I'Ll Be Gone In The Dark: One Woman'S Obsessive Search For The Golden State Killer By Michelle Mcnamara
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Web ID: 8513690Good investigating
The story of the hunt for the EAR who then turned to murder when he left the San Francisco area and went south. Michelle McNamara, a podcaster, delves into the case from the crimes to the investigation. She talks with the detectives involved with the case. She dubs this man the Golden State Killer. Unfortunately, she died before the case was solved. This was a different look at crime. Ms. McNamara followed clues during her bouts of insomnia. She followed leads and let detectives know what she learned or surmised. This is well written. While the majority of the book is what Ms. McNamara wrote, there are parts her assistants wrote from her notes or podcast or newspaper articles. I felt bad that she died before the killer was caught. She left a letter to the killer at the end of the book. It is a very heartfelt letter on what he did. This is worth the read.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great first true crime read
I started reading this book after the My Favorite Murder podcast recommended it. Michelle's writing is beautiful and extremely detailed. Her relentless search and dedication is very apparent in her writing. This was my first true crime read and it was a great intro into this genre.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Engrossing Read
I was captivated by the story behind Michelle McNamara's search for the Golden State Killer. I watched documentaries and read other stories concerning the reign of terror perpetrated by an unknown serial rapist/murderer and the victims left in his wake. However, none of them prepared me for the writing style of McNamara, a writer, wife, mother and amateur sleuth. McNamara was the author of a series of articles for Los Angeles magazine that detailed her efforts to unmask the Golden State Killer (aka EARONS). This required hours upon hours of research, delving into old case files that had been largely abandoned over the decades, drudging up difficult memories from survivors still waiting for justice. McNamara also blogged on True Crime Diary, her website where she discussed cold cases with a throng of followers from all over the United States. This book has three distinct parts: 1- Michelle's writings collected from Los Angeles magazine and put together for this book 2- Pieces and parts of writings found and sifted through after Michelles untimely death at the age of 46 and 3- Conclusion of the book with a reflection from her friends, fellow crime fighters and husband, Patton Oswald. I read a LOT of reviews for this book before jumping in, and I cannot reconcile the reviews with the book I read. I enjoyed Michelle's writing style and her commitment to compassion for the victims and their families. She shares a bit of memoir in the middle of discussion of the GSK's lengthy criminal history, but it is a welcome respite to take the reader's mind off of all the tragedy found therein. I liked the flow of the book and could definitely tell which portions were written by Michelle and those who continued writing after her passing. This is a book of not only the challenges of fighting a criminal who had baffled detectives for years, but one of a woman who had such a rugged devotion to bringing this criminal to justice that it did push her over the edge. The personal details within the book did also remind me as a wife and mother of the cost that having a dedication to things other than my family both fulfills and takes away. There's a LOT to unpack here if you're a conscientious reader. Sadly, Michelle did not know that her work helped put together the final pieces so the GSK, Joseph James DeAngelo, was never free to walk the streets again. Her research was instrumental to solving the case and helped bring some satisfaction to the reader of "I'll Be Gone in The Dark." Unfortunately, I think the book *needs* to have this closing information listed in the book, as the courts have since returned a verdict in 2020. If you're an HBO viewer (or have On Demand), you can also catch the series about this, although it feels a bit more superficial than the book. It was interesting to hear from the real cops and crime solvers and place a face to a name, though. I much preferred the book to the series. My advice: try not to read this at night--for obvious reasons--and read it for yourself. You will end the book both saddened by the loss of McNamara and thankful for her strong commitment to justice for the victims. TW: There IS difficult material from crime scenes recounted, references to sexual violence and some language throughout.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Exceptional Investigative Writing
McNamara's vivid perspective on the Golden State Killer pulls you into her mind as she tries to unravel this mystery. She doesn't glorify the horror but leaves you feeling like you are there. Her writing is fantastic - I just wish she could have had the chance to finish it. I think they did a good job filling in the pieces even if the story wasn't complete when they wrote it. If you're wondering if you should just watch the TV series instead - don't - read this first then watch - they are quite different but complement each other and help round out the story. Don't read late at night by yourself!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Hard to Read!
I was recommended this book from a friend and was taken aback by how it was not in chronological order by year. This made for a super confusing and frustrating read (specially for someone with OCD). It had some good information, but wouldn't reccomend unless you enjoy going back to the beginning map after every chapter.....
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
An Incomplete Masterpiece
Michelle McNamara has written a poignant and insightful true crime narrative. By now, her legend is well known—she waged a years-long crusade to investigate a little-known serial killer and almost single-handedly ensured that the case of the Golden State Killer garnered enough attention to eventually be solved and the perpetrator brought to justice. McNamara herself, sadly, did not live to see a resolution to the case. She passed away two years before the killer’s arrest. Nor did she live to see her book published. It was, in fact, unfinished at the time of her death. The first 75% or so of the book is her writing, some of it pieced together by editors and colleagues—the remainder of the book, written by two of her collaborators, follows the story after her death, and the contrast between their prose style and hers is quite evident. Nevertheless, this is a captivating text that evokes fear, horror, indignation, and empathy. If you’re a fan of true crime, you’ll devour it. If you’re not of a fan, give it a try anyway—this might be the text that converts you.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com