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If you only read one true crime memoir, make it this one. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Paul Holes himself, and it was powerful. It was rather like reading the diary of a renowned criminologist. By the time I finished, I felt like I knew Holes personally, which I don't remember experiencing from a memoir before. I have to admit that before reading this book and subsequently watching the HBO series, "I'll be Gone in the Dark," I knew little about EARONS/Golden State Killer. I vaguely recalled that DNA profiling/genealogy markers had helped to catch him but that was the extent of it. The actual story is haunting and heartbreaking beyond words.

In Unmasked, Holes covers not only the Golden State Killer, but also his involvement in the Laci/Conner Peterson murders, the Jaycee Dugard kidnapping, and the Joseph Cordova, Jr., serial predator case, which were all fascinating as well. I think what struck me the most though about this book is just how personal it is. Holes is wholly human and wholly vulnerable regarding the fact that his job and his need to catch killers has had a profound impact on his personal life, with his marriages, his children, etc. The impact and closure Holes has given to victims and their families by giving his life to solving cold cases is admirable, but it has come at great personal cost to him. There is much about DNA/SNPs, etc., but even though my eyes wanted to glaze over at times, I am fascinated with Ancestry.com and DNA matches, so I found it more educating than cumbersome.

Fair warning that there are lots of triggers and detailed descriptions of the cases Holes has investigated, but for me, for all the darkness in this book, the light that shines brightly from Holes and others, like Michelle McNamara, was inspiring and uplifting in a way. All the stars.