LAW & CRIME

Trailed: One Woman’s Quest To Solve the Shenandoah Murders

by Kathryn Miles
Algonquin. May 2022. 320p. ISBN 9781616209094. $28.95. CRIME
COPY ISBN
In 1996, Julianne Williams and her girlfriend Laura Winans were backpacking in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park, where they were brutally murdered. After years of dead ends, law enforcement identified a man they believed guilty of the murders, however they dismissed the case against him in 2016 due to lack of evidence. Miles, an avid backpacker and journalist for Outside magazine, began working on a story about the unsolved case. The story turned into four years of reviewing court transcripts, case files, news stories, and hundreds of interviews with witnesses, law enforcement and forensic experts. Miles identifies some serious missteps in the investigation and sheds light on the troubling issues of the National Park Service when it comes to solving violent crimes.
VERDICT Miles strikes a good balance between laying out the details of the crime and investigation, and fully developing the stories of the victims’ lives. Fans of unsolved cases will appreciate this well-researched, compelling story.
Reviewed by Melissa Stoeger , Apr 23, 2022
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

NONFICTION

The Devil’s Drug: The Global Emergence of Crystal Meth
by Voeten, Teun
NONFICTION

Policing White Supremacy: The Enemy Within
by German, Mike
MEDIA

Framed: Astonishing True Stories of Wrongful Convictions
by Grisham, John & Jim McCloskey
MEDIA

The Devil Behind the Badge: The Horrifying Twelve Days of the Border Patrol Serial Killer
by Jervis, Rick
MEDIA

When the Night Comes Falling: A Requiem for the Idaho Student Murders
by Blum, Howard
MEDIA

Children of Darkness and Light: Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell and the Story of a Murderous Faith
by Hellis, Lori
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?