have not attended a more interesting (even though the crime was horrific and unsettling) and engaging class. The presenter was fabulous mainly because he was genuine and forthcoming in so many ways.”

“What these officers go through…it is hard to imagine being able to turn if off outside of work.”

Comments from May 2, 2022 Lecture at Clemson University:

“Excellent..!! Want more by these folks.”

“Would love other classes taught by Mr. Aiken.”

This book ships in 7-10 business days.

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 63560125619

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.8 ★★★★★
Based on 1177 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
A
Verified Purchase
Adam Graham
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 4
Spidey SMASHES Hulk
Format: Paperback
This book presents nearly 500 pages of Spidey Comics from 1989-90, Collecting Amazing Spider-man 326-333 and Annual #24, Spectacular Spider-man 158-160 and Annual #10, and Web of Spider-man 59-61 and Annual #6. The big event of this comic ties into the much larger Acts of Vengeance story arc. Several supervillains team together, realizing that they've been losing to the same people for 25-30 years. They come up with the idea of trading and going after each other's enemies, thinking that the heroes will not know how to react. (Apparently, it never occurs to them that they will also not really be able to respond to the heroes techniques.) Because Spidey at that point had three magazines a month, that met he'd be hit with three times the rivals. But after serving the first attack of Graviton, Spidey has an accident that ramps up his powers and makes all attacks on him go very badly for the villain with one villain even getting accidentally killed in the process. I have to admit that there was something wonderfully pleasing about Spidey knocking around the likes of Magneto and the Hulk like they were rag dolls. Seriously, the first nine issues in this book, are Spidey kicking one threat after another as he has power on par with the Silver Surfer. We don't learn until the last issue the real reason for the power and longtime readers had to be scared that this was another alien costume, and in a way it was, but if this was like the symbiote, it was a good force that bestowed the uni-power when it was needed. The whole thing has a pretty satisfying ending. Probably my chief complaint with this book is that the true core of the Cosmic Power ends on page 210, really, AS #329-333 have nothing to do with the Cosmic Powers story and the Annuals are very vaguely related. AS #329 and 330 is a somewhat violent (but not overly so by today's standards) crossover with the Punisher battling drug cartels and a US government plot to smuggle drugs. The story has some serious moments but ends with one of the goofiest concepts in comics ("Cocaine Standard" 'nuff said). Issues #331-333 is solid story of Eddie Brock/Venom escaping prison and it's interesting in its own right. There's a three part story spread across all three annuals in which Spider-man is shrinking. At first in the Amazing Spider-man Annual, it looks like it's because of inhaling Ant Man's shrinking gas but it's not that at all as we find out in the other two annuals. The story is decent enough, though Marvel's decision to make people buy all three annuals back in 1990 was somewhat chintzy, though defensible since the story runs 70 pages. For 70 pages, it was good but not great. However, Marvel actually reprinted everything in the annuals which is a bit of a mixed bag for readers. On one hand, you get the full Annuals with all the extras. On the other, it breaks up the "Spidey's Totally Tiny Adventure Story" and you get a very mixed bag of extras. My thoughts: "The Mercy Bomb"-A story told in part by Spider-man co-creator Steve Ditko. Seemed to have an anti-war message but didn't tie into anything and was just blah. Grade: D "A Time to Choose/The Choice":Whatever can be said for spreading the 70 page Spider-man story across three annuals. There was really no reason to break this story of a reformed Sandman facing a tough choice when he's offered a chance to go back to the old life of crime by the Trapster and the Wizard. It's an okay story but seems a little forced. Grade: C+ "Pete and MJ's New Pad"-After the loss of their condo to an unethical real estate developer, Pete and MJ moved into a new apartment. This special feature took a look at the apartment revealing that it's an average apartment with nothing interesting in it. Grade: D "Amazing Fantasy"- A not so Amazing dream sequence filler. Grade: F "Pale Reflection"- Former Spider-man villain Hobie Brown goes on a job and learns that he can get beat up. Really? Grade: D- "What I Did on My Summer Vacation"-A ten page story featuring juvenile delinquent turned crimefighter Rocket Racer, who'd appear in Spider-man: TAS. An