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Unmasked
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
61 posts | 47 read | 44 to read
From the detective who helped catch the Golden State Killer, a memoir about investigating America's toughest cold cases, and the rewards - and toll - of a life spent solving crime.For a decade, from 1973, The Golden State Killer stalked and murdered Californians in the dead of night, leaving entire communities afraid to turn off the lights. Then he vanished, and the case remained unsolved.In 1994, when cold-case investigator Paul Holes came across the old file, he swore he would unmask GSK and finally give these families closure. Twenty-four years later, Holes fulfilled that promise, identifying 73-year-old Joseph J. DeAngelo. Headlines blasted around the world: one of America's most prolific serial killers had been caught.That case launched Paul's career into the stratosphere, turning him into an icon in the true-crime world. But while many know the story of the capture of GSK, until now, no one has truly known the man behind it all.In UNMASKED, Paul takes us through his memories of a storied career and provides an insider account of some of the most notorious cases in contemporary American history, including Laci Peterson's murder and Jaycee Dugard's kidnapping. But this is also a revelatory profile of a complex man and what makes him tick: the drive to find closure for victims and their loved ones; the inability to walk away from a challenge - even at the expense of his own happiness. This is a story about the gritty truth of crime solving when there are no 'case closed' headlines. It is the story of a man and his commitment to his cases, and to the people who might have otherwise been forgotten.
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review
Amandakay
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Mehso-so

I expected more about his cases.

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Adventures_of_a_French_Reader
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

Interesting book that offers food for thought and breaks some stereotypes about serial killers (notably the one about them being unable to stop). It also shows the real work of the police, the toll this exposure to violence can cause, and unfortunately how bad the judicial system is (petty competition between police forces, the underfunding of the justice system, etc.) It led to an interesting conversation in my book club 📚

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DebinHawaii
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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#AutumnPlease

Going with the #Mask title that I read last year about the detective who found the Golden State Killer. Talks about the cold cases he investigated as well as their impact on his life.

+6 #Scarathlon points for Team #SpookyGhostClub 👻🖤

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 👍🏻 12mo
5feet.of.fury Loved this one 12mo
Eggs Sounds compelling 😳 12mo
40 likes1 stack add3 comments
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kezzlou85
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

This was an interesting read. Its not just about the case but his life as well. It really highlights how all consuming a career like this can be. It's a steady story that comes to an end with the conclusion of the GSK case. It's dark and gory at times but a fascinating read. 4* #Scarathlon #TeamCryptKeepers @LiseWorks

TheBookgeekFrau He was just at my local Barnes and Noble. I was going to go with my daughter but she ended up working late and I had my granddaughter, so.... 13mo
kezzlou85 @TheBookgeekFrau shame you couldn't go but how cool he was nearby. The book was interesting reading. 13mo
35 likes2 comments
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kezzlou85
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Time for another readathon. #20in4. My goal is twenty chapters as I never manage 20 hours. Hoping to get at least one book finished.
@Andrew65

Andrew65 Great to have you with us again, best of luck 😁 13mo
kezzlou85 @Andrew65 thank you. So far today hasn't gone well but hoping for better tomorrow 13mo
Andrew65 @kezzlou85 Tomorrow is always another day. 13mo
32 likes3 comments
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kelli7990
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Mehso-so

Here‘s my review for a book I finished reading this afternoon. I read this for my book club that I started on Fable.

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SconsinBookyBadger
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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My weekend off is all booked 😁 I‘m going the checked out at library route for my Fable books.
With Poe, I‘m only reading “The Fall of the House of Usher” along with What Moves the Dead. These Violent Delights is the book chosen for duology prompt.
⬇️Fable links in the comments⬇️

22 likes2 comments
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kelli7990
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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kelli7990
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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kelli7990
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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I started this book. It‘s really good so far.

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Rissa1
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

A solid read if you like true crime, especially the DNA. #MarchMadness

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AudiobookingWithLeah
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Mehso-so

3⭐
Maybe this wasn‘t the best choice as my very first true crime book. If they‘re all sort of similar to this one, I‘m not sure they‘re for me. Although I have a feeling they are not all like this one.

