Publishers Weekly
10/16/2023
The Fall Line podcaster Norton’s gripping debut illuminates the plight of unidentified murder victims and their loved ones through the lens of a single cold case. In 1993, the partial remains of a Jane Doe (nicknamed “Ina,” after a nearby town) were found in an Illinois state park; her killer left behind only her head and some attached vertebrae. In 2020, forensic anthropologist Amy Michael—a regular guest on Norton’s podcast—learned of Ina’s case and enlisted Norton to help her reopen the investigation. The pair solved part of the mystery after dental forensics revealed that the skull belonged to Susan Lund, who’d disappeared from Tennessee in 1992. Her killer remains unknown, however. Norton enriches her account with a focus on the technological and logistical hurdles similar inquiries face: as of 2022, for example, the NamUs database listed nearly 14,000 unidentified dead, but entries in that system are voluntary, suggesting that the true number is much higher. Norton’s vivid prose (investigating cold cases opens “a vast warren of possibilities, twisting in against each other, recasting old suspicions that once lay dormant, bringing new ones to light”) and thorough research shed light on both the difficulties of Jane and John Doe identification and the rewards it can provide for victims’ families and friends. Fans of Paul Holes’s Unmasked will find this fascinating. Agents: Meredith Miller and Lily Donlin, UTA. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
Oprah Daily, “Books That Every True Crime Obsessive Needs to Read” Book Riot, "THE BEST NEW BOOK RELEASES" and "14 New Mysteries, Thrillers, True Crime for October 2023 Sleuthing" Publishers Weekly, "New True Crime Books"
"In thrilling (and digestible) detail, Norton reveals the cutting-edge science behind 'every attempt to connect her to the woman she’d been in life, and to the people who never stopped looking for her'... Rather than simply scratching a morbid itch, obsessing over these sorts of true crime stories can lead to true justice. A win in anyone’s book."
—Oprah Daily
"Lay Them to Rest... will keep readers of all kinds on the edge of their seats wondering just how painstakingly slow and often difficult the process of identifying John and Jane Does truly is as she follows investigators and scientists like biological anthropologist Dr. Amy Michael as they dive into cases like that of "Ina" Jane Doe. Heavy on science, but in a very accessible way, the book manages to educate and entertain while also showing that the reality of forensic anthropology is a whole lot different from an episode of Bones."
—Shondaland
"Beautifully written."—Defrosting Cold Cases
"Absolutely gripping... Norton’s commitment to her subject matter is contagious. She writes with such passion that readers will get caught up in the stories of otherwise overlooked and nameless victims, become invested in the outcomes of the cases she’s discussing, and share a sense of triumph when breakthroughs finally come. A fine and necessary addition to any nonfiction-crime aficionado’s bookshelf, and to any library’s true crime section."—Booklist
“A comprehensive study of the difficult task of figuring out the identities of faceless victims of violent crime…"—Kirkus
"True-crime podcast listeners will take the invitation to tag along on a challenging case."—Library Journal
“Part murder mystery, part master class in forensics, Laurah Norton’s Lay Them to Rest leads readers through a twisty personal investigation complete with a startling reckoning. Norton seamlessly transplants her passion for justice from her fantastic podcast to the narrative page—a must-read for true crime fanatics.”—Kate Winkler Dawson, American Sherlock: Murder, Forensics, and the Birth of American CSI
“Laurah Norton’s Lay Them to Rest is a beautifully woven mystery that captivates the reader from the first page as you root for her to solve the case. Norton’s expertise and her dedication to the victim shine through. This book and Norton’s work is the good in true crime that everyone should pay attention to.”—Sarah Turney, Victim Advocate and CEO, Voices for Justice Media
“Rarely do readers of true crime get something as fresh and engaging as Laurah Norton’s Lay Them to Rest. Norton’s passion and empathy shine in this candid and personal account of her work with unidentified persons. Her admiration of those who share her passion gives an intimate look behind the scenes of complex investigations. She effortlessly guides readers—with the help of industry experts—without losing focus on the people at the heart of the case. Lay Them to Rest leaves a lasting impression even after the final page is turned.”—Kristen Seavey, Victim’s Advocate and Creator, Murder, She Told podcast
“In Lay Them to Rest, Laurah Norton not only gives a masterclass on ethical research and reporting, but a humanizing and empathetic look at some of the most marginalized and overlooked victims: the nameless. Lay Them to Rest gives readers an unwaveringly honest look at what true crime actually is and entails; Laurah’s journey is equal parts obsessive and compassionate, exhilarating and patient, driven and human. I’ve never seen a more honest and comprehensive look at an investigation, which never shies away from juggling advocacy, working with law enforcement, and managing personal attachments. Every consumer of true-crime media should be required to read this work.”—Josh Hallmark, Creator, True Crime Bullsh**
“Laurah Norton pulls back the curtain on forensic sciences and allows readers easy access and understanding of the important work being done in this field.”—Nina Innsted, Host of Already Gone, They Walk Among America, Up and Vanished: The Trial of Ryan Duke, and Missing-Persons Advocate
“In Lay Them to Rest, Laurah Norton immerses readers in a captivating exploration of true crime’s true essence: the victims. Laurah takes us on a gripping journey as she illuminates the mystery surrounding ‘Ina Jane Doe,’ delving into the relentless collaborative efforts of agencies, forensic scientists, and experts to unveil her identity, honor her story, and provide the closure she deserves.”—Melissa Rice, Co-creator, Moms and Mysteries, and Board member of The Bridegan Foundation
“Laurah Norton’s beautiful and compelling narrative brings the reader along as the team cracks a cold case, all while giving us a hard look at the science—and art—of how they do it. With deep research and surprising moments of humor, this book has a place on the shelf of everyone who has ever wondered what it takes to solve a mystery.”—Charlie Worroll, Creator, Crimelines and Co-Creator, Crimelines and Consequences
“Laurah Norton takes us behind the scenes as she helps to solve a cold case in real time, skillfully breaking down layers of complexity in a way everyday readers can understand. A gripping must-read for anyone interested in true crime.”—Kristi Lee, Creator, Canadian True Crime
Charlie Worroll
Laurah Norton’s beautiful and compelling narrative brings the reader along as the team cracks a cold case, all while giving us a hard look at the science—and art—of how they do it. With deep research and surprising moments of humor, this book has a place on the shelf of everyone who has ever wondered what it takes to solve a mystery.
