This book points out the continuing skepticism many rape victims face if they are brave enough to report. The incidents in this book did not happen long ago, the furthest back is 2008, yet a victim was bullied into recanting her story and was even charged with false reporting. Later, evidence collected at a rapist's home showed her to be telling the truth. Though the book quotes from some great policies and training sessions for law enforcement to follow when dealing with rape victims, apparently many do not have these policies nor get this training. This book also points out the necessity for law enforcement agencies to share information. Important reading.

This is an exceptional book about the long road to justice for a group of women assaulted by a serial rapist. Investigators doubted one of the first victims, Marie, pressuring her to recant her story and even charging her with false reporting. The authors trace Marie's story as well as the other women's. They follow investigators from a variety of Colorado suburbs (with special attention to two smart and dedicated women investigators) and take a psychological look at the rapist. The book also discusses the history of stigmatizing and branding rape victims as liars when they come forward (and how prominent figures and precedent have supported this). Great reporting - definitely engrossing, but also respectful and thoughtful... it was a great listen on audiobook. I also appreciate the authors' note at the end about gender blindspots and how they came to tell this story.

************************* 50 STARRED Review ***************************
Extraordinary Real Journalism; fantastic reportage [and thank God for detective Stacy Galbraith!]!!!
On pp. 114 -- 118 we once again clearly see why an attorney should always be present when one is being questioned by the police or FBI. The Lynnwood, WA. police most assuredly were incompetent - - whether it's leading the witness in the courtroom or cops leading the victim during an interrogation - - such does NOT constitute a real investigation!
The Lynnwood rape victim, Marie, was never Mirandized nor provided with an attorney - - obvious abrogation of the law! [And contrary to the dismissed court case - - a legal case should have been easily made that Project Ladder was beholden to connect her with an attorney - - simply more incompetence!]
The police of Lynnwood, WA. didn't even do a piss-poor job; Project Ladder didn't even do a piss-poor job - - there's a valid and sad truism that the more social service agencies available, the less likely the individual will be helped. Instead of an investigation, we have Lynnwood detective Mason's hearsay, hearsay, hearsay - - unbelievable!!!
Gregg Rinta, of the Snohomish County Sheriffs Department, renders a perfect critique of the abject Lynnwood Police incompetence!
[Sidebar: Once you've read this book, you'll understand my mention of the following: Immediately after arriving at Dealey Plaza after the assassination of President Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, Dallas Police Detective, John Fraser Harrison, began copying down license plate numbers and vehicle makes, which he then promptly passed on to his superiors - - Police Investigation 101 procedure. It was quickly // lost \\ !
There was obvious massive tampering of the evidence of the investigation of the murder of President Kennedy by the FBI, just as there was massive tampering of the evidence by the FBI in the investigation of the murder of Sen. Bobby Kennedy, just as there was massive tampering of the evidence of Flight 800, and again with the evidence of the investigation by the FBI of 9/11, and some years back in Boston we witnessed acting US Attorney Robert Mueller [now special prosecutor in the investigation in Washington, D.C.] and the FBI send innocent men to prison, instead of Whitey Bulger and his gang - - which would end up costing many millions of dollars in restitution to the taxpayers - - and who knows how many further victims there were as the real criminals remained free!?!?]
Please pay especially close attention to pp. 203 to 209.

When it comes to sexual violence, our police and justice system don't seem to know how to handle it very well. This is an essential story about how investigations can go very wrong but also how they can be done right. This is a story about how we need to do better.