I'll Be Gone in the Dark
One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer
Michelle McNamara
THE BASIS FOR THE MAJOR 6-PART HBO® DOCUMENTARY SERIES
For more than ten years, a mysterious and violent predator committed fifty sexual assaults in Northern California before moving south, where he perpetrated ten sadistic murders. Then he disappeared, eluding capture by multiple police forces and...
The hosts referenced the book while discussing sexual assault and the Golden State Killer case, noting that it covered similar themes and was highly praised. They expressed regret for not having read it yet and highlighted its compelling narrative and relevance to the topics they were covering. Overall, they spoke of the title with enthusiasm and recommended it strongly.
Highly Recommended
Episode: Episode 157: The Senseless Murder of Vanessa Guill...
The hosts referenced the book while discussing sexual assault, noting that it covers similar topics and that they were watching it.
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If you're watching I'll Be Gone in the Dark, they talk a lot about that and I'll Be Gone in the Dark.
Episode: Episode 153: The Hex House Murder
The hosts mentioned the show based on the book and expressed regret they hadn't read it, noting it was highly praised.
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I don't know if anybody watched that show. I'll Be Gone in the Dark. Okay, I didn't watch it yet. It's so good, guys.
I can't believe that we started the podcast on The Golden State Killer and I haven't even watched it yet. I suck. I'm telling you guys, this show is amazing. Michelle McNamara is someone I am so sad that I didn't get to know in life.
The hosts frequently highlighted the book as a pivotal true‑crime work that chronicled the Golden State Killer investigation and helped bring the case to public attention, with Patton Oswalt noting its disturbing police details and Karen praising its literary quality. Georgia and Gretchen mentioned recommending it, and the author’s husband sent them copies, emphasizing its influence and popularity. They described its writing as “fine literature,” lauded its immersive research, and noted an upcoming addendum after the arrest, treating the title as a must‑read for true‑crime fans.
Highly Recommended
Episode: MFM Minisode 362
It was mentioned that the book was possibly recommended after the Golden State Killer's capture was announced at a work event.
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I also think I recommended Michelle McNamara's book.
Episode: MFM Minisode 291
It was mentioned in the context of how easy it is for people to break into homes, specifically through sliding glass doors, as depicted in the book.
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If you've read, I'll Be Gone In The Dark, you know like that's just no big deal to people.
Episode: 230 - The Tide Pools of Your Life
It was mentioned as a TV show based on Michelle McNamara's book and was briefly mentioned as something to discuss later in the podcast.
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We have to talk about I'll Be Gone in the Dark, the TV show.
Episode: 122 - Surprise! It’s Paul Holes
It was discussed as the book that helped to solve the Golden State Killer case. An addendum was mentioned to be in the works, following the case's resolution.
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And we're working on that. Really because I've been telling everyone across the globe...
Going through her notes while we were putting the book together and finding that coda finding the letter to the old man it was amazing.
My jaw dropped when I first saw that and the way that she wrote it and it really did play out exactly how she said it.
That was one of the first things I thought about when I heard the news I was like I wonder if it was just like that and it turns out it was.
But finding that and then I thought this is how the book is going to end if we didn't catch him.
Episode: 118 - Golden State Killer Caught!
It was discussed multiple times, and described as a book that detailed the Golden State Killer case and its impact on investigators and victims' families. The book's content was referenced frequently throughout the episode.
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And then I put in my headphones, which I always do to fall asleep. I've been listening to, I needed something nice and light lately because I've been listening to fucking All Be Gone in the Dark at night and it's been scaring the shit out of me.
And it was awesome. Because it's a different story now. I was not freaking out and I was not scared. My heart was fucking happy as I listened to it and fell asleep.
That point, that part in fucking I'll be gone in the dark is chilling.
Go listen to, there's a three-part podcast called I'll Be Gone in the Dark that just explains with all the players how this book came to be.
It's really well done. It's a really quick listen if you just knew how to catch up. Get all the info.
Episode: 115 - I’ll Be Gone In The Dark at Skylight Books
It was described as having impressive writing and was praised for its immersive quality, with the author's dedication to research and investigation shining through. It was considered a well-written book, not just typical true crime.
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And then to read this book, just for me, the level of writing in this book is so incredibly impressive.
And it's like you when I read true crime, you kind of expect a certain tone. It's mostly factual informational, you know, with a little bit of like color.
Michelle, this book reads to me like fine literature. And I'm just so impressed. I'm so proud of her. It's such an exciting thing that this book exists right now.
It was so insanely accurate where I think part of it, it seems to me, was the research was her passion.
It's such an amazing book and it does exist it's not the thing she wanted to get done that's kind of incredible too yeah it's amazing
Episode: 111 - Figure It Out Kevin
It was discussed extensively throughout the podcast, with one host having read it and the others having received copies from the author's husband, Patton Oswalt. It was mentioned for its fascinating approach to the Golden State Killer case and its popular success.
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Michelle is number one on the nonfiction list.
And I'll be gone in the dark, which I've been listening to obsessively.
So it won't be over. Yeah. Yeah. Because it's not over. No, I know. It's not. It's correct. It's not over. You know, what's funny is I so Pat Noswalt, who is Michelle's husband, sent us copies of the book so that we could have it because he knows.
And it's also cool that it's out there and it's going to be very very interesting to see and that her name will forever be you know when they do catch this guy her name will because they're going to there's no way it's not going to happen. Her name will always be connected to this case that obsessed her.
Because it's just and then the obsession and I kind of it reminded me a lot of that obsession that I used to have at a desk job when I would just sit and read blogs like that and stories like that which weren't written in that way.
Episode: 179 - Live at Clusterfest in San Francisco
It was mentioned as a book written by Michelle McNamara, Patton Oswalt's late wife, in which she discussed details that disturbed her about the limitations of police work in the 1970s.
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One thing that really disturbed her was she would read police reports about them going to look at suspects and it was like Rang suspects doorbell no answer and they didn't follow up
Episode: 122 - Surprise! It’s Paul Holes
It was discussed multiple times in the podcast, and Paul Holes mentioned that an addendum was being worked on, likely due to the arrest of the Golden State Killer, which the book extensively covered.
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And we were there, because it was for Michelle's book, you know, Paul would say that he felt that Michelle was his partner.
Going through her notes while we were putting the book together and finding that coda finding the letter to the old man it was amazing.
It'll end there and then we'll tack something else on the end.
Episode: 118 - Golden State Killer Caught!
It was discussed multiple times, as the podcast hosts and guest had been listening to and discussing it extensively. It was also mentioned to be the book that helped bring attention to the Golden State Killer case.
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Been listening to fucking Douglas Adams lately. But I fucking put on All Be Gone in the fucking Dark in my headphones and fell asleep to it.
That point, that part in fucking I'll be gone in the dark is chilling.
Go listen to, there's a three-part podcast called I'll Be Gone in the Dark that just explains with all the players how this book came to be.
And one of them is that they knew that this needed a fucking better name. Because it needed to reflect that he fucking terrorized the entire state in all these counties.
It's really well done. It's a really quick listen if you just knew how to catch up. Get all the info.
Episode: 115 - I’ll Be Gone In The Dark at Skylight Books
It was described as impressive and like fine literature, with a unique tone and level of writing, specifically in the context of true crime books. It was said to be a culmination of Michelle's dedication to the case.
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And then to read this book, just for me, the level of writing in this book is so incredibly impressive.
Michelle, this book reads to me like fine literature. And I'm just so impressed. I'm so proud of her.
It's such an exciting thing that this book exists right now.
I think that these us as true crime and, you know, obsessives understand just wanting to know more and know more.
