Reviews tagging 'Stalking'

Unmasked: Crime Scenes, Cold Cases and My Hunt for the Golden State Killer by Paul Holes

28 reviews

kaileeh28's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

5.0

Amazing read. If you are into true crime and a dark read, this is the book. Holes gives such a deep insight to his life as an investigator. Would definitely recommend this book!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual assault, Gore, Sexual content, Stalking, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence

cpoole's review against another edition

dark emotional informative mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Stalking

Moderate: Kidnapping

bekah1210's review against another edition

dark informative mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Torture, Rape, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault

Minor: Child death, Death, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, Mental illness, and Child abuse

beccaboo2216's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

A look into the capture and unmasking of The Golden State Killer and the unmasking of cold case investigator Paul Holes. This book details Paul's journey with anxiety, PTSD, and panic attacks in the aftermath of facing some of the worst crime scenes in history.

Cases are described respectfully and from Paul's perspective with facts sprinkled in. I thought it well done.

Still amazed I got to see him speak live last month at his book talk. He even signed my copy of this book!

A well-written story focused on the consequences of reality and of following a career you were designed to fulfill. 4.5 stars (rounded to 4)

This lost half a star for me because I struggled with the writing a bit. The memoir hit all the main points throughout Paul's life and his career but some sections felt rushed, confusing, and seemly popping out of nowhere. I had to read multiple paragraphs over to understand what was happening.

Overall, I recommend this to any true crime fanatics and those who have or are looking to have careers in criminal justice.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Blood, Rape, Sexual violence, Child death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Torture, Stalking, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical trauma

Minor: Alcohol

kkalicky94's review against another edition

dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Stalking, Suicide, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, and Violence

caseythereader's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, Torture, Violence, Confinement, and Death

readingtomydogs's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

Unmasked was such an incredible book that gave wonderful insight into Paul Holes' decades of work as a crime scene investigator. He gave insight into the Golden State Killer case that no one else could provide. I could feel as if I was right there with him, following leads obsessively. His writing style is approachable and not too technical. He effortlessly explained his cases and how they were affecting his marriages and home life as well., rough as it may have been at times. A must-read for anyone interested in true crime and how investigations actually play out. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Child abuse, Murder, Rape, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Violence, Gun violence, Blood, Gore, Kidnapping, and Stalking

Minor: Eating disorder and Alcohol

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.

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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