I'll Be Gone in the Dark - Michelle McNamara

I'll Be Gone in the Dark

By Michelle McNamara

  • Release Date: 2019-02-26
  • Genre: True Crime
Score: 4
4
From 613 Ratings

Description

THE BASIS FOR THE MAJOR 6-PART HBO® DOCUMENTARY SERIES

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR:

Washington Post | Maureen Corrigan, NPR | Paste | Seattle Times | Entertainment Weekly | Esquire | Slate | Buzzfeed | Jezebel | Philadelphia Inquirer | Publishers Weekly | Kirkus Reviews | Library Journal | Bustle 

Winner of the Goodreads Choice Awards for Nonfiction | Anthony Award Winner | SCIBA Book Award Winner | Finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime | Longlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Excellence

The haunting true story of the elusive serial rapist turned murderer who terrorized California during the 70s and 80s, and of the gifted journalist who died tragically while investigating the case—which was solved in April 2018.

The haunting true story of the elusive serial rapist turned murderer who terrorized California during the 70s and 80s, and of the gifted journalist who died tragically while investigating the case—which was solved in April 2018.

Introduction by Gillian Flynn • Afterword by Patton Oswalt

“A brilliant genre-buster.... Propulsive, can’t-stop-now reading.”   —Stephen King

For more than ten years, a mysterious and violent predator committed fifty sexual assaults in Northern California before moving south, where he perpetrated ten sadistic murders. Then he disappeared, eluding capture by multiple police forces and some of the best detectives in the area.

Three decades later, Michelle McNamara, a true crime journalist who created the popular website TrueCrimeDiary.com, was determined to find the violent psychopath she called "the Golden State Killer." Michelle pored over police reports, interviewed victims, and embedded herself in the online communities that were as obsessed with the case as she was.

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark—the masterpiece McNamara was writing at the time of her sudden death—offers an atmospheric snapshot of a moment in American history and a chilling account of a criminal mastermind and the wreckage he left behind. It is also a portrait of a woman’s obsession and her unflagging pursuit of the truth. Utterly original and compelling, it has been hailed as a modern true crime classic—one which fulfilled Michelle's dream: helping unmask the Golden State Killer.

Reviews

  • I’ll Be Gone In The Dark

    4
    By sophie6720
    A gripping read despite the lack of details about the individual crimes themselves. I’m detail oriented so that was a bit disappointing. The book is exquisitely written and makes me wish I could have known Michelle McNamara personally. So bittersweet is the fact that she did not live to see this man she relentlessly pursued be brought to justice.
  • Thrilling book, poor ending

    3
    By behsjs disnsndn
    I really enjoyed the way the first two parts of this book were written. The dedication to detail made me look over my shoulder while I was walking alone and inflicted feelings of being sure to lock my door and close my blinds at night. But I couldn’t help but feel cheated from what should have been a spectacular ending. I understand that sadly Michelle passed away. But I don’t think she would have wanted anyone to publish her book with as much of a disorganized and disappointing ending as this one was. I want to know how Paul Holes felt when they finally discovered who the GSK was. What was Larry Pools reaction to all of this? How did they finally come to discover who he was and where did they find him? Where was he from? These are answers I will never learn from this book and it’s sad to see whoever took it upon themselves to publish this didn’t see that it was worth their while to tie up all the lose ends. With that said, Michelle McNamara was one of the most captivating writers I have found and her ability to not only tell the story with accuracy but include stories with vivid descriptions, made this book worth the while.
  • I’ll Be Gone in the Dark

    5
    By Leelo1
    Excellent story that kept me riveted. I was so engrossed I could hardly put the book down. Very well written and a great read. I highly recommend this true crime shocker.
  • I’ll Be Gone in the Dark

    5
    By ginarita2000
    Incredible, chilling read.
  • Compellling.

    5
    By mfj58
    Amazingly simple storytelling of complex physical and psychological material. The author grips you with her empathy, dedication and obsession and doesn’t let you go as she takes you on a walking tour of a demented psychopath’s unfathomable fantasies and horrific actions.