And it does exist it's not the thing she wanted to get done that's kind of incredible too yeah it's amazing
Episode: 111 - Figure It Out Kevin
It was discussed at length, particularly its popularity and how it helped bring attention to the Golden State Killer case. The podcast hosts had received copies from the author's husband.
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Michelle McNamara's book came out. Yeah. And I'll be gone in the dark, which I've been listening to obsessively.
Pat Noswalt, who is Michelle's husband, sent us copies of the book so that we could have it because he knows.
Michelle is number one on the nonfiction list.
So it's just and then the obsession and I kind of it reminded me a lot of that obsession that I used to have at a desk job when I would just sit and read blogs like that and stories like that which weren't written in that way.
Because it's just and then the obsession and I kind of it reminded me a lot of that obsession that I used to have at a desk job when I would just sit and read blogs like that and stories like that which weren't written in that way. Then they were kind of just like stories you had to kind of put together based on you know, read it and stuff like that.
The book was highlighted as Michelle McNamara's obsessive investigation into the Golden State Killer, a project that consumed her life and was completed after her death by her husband Patton Oswalt. The hosts emphasized that the title could be pivotal in finally identifying the killer and underscored its emotional significance for both the author and listeners.
Highly Recommended
Episode: The Golden State Killer - Encore
It was a book about the Golden State Killer that Michelle was working on until her death, and which was later finished by her husband, Patton Oswalt.
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She was writing a book about him and she was a mom and a wife to a comedian, Pat Noswald.
She had published short stories and poetry.
Michelle would become a book author signing a deal to write about him.
it so consumed her life and it was so much a part of her.
Once she had passed everything in me was dead except that was the one spark of like life force left in me of a moving forward life force is finish her book.
Episode: The Golden State Killer
It was Michelle's book project about the Golden State Killer, which she was working on before her death, and which was ultimately finished by others after her death. It was hoped it might be the key to finally identifying the killer.
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Michelle was writing a book about him.
Michelle would become a book author signing a deal to write about him.
Her book need to be finished it it so consumed her life and it was so much a part of her.
Michelle's work could well be the key to finally identifying the Golden State Killer.
Michelle McNamara's book is expected to be published in early 2018.
The book was referenced as part of the discussion about the Golden State Killer case, noting that her investigative work was unrelated to the police catching the killer despite the name she popularized.
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someone was like, what about the work of Michelle McNamara? And he was like, Michelle McNamara's work had nothing to do with us catching the Golden State Killer.
— Episode: The Best of SBS: 2025 (ft. Patton Oswalt...
Episode: The Best of SBS: 2025 (ft. Patton Oswalt, Tony Rea...
The book was referenced as part of the discussion about the Golden State Killer case, noting that her investigative work was unrelated to the police catching the killer despite the name she popularized.
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someone was like, what about the work of Michelle McNamara? And he was like, Michelle McNamara's work had nothing to do with us catching the Golden State Killer.
The host highlighted the book as a passion project that the author pursued for years before her untimely death, noting that it was completed by her husband and became a New York Times bestseller. She praised the author’s writing for vividly portraying the victims’ experiences and placed the title among her top three true‑crime books, emphasizing its compelling narrative and lasting impact.
Highly Recommended
Episode: The Golden State Killer
It was a passion project of Michelle's, and it was nearly completed before she sadly passed away. It was later finished by her husband, Pat Noswald, with the help of others, and it became a New York Times bestseller.
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In 2013, she wrote an article in LA Magazine about it. And the article that she wrote actually did so well that she got picked up for a book deal.
She started working on the book and she worked on it for years. She was super, super into it. It was a passion project for her. And the writing in the book is incredible.
She's a really good writer, just the way that she words things totally paints a picture for you. And the fact that none of us were actually there to witness. She really somehow captures what it must have been like to be those victims. It's amazing and very well done.
And she was actually almost done writing the book when she suddenly passed away on April 21st of 2016.
In February of 2018, the book was published and it was on the New York Times bestseller list for 15 consecutive weeks. And I have to say it is in my top three true crime books for sure.
