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I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer
I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer | Michelle McNamara
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Emilymdxn
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Prompt 7 for the #hauntedshelf book scavenger hunt is Dark and there‘s only one book that always makes me think of dark - probably the greatest and most iconic true crime book ever written!

#skeletoncrew

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Leftcoastzen
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#WickedWhispers #Gruesome McNamara was obsessed with this case . So unfair she didn‘t live to see him caught .

Eggs Perfect 👍🏼 2mo
51 likes1 stack add2 comments
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DieAReader
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Pickpick

#Wardens2024 #ReadMyRoom #FabulousFebruary #BookSpinBingo #ReadAway2024

📸: Google Images

🤯All I can say is WOW! I devoured this & absolutely loved it❤️‍🔥 Highly recommended to any true crime reading buffs. The HBO 7 episode📺mini-series (available on Crave & likely other streaming services) is next on my to-do list.

GHABI4ROSES Of course I have a local backstory about this book that is in MY TBR! Have I shared that one, yet?! (edited) 9mo
DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES 🧐😏Not yet! 9mo
TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 9mo
See All 9 Comments
DieAReader @TheAromaofBooks ❤️‍🔥🤓📚 9mo
Andrew65 Excellent 🎉🎉🎉🥰 9mo
Andrew65 @GHABI4ROSES We Need to hear this one. @dieareader 9mo
DieAReader @Andrew65 😏Same! 9mo
CoverToCoverGirl Oh! Didn‘t know it was a series. Might have to check it out. 9mo
DieAReader @CoverToCoverGirl 🤓It‘s based on the book! 9mo
35 likes9 comments
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DieAReader
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TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 9mo
Andrew65 A good read, enjoy 🥳 9mo
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DieAReader @Andrew65 😏Hooked! 9mo
Andrew65 @DieAReader Always good! 9mo
CoverToCoverGirl Such a good read! And I rarely read true crime. 9mo
54 likes7 comments
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Maggie4483
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On my way to an IRL bookclub I found on Meetup and I. am. So. NERVOUS. What if there are a lot of people there? What if there aren‘t a lot of people there? What if I say something dumb? What if I don‘t say anything at all? Where do I sit? How do I human? Gah!!!

Anyway…wish me luck. Or a new personality.

TheKidUpstairs I would be going through the exact same racing thoughts. Others probably are, too! I hope you find a great IRL bookish community 😊 10mo
Bookwormjillk Good luck! 10mo
TheBookHippie Good luck !!‘ 10mo
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Maggie4483 Spoiler alert: I chickened out. 😔 Next time I‘ll have to scope out the parking situation first. 10mo
dabbe You're not alone. I have chickened out of quite a few activities myself as I'm sure a lot of us have. And don't beat yourself up about it. Trust that you had feelings that said stay away, so you stood away. And next time, baby steps. I wish you lived in my city. We could go together! 💜🩶💜 10mo
Billypar I can sympathize! I created a flyer to start a IRL book club and put all this effort into the design. But that was a month or two ago...I keep procrastinating posting it anywhere 😬 10mo
29 likes6 comments
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all_4_kb
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This was recommended to me as a lover of true crime. Shall see how it is.

JenReadsAlot Very good book! 12mo
AshRob22 I just ordered this!! Excited for delivery day lol. ENJOY 😊 12mo
kezzlou85 I found this so interesting. 12mo
69 likes4 comments
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Read4life
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Mehso-so

I listened to this on another road trip. I‘m not a big true crime fan and this may have been different had the author not passed away before its completion.
#20in4 #BookSpinBingo #RushAThon #Scarathlon #TeamCreepinItReal
@Andrew65 @TheAromaofBooks @DieAReader @Clwojick @StayCurious

Andrew65 Excellent 👏👏👏 13mo
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 13mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 13mo
42 likes3 comments
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jlhammar
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#TerrifyingTuesday @WildAlaskaBibliophile

1. I remember feeling pretty creeped out while reading tagged.
2. Threads - 1984 film (TV movie) about the effects of a nuclear holocaust. Just watched it for the first time last year. Really good, but absolutely terrifying. See comments below for link to trailer.
3. Real life/true crime, I guess. People are scary!

