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Trailed

One Woman's Quest to Solve the Shenandoah Murders

Kathryn Miles

$49.99

Hardback

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English
Algonquin Books
07 September 2022
A riveting deep dive into the unsolved murder of two free-spirited young women in the wilderness, a journalist's obsession – and a new theory of who might have done it.

They must have been followed. That’s the thought I return to after all these years . . .

 

In May 1996, two skilled backcountry leaders, Lollie Winans and Julie Williams, entered Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park for a week-long backcountry camping trip. The free-spirited and remarkable young couple had met and fallen in love the previous summer while working at a world-renowned outdoor program for women. During their final days in the park, they descended the narrow remnants of a trail and pitched their tent in a hidden spot. After the pair didn’t return home as planned, park rangers found a scene of horror at their campsite, their tent slashed open, their beloved dog missing, and both women dead in their sleeping bags. The unsolved murders of Winans and Williams continue to haunt all who had encountered them or knew their story.

When award-winning journalist and outdoors expert Kathryn Miles begins looking into the case, she discovers conflicting evidence, mismatched timelines, and details that just don’t add up. With unprecedented access to crucial crime-scene forensics and key witnesses – and with a growing sense of both mission and obsession – she begins to uncover the truth. An innocent man, Miles is convinced, has been under suspicion for decades, while the true culprit is a known serial killer, if only authorities would take a closer look.

Intimate, page-turning, and brilliantly reported, Trailed is a love story and a call to justice – and a searching and urgent plea to make wilderness a safe space for women – destined to become a true crime classic.

 

By:  
Imprint:   Algonquin Books
Country of Publication:   United States
Dimensions:   Height: 232mm,  Width: 156mm,  Spine: 34mm
Weight:   480g
ISBN:   9781616209094
ISBN 10:   1616209097
Pages:   320
Publication Date:  
Audience:   General/trade ,  College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  ELT Advanced ,  Primary
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   No Longer Our Product

Kathryn Miles is the author of five books. Her essays and articles have appeared in publications such as Audubon, Best American Essays, Best American Sports Writing, the BostonGlobe, the New York Times, Outside, Politico, and Time. A contributing editor at Down East magazine, Miles also serves as a scholar-in-residence for the Maine Humanities Council and as a faculty member in several MFA programs. 

