Mark Bowden is famous for books such as Blackhawk Down, Killing Pablo, and Hue 1968. In other words, nonfiction on heavy subjects. His latest is The Last Stone, subtitled A Masterpiece of Criminal Interrogation.  Being a big fan of both Bowden and the true crime genre,  I am happy to thank  Grove Atlantic/Atlantic Monthly Press and NetGalley for the copy they provided in exchange for this honest review.

The Last Stone covers one specific crime: the disappearance of two young girls (ages ten and twelve) from suburban Washington, D.C. in 1975. Mark Bowden covered this story at the very start of his career as a journalist, so he had a special interest in this case.

In this incredibly exhaustive look at this case, we get the story of the crime along with a look at the many lies told, the horror of sexual abuse, and the damage done by an extended family of both victims and perpetrators. TBH, it is pretty intense and really gave me nightmares. This case languished until cold case investigators took another look at it and were able to incorporate some of the forensic technology that wasn’t even around in 1975.

I found the whole thing compelling, and was both intrigued and horrified by the unbelievably detailed story of the investigation and interrogation.

Probably best avoided by anyone who might be triggered by the storyline, but fans of true crime, justice reform, police interrogation tactics and creepy families will definitely appreciate this book. I imagine that anyone with an interest in this particular crime will find the answers to all their questions, and others may just find a big sense of relief when it is done. Five stars because it is Mark Bowden, and it is a great example of his work in its depth and the extent of detail.