TheKidUpstairs I still double check all my locks, doors, and windows before bed because of this book! 13mo
WildAlaskaBibliophile Thank you for playing along @jlhammar! I'm adding both the movie & book to my TB lists! 13mo
33 likes3 comments
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kelli7990
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Day 9 of the #scarathlon photo challenge - Dark

Today, I‘m sharing this book because it has Dark in the title. This book is on my TBR for this readathon. I have the physical book but I will borrow the audiobook from Libby. I‘m not familiar with this case. I‘ve heard good things about this book. This might be a good book to do the Halloween word search on. I haven‘t done the word search yet.

#HHC

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KristiAhlers
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Pickpick

So fun fact I lived in California not far from where the EAR was terrorizing women in NorCal. I watched the documentary on HBO surprised I'd not picked up this book earlier as I may or may not have a true crime addiction. This was so good and detailed. I'm so sad this author didn't have a chance to finish this one let alone be witness to him being caught...let alone be able to write anymore books. #bookspin @thearomaofbooks

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 14mo
47 likes1 comment
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GatheringBooks
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#BookBinge Day 1: Still one of the most riveting #TrueCrime stories I‘ve read. Here‘s my full review: https://wp.me/pDlzr-igY

Eggs Perfect 🖤🖤 1y
31 likes1 comment
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Shawna
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I want to read this one! So sad about the author 💔 1y
Eggs Yes-wasn‘t she young? @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 1y
25 likes2 comments
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jrepka
Panpan

This book was all over the place. The writer did give a lot of detail to the crimes of the Garden State Killer, but as far as the pursuit of finding him and what she did to help the case (if at all) wasn't explained or detailed. I found myself bored... And it's not a boring topic.

It is unfortunate that the author died before the capture of the killer, but I did not like how the book told me she was a great writer (multiple times). I disagree.

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Deblovestoread
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Pickpick

I haven‘t read much true crime since my Ann Rule obsession years ago. This was one of my #Roll100 May numbers, the audio was available on Libby and I was in an organizing mood so it kept me company while I worked in my sewing room. It is a shame that Michelle passed away before she could see her book finished and in print. She was tenacious in keeping people‘s attention on these crimes. 4.5🌟

PuddleJumper 🎉🎉 1y
62 likes1 comment
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Iharmon2025
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I am currently reading Ill be gone in the dark. I like it a lot becasue i like true crime stories like the show Law and Order. it is about the golden state killer on the rapes he did that turned into homicides. Then later the part I am on the Orange countys sherrifs goes on a hunt/investagtion using a DNA. I am on part 2 but this about how Mcnamara starts a blog on this. And she trys to fidn the killer.

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TheRiehlDeal
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Mehso-so

I‘m kind of on the fence with how to feel about this after listening to it. I‘ll be upfront and say I‘m not into true crime, so I only read this because I heard great things about the book and the HBO documentary.
This was a little all over the place in terms of the timeline. I‘m not sure if this was intentional, but I would‘ve preferred a more structured timeline with this one.
It is a shame that Michelle died before the GSK was finally… ⬇️

TheRiehlDeal put behind bars. But as the book stated, she didn‘t want all the spotlight focused on her, even if she were alive today to witness him in prison. 3.25 ⭐️ 12/1/22 2y
37 likes1 comment
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HiMyNames_Alyssa
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Pickpick

True crime lover? This is a fabulous telling of one woman's obsession with the Golden State Killer. Finished by those thaylt worked with and loved her after her untimely death.

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bekakins
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Pickpick

Bingo!! #bookspinbingo this was a very well written, well researched book, and I‘m so glad we ended up with a happy ending (albeit after the book was published)

Leftcoastzen 👏🐶 2y
14 likes1 comment
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DebinHawaii
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#WondrousWednesday

1) The tagged true crime book had me sleeping with lights on & constantly checking my doors & windows. 😱

2) I am in the midst of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches & I‘m really living it. 🪄✨💜 And Garden Spells & its follow up First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen are two magical favorites.