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abostwick24
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

I enjoyed learning about all of the cases that Paul Holes had been apart of. He had such a profound impact on some many cases and he is one in a million when it comes to solving them. I was amazed by how open and honest he was about his own life and mental health issues! I‘m not sure why but this book just didn‘t click for me. There were points that were very easy to read and others that I was dredging through just to finish it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨(3.5/5)

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K.Wielechowski
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

Paul Holes talks about how he got interested in forensics, some memorable cases and how he got in the path of the Original Night Stalker.
He came on the public scene when he helped connect the dots between cases stretching across multiple counties and finally catch the man who became the Golden State Killer.
Finished 7/27/2022

5feet.of.fury Loved this one! 2y
7 likes1 comment
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DebinHawaii
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

It took me a while to finish but I appreciated Paul Holes account of his cases including the Golden State Killer & his personal account of how his preoccupation in solving cold cases took a toll on his family life & relationships. Having loved I‘ll Be Gone in the Dark, I most enjoyed reading about his working relationship with Michelle McNamara & the other people responsible for bringing the GSK to justice after so many years. Profiling is ⬇️

DebinHawaii …fascinating to me & how they were able to use the DNA in these cases is as interesting as the victims stories are compelling. 2y
63 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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DHill
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Holes narration made this feel a bit disjointed but overall I liked it. I appreciated his honest look at how his work affected his personal life and enjoyed the forensic analysis of each case.

#Scarathlon TeamSlaughter

@Clwojick

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Morr_Books
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

Finished my 2nd book of the 24-hour readathon. Huge trigger warning on this one. I really like Paul Holes and appreciate his drive (verging on obsessive). However, this book is a bit too graphic with details. Sometimes hard to stomach. @DeweysReadathon #readathon #deweyoct #litsylovereads

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5feet.of.fury
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

Loved it. I appreciate so many things about this. But especially Twitter randos tried to downplay Michelle McNamara‘s role in the arrest of GSK and the way Holes recalls their intersections & what she brought to the table, the credit he gives her was just awesome.
He discusses his home life, &I appreciate that he could have shown himself in a better light but was aware of his flaws.

#scarathlon2022 #31by31 #spookoween #teamslaughter

TheSpineView Fantastic 2y
Clwojick Adding to my list! 2y
Catsandbooks Woo! 👻 2y
27 likes3 comments
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5feet.of.fury
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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I‘ll probably finish this today but wanted to give my thoughts so far:
From the other reviews there are some who didn‘t enjoy the personal anecdotes. But I do. I watch a lot of fictional procedurals &think “oh theyd never”, from more common archetypes: choosing work over home life, mental health, work romance to “Paul, why are you at this crime scene, you are the chief of forensics” & using the lab for unsanctioned investigations. Paul would.

23 likes2 comments
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wen4blu
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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I had high hopes for this book, but so far it seems to be more of his personal life and less about the cases he handled.
#currentlyreading.

MyNamesParadise Good to know! I own this one and will get to it eventually! 2y
Christy2318 I was disappointed. He just rambled a lot and it was disjointed IMO. I bailed around 40%. 2y
36 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Christy2318
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Bailedbailed

After reading about Holes in I‘ll Be Gone in the Dark, I had high hopes for this. My library borrow ran out when I was 40% in & I can‘t be bothered to do another hold. It‘s very disjointed with half told anecdotes & I didn‘t care for the tone in which it was told. I don‘t really care about his personal life but if he was going to tell it, he could have done a much better job of it. Very disappointing. #truecrime

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Twainy
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

🎧 I‘m so far behind in my reviews. 😫 The evil that men do sometimes surprises me.

Then there‘s the men that catch the bad guys and all the lives that are damaged in some way along the way.

This was an engaging read. I find CSI & Criminal Minds fascinating so I was bound to like this. Be careful. True life can be gruesome.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

MyNamesParadise I have this one! I just need to read it! 2y
30 likes1 comment
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DebinHawaii
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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#ArtfulAugust

Some #TrueCrime (or true crime-ish & labeled as such on GoodReads) books I have read & found compelling.
The tagged book is one of my current reads.

