Unmasked: My Life Solving America’s Cold Cases by Paul Holes is an unflinching look at the arc of Paul’s career, told in his own voice.
Content Warnings: Graphic descriptions of sexual assault, abuse, murder, wounds, and much more.
Let’s dive in!
My Thoughts on Unmasked: My Life Solving America’s Cold Cases by Paul Holes –
You guys… I listened to this on audio, and OOFH. The audiobook format adds an extra layer of intimacy and weight. I couldn’t stop reacting out loud to things Paul narrated, even while walking crowded aisles at the grocery store, when I had my earbud tucked in, listening to the horrors while side-eyeing absolutely everyone.
While there is, yes, a ton of true crime within these pages, and Paul certainly doesn’t shy away from sharing details, the bulk of the book really focuses on Paul and how he grappled with his career vs. his personal life. The darkness of his cases contrasts in such a unique way with the brutally honest accounts of his personal life. We follow along as the two constantly compete for Paul’s attention and ultimately shape who he is.
I’m a reader who is already emotionally impacted by every true crime story I read… And in this case, it’s hard to say what’s more gut-wrenching: the cases themselves or the life lessons Paul learned along the way. Many moments have lingered long after listening to this one.
Paul’s narration feels so raw and personal. I couldn’t stop thinking about how brave it was to get a book like this out in the public and how difficult it must have been to write down and process. I hope this was a healing process for Paul!
My Final Thoughts on Unmasked: My Life Solving America’s Cold Cases –
This book is much more than just a history of true crime. It’s a deeply human story about cost and consequence that come with such an important career as the one Paul had. It’s a haunting, unforgettable listen.
While not one I would recommend lightly, if you think you can wade into this darkness, this is a must-read.
Thanks for reading!
You all… I went to take a photo of my phone to show off the audiobook cover… and GUESS WHAT I SAW ON MY TRUE CRIME SHELF. Yep. A hardcover copy of this book. It was SO cool to go back and check out the photos that were included in the middle of the book!
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