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mnboyer's review
5.0
Note: I received a free eARC of this book from WildBlue Press, NetGalley, and the authors in exchange for an honest review. I'm an avid reader of true crime and have read prior works by the Criminology group. This was something I'm grateful I could get my hands on. Thanks to everyone that made an eARC possible.
Criminology is a popular podcast that focuses its seasons on different unsolved cases. The first season focused on the Zodiac killer and season two, which was then adapted into this book, delves into the Golden State Killer (also commonly known as the East Area Rapist, and by several other nicknames because this psycho committed a lot of different crimes in different areas). This book is set up more-so like a transcript of the popular podcast and offers readers a chance to explore the case without having to listen to the podcast. Podcasts are a format that I'm less familiar with, and so I've been excited that WildBlue Press has been willing to transform these oral interviews into a book. I'm convinced that I can read the book faster than I could listen to the podcasts.
What makes Criminology unique is the way in which they give victims voices. They invite those attacked by the GSK (Golden State Killer) to share their experiences. They have invited women that were raped to share their stories. They invite children whose parents were murdered to speak. And this is unique because you get to hear from those directly affected how their lives were changed. It adds a much-needed layer to the story, because understanding the crimes is one thing. Understanding how it still pains the victim is another.
The book also makes sure that even though it can be repetitive at times, they make sure every crime is discussed. One thing that is stated over and over again by women that were raped by the East Area Rapist is the following: He had a very small penis. You'll read this over and over again, and for a moment you might say "Okay, we get it, he had a small penis." Yet I think this repetition is perfect because (1) every victim should have the right to say their story, regardless of if there are repetitive parts (the EAR had a very clear MO) and (2) this sick bastard should have to know how many women continue to call his penis small. Rape is often about power, and if women can continue to take his power away by revealing his penis is pathetic, great.
Another really interesting thing about this book is that while the podcast was airing, DNA definitely linked a suspect to the crimes. Not even a suspect, we're convinced that we know the identity of the EAR/GSK: Joseph James DeAngelo. The book inserts a chapter discussing what is known about DeAngelo, and some of the information is quite shocking. For example, this man was once a police officer--so it really shows how demented a man is (the guy who is supposed to protect women) and even though the cases against him are still pending (the murders; the statute of limitation for the rapes has since run out--which sucks) it is pretty easy to say: I hope he never sees the light of day again.
The podcast was forcing this case back into the spotlight and there were many detectives that never gave this case up. This book is a great example of how continued work on unsolved cases can get results. And of course... DNA is still there, and will eventually track you down.
A great book that delves into everything you need to know about the EAR/GSK in an easy-to-follow timeline. Great writing (and therefore the podcast must be great to listen to) and a wonderful exploration of some truly disturbing crimes. A must-read if you're interested in serial killers, true crime, unsolved mysteries, or want to read an unsolved-case-turns-solved type of book. This book was high on my list of "to read" and I'm definitely not disappointed by it.
I hope WildBlue Press continues to bring Criminology to those that are less into podcasts and would rather curl up with a book.
Criminology is a popular podcast that focuses its seasons on different unsolved cases. The first season focused on the Zodiac killer and season two, which was then adapted into this book, delves into the Golden State Killer (also commonly known as the East Area Rapist, and by several other nicknames because this psycho committed a lot of different crimes in different areas). This book is set up more-so like a transcript of the popular podcast and offers readers a chance to explore the case without having to listen to the podcast. Podcasts are a format that I'm less familiar with, and so I've been excited that WildBlue Press has been willing to transform these oral interviews into a book. I'm convinced that I can read the book faster than I could listen to the podcasts.
What makes Criminology unique is the way in which they give victims voices. They invite those attacked by the GSK (Golden State Killer) to share their experiences. They have invited women that were raped to share their stories. They invite children whose parents were murdered to speak. And this is unique because you get to hear from those directly affected how their lives were changed. It adds a much-needed layer to the story, because understanding the crimes is one thing. Understanding how it still pains the victim is another.
The book also makes sure that even though it can be repetitive at times, they make sure every crime is discussed. One thing that is stated over and over again by women that were raped by the East Area Rapist is the following: He had a very small penis. You'll read this over and over again, and for a moment you might say "Okay, we get it, he had a small penis." Yet I think this repetition is perfect because (1) every victim should have the right to say their story, regardless of if there are repetitive parts (the EAR had a very clear MO) and (2) this sick bastard should have to know how many women continue to call his penis small. Rape is often about power, and if women can continue to take his power away by revealing his penis is pathetic, great.
Another really interesting thing about this book is that while the podcast was airing, DNA definitely linked a suspect to the crimes. Not even a suspect, we're convinced that we know the identity of the EAR/GSK: Joseph James DeAngelo. The book inserts a chapter discussing what is known about DeAngelo, and some of the information is quite shocking. For example, this man was once a police officer--so it really shows how demented a man is (the guy who is supposed to protect women) and even though the cases against him are still pending (the murders; the statute of limitation for the rapes has since run out--which sucks) it is pretty easy to say: I hope he never sees the light of day again.
The podcast was forcing this case back into the spotlight and there were many detectives that never gave this case up. This book is a great example of how continued work on unsolved cases can get results. And of course... DNA is still there, and will eventually track you down.
A great book that delves into everything you need to know about the EAR/GSK in an easy-to-follow timeline. Great writing (and therefore the podcast must be great to listen to) and a wonderful exploration of some truly disturbing crimes. A must-read if you're interested in serial killers, true crime, unsolved mysteries, or want to read an unsolved-case-turns-solved type of book. This book was high on my list of "to read" and I'm definitely not disappointed by it.
I hope WildBlue Press continues to bring Criminology to those that are less into podcasts and would rather curl up with a book.
kellyhager's review
I wish you could've seen my face when I saw this on Netgalley. As you know, I have been...we'll go with "very interested" in this case since I started listening to My Favorite Murder and then read I'll Be Gone in the Dark and THEN when he was caught.
I haven't listened to the Criminology podcast yet, so I don't know how similar that is to this book. On its own merits, though, this book is definitely a must-read. It's more detached than I'll Be Gone in the Dark, and there is new information in this. It also benefits from the fact that we now know who the Golden State Killer is. (Allegedly.)
A lot of the information is the same, granted, but this book has interviews with survivors and investigators (as did I'll Be Gone in the Dark) but it still is a completely different reading experience.
If you have true crime fans to buy presents for, pick this up. Recommended.
I haven't listened to the Criminology podcast yet, so I don't know how similar that is to this book. On its own merits, though, this book is definitely a must-read. It's more detached than I'll Be Gone in the Dark, and there is new information in this. It also benefits from the fact that we now know who the Golden State Killer is. (Allegedly.)
A lot of the information is the same, granted, but this book has interviews with survivors and investigators (as did I'll Be Gone in the Dark) but it still is a completely different reading experience.
If you have true crime fans to buy presents for, pick this up. Recommended.
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