Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope

This shocking case of mistaken identity stunned the country and made national news. Would it destroy a family? Shatter their faith? Push two families into bitterness, resentment, and guilt?

Read this unprecedented story of two traumatized families who describe their ordeal and explore the bond sustaining and uniting them as they deal with their bizarre reversal of life lost and life found.

And join Whitney Cerak, the sole surviving student, as she comes to terms with her new identity, forever altered, yet on the brink of new beginnings.

Mistaken Identity weaves a complex tale of honesty, vulnerability, loss, hope, faith, and love in the face of one of the strangest twists of circumstances imaginable.

Spotlight Reviews
good book (2009-01-06)
Customer Review : 5
This is a great book filled with tears and smiles. A great story; however, if you don't like books that talk about God constantly, I would not recommend it.

Heart-grabbing read (2009-01-06)
Customer Review : 4
I had heard this story and wondered how something so bizarre could have happened. After reading the book, I have a better understanding. The Ceraks didn't identify the body that officials claimed was Whitney. They wanted to remember her as they'd last seen her. Laura's pocketbook was found beside the survivor, and her face was swollen and bruised. As she emerged from the coma, her initial responses to the family certainly indicated she was Laura. She knew family members and friends (the girls did not really know each other). According to the photographs taken at the time she was coming out of the coma, Whitney bore a striking resemblance to Laura.

Still, it's a strange story. I admit, I wanted to read this book because I just didn't believe the Van Ryn family could be so gullible. The more I read, the more I came to admire both families for their love, commitment and faith. I can't imagine this was an easy story to tell, but they do so with an unabashed honesty that refuses to cast blame and points to a loving God.

Excellent Seen On Oprah. Page Turner. (2008-12-29)
Customer Review : 5
This book is a real page turner. When I saw the show on Oprah I could not imagine that a family would not recognize their own child or sister.
When you see how similar the girls are in appearance, you will be amazed!
I think the part that effected me most was when the girl wrote fake parents and Whitney on paper. They thought she was their daughter Laura!
Just imagine how dreadful it was for both families.

Amazing Testament of Faith! (2008-12-17)
Customer Review : 5
This was one of the most amazing books that I have read in my life. It was a true testament of faith! I was inspired by both families. It was so beautiful that the Cerak's were able to relate to the Van Ryn's after discovering that the daughter that they grieved for was still alive. I think that most people would be a little angry, but the Cerak's and the Van Ryn's both showed so much compassion towards each other. I loved that the families shared their intimate prayers. I think that Whitney is an amazing young woman, and cannot even imagine what it would feel like to discover that your family had had a funeral for you. Seeing your own obituary has to be very humbling experience.

are glasses sold in Indiana? (2008-12-17)
Customer Review : 2
Sure the family wanted to believe that their daughter was alive. Maybe she looked as though she surfed a mile on the interstate with only clothing between her and the asphalt. But those people were sharing in a delusion. Or do all girls in IN look the same, The only part that I like was the forgiveness, the reluctance to not sue. These are good people, maybe I'll move there next time I get sued for accidently taking somebody's shopping cart at the market.
Mike Pin from CA