I only vaguely remember the kidnapping of Polly Klaas. On an October night in 1994, 12 yr. old girl in California , who was having a sleepover with her 2 friends at her house and was kidnapped at knifepoint by an intruder. She captured the attention of the community and the nation. For 65 days, the FBI lead one of the largest manhunts in history. They followed false reports leading to dead ends. All of it, a parents worst nightmare. In this book, Kim Cross covers the comprehensive account of what happened that night. You'll read about how the detectives, agents, forensic technicians, and the bureau handled the case. Also, it's so interesting to read about all the changes that were made in investigations because of this specific case. I found this book to be very gripping and tense. Cross really had a way to pull you into this one, and people who like True Crime should check this out!

Out Oct. 3.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own. My review will be posted on Instagram, Bookbub, Goodreads, and Amazon once it publishes.

A parent's worst nightmare: Polly Klaas was safe at home, in her bedroom, having a slumber party no less—and then she was gone, and despite her friends' eyewitness accounts investigators had barely a clue of who had taken her or whether she was still alive. The odds were against them, and against Polly.

Although true crime (in this case a decades-old, solved case) is not Cross's usual material, she had unusual access to information about the case: her father-in-law was the FBI agent who ran the case at the time. While the simple facts of the story are common knowledge, then, Cross had access to research material and interview subjects that most journalists would not. I didn't have much knowledge of the case going in—you know early on in the book how it ends, but I avoided looking things up until I'd finished reading—but I read Cross's earlier book of narrative nonfiction (result: I will never live in Alabama) and was impressed by the blend of research and storytelling. The same holds true here: Cross knows how to build a story and a set of characters, and she knows how to weave in the critical details that bring the case to life.

In some ways what makes this most interesting—since, again, it's not a new or recent case—is the discussion of various changes that came about because of the Polly Klaas case. These ranged from procedural (which agencies worked together, and how) to policy-based (learning to not treat witnesses who were children as, basically, suspects) to legal (California's much-debated "three strikes" law and its many problems). I'm also fascinated by the work done to create sketches of the suspect. Two were released to the public—one done early on, after initial interviews with the friends Polly was with when she was kidnapped, and another later on, by a different sketch artist who had a different approach. I haven't been able to find the first sketch online, but there's a picture in the book, and what's striking to me is that the second one is better, but—maybe it's just my untrained, unartistic eye, they're both actually very good. It's impossible to know, but I'm curious about what the lasting impression of the first sketch would have been had the second one not been done. (Much was made of the possibility that the kidnapper had (or hadn't) been wearing a yellow bandana, and I have to say that I did spend much of the book wondering "But when is somebody going to point out that he could just take the bandana off?")

All told, a gripping—and carefully told—story. I like my true crime meticulous rather than salacious, and Cross hits the mark here.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

This was one of the most well-researched true crime books I’ve read in a long time. As opposed to many others, which center around the perpetrator or the victim, Cross shines a light on the investigation itself and highlights the techniques, protocols, and people who shaped it and ultimately changed some of the ways law enforcement works child abduction cases.

1993 was a year when technological advances were making their way into more mainstreamed uses and the agents and officers in Polly Klaas’ case created precedence when using some techniques. The cooperation between local law enforcement and FBI was also shown, something that does not always happen well, but here had a collaborative relationship that proved successful. It also dives into the shortcomings of the investigation, particularly how the child witnesses were handled, and I appreciated her showing all sides of the case.

This is still a challenging read, as the kidnap and murder of a child is a difficult subject, no matter what the author chooses to focus on. But I found the insight into the case procedures informative and interesting.

Wow, I couldn’t get enough of this tragic story. The author has clearly done so much research and yet the book reads so easily that at times you forget this awfulness is true. Highly, highly recommend for true crime fans.

This book was incredible. It told the story from beginning to end about the kidnapping of Polly Klaas. This story touched many people’s lives and all of the people involved in solving the case. The book was a page turner and would make a great book discussion to see what other readers think. I can’t wait to read more books by Kim Cross.

Who doesn’t love a well researched true crime read? This read, however, also brings a real emotional element that many true crime reads lack. The descriptions of the deeply emotional toll this crime takes on the community and those involved in its investigation is what makes this read unique. This book will stay with me and haunt me.

