Perfectly Executed

By Jenna Jackson and Peter Van Sant

THEY WERE YOUNG. THEY WERE SMART -- OFTEN TO THE POINT OF ARROGANCE. BUT WERE THEY KILLERS? Investigative correspondent Peter Van Sant draws on penetrating interviews and extensive research to unravel a controversial case from TV's 48 Hours Mystery -- the two gifted college students charged with murdering one of their families in cold blood. Bellevue, Washington: Early on a serene summer evening, neighbors heard a muffled commotion from inside the home of a quiet Muslim family, newcomers to the wealthy Seattle suburb. It wasn't until well after midnight that Atif Rafay and his best friend, Sebastian Burns, entered the Rafay house to find Atif's parents fatally bludgeoned, and his sister clinging to life. Despite airtight alibis and a dearth of evidence, the boys quickly emerged as suspects -- and sealed their fate when they headed to Canada. After a six-year extradition battle that went all the way to Canada's Supreme Court, they were returned to the U.S. -- in a twisting case involving an elaborate sting operation; a damaging screenplay; a shattering surprise witness; and the shocking discovery of one of the boys having sex with his female attorney in prison. Were Atif Rafay and Sebastian Burns falsely accused? Or was this unspeakable crime PERFECTLY EXECUTED?

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 141654531X
• ISBN13: 9781416545316
• Release Date: August 2007
• Publisher: Pocket Star
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.1" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

True Life is Stranger Than Fiction

"Pefectly Executed" is one of the most fascinating true-life crime drama reads. 48 Hours Mystery correspondent Peter Van Sant and producer Jenna Jackson did an amazing job weaving details from the show into a mystery that's almost hard to believe is true. The behind-the-scenes look at the alibis and excuses of the two teens who thought they were smarter than everyone else provides an awful insight into human nature. I don't know what is worse--the arrogance of Sebastian Burns or the passive, matter-of-fact manner of Atif Rafay (who's mother, father and sister were murdered). The sting operation was brilliant (and could be a movie itself) and captures the two on tape laughing about the murders, which is horrifying. I think the jury had no choice.

A great book for fans of the tv show

If you enjoy the 48 Hours Mystery television show, you will not be disappointed by Perfectly Executed. I had never seen the episode that dealt with this case, so for me it had an extra level of interest. It is a very "fast read", and the way that it was written certainly encourages that. In particular, the short chapters allow you to read in short spurts that keep you wanting to know more of the story. It's a fascinating case with many plot twists and interesting characters. It does drag just a bit in the middle of the book dealing with the undercover operations. Sometimes, I find that non-fiction books try to pack in too much information, and inevitably not everything is as compelling as fiction can be. That being the only flaw in this book, I highly recommend this story to fans of true crime.

Nobody could put this down!

A story of privileged boys who thought they deserved more. Everyone who has read my copy of this book could not stop until they were finished! Peter Van Sant and Jenna Jackson left no stone unturned in the investigative writing of this story. The two hour broadcast of "48 Hours Mystery" did not include one of the more telling (to me) aspects of Sebastian Burns and Atif Rafay's personalities- their successful attempts to terrify and threaten their next-door neighbors. Kudos to the investigators, the RCMP and prosecutors for putting the boys who were "smarter than most of the world" right where they deserve to be!

TRUE CRIME WORTH READING!!!

I have been looking for a good true crime book for a while now...too much garbage out there. This book will keep you wanting to stay up late into the evening just to learn every last detail the book has to offer. Well-written and intriguing, this is one not to miss!!!

VanZant and Jackson: Master Storytellers, Esteemed Journalists...

This true crime book is most definitely "Perfectly Executed"...Jackson and Van Zant's accurate coverage, presence at the trial and flawless approach to re-telling the straight facts makes the reader feel as if they were actually present in the courtroom....I couldn't put this intense page-turner down...Van Zant and Jackson's talents are limitless...I can't wait to read their next book!