Where to start withI'll Be Gone in the Dark
2 versions · originally a book, 2018
Themes: Obsessive investigation, Unsolved cold cases, Impact of trauma on victims, Amateur detective, Legacy of serial violence.
Start with I'll Be Gone in the Dark (Michelle McNamara, 2019) — the book. I'll Be Gone in the Dark exists in 2 versions across media, beginning as a book in 2018; each is ranked below by what it does best.
Michelle McNamara’s haunting investigation into the Golden State Killer serves as a harrowing, obsessive pursuit of long-delayed justice for victims.
✦ Most fans start here
I'll Be Gone in the Dark (2019)
The original novel
✦ Start hereI'll Be Gone in the Dark
Michelle McNamara · Book · 2019
The 2019 book provides the foundational, intimate prose of Michelle McNamara’s original investigation. It is essential for readers seeking a deep, atmospheric exploration of the author’s own obsessive research process.
2020 series
I'll Be Gone in the Dark
Liz Garbus · Series · 2020
The 2020 TV series translates the book’s investigative intensity into a visual medium, focusing heavily on the victims' experiences and the profound personal toll of McNamara’s relentless pursuit of the truth.
Common questions
Is I'll Be Gone in the Dark based on a book or a television show?
I'll Be Gone in the Dark originated as a book published in 2018. Following its success, the story was adapted into a television series released in 2020. Both formats cover the investigation documented by Michelle McNamara regarding the Golden State Killer.
What order should I consume I'll Be Gone in the Dark?
Most readers and viewers start with the 2018 book to experience the original investigative narrative written by the author. After finishing the book, you can watch the 2020 television series, which provides further visual context and updates regarding the case mentioned in I'll Be Gone in the Dark.
Does the I'll Be Gone in the Dark television series cover the same content as the book?
The 2020 television series expands upon the 2018 book by providing a visual adaptation of the research. While both versions center on the same investigation, the television series includes additional footage and interviews that complement the written account found in I'll Be Gone in the Dark.
How long is the I'll Be Gone in the Dark television series?
The television adaptation of I'll Be Gone in the Dark consists of six episodes. It was released in 2020 as a documentary series to provide a deeper look at the investigation originally detailed in the 2018 book of the same name.