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bookedandbusy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
This was a harrowing story of a prolific sexual assault case and just how far someone will go to protect reputations, status, and integrity. Hearing the details of the case and how easily it was thrown out makes my blood boil, but in the end, justice prevailed. I found it interesting how Erika let her own trauma and past drive the investigation and court case, and her determination when every odd was against her was inspiring.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child abuse, and Rape
Moderate: Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, and Suicide
Minor: Gun violence and Murder
glitteringimages's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.75
ambergamgee's review
4.0
Very engrossing and VERY heavy.
I saw a review that expressed disbelieve that the author “has a face people tell their secrets to.” But I completely believe that for 2 reasons.
1. I looked at pictures of her and did feel like “yeah I would expose my heart to her…” she has kind eyes that look like they would not judge or punish.
2. My mom is one of those people. I’ve witnessed numerous times people exposing their secrets or heavy past to her. There’s been times when I was a kid, where we’re sitting somewhere in public and my mom spots someone and then says, “oh, he’s gonna come over here and want to talk to me, let’s move to the other bench—oh, here he comes, too late.” And then the person comes over and chats her ear off.
.
⚠️Major content warning!⚠️
.
.
.
It’s all about how she was a PI on a big case about a culture of gang r*pe and r*pe by a football team. Meanwhile she processes and thinks about her own sexual assault and rape at the hands of someone who is likely her dad or step dad but isn’t named, from the ages of 4 to 6 or 7. It’s all quite heavy, and not stuff I usually read, but the author handled it well and it wasn’t as hard to read as I expected.
I saw a review that expressed disbelieve that the author “has a face people tell their secrets to.” But I completely believe that for 2 reasons.
1. I looked at pictures of her and did feel like “yeah I would expose my heart to her…” she has kind eyes that look like they would not judge or punish.
2. My mom is one of those people. I’ve witnessed numerous times people exposing their secrets or heavy past to her. There’s been times when I was a kid, where we’re sitting somewhere in public and my mom spots someone and then says, “oh, he’s gonna come over here and want to talk to me, let’s move to the other bench—oh, here he comes, too late.” And then the person comes over and chats her ear off.
.
⚠️Major content warning!⚠️
.
.
.
It’s all about how she was a PI on a big case about a culture of gang r*pe and r*pe by a football team. Meanwhile she processes and thinks about her own sexual assault and rape at the hands of someone who is likely her dad or step dad but isn’t named, from the ages of 4 to 6 or 7. It’s all quite heavy, and not stuff I usually read, but the author handled it well and it wasn’t as hard to read as I expected.
bookwormmelissa's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to Netgalley and Flatiron for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. This is a memoir/literary true crime about an investigation into systemic sexual assault by a college football organization in Colorado, and the woman who investigated for the civil case against the school midst grappling with her own history of sexual violence. I read this book in one day and had trouble putting it down in between reading sessions. The writing is beautiful despite the tragic content. Erika has the sort of face that leads people to all of a sudden tell her their darkest secrets, and she accidentally falls into private investigation work because of this. I loved the "pauses" in the story where she discussed the history of private investigation as well as her relationship with her husband. The different parts of the story are weaved together seamlessly, and her writing style is warm and inviting. I was blown away.
eamcmahon3's review
4.0
This was a great book with the author taking a magnifying glass to her own trauma and sexual assault experience in addition to the sexual assault scandals of the football team at the University of Colorado. This was a gripping and heartbreaking story that was well told.
The Nietzsche quote at the end left me with chills, "Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you."
The Nietzsche quote at the end left me with chills, "Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you."
gj1's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Classism, Homophobia, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Physical abuse, Sexism, Misogyny, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Child abuse, Sexual content, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse