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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
Split focus between Standard Murder Content and Personal Divorce Content, with EAR/ONS sprinkled along to keep you reading but didn't add anything new to the now well-known EAR/ONS discovery. DNF because it seemed like all the other murders focused on really young girls and that's just...not good for my mental health as a mom to a tween girl, thanks!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder
adventurous
hopeful
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
I really liked how this book humanized a name that is familiar to a lot of folks who “follow true crime” in America. If you listen to any of several podcasts, you’ve heard of or from Paul Holes. As the subtitle indicates, he’s been involved in the investigation and solving of several major cases in the US, and has been interviewed countless times over the years, during and after his career as a criminalist. While this book gives context to these stories from his vantage point, it also dims the shimmer of the spotlight and replaces his celebrity (as it were) with his humanity. He pulls back the curtain and shows how the work he did impacted his life, and the people closest to him in his life. He shows readers the warts the spotlight obscures, and at the same time gives a vivid sense that his drive to do what he’s done wasn’t success or promotions or to build a name for himself. Rather, he presents as someone truly motivated by supporting those impacted by these horrific crimes, by giving them the ability to breathe again, because finally the bogeyman is no longer out there in the shadows, but rather locked up forever and no longer a threat. Investigation-heavy for those who prefer it, with a good balance of memoir and autobiographical content for those who want that side of things, too. Definitely recommend.
adventurous
dark
informative
medium-paced
4.5. I am a big fan of Paul Holes and this book did not disappoint. I loved reading about Paul's experiences over the years culminating in the arrest of the Golden State Killer. The book was well-paced. My only gripe is that the audio narration was difficult to listen to. Paul is pretty stiff when reading.
The second book I've read about the terrifying case of the Golden State killer. This one is told more organically as part of Holes' biography. The rawness, meticulousness, and dedication of the investigations he'd done are so compelling and painful. Impossible to put down.
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
For me this was a quick easy-read to occupy my mind and distract me from the daily grind. The book touches on several gruesome crimes and serial killers as well as the nerdy side of crime solving. There will be some familiar stories and people for true crime junkies. The audio version is well narrated, although sometimes there is a little too much information.
The author is very honest about his personal life and shortcomings, does not gloss over his mental health struggles or occasional office politics. His choice for the ending, the last paragraph of the book, is excellent and believable and earns 5 stars from me.
The author is very honest about his personal life and shortcomings, does not gloss over his mental health struggles or occasional office politics. His choice for the ending, the last paragraph of the book, is excellent and believable and earns 5 stars from me.
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
medium-paced