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  • Unmasked

  • Crime Scenes, Cold Cases and My Hunt for the Golden State Killer
  • By: Paul Holes
  • Narrated by: Paul Holes
  • Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (293 ratings)

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Unmasked

By: Paul Holes
Narrated by: Paul Holes
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Summary

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.

©2022 Paul Holes (P)2022 Headline Publishing Group Ltd
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What listeners say about Unmasked

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Incredible book!

His narration is excellent and the content is fascinating. The only disappointment was coming to the end of it!

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Couldn't stop listening.

I've listened to previous Paul Holes & Jim Clemente podcasts but this one was far more personalised. It details Holes personal life alongside his hunt for the Golden State Killer. With that in mind it IS very moving and at times upsetting but Holes manages to show respect to the victims and families and is never sensationalist about the cases he discusses. Holes shows weaknesses and strengths and it really is an interesting read. The narration is a little awkward at first but he soon gets into the swing of things. One needs to remember that narration was never his job. Thank goodness he was a better investigator!

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Fascinating Career

I came to this book after having listened to the Podcast Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson. She and Paul dissect historical cold cases together and they are both such likeable characters! Paul’s insights are always fascinating and it’s been sonInteresting to learn more about his career; the science and the personal cost. It takes a very unique person to take on this kind of work and this book may not be suitable for everyone as much of this is very traumatic and Paul displays real compassion for the the victims and families.

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Absolutely gripping and visceral

Superb story of a man so committed to justice for those who suffer unspeakable crimes and fear. Wonderful work to snare GSK and finally bring some closure to the very many victims. The narration from Paul is excellent and adds do much knowing it is his real true lived experience. Thank you for sharing your career and the punishing impact it has had on you and your family.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Detailed and fascinating.

I am a fan of Mr Holes since, Evil has a name. This book did not disappoint, but Paul desensitisation to the most horrible crimes is quiet harrowing. There is a lot of trauma. An observation not a criticism.

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Still hot for Holes

What an amazing career, and personal insight into the life of a criminalist
Thoroughly enjoyable listen

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Fantastic

I listen to Paul’s podcast with Billy - couldn’t wait for this book to come out - fantastic as expected!

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A surprisingly emotional book

Paul himself reads it, I can’t imagine it being read by anyone else. He speaks about his career and the crimes he witnessed with such sadness and empathy. Before reading this I thought what most people in his life thought… That being a detective/FBI agent etc made you heartless. It is, in-fact the complete opposite.

This book is the perfect mixture of true crime and his personal life.

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Insightful and interesting

An honest and insightful account of Paul Holes career and life. It covers many cases he worked on , not just GSK.

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Great listen for lovers of true crime

A fascinating audiobook which I couldn’t stop listening to. A great but also sad insight into the life of someone who put everything into solving these cases as well as the grizzly details that you’re expecting

Paul Holes is great at solving crimes and many other things, one thing he is not great at is narration. Testament to his life story that this is still difficult to stop listening to in spite of the very poor delivery. Ironic that in one passage he gets frustrated that his wife thinks he is unemotional and exclaims that he is “not a robot” but sounds exactly like a robot - couldn’t help but take his wife’s side on that

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