Testimonials
With his book, The Serpents Among Us, Patrick Crough has provided a priceless resource for anybody who loves kids. Drawing on his 20 years of experience as a major crimes investigator in Upstate NY, Patrick has chronicled some of his most memorable cases. In page after page of this gripping tale, he let's us in on his conversations with some of our culture's most heinous criminals, child molesters. And with each story he takes us deeper into the minds of these depraved predators. Though at times difficult to read, those who persist will be rewarded with the rare ability to recognize the early signs that a “serpent” is in their midst. An ability that took Investigator Crough a lifetime of staring evil right in the eye to acquire. With the wisdom of a street hardened cop and the loving heart of a father softened by the grace of God, Patrick Crough has woven a tale that you are not soon to forget. Nor should you. For his message could save your child from a lifetime of pain and suffering. Or even more, lead you, and the child you love, to an eternity of unspeakable joy! Read it, you can’t afford not to.
David Francisco, MD
I am writing as an accolade of thanks to Investigator Patrick Crough. He has cut through the statistics and theories to bring the reader his first hand experience of almost thirty years in identifying, investigating and arresting child sexual predators. He presents the material in a clear readable manner without the police jargon so often associated with this kind of work.
His obvious goal is to educate and forewarn us: grandparents, parents and single parents of the pervasive danger to our children, from the child sex offender. The information in this book is disturbing but a critically necessary read in today's world.
Investigator Crough's book is written in an anecdotal style, much as you would relate a story to a friend. He identifies specific insidious behaviors and techniques used by the sexual offender to gain access to our children. This provides the reader with situational awareness that we so often overlook ourselves, while we provide the best and the most for our children. Hopefully, this will give his reader a new vigilance as they raise their precious children.
Two other points of significance should be mentioned. First in disturbing detail, Investigator Crough takes his reader through the systematic process these predators go through to achieve their ends. He teaches and explains to victims it was not their fault and they were truly victims of a well thought out plan beyond their control to steal their innocence. There may be some comfort and relief for them with this professional insight based on his empirical experience.
Secondly, it should be noted, throughout his book, Investigator Crough has woven a thread of Christian awareness, with many biblical references. The reader should take great comfort in this perspective, regardless of their affiliation or lack thereof. It appears to this reviewer, that his faith has given him the will and strength to pursue and interact with the lowest of our society. As I read this work, I often asked myself, “How does he do this over and over?" My conclusion was that his faith has provided him motivation, strength and guile to deal with the cunning predators of our children. We are blessed to have this advocate for our children.
I would encourage you to read this book several times so Patrick's message becomes part of your basic parenting mindset. Also, share his knowledge with those you know and love. It has come at a great cost to the victims and their families. Prevention is better than a lifetime of, "I should have!"
James P. Sconfietti,
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice Program Coordinator of Criminal Justice,
Finger Lakes Community College & retired Sergeant, MCSO
Dear Patrick,
Thanks so much for writing The Serpents Among Us. I have 2 young children almost 2 ½ and 2 ½ months. I have one boy, one girl, so your perspective on both genders was helpful. I can’t imagine the line of work you are in and how frustrating it must be not to get a maximum sentence on each offender. You must have the patience of a saint.
I appreciated your honesty about how you became a Christian and it inspired me to think more about which direction to take my (uncertain to this point) spirituality. I was really impressed (beyond any sermon I have heard) with your ability to immerse scripture into your cases/experiences. They are so concrete and black and white that you don’t have to over think it. I really enjoyed how you blended the cases with scripture that was not in your face religion, but true phrases to support your cases.
I can’t tell you the importance your book has had in my parenting. I was always suspect of people before, however now, I am educated on the vulnerabilities of children and the wisdom of a predators. I am able to evaluate certain situations and decide based on risk factors and characteristics of people whether it is a good situation for our family or not and why/why not. I am also facing a preschool decision shortly which I now have good questions to ask. My husband is going to read the book next.
I think you perspective is so valuable and in the book it seems downplayed as not to rival with the academic world. I think that if only we could introduce true life experience to professors then we would be cooking! Thanks again for your wisdom, truth and experience. I don’t think it should be downplayed – your life has improved mine and I wanted you to know how much that means to me/my family. Thanks again! EV
What an awesome blessing you and this book are! Thank you for allowing God to work through you and for sharing your knowledge and experience with parents! This book was lent to me, I am a recent "single mom" and I am grateful for the aweome man who shared this book with me! I pray that I never have to worry about predators, but if I do, I am now much better prepared! Not to mention I am now better equipped ane more knowledgable when talking to my daughter and knowing what to ask about and signs to look for! Thank you! Praise the Lord, I pray that you continue to follow his leading! MG
"I started your book on Sunday and finished it Monday night. WOW!! I understand why you do what you do. I couldn't do it." - JK (Florida)
"Just wanted to let you know, I was talking to a girl about your book. She was talking to me about a guy that lives with her daughter and husband. There were a lot of red flags in her conversation, so I let her take your book and read it...They have a 2 yr. old son and this guy wanted to know why they never let him babysit. HELLO!! Hope they see the flag." - JK
"What a great book! Anyone that has children needs to read this book . Thank you, Patrick, for sharing with us what red flags we should be aware of to recognize the evils of the child predators that are out among us. God has you doing his work to protect his children! Thank you and may you continue to find the love and strength to keep caring on this message for all the childrens' sake. May God continue to bless people like you!" - CC
"I had never met Patrick Crough before. I was having lunch with a friend who is in law enforcement and he recommended that I get the book "Serpents among us". I emailed Patrick and had the book in my hand. As my wife and were reading it together we thought that this book is a must read for our church leaders. I emailed Investigator Crough and ordered some more books to give the them. Two days later we were walking down the canal path and I saw a man with a Millstone Justice shirt on. It turned out this was Patrick the man I have been emailing. We talked for a while and set up a time to pick up the new books. No coincidence! The next day I picked up the books and brought them in to some our church leadership. I had the bag of books in my hand as they were discussing a lay person who wanted to minister with kids. This man had a record in the past of innapropriate behavior with children. I told them it was a real bad idea because of some of his history and I was kind of beat up and called judgmental. Godly men looking for grace and mercy were missing the danger of this man being around children. I was told I was not loving and hypocritical because sin is sin in God's eyes. No coincidence that this very day I had a copy of "Serpents Among Us" in my hand for each of them. I kind of threw the books at them and left (not cool on my part). I had a background check run on this lay person and found way more than enough reasons not to let him around our little ones, 13 arrests. That night each of the men called me and told me they were reading Patrick's book and they humbly apologized to me. They told me they realized that God was using me to try to warn them and they wrote it off as self righteousness. They realized after reading just the first few chapters that this man who wanted to work with our children showed almost all of the predatory behaviors outlined in this amazing book. God used Patrick Crough and his book to help protect sheep that he never met from a dangerous predator. Thank you Patrick"
"Yes I received the book, very quickly I might add. I really appreciate it. What a wonderful gift that you husband is giving, to educate parents on how to protect their children. I have no children of my own but act as like a "second mother" to all my nieces and nephews. I am always looking out for their well being as their parents do and will share this book with as many people as I can. God definitely gives us all a gift to share with others, the time that you and your husband dedicate to this cause is truly a blessing and I am certain that you will be helping many children. My husband is a sergeant for the Monroe County Sheriffs and works in the Monroe County Jail. He see's and deals with these predators and knows first hand that you can't always judge a book by its cover.That is why its so important to educate yourself so that you can identify the "red flags." Thanks and God bless. MM