3) Maroons & burgundies & deep dark reds.🍷

Any #Scarathlon TeamMonsterMash peeps who haven‘t played yet? 👻🐈‍⬛🧛🏻🧟‍♀️

JenReadsAlot I picked that book too!! 2y
AmyG That book definitely freaked me out. 2y
Eggs Thanks for playing and sharing 🧡😱🎃 2y
36 likes3 comments
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JenReadsAlot
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KLyn1 I listened to this one a while back - so good!! 2y
26 likes1 comment
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BeckyWithTheGoodBooks
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I hadn‘t heard of the Golden State Killer (and then McNamara‘s untimely death) until several years ago on the My Favorite Murder podcast. I then had the opportunity to hear Patton Oswalt (McNamara‘s widower) speak about getting the book published after her death, which added to my admiration. When an arrest was made two months after the book‘s release, the victory was felt by murderinos everywhere. #scarathlondailyprompts #crime #teamslaughter

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nitalibrarian
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I had 7 Audible credits, so I made a goal of reading at least one audiobook this month. So tonight I started this one. It's been on my to-read list for a while.

brittanyreads This audiobook creeped me out so much 😬😬 it's so good! 2y
23 likes1 comment
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Bookwormjillk
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Looking forward to reading this true crime this month or next #Scarathlon photo prompt #Night

Clwojick This is one of the best true crime books I‘ve ever read! The documentary was fantastic too! 🖤 2y
TheBookHippie Read it in daylight 😂 2y
5feet.of.fury ❤️ so good 2y
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DogMomIrene
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Pickpick

😲🤯🤩 About halfway through this audiobook, I watched the HBO docuseries and that‘s excellent as well. I‘d characterize the first 3 TV episodes as focusing on the material in this book and the last 3 on the capture & conviction of the GSK after Michelle‘s death. So continuing with the book was a must for me because Michelle‘s attention to detail impresses the 💩💩💩 out of me, and I‘m borderline OCD. True crime may be a new favorite genre for me!

Clwojick I loved the book and the docuseries! It was so well done! 🖤 2y
DogMomIrene @Clwojick Yes! Even though her book is truly an unfinished manuscript, the publisher made it work. The only weird audio element was when I was listening to an interview Michelle conducted. Not exactly narrative gold there, but it was a short section. 2y
50 likes2 comments
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FortunateSon
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Mehso-so

This was a bit of a disappointment. I'm convinced it's as popular as it is for 3 reasons: 1) McNamara died before she could finish it, 2) She was married to a celeb who ensured the book got finished and received plenty of publicity, and 3) the killer was caught shortly after the book's release.

If McNamara were still alive, this book probably would never have been a bestseller. She's a talented writer, but this book is kind of a mess.

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jlhammar
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Amazing true crime memoir. The Golden State Killer could definitely be described as evil. Michelle McNamara was a mother, wife and dedicated true crime journalist. Obsessive with her research and investigation and such a great writer. Heartbreaking that she didn‘t live to see the fruits of her labor, but what a legacy.

#Evil #MayMoms
@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Yes, so sad 💔 3y
Jess Did you read Paul Holes Unmasked yet? So good and a great companion to this one. 3y
jlhammar @Jess Just picked-up Unmasked at the library today! That is great to hear. Looking forward to it. 3y
46 likes3 comments
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jackilynn
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Crimes and Cocktails...finally a bookclub I am able to attend. I was the youngest person there but still a good time/discussion was had by all. I can't wait to see what our next book will be.

Bookish.SAM I would LOVE to find a local Crimes and Cocktails bookclub 😍 Right up my alley! Enjoy! 🍸 3y
aa_guer2021 That one is on my shelf. Let me know what you think of it! And for me it would be a mocktail, but still sounds fun! 3y
jackilynn @aa_guer2021 all of us at the book club really enjoyed it. We had quite the discussion. It was a interesting story. 3y
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jackilynn @Bookish.SAM it was a lot of fun. It all started because of my coworkers obsession with true crime. Now she wants to know how "dark" we are willing to go when it comes to book picks so it could be interesting lol 3y
Bookish.SAM Ha! How ‘dark‘ you‘re willing to go?!? That could make for some interesting reads! 3y
jackilynn @Bookish.SAM my thoughts exactly 😂 3y
30 likes6 comments
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Kris10H
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Like many, I have spent many hours of my life watching true crime documentaries, shows, and YouTube channels, and listening to true crime podcasts. This book is McNamara's comprehensive investigation of a monster who raped 50 women, and murdered 13 victims. Good read for true crime fans like myself.

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jackilynn
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Housework is done so now I can relax with some diamond painting and an audiobook. I figured it was about time I started this since the book club will be meeting in April to discuss this book.

