The Last Stone, by Mark Bowden

This book is a detailed account of a criminal investigation into a 40 year old cold case. In 1975 two preteen girls, sisters, disappeared from a mall near their home in suburban Washington DC, and were never seen or heard from again. In 2013 a detective, who was nearing retirement, opened the case file and discovered in a witness statement that contained information he thought may lead to the victim’s remains. He went looking for the witness and found him in the Delaware State Penitentiary serving time for - child sexual assault. Hmmm.

Anyone who has read any of Bowden’s books (Blackhawk Down, Killing Pablo) knows how meticulous he can be about the details and this book is no different. In fact some of the details of this crime I’d have probably preferred not to know. At any rate it’s a fascinating look at police processes and interrogation techniques. It’s also a disturbing look into a criminal mind. In addition, I might add, given our current national discussion about the police and policing, it was kinda nice to read a book where the cops are good guys and the criminals are the bad guys.