Daphne noted that the late Michelle McNamara turned her True Crime Diary blog into this book, which played a role in the conviction of the Golden State Killer. The discussion highlighted the book’s origins and its impact on the case.
Episode: Hugues de la Plaza // 191
It was mentioned as a book written by Michelle McNamara whose blog, True Crime Diary, was the basis for the book and the conviction of the Golden State Killer.
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The late great Michelle McNamara was an author whose blog, True Crime Diary, became her book I'll Be Gone in the Dark.
Episode: Hugues de la Plaza // 191
It was mentioned as the book that Michelle McNamara's blog, True Crime Diary, became. It was also said to have been the basis for the conviction of the Golden State Killer.
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The late great Michelle McNamara was an author whose blog, True Crime Diary, became her book I'll Be Gone in the Dark.
It was mentioned in the context of the Golden State Killer case, specifically as a 'haunting bestseller' that was expanded upon in the Audible original 'Evil Has a Name'.
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Delivering all new details about the investigation and a stunning final act to the events of Michelle McNamara's haunting bestseller, I'll Be Gone in the Dark,
— Episode: 23. The Deputy (Frankie Bybee)
Episode: 23. The Deputy (Frankie Bybee)
It was mentioned in the context of the Golden State Killer case, specifically as a 'haunting bestseller' that was expanded upon in the Audible original 'Evil Has a Name'.
"
Delivering all new details about the investigation and a stunning final act to the events of Michelle McNamara's haunting bestseller, I'll Be Gone in the Dark,
The hosts highlighted the book as a bestseller that brought the Golden State Killer case into the public eye, noting that McNamara coined the killer's name and that the work helped inspire an HBO series. They praised it as a fantastic, must‑read title, with one host urging listeners to obtain it and another noting its acclaim from authors like Stephen King. The discussion emphasized the collaborative effort to finish the book after McNamara’s death and its impact on solving the case.
Highly Recommended
Episode: Murder of Yingying Zhang - 381
This true crime book, written by Michelle McNamara, focuses on the Golden State Killer. It was mentioned to have been a bestseller and was later adapted into an HBO show.
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It seems like it was just yesterday when I'll Be Gone in the Dark was, I would say, storming the bestsellers list. And we all know about it because Michelle McNamara had written this book. This was her passion. She's the one who dubbed the killer, the Golden State Killer.
And then in the book, she really was trying to solve the case. And then when we lost her early, other people came in and helped finish her book.
And so it was a labor of love by not just Michelle, but of everyone who believed in her and her abilities. And now HBO is launching a show on this, which I think is kind of interesting, Justin.
Episode: Golden State Killer
The book was mentioned as having helped bring the Golden State Killer case to public attention, linking crimes in the public consciousness and coining the term "Golden State Killer". The author, Michelle McNamara, is credited with significant contributions to solving the case through her work.
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And there's documentaries, there's TV shows, there's Michelle McNamara's book.
Michelle really did a lot to bring this case to the public, to help link it in the public's consciousness because she had a way with law enforcement that she was able to talk to them, get information, and then was able to share in her writing and use her voice to make this case more well-known than it was.
And she's the one that coined the Golden State Killer term.
But coming into this case, I wasn't as familiar with and it was actually Michelle McNamara that had, we exchanged emails and I wrote an article that went on her blog and we'd bounce ideas around for different cases we were both interested in.
But she passed away and then I wound up sort of diving in head first after that and it's what I've pretty much been doing constantly for the last couple, two and a half years.
Episode: Ben Smart & Olivia Hope - 275
It was described as a fantastic book about the Golden State Killer case, even receiving praise from Stephen King; it was written by Michelle McNamara but was finished by other people after her death.
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And if you haven't gotten it yet and you're a reader, you need to get this book.
this is a fantastic book and this is definitely a crime that we all want solved.
get Michelle McNamara's book. It also has an introduction from one of my favorite authors, Gillian Flynn.
Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.