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LibraryCin
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Mehso-so

I listened to the audio; that may not have helped keep things straight, but between following the rapist/murderer and his activities, and the author‘s sections that were memoir, it didn‘t help that nothing was in chronological order. There were so many murders and rapes, it was hard to follow. Maybe it would have been easier to read rather than listen to. I was a bit confused for a while trying to figure out who everyone was and where they fit in.

5feet.of.fury I agree, and when they would use all the different names for GSK, I was so confused listening to this. 3y
21 likes1 comment
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Professional_Book_Dragon
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Pickpick

I don‘t read a lot of True Crime but I had a hard time stopping this audio book. I was engrossed in the way it was told.

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Professional_Book_Dragon
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I‘ll be listening to this over this next week in memory of Sharon @sharread from her TBR list. #litsylove #sharreadathon

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🖤🖤🖤 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Let me know how it is!! 3y
46 likes2 comments
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harp_schroeder
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Pickpick

I cannot recommend this book enough. Incredibly well written. I‘ve decided I spoiled myself by making this my first read in my 2022 book challenge - I‘ve read another book since and while it was interesting, it was not to the level of McNamara‘s writing. Thoughtfully organized and intentionally personable, this book is one I couldn‘t put down.

aa_guer2021 That‘s on my TBR! Might go 🆙 after that review! 😊 3y
harp_schroeder @aa_guer2021 I would highly encourage it! I just mailed my copy to a friend this morning because she was ready to read it too :) 3y
17 likes2 comments
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Christy2318
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Pickpick

I think if she had been able to finish it, it would have been 5 ⭐️s for me but since others had to finish it from her notes, it was a bit disjointed. Still a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. I purposefully didn‘t read much when they caught him because I knew I wanted to read this. I googled after I finished & I have questions. It‘s so strange that he just stopped. Now I have to go watch or read something fluffy so I can sleep. #truecrime

Megabooks She died in the middle of completing it I believe. 3y
Cathythoughts Great book ... scary stuff 3y
LoverOfLearning Definitely one of the top 3 creepiest true crime books over read. Gave me the shivers reading it. 3y
45 likes3 comments
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reading_rainbow
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Pickpick

Not bad. It mostly made me frustrated. I hate this man with a passion and I hate how he lived his whole life free and I hate how Michelle devoted so much of her life and didn‘t even get to see the bastard caught. It has also made me nervous at night and grateful for having very loud and unfriendly dogs.

reading_rainbow I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had read it prior to JJD‘s arrest 3y
EvieBee I read it prior and it scared me to death. The not knowing part. Chills. 3y
30 likes2 comments
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reading_rainbow
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Starting a true crime club with my sister 🔪🔫🔎

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BkClubCare
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I listened to this in May 2018; have yet to watch the doco. Posting now to fit the #SerialKiller day for #Scarathlon #PhotoChallenge.

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ChaoticMissAdventures
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#scarathlon #photochallenge #truecrime @Linsy

Boyfriend and I have been watching the documentary for this. I have read the book and listen to a few podcasts, but I am always surprised at how women accept that this is the world we live in and men are utterly dumbfounded.

Chrissyreadit I love your chair- and completely agree. Unfortunately there are women who also turn a blind eye to what is happening to them. It breaks my heart. 3y
24 likes1 comment
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5feet.of.fury
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Pickpick

So good, so tragic.
McNamara, with assists from armchair detectives chronicle the quest for “the EAR” who committed at least 13 murders, 50 rapes, and 120 burglaries across California between 1974 and 1986.

Really good as an audio book. Perfect narration and pacing.

Side note: I noticed a lot of similarities between the Golden State Killer and the killer in Cornwell‘s Postmortem.
#Scarathlon
#TeamSlaughter

Tera66 I need to give this another shot. I just need to suck it up and quit being a scardy cat.🐈‍⬛ 3y
Clwojick The documentary is amazing too! I highly recommend it! 3y
5feet.of.fury @Tera66 def thought every bump in the night was the Golden State Killer last night 🙃 usually stuff like that doesn‘t get to me, but I understand! It‘s worse when it‘s true. 3y
31 likes3 comments
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5feet.of.fury
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After the terrible last listen, decided to start a sure thing on today‘s commute #Scarathlon2021 #TeamSlaughter #truecrime

