Welcome to Litsy!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I‘ll Be Gone in the Dark really messed me up, but this memoir‘s premise had me ready to hear about GSK again. Holes, the detective who unceasingly worked this case for 24 years, details his processes, wrong turns and right, and how the obsession unraveled his personal life. It‘s not only about GSK, but it‘s the crux. He speaks of his close friendship with Michelle McNamara and her hand in keeping the case forefront. Science is cool!

🎧👟 My boys are at run training again so I‘m walking on the greenway. I was busy taking a pic of the pretty creek when I almost stepped on this fellow! 🐍#audiowalk

5🌟/5🌟

The subtitle here is quite accurate: Holes tells about his life, how he came to be a criminalist, his single-minded focus on his work, and how that focus impacted his personal life. I like the mix here, and he includes a variety of types of cases. I enjoyed this, but be aware he does describe some details of victims that some might find hard to handle.

Reading this one while waiting in the school pickup lane. I'm about 1/3 of the way through and enjoying it so far

From the Prologue, I knew this book was going to be different. It had emotion to it, not just a statement of facts. Holes has dedicated his life to those no longer able to speak, and to those left behind. And this is often times in detriment to himself and his family. He‘s honest, and open. He‘s real about the excitement of tracking down a culprit, but he‘s also explicit, in the dark side of chasing evil.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This didn‘t resonate with me on an emotional level the way I‘ll Be Gone in the Dark did, but it was still imminently satisfying. I‘m always enraged by the pissing contests that take place amongst various law enforcement agencies when I read books like this. How much time and effort could be saved if people weren‘t chasing glory instead of perpetrators? And I appreciated how honest he was about what this work did to his own mental health. 👍🏼

I‘m surprised at myself, but I didn‘t absolutely love this. I liked the discussion about the cases but I really had trouble with how highly Holes thinks of himself 😆
I mean he‘s great and all, but I prefer a bit more of a humble approach most of the time. 😬
I‘m all about the true crime and this was a really quick read with lots of insight from a criminologist‘s perspective. A pick, with a side of slight cringe.

For all the true crime junkies out there; this was stellar.

Remarkably Bright Creature ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Lovers ⭐️⭐️💫

Siren Queen ⭐️⭐️

Within These Wicked Walls ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hold On, But Don‘t Hold Still ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mouth to Mouth ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Unmasked: My Life Solving America‘s Cold Cases ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Boys ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Foundling ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Damage Done ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Everyone In This Room Will Someday Be Dead ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Take Your Breath Away ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Continued in comments

In another time and place I'd love to have Paul's job. His honesty while discussing how he started in his job and the difficulty of separating his personal life from his cases was fascinating to me.

This book is very well written and informative. The cases Paul has worked on are some of the most gruesome of our time. His determination and ability to solve these "unsolvable" cases is amazing.

Those of you who enjoy true crime will love this one.

Poole Boys in the pool with their dad, a High Noon and a book in the shade. The best way to spend Memorial Day weekend. ☀️ 📖 🍍

It‘s a late, lazy Saturday morning, so beside the few chores today (laundry), Paul Holes might be keeping me company. 😆

Lunch at my favorite spot, with a book! 📖 🍰

Busy busy day of gardening, soccer, kids birthday party, and laundry….but snuck in a few minutes of porch reading with the man himself, Paul Holes!
(Beside my peonies!🌸)

Man, the things this guy has seen. Holes shares his experience as a witness to decades of unimaginable tragedy. Dark stuff, but really fascinating to follow his journey from crime lab newbie to gifted and obsessive cold case investigator.

Reading this one right before bed (couldn‘t put it down!) was not a great choice. Did not result in a restful slumber.

By Paul Holes. Subtitle: My Life Solving America‘s Cold Cases. He solved the Golden State Killer case. Really loving it so far. Sitting on my porch with my “reading cat” as my buddy.

Perhaps what made this work so well for me was the memoir aspect. This isn‘t a book about crime written from a neutral outsider, but from the heart of someone who had firsthand experience with each brutal scene. Holes was undeniably affected by these crimes, despite how he learned to cope on the job, and his empathetic nature toward the victims and their loved ones shined through in the narrative.

“Law enforcement is often guilty of placing less of a priority on cases in which the victim‘s death resulted from an illicit activity. But it was simple for me: everyone is someone‘s child. They mattered.”

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.

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-witten story focused on the consequences of reality. 4.5 stars

Read this book in one sitting, now my eyes sting from staring at the pages. Worth it.

What a great experience!

Met author and retired detective Paul Holes who had a hand in helping to solve the cold case of the Golden State Killer.

He had me laughing but at times he gave goose bumps across my spine. The work he has put in to help bring these many victims justice is just outstanding. But all things come with a cost, including mental health, which is what Paul discusses in his memoir.

Just released today! Can't wait to read!

Never been to a live book talk before. So excited!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ one of my best of 2022! This taut, suspenseful what-the-whaa book reads like fiction until you pause to remind yourself: THIS. IS. REAL. 100% REAL, and that‘s why the heeby-jeeby factor runs high. 😳And along with this smack-me-in-the-face reality comes crushing sympathy for the families and friends who lost loved ones in truly terrible ways. How they pick up those pieces is a testament to the human spirit. Full review ScrappyMags.com

This blend of true crime and memoir comes from an investigator who spent over twenty years helping bring killers and criminals to justice. Holes has worked on cases that made national headlines- from Laci Peterson to the Golden State Killer. The latter dominates this book giving insight into the behind-the-scenes in the forensic lab as well as the progression of technology. With a mix of personal and professional details, this is a quick read!

This memoir of the life and career of Paul Holes was amazing for a true crime fan like myself. Laci Peterson, Jaycee Dugard, and of course the Golden State Killer were just a few of the cases discussed. I would have liked a deeper dive into some of the cases but I understand it‘s a memoir and not a true crime documentary! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Excited to read this. I love true crime and Paul Holes is a legend!!!

If you liked Michelle McNamara's l'll Be Gone in the Dark then you will like Unmasked by Paul Holes. The book explores the way that he blended science with his knowledge of human behavior and relationships with law enforcement to solve cold cases. It's a true crime novel for true crime fans. Engaging and a quick read. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Unmasked was a totally engrossing and completely unputdownable book. This is a must read for any fan of true crime books, documentaries and/or podcasts!

With all the cases described in the book, the author is very respectful of how he presents the details and what he describes about the case and the victim. Unmasked is totally engrossing and totally worth a read. Add this one to your TBR list today!

I loved the conversational style of the writing. The cases presented were interesting and I was left wanting more information about them. I was struck by how committed Paul was to his work. Even to the detriment of his family. His job was truly a calling for him.

I received a free copy from Celadon Press in exchange for my honest review.

Surprise ARC in the mail today from Celadon Books. Pretty excited to start this one.

Thank you for the ARC Celadon Press. This looks terrific.