Eggs Loved Bad Blood 🩸 2y
56 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Hilary427
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

This was a great book! I love a good crime novel, but sometimes, true crime can get a little boring to me. The author injected enough of himself into the book to keep it interesting, while also going over all of the facts of his cold cases.
⭐️: 4/5

26 likes1 stack add
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angel1
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
True crime has always been one of my most intriguing reads and this one did not disappoint...and add in memoir as well just makes for the perfect book! It's so sad to see how these criminals not only effect the life of the victim/families but also the many lives of the detectives, officers, etc.and their families. #truecrime #memoir #celadonbooks

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GinaKButler
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Up next...one of our book club summer picks!

#bookspinbingo

25 likes2 stack adds
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Smartypants
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

A great companion to Michelle McNamara‘s #truecrime book, I‘ll Be Gone In the Dark, the author describes his experience catching criminals during his career, including The EAR that terrorized California. If you are into #truecrime this book is for you!

14 likes1 stack add
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britt_brooke
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I‘ll Be Gone in the Dark really messed me up, but this memoir‘s premise had me ready to hear about GSK again. Holes, the detective who unceasingly worked this case for 24 years, details his processes, wrong turns and right, and how the obsession unraveled his personal life. It‘s not only about GSK, but it‘s the crux. He speaks of his close friendship with Michelle McNamara and her hand in keeping the case forefront. Science is cool!

LeahBergen I‘ve just ordered this one. 👍 2y
ferskner I'm glad this one is doable! I have a copy that I'll get to someday. 2y
britt_brooke @ferskner I‘d love to hear what you think when you do! 2y
See All 9 Comments
britt_brooke @LeahBergen I‘d love to hear what you think! 2y
Cinfhen Science IS cool!!!! 2y
Cathythoughts Stacking 👍🏻 2y
5feet.of.fury Awesome! 2y
MyNamesParadise I have this one! I just need to get around to reading it 2y
britt_brooke @MyNamesParadise Hope you get to it soon! 2y
91 likes1 stack add9 comments
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britt_brooke
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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🎧👟 My boys are at run training again so I‘m walking on the greenway. I was busy taking a pic of the pretty creek when I almost stepped on this fellow! 🐍#audiowalk

Tamra I would definitely let him/her go their own merry way! 😅 (edited) 2y
Kappadeemom No. Nope. No way 2y
JenReadsAlot Nope 2y
See All 14 Comments
tpixie That‘s a big one! 🐍 2y
LeahBergen What species of snake is that? 2y
mrp27 Yikes! 😱 2y
MicheleinPhilly Oh hell no. 2y
britt_brooke @LeahBergen I think it‘s just a harmless water snake. Biggest one I‘ve seen, though! 2y
britt_brooke @Tamra @Kappadeemom @JenReadsAlot @tpixie @mrp27 @MicheleinPhilly I stopped to watch it for a min and it did not care one whit that I was there. Just a harmless water snake, but still startling! 2y
tpixie @britt_brooke what an adventurous day! 2y
LeahBergen I would‘ve stopped to watch him, too! 👍 2y
Suet624 Gah!! 2y
80 likes14 comments
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MysticFaerie
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

5🌟/5🌟

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Hooked_on_books
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

The subtitle here is quite accurate: Holes tells about his life, how he came to be a criminalist, his single-minded focus on his work, and how that focus impacted his personal life. I like the mix here, and he includes a variety of types of cases. I enjoyed this, but be aware he does describe some details of victims that some might find hard to handle.

