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Unmasked: Crime Scenes, Cold Cases and My Hunt for the Golden State Killer by Paul Holes
1 review
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Paul Holes is a former investigator for Contra Costa County, California, who retired in 2018 after a career spent investigating some of California’s most notorious crimes and criminals, including helping spearhead the decades-long hunt for the Golden State Killer. Part memoir and part true crime narrative, Unmasked explores Holes’ career and offers extraordinary insight into his mind, his life, and his work.
I was thrilled when Unmasked showed up unexpectedly at my door, and suffice to say I was NOT disappointed! Holes’ work, particularly his time spent hunting the Golden State Killer, is riveting, but it was his surprisingly raw and honest discussions about himself—including his marital strife, mental health challenges, and the toll that a life spent hunting monsters can take on the mind of an investigator—that really drew me in. I didn’t expect such frank conversations on personal topics, and they add a layer of humanity to the work that is particularly striking in a genre that can so easily become depersonalized and sensationalized. Instead of falling into that easy trap, Holes deftly weaves a narrative that is as compassionate and humane as it is gritty and eye-opening.
I will admit I was a bit disappointed that the book focused so much of its attention (75% or so) on the hunt for GSK, as I was equally interested in reading about some of Holes’ other prominent investigations. That said, the focus on GSK also makes Unmasked an exceptional companion to I’LL BE GONE IN THE DARK, and lends a structure to the book that helps it to feel almost novelistic (in the best way).
All in all, I deeply enjoyed this book and highly recommend seeking it out once it releases in April!
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: true crime; gritty memoirs; frank and unflinching personal narratives.
CW: Death; murder; physical and psychological torture; sexual assault/rape; suicidal thoughts and behavior.
Paul Holes is a former investigator for Contra Costa County, California, who retired in 2018 after a career spent investigating some of California’s most notorious crimes and criminals, including helping spearhead the decades-long hunt for the Golden State Killer. Part memoir and part true crime narrative, Unmasked explores Holes’ career and offers extraordinary insight into his mind, his life, and his work.
I was thrilled when Unmasked showed up unexpectedly at my door, and suffice to say I was NOT disappointed! Holes’ work, particularly his time spent hunting the Golden State Killer, is riveting, but it was his surprisingly raw and honest discussions about himself—including his marital strife, mental health challenges, and the toll that a life spent hunting monsters can take on the mind of an investigator—that really drew me in. I didn’t expect such frank conversations on personal topics, and they add a layer of humanity to the work that is particularly striking in a genre that can so easily become depersonalized and sensationalized. Instead of falling into that easy trap, Holes deftly weaves a narrative that is as compassionate and humane as it is gritty and eye-opening.
I will admit I was a bit disappointed that the book focused so much of its attention (75% or so) on the hunt for GSK, as I was equally interested in reading about some of Holes’ other prominent investigations. That said, the focus on GSK also makes Unmasked an exceptional companion to I’LL BE GONE IN THE DARK, and lends a structure to the book that helps it to feel almost novelistic (in the best way).
All in all, I deeply enjoyed this book and highly recommend seeking it out once it releases in April!
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: true crime; gritty memoirs; frank and unflinching personal narratives.
CW: Death; murder; physical and psychological torture; sexual assault/rape; suicidal thoughts and behavior.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Stalking, Blood, Child death, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Child abuse, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Torture
Moderate: Domestic abuse
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