Unmasking a killer

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

by Michelle McNamara

Kindle Edition, 340 pages, Published February 27th 2018 by Harper

Sometimes you need to know the truth. In Michelle McNamara's case she has an obsession to discover who was responsible for at least 12 murders, more than 50 rapes, and over 100 burglaries. The book is drawn together from the unfinished manuscript after her death and her notes. 

The book is compelling for the simple reason the voice of McNamara that comes through as the guides you through the complexities of understanding the timelines of what has happened. 

She builds the world the responsible (as taken from the book to describe the person) is able to walk in, the lack of lighting, the creeks, the suburbs, the houses and you can picture everything vividly. You are able to imagine yourself standing in shadows watching the watcher as they plot out their crimes. 

McNamara helps you understand to the complexities of how hard it was to find the responsible and how easy it was for the responsible to blend in. While she works with the police, McNamara is also able to highlight the failings of the investigations. 

It was fascinating to read all the theories that were followed. How people have scrutinised every facet of the case and came to their own conclusions. McNamara is a wonderful guide as she unpicks the theories and explores new prospects. I loved her balanced approach and determination to jump down numerous rabbit holes and follow the tunnels to a conclusion. 

For me this was an insight into the mind of true-crime writer who treads that fine line of becoming a hindrance to actual investigations and a nuisance to victims but trying to give them a stronger voice over perpetrators of crimes.