Week 12 Prompt - I'll Be Gone in the Dark

 

Reader’s Advisory Matrix

Title: I’ll Be Gone in the Dark

Author: Michelle McNamara

Page count: 368

Summary:

Where is the book on the narrative continuum?

The author combines highly narrative moments with periods of fact-based prose.

What is the subject of the book?

Written by former journalist Michelle McNamara who sadly passed in 2016, I’ll Be Gone in the Dark takes readers on a chilling, atmospheric journey of an elusive serial rapist turned murderer, known as the Golden State Killer, who terrorized residents in California for over a decade. The book also focuses on McNamara herself and her unrelenting pursuit to find the truth and bring justice to the many victims and their families while also sharing their stories. It’s a non-fiction true crime that reads like a great thriller.

What type of book is it?

Nonfiction, biographical, true crime

Articulate appeal

a.      What is the pacing of the book?

The pacing of the book is fast-paced and intensifying. McNamara keeps readers on the edge of their seats with each turn of the page, providing an inside look into the mind of a serial killer and rapist who terrorized his victims by stalking them, tapping on windows, hunting them.

b.      Describe the characters of the book.

The novel covers events from the 70s and 80s, nearly 50 years ago. There are a large cast of characters throughout the novel: our author, the rape and murder victims, the investigators, even the true crime bloggers themselves that help McNamara in her quest for the truth.

McNamara is an instantly likeable, courageous, strong female journalist seeking truth and justice for the victims and families of DeAngelo. Her voice is authentic and real throughout the book.

Our villain, DeAngelo, is twisted and unlikeable, flawed. He is dangerous and readers instantly feel uneasiness any time the story comes back to him.

The investigators are believable, brooding, and introspective, as well as likeable though readers often wonder sometimes HOW they missed the evidence right in front of them.

Readers aren’t given much insight into the bloggers themselves as far as characterization goes, but they are painted as sympathetic, snarky, and relatable to a certain extent.    

c.       How does the story feel?

The story is gritty, engaging, and has a journalistic flare, but also reads like a well written, true crime novel. McNamara is compelling in her writing and storytelling.

d.      What is the intent of the author?

The intent of the author, at the time, was to shed light on a cold case, one that had haunted California residents and detectives and local law enforcement for over 50 years and give new perspective to perhaps gain new insight and information. After the capture of DeAngelo, readers are now better able to understand the circumstances that led to his arrest and why it took so long to apprehend him.

e.       What is the focus of the story?

The focus of the story is McNamara’s experience and trial and tribulations when researching the facts about the case and interviewing law enforcement involved as well as the victims, and their families. It’s also about her journey as a writer and how she came to be involved with the case.

f.        Does the language matter?

Language in any story, non-fiction or fiction, matters to keep readers engaged and feeling as if they can relate on some level, or to make them feel something. With McNamara’s story, it’s all the above. The narrative is heavy, dark, and filled with descriptive language that tells in detail many of the crime scenes and victims the way they were found. McNamara uses clear language and gives readers footnotes and definitions for any verbiage they may not understand.

g.      Is the setting important and well described?

When it comes to a topic such as true crime, setting and detail is everything. McNamara describes the landscape of each location as it changes so that readers can visualize where they are in the story.

h.      Are there details, and if so, of what?

McNamara’s story is extremely well-detailed. She provides readers with an accurate account of how DeAngelo committed his crimes, from the weapons he used, to how he dressed, the exact language he used, his actions before and after the crimes, etc. Readers are given the names of each rape and murder victim, and the names of the investigators involved.

i.        Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear?

From the very beginning McNamara provides readers with a map of DeAngelo’s hunting ground, and a timeline of each attack and burglary. Dates, locations, and victims are included. These graphics are extremely useful and clear and necessary for the story.

j.        Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience?

Moments of learning and understanding with a bit of experience. Readers feel as if they are re-living what detectives went through as they came upon each crime scene, the emotions of the victims, and the writer herself as she narrates the details.

Why would a reader enjoy this book? (Rank appeal)

k.      They enjoy true crime.

l.        They are looking for a historically accurate, suspense filled non-fiction read.

m.    Tone, atmospheric, story itself