“It’s a hazard of my investigative process, putting myself in the rold of the killer.  After spending so much time in East Area Rapist’s head (now known as the Golden State Killer), I had an unsettling thought: what if I got stuck there?”

 

Part true crime, part memoir, Unmasked is a raw and immersive insider account of some of the most notorious cases of our lifetime and the investigator that solved them.  

 

From combing through crime scenes to bureaucratic restraints to constantly changing DNA technology, Holes details the inner workings of his job with a depth that fascinates.  He was known to foster a combination of science, art, and instinct to prove or disprove theories, often capitalizing on ancillary observation which accumulated as small victories that led to bigger wins.  But not every monster could be unmasked.  Even after following every painstaking lead, some cases came up empty.  

 

Holes investigated many noteworthy high profile cases, including Jaycee Duggard and Laci Peterson.  But his name is most synonymous with catching the Golden State Killer.  After more than 2 decades of research, Holes persistence combined with new DNA technology helped him bring down his most challenging and complex criminal. 

 

But it was the portrait he painted of himself that was most revelatory.  He describes homicide work as, “survival of the fittest.”  Obsessive to the point of getting lost in his work, Holes could interpret evidence but not his own feelings, and this necessity to solve cases consumed his whole life and eroded family relationships.  

 

True crime readily profiles a murderer’s psyche.  But it isn’t common to do so of the investigator, making this book both unique and riveting.  And while investigative work is one of the highest callings, it’s apparent through Holes’ career that much collateral damage is left in its wake.   

 

Which has made me wonder… Are those that bring criminals to justice in fact the actual last victim? 

 

If you are a fan of true crime, this one is gold.  

    

Thank you to @paul.holes and @celadonbooks for this #gifted copy to read and review.