Center of Attention

A True Crime Memoir

By: Jami Brown Martin

Narrated by: Evan J Smith

In his driver’s license photo, Jason Derek Brown looks like a typical Southern California surfer - tan, with spiky hair, a red hoodie, and an open smile. The photo looks completely out of place on the FBI 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list, where it’s been since December, 8, 2007. For eight of those years, Jason appeared directly beside Osama Bin Laden. Bin Laden is long gone, but Jason is still wanted for armed robbery and murder.

For years, his sister, Jami D. Brown Martin has watched the true crime programs and read the amateur investigative blogs devoted to Jason, his crime, and the efforts to apprehend him knowing the story wasn’t as simple, nor was it just Jason’s. To be the sister, brother, or relative of one of the world’s most wanted men is to live every day with the horrible truth and many consequences of his brutal act.

Center of Attention is the story of a former Mormon missionary-turned-murderer. It is also a riveting look behind the façade of the genetically blessed, seemingly prominent and pious Brown family of Laguna Beach, California. It is a tale of the family patriarch John Brown, who disappeared without a trace 10 years before his son. More importantly, it is the gripping and ultimately hopeful story of the sister of one of the world’s most wanted fugitives and her journey to accept that despite being a product of the same crazy environment as her brother, her life and path are her own.

©2020 Jami D. Brown Martin (P)2021 Jami D. Brown Martin

Compelling storyline

I’m impacted by the multitude of scenarios that take place in this book. It’s crazy to think a person can go through so many adversities and still choose to be a good citizen and help others. This book kept me guessing and even took a few twists I wasn’t expecting. Thank you for sharing your life story.

Important view on real life

I really injoy the book, it’s good to understand how real life happens, thank you so much for sharing your life story. I believe it can be helpful for many people, thank you.

Poor reading - good story

Too many edits not taken out. Repeating of lines and sentences. Makes the book distracting. Story is fascinating and worth the read. Leaves you feeling terrible for and proud of the author for all she’s dealt with. I did not like how she still positions herself as not believing what her brother did. She does not give enough empathy toward the true victim of his crime. The person killed and his family. This lack of empathy toward them put a sour taste in my mouth about the book as a whole. The story is great. The spin is tough to swallow.

Interesting read

I'm not usually into true crime stuff, but this actually kept my scattered brain entertained. I have known people in relationships like that, and it usually ends extremely badly. Thank you Cricket for recommending it to me and for doing great narration. I look forward to more from you.

close to home

Captivating from the 1st chapter. Have suggested to friends and family. Amazing how hidden things can be behind closed doors and how normal things aren't

Jason Brown?

Not as much about Jason or Keith as I’d like to hear of. Mostly relationship issues that she never learned her lesson from. Overall a good read.

Engaging

The story was engaging the narration very clear and brought everything to life.

Overall a good memoir.

Wow- Definitely worth the listen

This story is amazing! The way Jami puts herself out there is really touching. The Narration is well done, she is not over the top and you can feel her emotions in all the right places. It seems there must have been an update because none of the issues with repeated words or long gaps are there anymore.