A good friend recently gave me a copy of I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara. Let’s take a look at it for Book Beginnings on Fridays.
Book Beginnings is a fun meme hosted by Rose City Reader blog. To participate, share the first sentence or so of a novel you are reading and your thoughts about it. When you are finished, add your URL to the Book Beginnings page linked above. Hope to see you there!
I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer*
(*Amazon Affiliate link)
Summary: True crime journalist Michelle McNamara began investigating a serial rapist and killer from the 1970s and 1980s who she called the Golden State Killer. She created a website to talk to others interested in the case. She relentlessly gathered information from police reports, and tracked down and interviewed victims. Finally, she wrote this book about her findings.
Note: Michelle McNamara died shortly after getting the book deal in April 2016. Another writer and her husband finished the book and it was published in February 2018. Two months later, authorities made an arrest in the case.
First Sentence:
That summer I hunted the serial killer at night from my daughter’s playroom.
Discussion:
Michelle McNamara explains how she goes through a normal bedtime routine and when her family is asleep, uses her computer to research the case. On the next page she reveals that the Golden State Killer entered homes of victims beforehand and set the stage prior to the actual attack. The juxtaposition of a safe, comfortable home environment and someone breaking in to commit a violent crime is really powerful.
What do you think? Do you read true crime? Have you heard about this case?
I haven’t read much true crime, but it does fascinate me. Thanks for sharing.
I have to admit that true crime like this one can be more intense than most fiction.
I don’t read much true crime. Though the author didn’t live to see it, I’m glad to know that an arrest was made. I’m curious how much her research played into it. I’m featuring a favorite book from a favorite series today at Girl Who Reads
It will be interesting to see if her research helped move the investigation forward.
I’ve been eagerly awaiting this one, which I had on hold at the library…and yesterday I got it! Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for sharing.
Here’s mine: “MR. FLOOD’S LAST RESORT”
Yay, congratulations for getting it. let’s compare notes.
Did they catch the killer because of this book? Why did the woman die? I think I’d better read this book. My Friday Quotes and review of SPEAK
Anne,
She died of an accidental overdose. It is sad.
This sounds like a fascinating read. True crime isn’t something I read much of, but this one seems super intriguing. Thanks for sharing! Hope you have a great weekend! 🙂
I’m afraid that true crime isn’t something I read much about either, and to be honest, I seldom watch the myriad of true crime programmes to have hit the lesser known cable television channels over the last few years.
I do however, have a couple of friends who seem to know everything there is to know about the latest true crime story and spend their work breaks comparing notes about their latest viewings.
I have read the Goodreads extended premise and to be honest, the details included, sent shivers down my spine – especially this line…
“You’ll be silent forever, and I’ll be gone in the dark.”
Enjoy the book, if indeed that is the right word and have a good weekend 🙂
Yvonne
xx