Tera66 I tried to get through this when I first got sent to work from home and kept getting too freaked out. Can't wait to see what you think, I may try it again. 3y
5feet.of.fury @Tera66 only an hour and a half in but enjoying it so far! 3y
22 likes2 comments
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smalldogs_bigbooks2419
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@TheAromaofBooks I won‘t be done with either of the books I‘m reading now in time to join #bookspinbingo in October, but maybe in November. I‘m just excited to finally understand how it works! I tagged this book because it‘s so far outside of what I usually read, which I think is part of why I‘m excited to read it. It‘s also one of the few books on this list, that I don‘t think I‘ve already posted about at some point. Haha

BookBosomed1 I don‘t understand how bookspin works. Will you explain it to me please? 3y
BookBosomed1 @Megabooks thank you! 3y
See All 6 Comments
TheAromaofBooks Yay!! I will go ahead & tag you with October's numbers & if you decide to read them you totally can!! And that way you will already be in the loop for November, too!! 3y
TheAromaofBooks @BookBosomed1 - I host the #BookSpin challenge so please just let me know if you have any questions!! And if you'd like to join, tag me when you post your list!!! 3y
smalldogs_bigbooks2419 @TheAromaofBooks sounds great! Thank you 😊 Also, the fact that I sort of struggled through writing some of this list, tells me I “need” more books. Haha 3y
36 likes1 stack add6 comments
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jpj7474

The pursuit of this serial killer in CA is interesting. How he escaped detection for so long over the course of so many crimes. But equally as interesting is how McNamara with no background in law enforcement became so engrossed in this pursuit, to the point that it destroyed her. It's an unforgettable story even if you're not heavily into the true crime genre, which I'm not.

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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I haven‘t read this one, but I hear it‘s terrifying 😱💔🖤 Who has read it?

#Death
#ConflictedWorlds

ShelleyBooksie I had to dnf it- it is SO well written that it is terrifying. 3y
JackOBotts It was a phenomenal read…the HBO miniseries documentary is equally intense and remarkable… 3y
wideeyedreader I listened to the audiobook! I wouldn‘t call it terrifying, but I listen to/read quite a bit of true crime so that may be why. A very good read either way! 3y
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Eggs Great choice! But I think it would haunt me bc it‘s true crime not fiction. True crime can be more evil and terrifying than anything you could make up IMHO 3y
AmyG I was a bit scared while reading this. Lock all your doors first. 3y
DGRachel I read it right after I‘d adopted Bailey and she would randomly bark in the night while I was reading it. I was almost convinced someone was living in my attic crawl space. 3y
Dcueto I‘ve read it and enjoyed it! 3y
wisherwishinguponastar I am listening to it. McNamara‘s story integrated with the history of the crimes makes it compelling. 3y
Michael_Gee I recently read it. It‘s very well written! 3y
Prairiegirl_reading I‘m too chicken!!! 3y
EKonrad I read this when it first came out and I still think about it! Terrifying but so well-written. 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @JackOBotts I‘ve watched the first episode 😱 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs I agree… I‘m just looking for something different to pass the time looking at these 4 walls 🤯 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @AmyG and set the alarm!! 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @DGRachel that would scare me! I live in an 88 year old house with lots of creaks!! 😱 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Michael_Gee awesome!! Thank you! 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @EKonrad ok so I‘ll read it next based on everyone‘s input!! 3y
80 likes21 comments
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Ericalambbrown
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Pickpick

This book is so good. It‘s obvious McNamara painstakingly researched the cases. Throughout there are places marked with ‘Editor‘s Note‘ that sadly remind the reader that the author did not survive to see the book published. McNamara was a rare talent - capable of conveying the horror in an oddly sterile manner without sensationalizing and dehumanizing the victims. She never gives into the gore for shock value. Excellent true crime read.

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wideeyedreader
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book is painstakingly researched and incredibly insightful.

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K.Wielechowski
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Pickpick

Follows Michell McNamara‘s years-long hunt for the Golden State Killer.
It was strange listening to the book knowing GSK/EAR/ONS is in prison for his crimes. I kept waiting for his name to pop up but it never did. It‘s so sad that McNamara never got to see him arrested but she played a huge part in keeping the case alive.
Wonderfully written true crime that focuses more on the people than the crimes.