Book: Unmasked. My Life Solving America’s Cold Cases
Author: Paul Holes and Robin Gaby Fisher
My Rating: 5 obsessed stars
Hey bookworms! It’s a well known fact about me that I love true crime. I consume it in all it’s forms; books, podcasts, documentaries… I’m not picky. And when I found out my favorite detective turned podcaster had another book out I HAD to find it. I opted for the audiobook because Paul Holes reads it himself, and I already know that I love his voice. It was a nine hour book, and I enjoyed every minute of it!
If you are a fan of true crime, you might know Paul Holes from the Golden State Killer case. He appeared in the HBO series “I’ll be Gone in the Dark” about that same case. He also co-hosted a podcast called The Murder Squad for several years that I was completely obsessed with! (Like made my own sweaters, cups, and stickers – obsessed.) So, to say I was excited about his new book is an understatement. What I got was so much more than a case file on a gruesome crime. It was a look into the life of a man who could not stop seeking justice, and how it affected him mentally and emotionally. Yes, there are details of solving cold cases that are fascinating and had me googling cases I hadn’t heard of, but it also shed a new light on the people who take their responsibility to the justice system very seriously. When a heinous crime is committed, solving the case isn’t a job that just anyone can do. And if it was me seeking justice for my family, I’d want someone like Paul Holes on the job because it’s like he literally can not rest until he has answers.
As far as the audio goes, I love Paul’s voice, so there’s no way I’m not giving it five stars! I typically listen to audiobooks at 1.3x speed, but I couldn’t do it with this one. And even though I knew I could have finished it sooner, I wasn’t even tempted to speed it up because I was fully enjoying it.
I liked that this book covered more than one case. Although he could have written an entire book on the Golden State Killer alone, I was happy to hear about other cases that meant something to him. It was a truly informative look at the process of solving cold cases and how determined one has to be. I also loved how much I learned about the man himself. It’s easy to hero worship someone without thinking about what they’ve been through to get up on the pedestals we place them on.
I recommend this one to any true crime fans, or even if you don’t read true crime books but you watch or listen to it – the audiobook would be a great option for you. Happy reading!
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.