James W. Marquart

Unthinkable: Who Kills Their Grandmother? by James W Marquart is a well-researched look at a murder, the case, and the aftermath.

This had the potential to be a very good true crime book but, for me, fell just a little short. That said, it is still good and kept me engaged throughout. I just found the writing to be a little uneven and at times a bit stilted.

I appreciate the author explaining his background and experience, especially since he offered some ideas that are speculative. If I am reading a book about genetics, I appreciate knowing that the writer is indeed a geneticist and not a high school science teacher who took a MOOC on genetics. If you are more interested in the sensationalistic elements of true crime books, then maybe you aren't interested in who wrote it as long as they sensationalize everything for you. To each their own.

I have found that the true crime books I enjoy most do more than just describe the crime and paraphrase the court proceedings. I want to know about the victim, the family and friends, and yes, the criminal too. I especially like to know how the crime impacted people and communities. Marquart offers plenty of that here in addition to the usual information.

I would recommend this to readers of true crime, especially those who like more information and less sensationalism. I can, however, imagine some readers will be put off by the criminology and forensic details even though they are essential to solving this, and any, case.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (mere)