I am a lover of true crime and have been watching shows like Dateline since I was a child. I even went to school to major in Forensic Science, so when I came across this book on NetGalley... I knew it was my cup of tea.

Lay Them to Rest was a thrilling story of science and perseverance to try to uncover the identity of a woman from a cold case from 1993. The author, Laurah Norton, explains through science and available resources the complexities of identifying unknown persons. While I found this to be exciting, informative, and intriguing... I will say that at times, that because of the complexities of the science and resources used it became a bit confusing and I would often have to go back to relearn what certain things were or reread entire pages. Being a lover of science and crime, this wasn't a deal breaker for me, but for those who are not... they might have a hard time following along.

Overall, I really enjoyed the journey that Laurah and her team went through and the dedication and compassion they put into trying to solve this cold case was truly endearing. I would recommend this to anyone who loves forensic science and can't wait for this to be published to add it to my library. Very well done.

Thank you Hachette Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Nice peek into the world of forensics. Would highly recommend to anyone interested in true crime, forensics, or mysteries.

A fall read for true crime lovers, podcaster Laura Norton teams up with forensic anthropologist Dr. Amy Work to identify a Jane Doe who’s identity has gone unknown since 1993.

I like true crime with a strong call to action, and this book fit the bill to me. It focused on solving an unsolved crime alongside giving a history and practical application for the forensics used

I love true crime and the science behind it; thus, this book appealed to me right away. The subject of the missing and what we do to find them is very interesting; however, this book is not. It is really bogged down in so many details and scientific jargon that it gets boring and hard to keep straight fast. This in turn made my mind drift off and I found myself reading the same page several times. This book could have been a good book, if the author had remembered most of the readers had not been working to help solve these cases for years.

Wow! What an incredible book! This book was written about a case of "Ina Jane Doe" which is in my local area. The case had always fascinated me because it was local and the clay bust reconstruction made quite an impression on my 17 year-old self. This was a deep dive into the case itself, as well as a thorough, well-researched explanation into genetic genealogy. I found it difficult to put down. I could not wait to find out all the details of her identity. I will definitely be buying this book when it comes out and recommending to my fellow true crime reading friends!

If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I absolutely would.

Lay Them to Rest by Laurah Norton is a beautiful book and one of the most respectful books in the genre of True Crime I've ever read. I wasn't a listener of The Fall Line, Laurah Norton's podcast, before I read this, but I will be from now on. Her respect and care for the victims, especially Jane and John Does, really shows through and you can tell that she puts her heart and soul into her work for them and their families.

The scientific side was extremely interesting to read. I've always been an avid reader of forensics and the technical side of it so I knew a lot already, but I think even someone who knows nothing about forensics would still understand and enjoy these parts of the book; and the explanations you're given for how everything is done.

It does a great job of blending the smaller stories of cases that Laurah has covered and been involved in, and the overall discovery and identification of Ina Jane Doe. It made me cry all throughout and I think that's a testament to the emotion that Laurah put into the book that you can feel coming off of the page.

I can't say enough good things about this book, honestly. It's so refreshing to read a book by an author that remembers 'true crime' should be about the victims and their families, whether it be solving their deaths or putting together their identity completely. Do yourself a favor and read Lay Them to Rest!

A well written and fascinating behind the scenes look at forensic science and the individuals tasked with identifying victims of crime. This is a must read for those interesting in forensic science and true crime.

"Take a fascinating deep dive into the dark world of forensic science as experts team up to solve the identity of an unknown woman by exploring the rapidly evolving techniques being used to break the most notorious cold cases.

Fans of true crime shows like CSI, NCIS, Criminal Minds, and Law and Order know that when it comes to "getting the bad guy" behind bars, your best chance of success boils down to the strength of your evidence - and the forensic science used to obtain it. Beyond the silver screen, forensic science has been used for decades to help solve even the most tough-to-crack cases. In 2018, the accused Golden State Killer, Joseph DeAngelo, was finally apprehended after a decades-long investigation thanks to a very recent technique called forensic genealogy, which has since led to the closure of hundreds of cold cases, bringing long-awaited justice to victims and families alike. But when it comes to solving these incredibly difficult cases, forensic genealogy is just the tip of the iceberg - and many readers have no idea just how far down that iceberg goes.

