Amazon is reportedly selling a children's book that was penned by convicted serial killer Charles Kembo, sparking new discussions about their business practices.
"Parents will more than likely be horrified to find out that the book they either purchased or read to their children was written by a serial killer," Andy Kahan, a crime victim advocate for the City of Houston, told The Huffington Post.
The 372-page book, "The Trinity of Superkidds Book One: Quest for Water," was released by Publish America on Jan. 20, 2010, according to product details on Amazon.com, where it sells for $15.95.
"A desperate empire without water; a world dying from pollution; three fun-loving teens rise to save the day; hyper villains out to stop them," Publish America's description reads. "This is a tribute to water; an epic adventure about the Trinity of Superkidds's daring quest for water to save a magnificent empire. ... Who would have thought a fresh, feisty girl and two athletic, handsome boys would lead the fight against the darkest terrors of the world?"
The author of the book is listed as J. D. Bauer, a pseudonym used by convicted serial killer Kembo, according to the Province. The British Columbia publication cites an interview Kembo had with journalist Julie Burtinshaw, in which he allegedly admitted penning the book.
In June 2010, Kembo was convicted of four counts of first-degree murder by a B.C. Supreme Court jury. Kembo's victims were adults killed between October 2002 and July 2005. Kembo was sentenced to life in prison without parole eligibility for 25 years.
"You are a serial killer," Supreme Court Justice Sunni Stromberg-Stein told Kembo during sentencing, according to the Vancouver Sun.
Kembo allegedly told Burtinshaw the book sold 14,000 copies in the first two weeks. He also said the book had been optioned for a movie by an American studio, the Province reported.
The killer also allegedly told Burtinshaw that he prefers "to write in semi-darkness, alone in the nude."
Neither Publish America, nor Amazon immediately responded to an inquiry about the book.
This is not the first time Amazon has come under fire for selling controversial items. They were previously blasted for selling "Understanding Loved Boys and Boylovers," a book critics claimed encouraged child molestation; "RapeLay," a video game centered on a male protagonist who rapes a mother and her two daughters; and, about this time last year, "The Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure: A Child-Lover's Code of Conduct" -- an e-book that reportedly condoned pedophilia.
The online retailer has bowed to public pressure in the past and Kahan hopes it will take swift action this time.
"Amazon should take the high road and immediately remove this fraudulent book that was written under false pretenses," he said.
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