Seventy Times Seven

In 1985, a violent home invasion in Gary, Indiana, led to the murder of an elderly Bible teacher by a fifteen-year-old girl. The subsequent death sentence for the teenager, Paula Cooper, ignited a national and international debate. This tragedy, set against a backdrop of racial tension, drew global attention, sparking petitions and even reaching the Vatican.

Alex Mar's "Seventy Times Seven" moves beyond the details of the crime to explore its profound aftermath, focusing on the unexpected act of forgiveness from the victim's grandson, Bill Pelke, who campaigned to spare Cooper's life. This deeply researched narrative delves into fundamental questions of justice, retribution, and the human capacity for mercy and change. It examines what society demands as punishment and the transformative power of empathy, inviting readers to consider the complexities of rehabilitation and the enduring impact of a single act of violence.