For Laurah Norton, forensic science was always more of a passion than anything else. But after learning about a mishandled 1990s cold case involving missing twins, she was spurred to action, eventually creating a massively popular podcast and building a platform that helped bring widespread attention and resources to the case. Lay Them to Rest builds on Laurah's fascination with these investigations, introducing readers to the history and evolution of forensic science, from the death masks used in Ancient Rome to the 3-D facial reconstruction technology used today. Incorporating the stories of real-life John and Jane Does from around the world, Laurah also examines how changing identification methods have helped solve the most iconic cold cases. Along the way readers will also get to see Laurah solve a case in real time with forensic anthropologist Dr. Amy Michael, as they try to determine the identity of "Ina" Jane Doe, a woman whose head was found in a brush in an Illinois park in 1993.

More than just a chronicle of the history of forensics, Lay Them to Rest is also a celebration of the growing field of experts, forensic artists, and anthropologists (many of whom Laurah talks to in the book), who work tirelessly to bring closure to these unsolved cases. And of course, this book asks why some cases go unsolved, highlighting the "missing missing," the sex workers, undocumented, the cases that so desperately need our attention, but so rarely get it.

Engrossing, informative, heartbreaking, and hopeful, Lay Them to Rest is a deep dive into the world of forensic science, showing readers how far we've come in cracking cases and catching killers, and illuminating just how far we have yet to go."

Because I am forensic and cold case obsessed.

This is a super interesting read for anyone interested in true crime. I appreciated the author's thorough explanation of identifying unidentified remains. It's truly important work.

This was the first book I have read by this author. I really enjoyed this book and I felt like it was informative on the forensics and naming the nameless. I will be reading all of her books. I would definitely recommend this book!

True crime podcast host Laurah and forensic anthropologist Dr. Amy work to uncover the identity of the Ina County Jane Doe, who has been unidentified since her partial remains were found in 1993.

Though I enjoy the true crime genre, I generally avoid stories which don’t have conclusive endings – I’ve always found mysteries frustrating. Unfortunately, there are many unsolved cold cases in the United States, and the coldest of the cold are often those in which the victim is unidentified, which makes them even harder to investigate.

In this book Norton discusses the history and use of various techniques used in forensic science to solve crimes, showing how they are applied in the eventually successful investigation to uncover Ina Jane Doe’s identity. It’s a particularly effective way to illustrate often complicated science to the reader in an easy-to-grasp manner. Norton’s passion about the case comes across clearly, and I enjoyed her sometimes humorous, always interesting descriptions of the places the investigation takes her and the people she works with.

I did find myself in the weeds at some points regarding the science though, no matter how Norton tried to explain it, and I wondered if some of those sections were overly technical. There’s also some discussion of other unidentified decedents that she and Dr. Amy looked into that we don’t get later updates on, for example not mentioning the results of testing conducted that occurs on page, and without an explanation for the omissions I found myself frustrated.

To read more about Susan Hope Lund, the former Ina County Jane Doe, click here.

Forensic science has always been wildly fascinating to me and this book does a fantastic job at really digging in to give readers a clear and honest picture of how things work!
You can truly tell that Laurah is in the field for all the right reasons. Her writing puts things into perspective and shows the care and respect she has for each case she works.
Norton also knocks it out the park with this because while being informative, she finds a way to still create an incredibly thrilling environment around the story itself!

This book is a fascinating behind the scenes look for people who enjoy true crime podcasts and cold cases. The narrative zooms in on one case, the Ina Jane Doe, and goes into extreme detail the science requires to uncover the mystery of her appearance. It is also a hopeful story of how advances in forensic genealogy could help give names and identities back to people who have been lost.

5⭐️

First off, this cover is beautiful. That’s what first caught my eye. Second, I love forensic science and studied forensic anthropology as a minor during my undergrad.

I absolutely loved this book. I loved the details and the information about each case as well as the respect given to each individual.

This book was an accessible read to anyone who is not familiar with forensic science. It was easy to understand and had a lot of interesting facts about the process of identification.

I really enjoyed learning the new processes that are now used that weren’t used even just 16 years ago when I was in school. It gives me hope that more of these cold cases will be identified and laid to rest, and that their families will be given closure.

Thank you to Laurah Norton, Hachette Books and NetGalley for a copy of this I’m exchange for an honest review.

4.5 rounded to 5 ⭐️

This is probably in my top 10 for the year. It's so well-written and really brings the whole identification process to life. The structure is both narrative and educational, with Norton following the re-working of [the case] and intertwining details (the methods) on how things were done. I also love that we have answers. We learn things. It wasn't just a retelling of old articles. Now I can only hope that this momentum can help them find who did committed this crime.

- 1/2 star for lack of pictures. I am begging for pictures to be added for the published version. I don't mean anything graphic, but things like the reconstructions that were done, the photo of the victim once she was named, things that I could Google but would spoil the ending. (I know because I did exactly this with exactly that outcome.)

