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Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'
Unmasked: Crime Scenes, Cold Cases and My Hunt for the Golden State Killer by Paul Holes
66 reviews
caseythereader's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
readingtomydogs's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Murder
Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Stalking
Minor: Eating disorder and Alcohol
one_to_fifty_two's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Murder
rocketcityreader's review against another edition
2.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Blood
cait_reads_and_drinks's review against another edition
4.5
QUICK TAKE: A memoir from the detective who found the Golden State Killer detailing his most memorable cases and looking into the many rewards and challenges his career as a cold case detective had on his life.
This book was captivating from the start and read much more like a thriller than a typical non-fiction. The writing was intriguing and honest although this is definitely not for the faint of heart. The crime scene descriptions were written with a lot of detail and were pretty gruesome at times. I had to actively remind myself that what I was reading actually happened, which was a bit unsettling given how literally close to home these crimes took place, but it was such an exciting ride.
I highly recommend this one, especially if you read I'll Be Gone in the Dark and enjoy the show Criminal Minds, and if you're a true crime lover, this is a must read for sure.
Thank you Celadon Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
FINAL THOUGHT: 🙌
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, and Murder
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
4.5
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.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, and Stalking
Moderate: Domestic abuse