This is the true crime story of the kidnapping and murder of twelve year old Polly Klass in Petaluma, CA. A stranger broke into Polly’s house while she was having two friends visit on a sleepover and took her at knifepoint. This book is being published as we approach the thirtieth anniversary of the disappearance of the girl who became known as “America’s Child” during the 65 day search for her.

This read like a thriller, albeit one with a lot of information on the background of agents, technicians, and techniques used both in this case and in other infamous and not so famous cases. Despite a lot of material, the narrative flowed, making this a fast, engrossing, and heartbreaking read. Cross treated all of those involved with respect and empathy; emphasis here was on the victim(s) and the investigators rather than the perpetrator. As the daughter-in-law of Case Agent Eddie Freyer, Cross had unique access to personnel, interviews, transcripts, and other documents that allowed for impeccable research.

This was a significant case influencing the future of investigations into childhood abductions, using and refining new technology, as well as learning from things that worked and things that could be improved upon. The Polly Klass case is still taught in classes around the world and lessons learned have helped in finding many missing children. It has also helped strengthen the methods used in other criminal investigations. Technology that we take for granted today, such as digitally transmitting a missing person flyer far and wide was first used to try to find Polly. Another contribution from this tragedy was the founding of the Polly Klass Foundation and the KlassKids Foundation, still in existence today and helping in finding missing children and preventing crimes against children.

For those who enjoy true crime books, this is an excellent read.

This is such a necessary book. I appreciated the author telling the kidnapping and murder of Polly Klaas with grace and dignity. I also appreciated insight into the aftermath of the crime. Well researched and written.

Wow! I think that’s best, most concise review I can give. Kim Cross provides masterly insight into a national tragedy that truly changed the fabric of American life. Even well-seasoned true crime aficionados will learn something from this book. The writing is evocative and the tone is somber, yet engaging. It should be required reading for all true crime authors.

This is one of the most thorough and comprehensive true crime books I have ever come across. And I have read a LOT of true crime books. The text can be dense and a bit inaccessible at times, but it is worth it to push through those few bits to learn this important story.

While growing up, the disappearance of Polly Klaas was a national tragedy that struck at the hearts of all parents, a community and overshadowed the safety young kids of the 1990's felt as they moved forward into adulthood. The small, close knit California community of Petaluma never expected their town to be known for such an unbelievable crime. While their city was plastered in the headlines across the nation, local residents came together to do anything they could to bring Polly back home, setting up search parties, printing fliers and distributing them across the nation, while manning a large volunteer center. This case touched the lives of not only a town but celebrities, including Winona Ryder who had grown up in Petaluma. An entire nation stood rapt hoping for the best; we all looked upon the picture of Polly, with her dimpled smile, seeing something of ourselves, our own children, a young innocent, taken from the safety of her own home, in such a bold move, before her time.

Highlighting the complete kidnapping case of Polly Klaas, from beginning to end, this book details factual information taken from hours of information collection and personal interviews by the author, without media bias or overt discussion of politics or opinion. Weaving together police records and audio interviews from investigators assigned to this complicated crime, on the forefront of the advancement of forensic science and investigation tools, the author lays out a gripping, page-turning true crime narrative. Carefully documenting the facts from the time Polly was taken from her own bedroom while having a sleepover with two friends to the trial of her kidnapper, this author shows compassion to those involved while highlighting the intricacies of an investigation handled by both local agencies and the FBI. This case has become a long studied case within the law enforcement discipline, highlighting what went well and what could be improved on, as well as demonstrating how this case was the key to the development of missing children investigation protocols and many practices still in affect today.

I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy true crime and case review. While there are a few areas of descriptive text as to the crime scene and different interview experiences of the other young victims who were with Polly, the details are given in a respectful way. They are used to highlight key pieces to the investigation, allowing readers to compare denials of crimes within the suspects confession to the crime scene, as well as demonstrate why key interview techniques of children were changed in the years following this case.

Not many authors are able to infiltrate the ranks and members of law enforcement, gaining trust and rapport, like this author. To have developed relationships with those involved and have this kind of access to high profile case information, is testament to the belief each person has in the author to be able to provide an honest and respectful account, to Polly and the case that touched America's hearts and legal system.

There are some true crime cases which leave a mark. I was only 11 when Polly Klaas was kidnapped, but I remember the national uproar it caused. I don't remember many of the details, but Kim Cross is rectifying that with her book In Light of All Darkness.

