This book was one I was super excited for, but it didn’t quite live up to my hopes. I often consume true crime and I’m really interested in unsolved crimes. I love that the author covers things such as the ethical consumption of true crime, the complications with focusing on race and assigned sex at birth when trying to identify does, and how she explained the importance of updating the dental database. Honestly the book is full of interesting information, but the writing style wasn’t for me. She bounced back and forth between being in the weeds with science and rambling about how her and her friend have such different diets (vegan and keto) and other random ramblings that didn’t feel relevant. The pace was fairly slow. I think this could have been edited down to be more streamlined and focused on the topic at hand and I would have enjoyed it more.

Even when this book was W A Y out of my "pay grade" in the math/science department, I was completely enthralled. As someone who is intrigued by true crime and with those who are nameless and have been nameless for years, I cannot imagine how amazing AND satisfying it must be to find the name of someone who has been missing for years and give a family peace; I am in awe of all the work the author and all the people she works with did to make this happen for the family of "Ina Jane Doe/Susan Menard Lund". I cried happy tears when they were finally able to give a corpse their name back. What a beautiful thing.

Filled with so much information, along with personal antidotes [that IMO were fantastic - it really broke up some of the more gruesome aspects of the search for a name, as well as breaking up some of the overwhelming science] and impeccable research, if you enjoy true crime and people working hard to help those who are helpless, then this book is for you. Very well done.

Thank you to NetGalley, Laurah Norton, and Hachette Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked how this books not only followed the story of identifying Ina Jane Doe but also explained a lot of the science. The science was explained in a way that was pretty easy to understand too. I also started listening to Laurah's podcast The Fall Line and highly suggest it.




Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

I thoroughly enjoy my true crime reads, gruesome and terrifying as they are. I especially enjoy the intricacies of police work and investigation, probably that’s a side of the analysis that I can both relate to and have no idea about. I love learning about the ways in which investigations of this nature are conducted, the nuances of analysis and the low and high technology that comes into play.

Lay Them to Rest delivered… and yet, also didn’t quite hit the high notes for me.

The bad part first. I didn’t enjoy the degree of personal involvement and commentary Norton provided. While it is common for writers to relay their personal trajectories and use it to form the narrative arc of their non-fiction books, I found the way in which Norton did this to be distracting. The injection of her personal thoughts felt like intrusive minutiae. This is, of course, a subjective opinion; other readers may very much enjoy Norton’s personal journey. For this reader, not only did this detract from the primary story of the victims and their cold cases, but Norton’s self-deprecating approach undermined her credibility and authority, coming off as fumbling. I believe the intention was to code Norton’s “character” as endearing, but its delivery did not persuade me of this view of her.

But now, the good. Norton’s partnership with a biological anthropologist produced an academic perspective which I greatly appreciated. It is clear a great deal of research had been conducted, both by Norton and Amy Michael, as well as the many others Norton shadowed, interviewed, and worked with. The book provides a great deal of information, and Norton’s delivery of that — along with the abundant necessary context — was accomplished with both straightforward utility and finesse. Norton’s prose was smooth, its language accessible while still necessarily full of the argot of the subject matter. Norton distills an enormously complex subject into easily digestible and palatable parts.

Lay Them to Rest is built through the cold cases of several victims, Jane Does, found dead and abandoned. Norton uses these cases to relay to the reader a nuanced view of the layered landscape of police work, forensic analysis, and dysfunctional systems of databases for DNA tracking used for investigating and solving crime. The focus here is not on the victims, or their families, or even on the police or investigators who strive to solve their crimes; Lay Them to Rest focuses on the structural elements of criminal investigation, the organizations and systems which organize and sift through the millions of bits of data and information that can be gathered about victims and the crimes against them. This angle into the world of criminal investigation was a novel one for me; most of the true crime I have read have not delved into this specific aspect of investigation. I found this perspective refreshing and intriguing.

Readers of true crime will find Lay Them to Rest a worthy addition to their libraries. Or, at the very least, well worth the time and effort of reading it.

This is an absolute must read for the true crime addict and probably my favorite book I’ve read this year. Laurah Norton delves into all the behind the scenes work that is done to identify a John/Jane Doe (unidentified descendant). Her focus isn’t who killed this person, but who was this person and how that knowledge can bring peace to families and friends. From there, law enforcement can solve the crime. Laurah’s book follows the identification of an unidentified female’s skull found in Illinois in 1993, but wasn’t properly identified for 30 years. Laurah delves into forensic anthropology, odontology, genetic genealogy, forensic art of the descendant and more.

Laurah works alongside a forensic anthropologist working out of the University of New Hampshire. Had Dr. Amy been a professor when I attended UNH I probably would have switched majors to anthropology. Laurah’s description of the work Amy and her students conduct is fascinating and makes me believe I really missed out on an incredible opportunity! While the book is full of scientific procedures, Laurah provides all of the facts as though she’s learning them alongside you for the first time. She also uses other cases to provide examples of what she’s discussing.