okay but not great story. Grade: B "Sales Day for a Shootout:" Aunt May helps the Punisher kill terrorists. Actually surprised at how positively the Punisher was portrayed in this. Grade: B+ "Eleven Angry Men and One Angry Woman:" This take on Twelve Angry men as Mary Jane as the only hold out on a jury ready to acquit a defendant who claims Spider-man was a thief. There's some humor and a little bit of poignancy. Of course, the wife of Spider-man shouldn't be on this jury but it was a fun story. Grade: A- "Child Star"-One of the weirder stories in here involves a two year old getting the unipower that Spidey had because a couple summoned demons to help play the stock market. Grade: D The book ends with material from the first Trade Paperback printing of the main 9 issue Cosmic story which means that you get to find out the background of the book after it's over. In addition, there's a lot of ongoing plots in this book that were dropped into the middle of because of comic continuity. Joe Robinson is in jail and we really don't know why. Aunt May's friend Nathan is dying but we don't know when she met him or how deep their friendship is. The Black Cat begins to get, well catty, about Peter having married Mary Jane and threatens to break Flash Thompson's (now Peter's best friend) heart out of spite. However, this is just the nature of jumping into an ongoing comic book story. That said, with all the things I've mentioned, I can't bring myself to rate this less than 4 stars. The core material is awesome and so are most of the actual Spidey stories outside of it, despite the uneven nature of the non-Spidey stories. What's particularly pleasing is seeing the Parker-Watson marriage for fans of that relationship that was abandoned with One More Day. It's not a perfect marriage, but it's clear that it's a positive in Peter's life and it's written way that's not glamorized but is appealing. If you can take the book's hiccups, this is a good book for teenagers and adults.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2014
J
Verified Purchase
JT
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
Acts of Vengeance
Format: Kindle
This is one of my favorite storylines and one of my first experiences reading Spidey. Lots of silly nostalgic fun. Seriously, I really enjoyed the villain cross-overs.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2022
J
J. Dollak
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
A redundant, but improved, collection of Spider-Man's cosmic arc.
Format: Paperback
I've put off getting this volume because many of the stories have been printed elsewhere, particularly the McFarlane work. Plus, there was already a trade paperback of the Cosmic Spider-Man arc... But this volume is a worthwhile replacement for those. Ignoring the Cosmic material, which is generally really enjoyable, there are a few other stories collected here. There's a two-issue story of Spider-Man teaming up with the Punisher. Then there's a short two-issue story of Spider-Man against Venom. After that... three annuals, covering Spidey's Totally Tiny Adventure. It's a pretty silly story that guest stars Ant-Man for the first issue. This story is unusual, since it feels like the kind of story I would expect Marvel to publish in the late 60s or 70s. Artwork in annuals usually seems a little sub-par, but it's nice to see these stories reprinted. Even better - the supplemental stories from the annuals are reprinted! We get solo stories for Solo, Sandman, Ant-Man, Prowler, Rocket Racer... I was pleased to find that the Rocket Racer story ties into the Scourge storyline from Captain America! There are other bonus pages, reprinting artwork, introductions from other collections, etc. They even include some of the Spider-Man trading cards from the old Marvel Universe cards! I'd also like to take the opportunity to point out how much I enjoy Erik Larsen's artwork on Spider-Man. He brought his own flavor to Peter and Mary Jane. Supporting cast characters are well-defined. He has a lot of fun with background characters or people who get one or two lines. I read these comics when they first came out, and these reprints are far more enjoyable. The coloring is well matched up, the paper is great, and everything is lined up perfectly.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2015
A
Amazon Customer
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
Reprint
Format: Paperback
They’re about to reprint this book soon
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2019
N
Verified Purchase
Nzne Grfx
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 4
Not full story
Format: Kindle
I thought was going to continue to go more into the what ifbstories when spiderman keeps the enigma force, for the most part of my read I enjoyed that, but dissappointed
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2019

recommand products