To make a long story short, the book is excellent. Specifically the first part of the book which chronicles the crime and immediate response is masterfully told. I felt myself reading furiously as if I was part of the story and anxious to get to the next part of the journey. It cannot be understated that bad true crime will make you feel like you are having facts thrown at you without real feeling while good true crime adds an air of urgency. Cross completely nails the urgency in the first part of the story.

The second part covers the investigation of the crime after the initial stages. I have to say that this part dragged for me a bit. After the adrenaline of the first part of the book, this felt a bit too slow. However, I can't say Cross should eliminate the section either. The successes, missteps, and technological advances are vital to the story. Cross is unfortunately a victim of her own success because it can't have the energy of the beginning of the book.

The final portion of the book is the catharsis. While most people remember how the story ends, Cross walks the reader through without losing sight of all the characters along the way. It is a fitting and emotional end. Cross wisely points out how the Klaas case got outsized media attention without going into a full dissertation on the injustice of these cases. I think tackling the subject matter is best off in another book. This one is excellent enough.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing.)

By writing IN LIGHT OF ALL DARKNESS, Kim Cross set out to create the "book of record" for the Polly Klaas case, the early nineties Northern California kidnapping case that made international headlines and forced us all to reconsider the prudence of leaving our doors unlocked at night. She succeeded.

This was an excellent book, no doubt due in some part to Cross's unique personal connections: she is the daughter-in-law of one of the case's top FBI investigators, and therefore benefits from unprecedented access to sources and materials. That being said, this is a case with many avenues of interest and points of examination, and it's easy to see how some writers might have floundered under its breadth; Cross must be commended for masterfully threading together an easy-to-read, accessible, totally unbiased and objective narrative, which covered not only the investigation of Polly's disappearance and the case's legal aftermath, but also the enormous community response. This was a landmark true crime case for many reasons, but for the group of people directly involved in it and directly affected by it, it was life-changing.

Cross never lets us forget this, and more to the point, perhaps for the first time, we are finally able to hear this story in their own words and voices.

I was sooo excited for this one. I love true crime and I am a criminal litigator myself. But I can’t open or download this title except on the NG app which is uncomfortable and I don’t want to read a whole book that way. I’ll just wait until the book releases. Bring back the send to Kindle option please :(

I really loved this book. I know Kim Cross doesn't normally do true crime, and wrote this book because her father in law was one of the investigators, but it was just so well researched. The chronology of the book made sense based on the real life timeline, and it was so well written. She should go towards this genre, because she is made for it.

In the notes at the back of the book, Cross says that she strived to make this book factual, unbiased, and free of salacious details and opinions. She delivered.

This read left me with a pit in my stomach, an ache of sadness, injustice, and anxiety. While we're left with many positive side-effects from Polly's case, I can't help but think about how none of it would be necessary if people weren't so cruel.

I vividly remember the flyers in our northern California counties and towns and how we all hoped together and were heartbroken together for Polly and her family and friends.

In Light of All Darkness was the most well-written true-crime book I've ever read. The flow was logical and every single word on every page was perfectly placed. I'm so glad we got to see Polly's life, and not just her death. We also see the impact her case had on law enforcement investigative and interview procedures; the absolute disparity in media coverage depending on the ethnicity of the victim; as well as the effect for good or ill on the justice and prison systems.

Thanks to Netgally for the opportunity to read this advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

This non-fiction book is a stand-out in the true crime genre. Cross does a masterful job examining the investigation of the Polly Klaas kidnapping and murder. Her extensive research goes into great detail of not only how the case played out but also the long-lasting effects the case had on police/FBI investigations moving forward.

The book is hard to read at times because the subject is so disturbing (details of the crime aren't graphic, but are harrowing nonetheless). However, there's actually a thread of hope that runs throughout the storytelling - largely in part in connection to the resilient nature of the human spirit and the generosity that arose from Klaas' murder. The way the community and the country at large worked together to find her and to bring about justice is inspiring.

I'd be very interested to see what subject Cross decides to tackle next. Her attention to detail and her ability to look at issues in an overarching way is intriguing. Plus, her sensitivity with the topic lent the book much-needed heart (which can be lacking from some non-fiction books). I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in this case or in how some high-profile cases can have a ripple effect on how crimes are solved moving forward.