Laurah writes with empathy and respect for the descendant and their family. I really appreciate how she puts into perspective the feelings of those people who find a body on happenstance. She reminds you how they may have presumed it to be a mannequin at first and then the agony that must have set in when the realization of a true body was made. She does this several times and it helps place you there in that moment, and give perspective to the reader. It takes away the “well I would have done this” scenario.

The statistics she presents in chapter 2 regarding the white to black female ratio of unidentified female descendants is appalling. Chapter 2 is so important to read. The statistics are staggering but it was the first time I’d read in depth about NamUs the system used for missing and unidentified persons. CODIS or VICAP are discussed so much in true crime, I hope NamUs can receive the same recognition because it’s also invaluable. It’s shocking to find out some states aren’t using it. Chapter 8 was another poignant chapter which detailed identifying 9/11 victims by their teeth. It truly shines a light on how powerful dental identification by an odontologist is.

The book comes to a satisfying conclusion when Ina Jane Doe is officially identified and the reader has a chance to know who she really was straight from those that loved her. I truly hope Laurah continues to write more books as she works to identify more John/Jane Does. I’d love to know more about the “mummy” from Tilton or the John Doe in the sleeping bag.

Thank you to Hachette Books for this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy of Lay Them to Rest by Laurah Norton in exchange for an honest review. I have my Master's in Justice Studies and interned at the county Coroner's Office. I find forensic science to be absolutely fascinating and what the body can tell us after death. This book drew me in and taught me new information on forensics.

This is a really interesting book that I enjoyed. Forensic Science fascinates me so this is right up my alley. The author does a good job of detailing the case and giving insight into the process of identifying the victim. I would recommend this to those interested in forensic science and true crime. Special Thank You to Laurah Norton, Hachette Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love all things true crime! Trying to figure out a cold case is my jam. Mysteries are one of my favorites. I would recommend this book to all my mystery girlies.

Absolutely loved this book. I learned a lot about cold cases and how bones and DNA research can help solve those cold cases. I loved that there were able to find out more about "Ina" and bring some relief to her family. The cover art is also beautiful.

Countless cold cases remain consigned to an eternal lack of resolution, their evidence fading into the mists of time due to insufficient resources. For every high-profile instance of a perpetrator being held accountable, numerous other mysteries remain in perpetual limbo. Laurah Norton has long harbored a deep fascination with these unsolved cases, haunted by the lingering "what ifs" and unanswered questions. Yet, as a writing professor, her interest remained merely a personal preoccupation. This changed dramatically when the case of two twins was cracked open by the groundbreaking methods of forensic genealogy. Similar technology had been pivotal in unveiling the identity of the notorious Golden State Killer, prompting Norton to launch a podcast specifically dedicated to unresolved cases. The success of this podcast not only validated Norton's enduring passion but also directed much-needed attention and resources toward forgotten and neglected cold cases.

Lay Them to Rest features Norton's comprehensive exploration of the forensic methodologies in solving murder cases. The book takes readers on a historical journey through the profession's evolution, all while shedding light on modern-day technologies. Concurrently, it follows the efforts to unravel the identity of "Ina" Jane Doe, a case dating back to the early 1990s. The discovery of a dismembered, unidentified female head in an Illinois state park presented an enduring mystery, leaving investigators stumped due to the scarcity of evidence for identification. Norton collaborates with seasoned forensic anthropologist Dr. Amy Michael, leveraging Michael's extensive experience and network of committed forensic scientists to focus on cracking this long-standing case. This gripping narrative gives readers an inside view of the scientific processes, speculations, and serendipitous moments that form the intricate puzzle of identifying the nameless victim in this compelling cold case.

The determination behind solving the "Ina" Jane Doe case fascinated me. Norton’s detailed narrative unveils the intricate steps essential to cracking this mystery, emphasizing the evolving technology and relentless pursuit of answers. However, the scarcity of resources poses a significant barrier in examining every case, leaving many forgotten by time. This poignant reality resonated deeply while reading. The absence of a unified system to consolidate critical data like dental records and DNA adds to the challenge, forcing investigators to rely heavily on luck and tireless dedication to unravel such cases.

Though Lay Them to Rest admirably debunks the myths surrounding forensic investigations perpetuated by media, the book sometimes delves excessively into technical minutiae. While the meticulous examination of "Ina" Jane Doe's teeth, for example, yielded critical breakthroughs, the exhaustive detail occasionally disrupted the book’s pacing, causing a sporadic imbalance between the urgency of the mystery and the in-depth forensic descriptions. Despite this, Norton's insightful writing sheds light on a widely misunderstood field, providing a valuable understanding of the realities of forensic work and ultimately aiding in solving a decade-old cold case. The book remains an engrossing and enlightening read.