Reviews for Trailed: One Woman's Quest to Solve the Shenandoah Murders

' A beautifully written account of a great American tragedy-the unsolved murders of an undetermined number of young women, all by the same serial killer, who got away. The truth is still buried. I couldn't put it down.' -John Grisham, #1 New York Times bestselling author Disturbing and provocative...Gripping and thoughtful, this book will appeal to those with an interest in true-crime stories and unsettling truths about places deemed safe for all. -Kirkus Reviews In an outdoor atmosphere where women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ individuals are working hard for equal footing, Trailed explores the root of sexism and bigotry in the outdoor community and becomes a rallying cry for moving forward together. -Jennifer Pharr Davis, National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and author of The Pursuit of Endurance Beyond an illumination of the murders of two young queer women, this book is a deeply empathetic inquiry into who has the right to venture into the woods and to do so safely. Miles' book is nothing less than a parsing of the forces that have long stood between women and queer people and their physical freedom. -Emma Copley Eisenberg, author of The Third Rainbow Girl Trailed is a beautiful story about a female journalist seeking clarity and life for two women she never knew, and looking to restore the wilderness as a place of healing and safety for all women in the process. An established backcountry hiker herself, Miles follows a serpentine trail of misogyny and the resilience and joy of women in spite of it. Trailed is also a love story. You will turn pages as fast as you can. -Lacy Crawford, author of Notes on a Silencing A tragic story of young lovers, gone too soon. A #metoo reckoning, long overdue. A study of trauma's ripple effects, extending for decades. Trailed is meticulously investigated, achingly intimate, and doggedly persistent in the pursuit of justice. -Robert Kolker, bestselling author of Hidden Valley Road This is a sleepless night of a book, a toss-and-turn story about a double homicide near America's legendary footpath that wrestles with intimacy, anger, and our ideas of safety. We get the fascinating, uncomfortable opportunity to join an increasingly-obsessed journalist on her quest to puzzle out what happens when a wild and peaceful place is shattered by violence. -Ben Montgomery, author of A Shot in the Moonlight and the New York Times bestselling Grandma Gatewood's Walk Trailed is a beautifully written account of a great American tragedy-the unsolved murders of an undetermined number of young women, all by the same serial killer, who got away. The truth is still buried. I couldn't put it down. -John Grisham, #1 New York Times bestselling author A tragic story of young lovers, gone too soon. A #metoo reckoning, long overdue. A study of trauma's ripple effects, extending for decades. Trailed is meticulously investigated, achingly intimate, and doggedly persistent in the pursuit of justice. -Robert Kolker, bestselling author of Hidden Valley Road Engrossing . . . Miles takes a comprehensive look at police procedures in federal parks and violence against women in rural areas . . . A must for true crime buffs. -Publishers Weekly (starred review) Mesmerizing journalism... Utterly engaging and always respectful, Trailed is highly recommended for true crime fans. -Booklist (starred review) Disturbing and provocative...Gripping and thoughtful, this book will appeal to those with an interest in true-crime stories and unsettling truths about places deemed safe for all. -Kirkus Reviews In an outdoor atmosphere where women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ individuals are working hard for equal footing, Trailed explores the root of sexism and bigotry in the outdoor community and becomes a rallying cry for moving forward together. -Jennifer Pharr Davis, National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and author of The Pursuit of Endurance Beyond an illumination of the murders of two young queer women, this book is a deeply empathetic inquiry into who has the right to venture into the woods and to do so safely. Miles' book is nothing less than a parsing of the forces that have long stood between women and queer people and their physical freedom. -Emma Copley Eisenberg, author of The Third Rainbow Girl Trailed is a beautiful story about a female journalist seeking clarity and life for two women she never knew, and looking to restore the wilderness as a place of healing and safety for all women in the process. An established backcountry hiker herself, Miles follows a serpentine trail of misogyny and the resilience and joy of women in spite of it. Trailed is also a love story. You will turn pages as fast as you can. -Lacy Crawford, author of Notes on a Silencing This is a sleepless night of a book, a toss-and-turn story about a double homicide near America's legendary footpath that wrestles with intimacy, anger, and our ideas of safety. We get the fascinating, uncomfortable opportunity to join an increasingly-obsessed journalist on her quest to puzzle out what happens when a wild and peaceful place is shattered by violence. -Ben Montgomery, author of A Shot in the Moonlight and the New York Times bestselling Grandma Gatewood's Walk Trailed is a beautifully written account of a great American tragedy-the unsolved murders of an undetermined number of young women, all by the same serial killer, who got away. The truth is still buried. I couldn't put it down. -John Grisham, #1 New York Times bestselling author A tragic story of young lovers, gone too soon. A #metoo reckoning, long overdue. A study of trauma's ripple effects, extending for decades. Trailed is meticulously investigated, achingly intimate, and doggedly persistent in the pursuit of justice. -Robert Kolker, bestselling author of Hidden Valley Road Engrossing . . . Miles takes a comprehensive look at