Unmasked: My Life Solving America's Cold Cases

In Unmasked, Paul Holes reflects on his life and distinguished career in criminology, from high school until retirement. Although known best for his identification of the Golden State Killer, Mr. Holes was instrumental in the conviction of many violent criminals, and the closure of a variety of cold cases. He describes his commitment to protect the public and find justice and closure for victims and their families. His near-obsessive dedication, unbreakable determination, thirst for knowledge, and gift for investigation and analytical thinking were instrumental in his work. The forensic science is fascinating, especially the evolution of the use of DNA evidence. Those considering a career in forensics and criminology should read this book, as the author reveals the grisly reality of these violent crimes and the hard work it takes to solve them. He also describes his frustration with how interdepartmental politics often created barriers to cooperation and investigation. Mr. Holes is honest about the toll his career and calling took on his personal life and mental health. Not everyone can handle intense proximity to darkness and evil for such a prolonged time. His work shines light on the support needed for those who work to apprehend and convict violent killers. Unmasked is not for the faint of heart. There are graphic descriptions of the crimes; reading about those committed against children is especially disturbing. Thank you to BookishFirst and Celadon Books for an advance reader copy of this gripping, fascinating and terrifying book. @celadonbooks @paul.holes #unmaskedbook #celadonreads #partner #bookishfirst

I enjoyed my time spent with Paul Holes, "the detective who found the Golden State Killer." In this memoir, he recounts his career investigating cold cases (as well as the impact on his personal life). I was struck by how kind he comes across. Often these sorts of memoirs can have an author who seems arrogant, self-centered, bombastic... instead Holes was almost deferential. I found the text very readable. UNMASKED was cowritten with Robin Gaby Fisher, who shares a Pulitzer for news coverage.

This memoir, by the detective who solved the Golden State Killer case, is about investigating some of America's hardest cold cases and the rewards and tolls it takes on a person. Paul Holes notices that things in his life have been changing. He's drinking more and having nightmares that leave his heart pounding and his sheets wet with sweat. Solving crimes to Paul is more than just putting the pieces of the puzzle together. He can't stand the thought of good people suffering, which drives him to the point of obsession on a case. Looking back on Paul's long career, there is a lot for him to be proud of. He has caught and brought some of the most notorious killers to justice and given closure to the victims and families. But at what cost? Paul has been distant from relationships, fatherhood, and joy because the cases always came first. He asks himself constantly if he made the right choice? Was it worth it? As he stands in the spot where a girl took her last breath and her family is looking for answers, he knows that he will always do his best to get them answers. I really liked reading Unmasked. It was very interesting to see through the eyes of a detective and what all went into solving some of the most notorious cold cases of the country.