I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer

 

Wow ... this book packs a punch. It's been awhile since I read one this fast. Is "unputdownable" a word? Michelle McNamara should be proud of the work she put into personally investigating and writing about the official investigation of the Golden State Killer before her untimely death. She was fortunate to have people in her life who could finish the book she started in a way that honors her efforts. It's absolutely loaded with details of the GSK's escalating crimes, beginning with prowling and burglary, and evolving into rape and eventually murder in the Southern California area during the 70's and 80's. It manages to be informative about the events, without being gratuitous, as some true crime books are prone to, and even more impressively, puts you in touch with the humanity of all involved parties. It's a pity that we won't hear more from Ms. McNamara. She has an admirable writing style and I have no doubt her future works would have been equally compelling.

★★★★