49 likes3 stack adds
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BookishMadHatter
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Reading this one while waiting in the school pickup lane. I'm about 1/3 of the way through and enjoying it so far

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StellaDz
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

From the Prologue, I knew this book was going to be different. It had emotion to it, not just a statement of facts. Holes has dedicated his life to those no longer able to speak, and to those left behind. And this is often times in detriment to himself and his family. He‘s honest, and open. He‘s real about the excitement of tracking down a culprit, but he‘s also explicit, in the dark side of chasing evil.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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MicheleinPhilly
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

This didn‘t resonate with me on an emotional level the way I‘ll Be Gone in the Dark did, but it was still imminently satisfying. I‘m always enraged by the pissing contests that take place amongst various law enforcement agencies when I read books like this. How much time and effort could be saved if people weren‘t chasing glory instead of perpetrators? And I appreciated how honest he was about what this work did to his own mental health. 👍🏼

LeahBergen I‘m glad this was a pick for you. I‘ll have to pick up a copy soon. 👍 2y
Suet624 Great point about the noncooperation of investigators. So infuriating. 2y
61 likes2 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

I‘m surprised at myself, but I didn‘t absolutely love this. I liked the discussion about the cases but I really had trouble with how highly Holes thinks of himself 😆
I mean he‘s great and all, but I prefer a bit more of a humble approach most of the time. 😬
I‘m all about the true crime and this was a really quick read with lots of insight from a criminologist‘s perspective. A pick, with a side of slight cringe.

vivastory I haven't read this (yet), but for some reason I'm not surprised by the lack of humility 2y
Chelsea.Poole @vivastory maybe it goes with the territory…? 🤷🏼‍♀️ 2y
See All 9 Comments
LeahBergen @Chelsea.Poole @vivastory I felt the very same way about John Douglas. His tone irritated me! 2y
KathyWheeler I wonder if it‘s the writing. My husband and I saw John Douglas speak several years ago and he didn‘t strike us as full of himself in person, but I can see how his books would read that way. (edited) 2y
vivastory @LeahBergen I'm glad to know that it wasn't just me! 2y
vivastory @KathyWheeler That's interesting. I did see his book was co-written, or ghost written, so the tone could have been the fault of the other writerm 2y
vivastory *writer 2y
Chelsea.Poole @KathyWheeler @vivastory @LeahBergen I do agree that maybe the co-writer could have something to do with it. And also, yes I can see that with The Killer Across the Table as well. I am sure,with these types, it‘s a fine line to walk between “hey, I solved these cases” and “I‘m a genius”. lol. 2y
93 likes9 comments
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wallacereads
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

For all the true crime junkies out there; this was stellar.

32 likes1 stack add
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abookishbutterfly
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Remarkably Bright Creature ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Lovers ⭐️⭐️💫

Siren Queen ⭐️⭐️

Within These Wicked Walls ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hold On, But Don‘t Hold Still ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mouth to Mouth ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Unmasked: My Life Solving America‘s Cold Cases ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Boys ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Foundling ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Damage Done ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Everyone In This Room Will Someday Be Dead ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Take Your Breath Away ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Continued in comments

abookishbutterfly
The Plague Stones ⭐️

Found Shadows ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Very Simple Crime ⭐️⭐️⭐️
2y
37 likes1 comment
review
Addison_Reads
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

In another time and place I'd love to have Paul's job. His honesty while discussing how he started in his job and the difficulty of separating his personal life from his cases was fascinating to me.

This book is very well written and informative. The cases Paul has worked on are some of the most gruesome of our time. His determination and ability to solve these "unsolvable" cases is amazing.

Those of you who enjoy true crime will love this one.

51 likes1 stack add
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Chelsea.Poole
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Poole Boys in the pool with their dad, a High Noon and a book in the shade. The best way to spend Memorial Day weekend. ☀️ 📖 🍍

