Arts
A masterful true crime account of the Golden State Killer—the elusive serial rapist turned murderer who terrorized California for over a decade—from Michelle McNamara, the gifted journalist who died tragically while investigating the case. "You’ll be silent forever, and I’ll be gone in the dark." 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. At the time of the crimes, the Golden State Killer was between the ages of eighteen and thirty, Caucasian, and athletic—capable of vaulting tall fences. He always wore a mask. After choosing a victim—he favored suburban couples—he often entered their home when no one was there, studying family pictures, mastering the layout. He attacked while they slept, using a flashlight to awaken and blind them. Though they could not recognize him, his victims recalled his voice: a guttural whisper through clenched teeth, abrupt and threatening. 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. Framed by an introduction by Gillian Flynn and an afterword by her husband, Patton Oswalt, the book was completed by Michelle’s lead researcher and a close colleague. Utterly original and compelling, it is destined to become a true crime classic—and may at last unmask the Golden State Killer. give it a'listen We finally delve into some true crime this week--and it brought up a lot of feels. Who knew senseless murder could make people feel anxious?! Anyway, it's a good episode and a good book, so check 'em both out PRETTY PLZ! Mentioned Links Michelle McNama founded the website True Crime Diary, check it out to explore more of her work.Wanna get spooked and hear the voicemail that the EARONS left a victim, which is also the voicemail Ash always seems to wake up to when she leaves her true crime podcasts on at night? Here you go!Ash mentioned that she's woken up to the dulcet tones of the Jonestown Death Tape. If you have a strong stomach and want to listen, here you go, but obviously NSFW and TRIGGER WARNING! For real! You WILL hear the ramblings of a sociopathic cult leader, you WILL hear people dying, and the video has graphic images. Not for the faint of heart!K want something light now? Let's bring it up with When Your Name is Kyle. (Sorry Kyles--but this is accurate and u know itttttt.) Goodreads We'd love to have you join us in opining over on Goodreads. You can find this book: I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer and of course join our discussion group here. Spotify Playlist Ash mixes up playlists for our books - here's a sample for this week. You can check out our Spotify profile for like, all of them if you want to see more.