Reviews with content warning for Grief - Tell Me Everything: The Story of a Private Investigation

I’m a bit surprised that this has such mixed reviews, as I found this memoir to be a skillful blend of true crime and personal memoir. Let me say this, though, if you are coming to Tell Me Everything expecting intense true crime THIS IS NOT THE BOOK. This novel is just as much about Krouse’s own experiences as it is the case itself, but I don’t think it should be discredited for this fact. Is it a perfect book with a flawless investigation? No, but that’s what makes it human. I appreciate Krouse’s recognition that her personal history is what made her a unique fit for this case, despite the hardships she faced and the mistakes she made along the way.

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jhbandcats's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

4.25

I liked the premise of the book and the way the author, Erika Krouse, interwove her history of child sexual abuse with the contemporary sexual assaults by the Univ of Colorado football team, told through the lens of researching a legal case. It’s part memoir, part expose of a university coverup at the highest levels. By including her own story within the legal case, Krouse turns a fascinating story of rape and deception into one of personal struggle and redemption.

There’s no truly happy ending - there were no criminal charges ever filed, the university faculty and staff got off scot-free, and not everyone who was assaulted received part of the settlement. But within the convoluted justice system in the US, a form of justice was achieved.

My only quibble was that all the names were changed even though the case, settled in 2007, is a matter of public record. However, I read an interview with Krouse in JNews where she explains more fully how she was doing all she could to protect the women by not tying them to assailants who might further retaliate. It was the best she could do under the circumstances.

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torturedreadersdept's review against another edition

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challenging dark informative tense medium-paced

4.0

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leahbindi's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced

4.5

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amandalorianxo's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

4.0

Everything that encompasses this book was difficult to navigate from beginning to end. I initially assumed this novel was going to center around a specific case centered around University of Colorado & those who were partaking in this. Some parts did revolve around the author’s job as a P.I and what it took to get people to participate / speak up. Other parts were about the author’s personal life including the abuse she suffered from the ages of 4-7. As much as I felt for her, it was still troubling to read / listen to just when I assumed we had finished reliving that part of the author’s life.

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