Smartypants Oooo…I had no idea you were into true crime! Enjoy! 2y
Addison_Reads I just finished this one. I'm excited to see what you think about it. 2y
EvieBee I always say I‘m going to take a break from true crime when world events get too stressful…but then I‘m back at it in no time lol! Checking the library for a copy of this now. 2y
See All 10 Comments
Chelsea.Poole @Smartypants oh yeah, possibly my favorite! But I can‘t read only true crime, only about once a month or so. Whats one that sticks out to you? I‘m always up for recs! 2y
Chelsea.Poole @Addison_Reads just finished…review tomorrow hopefully. I liked it…BUT lol. I‘ll tag you 😊 2y
Chelsea.Poole @EvieBee oh I feel that! I read it occasionally; it‘s one of my favorite genres, but I can‘t read too much of it back to back. Did you read this one? 2y
Smartypants @Chelsea.Poole I really liked Chasing the Boogeyman! I‘m hoping one day to get to CrimeCon…Keith Morrison sometimes goes and his voice helps me sleep like a baby! Lol 2y
Chelsea.Poole @Smartypants oh I loveeee Keith!!! Thanks for the Boogeyman rec, I‘ll look into that one! 2y
EvieBee @Chelsea.Poole I did, and the week of publication. It scared the pants off me! 2y
Chelsea.Poole @EvieBee oh me too! 😱 2y
80 likes1 stack add10 comments
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StellaDz
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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It‘s a late, lazy Saturday morning, so beside the few chores today (laundry), Paul Holes might be keeping me company. 😆

18 likes1 stack add
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Chelsea.Poole
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Lunch at my favorite spot, with a book! 📖 🍰

83 likes1 stack add
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Chelsea.Poole
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Busy busy day of gardening, soccer, kids birthday party, and laundry….but snuck in a few minutes of porch reading with the man himself, Paul Holes!
(Beside my peonies!🌸)

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jlhammar
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

Man, the things this guy has seen. Holes shares his experience as a witness to decades of unimaginable tragedy. Dark stuff, but really fascinating to follow his journey from crime lab newbie to gifted and obsessive cold case investigator.

Reading this one right before bed (couldn‘t put it down!) was not a great choice. Did not result in a restful slumber.

LeahBergen On my “to buy” list. 👍 2y
Addison_Reads I have this on hold at the library. Your review makes me even more excited to read it. 2y
jlhammar @Addison_Reads @LeahBergen The prologue has an intentionally noir-ish feel to it that I wasn't sure about, but once I got past that it seemed more authentically his voice and I just got caught up in the story. Definitely worth a read. 2y
49 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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Suzze
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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By Paul Holes. Subtitle: My Life Solving America‘s Cold Cases. He solved the Golden State Killer case. Really loving it so far. Sitting on my porch with my “reading cat” as my buddy.

StellaDz This is up next for me!! 2y
Suzze @StellaDz so interesting! 2y
36 likes2 comments
review
abookishbutterfly
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

Perhaps what made this work so well for me was the memoir aspect. This isn‘t a book about crime written from a neutral outsider, but from the heart of someone who had firsthand experience with each brutal scene. Holes was undeniably affected by these crimes, despite how he learned to cope on the job, and his empathetic nature toward the victims and their loved ones shined through in the narrative.

TieDyeDude 😍 Love the bat plush! Sounds like an emotionally draining book 2y
abookishbutterfly @TieDyeDude Thanks! It was definitely a tough one! 2y
55 likes3 comments
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abookishbutterfly
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES

“Law enforcement is often guilty of placing less of a priority on cases in which the victim‘s death resulted from an illicit activity. But it was simple for me: everyone is someone‘s child. They mattered.”

MyNamesParadise I recently got this book and will get around to reading it eventually! 2y
25 likes1 comment
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LoverOfLearning
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

A look into the capture and unmasking of The Golden State Killer and the unmasking of cold case investigator Paul Holes. This book details Paul's journey with anxiety, PTSD, and panic attacks in the aftermath of facing some of the worst crime scenes in history.

Still amazed I got to see him speak live last month at his book talk. He even signed my copy of this book!

A well-witten story focused on the consequences of reality. 4.5 stars

59 likes1 stack add
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MonicaLoves2Read
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Pickpick

Enjoyed! A heavy read to me. I got a glimpse at what victims and families of violent crimes go through, (really anyone who has gone through any crime), as well as homicide detectives and CSI's. If you like True Crime, mysteries or even police procedurals, I think you would like this book☺️

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IndieNorth
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES
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Read this book in one sitting, now my eyes sting from staring at the pages. Worth it.

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MonicaLoves2Read
Unmasked: Memoir | PAUL. HOLES

Starting this tonight. A friend from Instagram sent it to me. She posted about it and I told her I was waiting on the library to get, so she sent it to me ❤️