I Know Who You Are: How an Amateur Sleuth Unmasked the Golden State Killer and Changed Crime Fighting Forever by Barbara Rae-Venter
Nonfiction
What it’s about: Nearly every week, there’s a news story about a decades-old murder that’s been solved using genetic genealogy. Barbara Rae-Venter gives us a suspenseful, behind-the-scenes look into this remarkable crime-solving technique that she helped pioneer.
Why you might like it: Whether you’re a true crime reader, a science enthusiast, or a genealogy researcher, you’ll find this story riveting. Rae-Venter describes how she blended the knowledge from her biotech career with genealogical research techniques to discover the identity of an unknown relative—which then evolved into using DNA results to identify criminals. While genealogical research isn’t usually considered dramatic, her involvement in cracking the high-profile Golden State Killer and Bear Brook cases will have you turning the pages fast. (She identified the Golden State Killer in only 63 days!)
Book buzz: “Her chronicle is a solid testament to the evolution of genetic forensic science and how it has made investigators more effective in apprehending criminals, both from cold cases and those in real time. It’s also an examination of corrupted humanity gone haywire and the thrill and release of an abuser being brought to justice” (Kirkus Reviews).