Book: Chase Darkness With Me
Author: Billy Jensen
My Rating: 5 Stars for Justice
Hey bookworms! Y’all know I love true crime, and I have mentioned this book in previous book lists, but I think it’s time I give it a full raving review. Billy Jensen is a true-crime journalist and co-host of two of my very favorite podcasts. So, when I found his book I could not pass it up. Chase Darkness With Me is an inside look at how a journalist got fed up with murderers getting away and decided to start solving crimes himself.
If you know anything about true crime, then you may be familiar with cases that Billy has had involvement with in some capacity. From The Allenstown Four, to the Golden State Killer. If the case is unsolved, Billy Jensen is seeking justice. And the man is relentless. It’s interesting to me, that he would write a true-crime novel, that really felt a bit like a memoir. This book is as much about what shaped Billy into becoming a tenacious investigator as it is about the actual cases that he’s covered over the last two decades. Somehow, this story of a man standing up for victims is simultaneously a tribute to his father, and a testament of his passion to find justice for cases that never garnered national attention. It’s not something you typically find in this genre.
I love that he honestly described his feelings about approaching victims’ families, or even suspected murderers while trying to get a story. He writes what I would call his “origin story moment” so vividly that I could feel hints of his indignation while reading it. It doesn’t make the work of an investigative journalist sound sexy. It makes it seem like a lot of uncomfortable, thankless, hard work that only sometimes pays off. By the end of the book it almost reads like a how-to manual for anyone else that wants to solve a murder.
If you’re a fan of true-crime, I highly recommend this book. I was hooked from the very beginning. Even though not every case mentioned in the book is solved (YET), it is still a very satisfying read that leaves me believing that justice will be served!
Krystle Goodman is a crazy cat lady, who loves to drink exorbitant amounts of coffee, and read a shocking amount of books. She lives in Benton with her husband Josh, her son Roman, and their two cats Roxanne and Abby. When she isn’t reading, you’ll find her cooking, painting, or watching true crime shows. Watch for Krystle’s book reviews every other Friday. Send fanmail to: [email protected]
See more of Krystle’s reviews at www.mysaline.com/krystle.