Immersive and entertaining. A recommended purchase for collections where true crime and thrillers are popular.

The details in Laurah Norton’s Lay Them to Rest are absolutely fascinating!

The book takes a deep dive into revisiting a cold case, following the case of Ina Jane Doe throughout the book. From re-examining the skull and teeth to redrawing a sketch and everything in between this book goes into all the details. The author also interacts with many experts in forensic science along the way.

I did not know that the author also had a podcast, but after reading this book I am going to check it out. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. This was a great read.

Laurah Norton does a fantastic job explaining new forensic methods of solving cold cases, specifically Jane and John Doe's. She alternates between explaining the various methodology and showing how they work in practice as she and her colleagues work to solve the case of Ina Jane Doe. Included methodology is boutique DNA retrieval, odontology, skeletal analysis, and investigative genetic genealogy, among others. The alternating chapters really help readers get a general grasp on the techniques before then seeing their practical application on Ina Jane Doe's case. It is fascinating work that Laurah showcases within the framework of her own love for the unsolved. After reading this, I may have to even start listening to her podcast! It is wonderful knowing that there is an entire community of people dedicating their time, money, and expertise to identifying the countless unidentified remains across our country.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hatchette Books for this ARC. All views expressed are my own, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to the author Laurah Norton and publishers Hachette Books for an advance hardback copy of LAY THEM TO REST. Thank you also to NetGalley for an accomanying widget. All views are mine.

LAY THEM TO REST is a brilliant concept, a book in which an author experienced in true crime and forensics presents a set of criminal cases and the forensic skill or technique responsible for solving those cases. I'm sorry to say, I didn't find the execution to live up to the concept's potential. Certain style issues dragged on the piece, like the first-person narrator's inconsistent distance. Every time the narrator referred to herself as though she were a character in a story, I just couldn't. I wasn't expecting the book to be so heavily dedicated to forensics, which is not one of my interests. However, those readers of true crime who are particularly interested in forensics will really love this book! 3.5⭐️

A fantastic look at what it takes to really solve true crime cases! Well written and a great read! I really enjoyed this book and the narrative style of the story, it felt like you were along for the ride.

Absolutely fascinating, especially for anyone interested in true crime and forensic science.  Laurah Norton, a host of a popular true crime podcast, takes us on a behind-the-scenes journey into the many steps and layers it takes to identify the unknown.  In this case, it revolves around the partial remains of a woman known only as "Ina Jane Doe."  Norton details her personal experiences as well as offers chapters explaining some of the science involved.   I found this to be informative while also paying homage to the many victims who have yet to be identified and laid to rest.  Highly recommend.

I was drawn to this book because I listened to and enjoyed Laurah Norton's podcast, "The Fall Line", but unfortunately the book was just okay for me. The details about the case were interesting and I liked learning about all the different parts that go into identifying a Jane/John Doe. The writing style, however, was rambling and hard to follow. It took almost 3 weeks to read because I couldn't read more than a few pages at a time without losing interest. The premise of this book is solid and I think it could be great with some edits.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love books like this. True Crime is a fascinating subject for me, and I listen to several related podcasts as well.

This is the kind of book that jumped out at me immediately with the description, and it did not disappoint. I enjoyed learning more about forensics, and seeing how they apply to unsolved cases. I can’t wait to get a physical copy for my shelves.

I found “Lay Them to Rest” extremely hard to get into and maintain my attention. It was extremely detailed on the scientific components which appeared that the author did proper research. However, it just came across to me to be boring. On the other hand, there were portions of personal story telling and narration that didn’t add much more for me except for drawing the book out even more. I could’ve done without it. Overall, I found it long winded and distant. I felt it could’ve delivered the same message in a much more condensed version of writing.
I would like to add that I did not realize the author had a podcast and have never listened. If this is her typical style of narration/story telling, it may be something that works for listeners but not for me as a reader.
I would only recommend this book to people who want more of an in-depth research perspective of disciplines within the forensic science field that are not usually discussed.

The severed head of “Ina Jane Doe” is found in an Illinois park in 1993. If you’re a fan of true crime, or the plethora of crime related shows out there, you probably already know what follows; often years of frustrating investigations searching for the identity of and truth of what happened to the victim.

What you may not know is the exhaustive work put in by the forensics teams assigned to these cases. Here we follow true crime podcast host Laurah Norton as she works with a forensic anthropologist to uncover who this victim was.

This is not your typical episode of your favorite docuseries, but an in depth look at the science of forensics and the history of the research that makes this all possible. While much of it is explained in fairly easy terms, there’s a good deal more that will lose readers who aren’t well versed in the more complicated aspects.

It did fascinate me though and the perseverance shown in these cases to bring closure to families is to be applauded. It often takes decades to give a name to the unknown and the relentless pursuit of that is awe inspiring.