Lay Them to Rest was a fascinating, in-depth look at how investigators, researchers, doctors, and scientists use various methods of discovery to identify unknown remains. Jane and John Does that have met their end without a name. Laurah Norton and her associates take on some of these cases, seeking to name the nameless. But the road to identification is anything but easy in many cases.

This book takes the case of Ina Jane Doe as the backbone for learning about the technology and the hands-on research and investigation needed to identify unknown remains. It delves into the changes and progressions that have been made across many fields, but also highlights how the final identification requires so much more than a DNA sample or dental record. A lot of identification is in the context clues, and those can be hard to sift out of what is left behind. It also notes that databases are only as good as the information they contain and that so much of the process is finding the right information at the right time and in the right context. Which is not always possible.

This is the real-life version of the TV show Bones, and it shows just how long things can take, and how much one has to be cognizant of bias and ethics and the realities of the science to be able to piece together an identity from remains that can't talk (at least not in a way most of us can understand). Using the process of identifying a single set of remains, and tying in other cases was a great way to bring along the reader into the entire process, from start to finish, of what is needed to happen to put a name to a reconstructed face. And that even once you have a name, there can still be a lot of unanswered questions.

A fascinating deep dive into the kind of forensic work involved in identifying "unknown" deceased persons. This book was very informative, deeply researched, clinical rather than salacious in its descriptions (unlike so many other examples of true crime media that depend on shock value), but what stood out to me the most was the deep sensitivity of the writing. Laurah Norton never forgets that the cases she's writing about involve real people who were loved and mourned. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in advance of its release.

Such a good read if you enjoy true crime, learning about cold cases, or want to be an armchair detective. I enjoyed deep diving into the different cold cases and felt it was so engrossing! I would recommend this for someone who doesn't know where to start with True Crime.

I had the incredible opportunity to delve into the dark and captivating world of forensic science through Lay Them to Rest by Laurah Norton. This true crime gem goes beyond the usual narratives we see on TV shows like CSI and Law and Order, immersing readers in the real-life complexities of forensic investigations. Norton, the host of the true crime podcast "The Fall Line," weaves a tale of passion and dedication as she explores the history and evolution of forensic science, shedding light on the fascinating techniques that have cracked some of the most notorious cold cases.

What sets this book apart is the author's empathy and care for the victims and their families. As I journeyed through the pages, I witnessed how forensic experts, artists, and anthropologists work tirelessly to bring closure to unsolved cases, making it a heartfelt celebration of their efforts. The gripping narrative also takes us on a real-time investigation alongside Norton and forensic anthropologist Dr. Amy Michael as they attempt to uncover the identity of "Ina" Jane Doe, whose head was found in an Illinois park in 1993. Lay Them to Rest is a deeply informative, heartwarming, and at times heartbreaking exploration that highlights the progress we've made in catching killers while urging us to focus on the often overlooked and vulnerable cases that desperately need our attention. I highly recommend this insightful and well-researched book to all true crime enthusiasts.

A fascinating look at the ever-evolving field of forensic science, in particular how it relates to identifying John and Jane Does and linking them with missing person cases. This book has a ton of excellent detail and the science was well explained, alternating chapters between specific forensic techniques and the cold case the author and her colleague, Dr. Amy, are working to identify, that of a woman known as Ina Jane Doe. Ina's case was particularly challenging for the initial investigators because only her head was found, and forensic science in 1992 was much more limited.

Luckily, the police department had kept all of the remains and evidence (other than some missing vertebra), which allowed Laurah and Dr. Amy to re-examine her remains, have new forensic art created that would hopefully spark interest in the case again, and send an extracted tooth and hair for specialized genealogical DNA sampling. The hope was that, through genealogical forensics, Ina could be identified and her family notified.

I really learned a lot while reading this book, and I appreciate the sensitivity and care Laurah and her colleagues take with each unidentified person. In the end, it’s not about solving another puzzle or checking another name off a list, it’s about finally laying these people to rest with the dignity of acknowledging who they really are, and providing some closure for the families who’ve been living in agony for years.

I also really appreciated how clear the author was about the uncertainty that still exists in forensic science. DNA and skeletal markers can help investigators guess at a remain's race and features, but it’s still just educated guesswork in a lot of cases, especially when you take into account intersex and transgendered people. Even things like Ina Jane Doe’s asymmetrical facial features were open to interpretation on how severe or pronounced they would have been in life - early artists' renditions exaggerated it to an extent that made her unrecognizable to those who loved her. With its slight asymmetry, the newer art was much closer to reality.

Forensic science will continue to change and evolve over time, and I’m hopeful that more cases will eventually be solved.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette for providing an advance copy of this book.