Thursday, August 4, 2022

Book Review - Trailed: One Woman's Quest to Solve the Shenandoah Murders; Kathryn Miles

 

Algonquin - 2022 - (library loan)

Trailed. tells the still unsolved violent murder case of a lesbian couple, Lollie Winans and Julie Williams, two skilled backpackers who headed out to Shenandoah National park for week long camping trip along with their dog. When the couple failed to return home as planned authorities were able to locate their campsite, slashed tent and their bodies.   Although there are several theories of what may have transpired, some (26) years later their murders remain unsolved. 

The author taught at Unity College, a small environmental college in Maine where Lollie was once a student.  A backpacker herself she became consumed with the case and, after interviews with park rangers, law enforcement, forensics experts, friends and family, it became clear that the evidence that there was sloppy investigative work involved: mismatched timelines, bureaucracy and other systematic failures throughout the investigation.

The storyline jumps around a bit and involves discussions of other cases but, it never felt confusing.  An individual by the name of Darrell Rice was charged with the murder but never tried and based on what the author has reported, it seemed unlikely he was the killer of these women.  However, another serial killer, Richard Evonitz, may have been responsible but, that investigation led to closed mouths and several dead ends.

I thought that the author did a good job pointing out the many missteps gathered throughout the investigation which even included contradictions about the date the women died.  Readers who enjoy true-crime stories will likely enjoy this offering.

Rating - 4/5 stars

11 comments:

  1. It does sound like an interesting real-life mystery.

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    1. I enjoyed it even though it wasn't perfect and that the murders remained unsolved.

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  2. I might get this. Not that I'm a massive true crime fan but these cases intrigue me. In The Cold Vanish when they were looking for a missing young man the author cited a botched investigation and lack of communication too. I suppose different depts. get jealous of their own territories.

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    1. I was happy I read The Cold Vanish (thanks to your recommendation) but, a lot of true crime, this book included tends to go off on different tangents and citing other cases as well I've found.

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  3. I prefer my crime to be fictional but I'm glad you found this one so interesting. So sad that the murders of these women go unsolved.

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    1. It is sad and it seems that far too many of these trail crimes go unsolved.

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  4. These kinds of true crime books are always so sad, but also interesting when written well. I want to read this one.

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    1. It was a good story even though it did go off on other directions at times. Sad that they didn't get their act together.

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  5. Definitely need to be in the right mood to read or listen to a story like this.

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  6. I remember this crime when I was living in Virginia. Very tragic. I wish it had been solved. spooky.

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  7. I have a friend my age who has hiked along the Appalachian Trail alone over the last 5 years. I think she has a death wish as she has had a couple scary encounters and an injury. She claims she is done hiking there alone finally.

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