police procedures in federal parks and violence against women in rural areas . . . A must for true crime buffs. -Publishers Weekly (starred review) Mesmerizing journalism... Utterly engaging and always respectful, Trailed is highly recommended for true crime fans. -Booklist (starred review) Disturbing and provocative...Gripping and thoughtful, this book will appeal to those with an interest in true-crime stories and unsettling truths about places deemed safe for all. -Kirkus Reviews A beautiful story about a female journalist seeking clarity and life for two women she never knew, and looking to restore the wilderness as a place of healing and safety for all women in the process. An established backcountry hiker herself, Miles follows a serpentine trail of misogyny and the resilience and joy of women in spite of it. Trailed is also a love story. You will turn pages as fast as you can. -Lacy Crawford, author of Notes on a Silencing In an outdoor atmosphere where women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ individuals are working hard for equal footing, Trailed explores the root of sexism and bigotry in the outdoor community and becomes a rallying cry for moving forward together. -Jennifer Pharr Davis, National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and author of The Pursuit of Endurance Beyond an illumination of the murders of two young queer women, this book is a deeply empathetic inquiry into who has the right to venture into the woods and to do so safely. Miles' book is nothing less than a parsing of the forces that have long stood between women and queer people and their physical freedom. -Emma Copley Eisenberg, author of The Third Rainbow Girl Trailed is a beautiful story about a female journalist seeking clarity and life for two women she never knew, and looking to restore the wilderness as a place of healing and safety for all women in the process. An established backcountry hiker herself, Miles follows a serpentine trail of misogyny and the resilience and joy of women in spite of it. Trailed is also a love story. You will turn pages as fast as you can. -Lacy Crawford, author of Notes on a Silencing This is a sleepless night of a book, a toss-and-turn story about a double homicide near America's legendary footpath that wrestles with intimacy, anger, and our ideas of safety. We get the fascinating, uncomfortable opportunity to join an increasingly-obsessed journalist on her quest to puzzle out what happens when a wild and peaceful place is shattered by violence. -Ben Montgomery, author of A Shot in the Moonlight and the New York Times bestselling Grandma Gatewood's Walk Trailed is a beautifully written account of a great American tragedy-the unsolved murders of an undetermined number of young women, all by the same serial killer, who got away. The truth is still buried. I couldn't put it down. -John Grisham, #1 New York Times bestselling author A tragic story of young lovers, gone too soon. A #metoo reckoning, long overdue. A study of trauma's ripple effects, extending for decades. Trailed is meticulously investigated, achingly intimate, and doggedly persistent in the pursuit of justice. -Robert Kolker, bestselling author of Hidden Valley Road Engrossing . . . Miles takes a comprehensive look at police procedures in federal parks and violence against women in rural areas . . . A must for true crime buffs. -Publishers Weekly (starred review) Mesmerizing journalism... Utterly engaging and always respectful, Trailed is highly recommended for true crime fans. -Booklist (starred review) Disturbing and provocative...Gripping and thoughtful, this book will appeal to those with an interest in true-crime stories and unsettling truths about places deemed safe for all. -Kirkus Reviews Passionate . . . What starts as a true crime narrative about a single horrific event turns into something much larger. In investigating how and why [Julie] Williams and [Lollie] Winans died, Miles connects the women's deaths to complex questions of who has access to the wilderness, and how the National Park Service, guardians of vast swaths of land, fails to protect those who seek peace in wild spaces. -Lorraine Berry, Boston Globe A beautiful story about a female journalist seeking clarity and life for two women she never knew, and looking to restore the wilderness as a place of healing and safety for all women in the process. An established backcountry hiker herself, Miles follows a serpentine trail of misogyny and the resilience and joy of women in spite of it. Trailed is also a love story. You will turn pages as fast as you can. -Lacy Crawford, author of Notes on a Silencing In an outdoor atmosphere where women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ individuals are working hard for equal footing, Trailed explores the root of sexism and bigotry in the outdoor community and becomes a rallying cry for moving forward together. -Jennifer Pharr Davis, National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and author of The Pursuit of Endurance Beyond an illumination of the murders of two young queer women, this book is a deeply empathetic inquiry into who has the right to venture into the woods and to do so safely. Miles' book is nothing less than a parsing of the forces that have long stood between women and queer people and their physical freedom. -Emma Copley Eisenberg, author of The Third Rainbow Girl This is a sleepless night of a book, a toss-and-turn story about a double homicide near America's legendary footpath that wrestles with intimacy, anger, and our ideas of safety. We get the fascinating, uncomfortable opportunity to join an increasingly-obsessed journalist on her quest to puzzle out what happens when a wild and peaceful place is shattered by violence. -Ben Montgomery, author of A Shot in the Moonlight and the New York Times bestselling Grandma Gatewood's Walk


  • Short-listed for Edgar Allan Poe Awards (Fact Crime) 2023

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