This is the case which served as the hallmark of DNA genealogy used to solve crimes. It seemed to be happenstance that a woman CeCe Moore in California began investigating genetic genealogy not realizing that she was about to fall into a rabbit hole. Since then, she was able to lend her knowledge of this technology to solve crimes. That's where Detective Jim Scharf comes in wanting to solve a cold case from 1987 in Seattle of a double murder of two teens: Tanya Van Cuylenborg and Jay Cook. Once he sends the DNA to Parabon NanoLabs he isn't prepared for the media storm that will follow regarding privacy of DNA samples versus the legal system wanting to solve decades old murder cases. It is fascinating how the collaboration of dedicated people were able make advances in solving crimes.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for providing this book for review
consideration. All opinions expressed are my own. ( )

Egregious errors about Thomas Jefferson: automatic fail for me. ( )

A totally absorbing read about the 1987 murder of two Canadians in Washington state, and the solving of that crime 31 years later using DNA. Well written and researched, rich in details that really set the atmosphere of the crime and the subsequent police work. The description of how DNA was used was fascinating and raises so many issues around privacy and consent. ( )

This was fascinating! The lengths Detective Scharf went to solve this case! He was good about keeping in touch with the families. If you have ever watched TV where they have solved a cold case involving genetic genealogy you probably are familiar with CeCe Moore. This was the first case that CeCe Moore solved using genetic genealogy. ( )

Fascinating true crime.

"Genetic genealogy...was the source that never lied, never faded with time, never forgot. It was the forever witness."

The murdered bodies of Tanya Van Cuylenborg and her boyfriend, Jay Cook, were found separately in isolated parts of Washington State in November, 1987. The lack of clues hampered the investigation and eventually the case went dormant without new leads. Decades later, in 2018, Detective Jim Scharf working the cold case in Snohomish County, Washington, would team up with genetic genealogist, CeCe Moore, to identify the killer. The man, William Talbott II, was subsequently tried and convicted using this new and powerful forensic tool -- but it has been widely misunderstood.

Along with details about the Cuylenborg/Cook case, the book also focuses on the controversial use of genetic genealogy as a method of fighting crime and identifying criminals. The argument centers on privacy and the rights of those who submit their DNA to both public or private labs. Many of us have willingly put our saliva in a tube and mailed it to one of the ancestry sites looking for information. The question then is whether or not that voluntary surrender implies consent for police or other organizations to search those data bases for their own purposes -- mostly to secure and identify a suspect in a murder or other violent crime. Keep in mind that when you send off your DNA, you are also revealing that of your relatives and mostly without their knowledge or consent. It's definitely an interesting debate, and I know on which side I fall. Several US States have already begun the process of regulating and establishing clearcut laws about using genetic material.

I found the entire book absorbing and extremely interesting. I was not aware of the cold case and was astonished to hear the outcome of the trial and subsequent appeal. I liked the way the author wrote the story of Tanya and Jay and the way the narrative included so much detail that created in me a desire for the couple to get some sort of resolution and ultimately, justice. Sometimes I forget how much I enjoy reading well-written true crime. I recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for this e-book ARC to read and review. ( )