Melissa Rice
In Lay Them to Rest, Laurah Norton immerses readers in a captivating exploration of true crime’s true essence: the victims. Laurah takes us on a gripping journey as she illuminates the mystery surrounding ‘Ina Jane Doe,’ delving into the relentless collaborative efforts of agencies, forensic scientists, and experts to unveil her identity, honor her story, and provide the closure she deserves.
Kristi Lee
Laurah Norton takes us behind the scenes as she helps to solve a cold case in real time, skillfully breaking down layers of complexity in a way everyday readers can understand. A gripping must-read for anyone interested in true crime.
Nina Innsted
Laurah Norton pulls back the curtain on forensic sciences and allows readers easy access and understanding of the important work being done in this field.
Booklist
Absolutely gripping... Norton’s commitment to her subject matter is contagious. She writes with such passion that readers will get caught up in the stories of otherwise overlooked and nameless victims, become invested in the outcomes of the cases she’s discussing, and share a sense of triumph when breakthroughs finally come. A fine and necessary addition to any nonfiction-crime aficionado’s bookshelf, and to any library’s true crime section.
Josh Hallmark
In Lay Them to Rest, Laurah Norton not only gives a masterclass on ethical research and reporting, but a humanizing and empathetic look at some of the most marginalized and overlooked victims: the nameless. Lay Them to Rest gives readers an unwaveringly honest look at what true crime actually is and entails; Laurah’s journey is equal parts obsessive and compassionate, exhilarating and patient, driven and human. I’ve never seen a more honest and comprehensive look at an investigation, which never shies away from juggling advocacy, working with law enforcement, and managing personal attachments. Every consumer of true-crime media should be required to read this work.
Kate Winkler Dawson
Part murder mystery, part master class in forensics, Laurah Norton’s Lay Them to Rest leads readers through a twisty personal investigation complete with a startling reckoning. Norton seamlessly transplants her passion for justice from her fantastic podcast to the narrative page—a must-read for true crime fanatics.
Kristen Seavey
Rarely do readers of true crime get something as fresh and engaging as Laurah Norton’s Lay Them to Rest. Norton’s passion and empathy shine in this candid and personal account of her work with unidentified persons. Her admiration of those who share her passion gives an intimate look behind the scenes of complex investigations. She effortlessly guides readers—with the help of industry experts—without losing focus on the people at the heart of the case. Lay Them to Rest leaves a lasting impression even after the final page is turned.
Sarah Turney
Laurah Norton’s Lay Them to Rest is a beautifully woven mystery that captivates the reader from the first page as you root for her to solve the case. Norton’s expertise and her dedication to the victim shine through. This book and Norton’s work is the good in true crime that everyone should pay attention to.
Library Journal
09/08/2023
Can a true-crime podcaster, working with experts, identify a decapitated head found in a southern Illinois state park? Readers have the opportunity to follow Norton's (podcaster, The Fall Line and One Strange Thing) first-person narrative as she shows the different methods of finding a lost person via databases, forensic anthropology, dentistry, and DNA analysis. The local police welcome her team's help as the author spends pages speculating on how the victim's head ended up in the park and whether the gruesome murder is connected to other crimes. There are details about skeletal analysis, radiocarbon dating, and forensic art. Similar to Michelle McNamara's I'll Be Gone in the Dark, there is a lot of information about the author's work on the case and her personal life. For many readers, being alongside the podcaster is quite appealing. In the end, DNA analysis helps locate the murder victim's family in Tennessee. As for the crime, there is no resolution. VERDICT True-crime podcast listeners will take the invitation to tag along on a challenging case.—Harry Charles
Kirkus Reviews
2023-07-18
A comprehensive study of the difficult task of figuring out the identities of faceless victims of violent crime.
One of the most astonishing facts in this book is that there are approximately 40,000 unidentified decedents in the U.S. each year. That is the official number, but the real count might be much higher. Many are people who were already marginalized: unhoused, undocumented immigrants, sex workers, and people with addictions or mental illnesses. Norton, an Atlanta-based writer, former academic, and podcaster, has long been fascinated with “cold cases,” especially those in which the victim is hard to identify. The narrative follows her attempts to identify a victim whose severed head was found near a scenic lake in Illinois in 1993. The victim was known only as Ina Jane Doe for many years, and there were no real clues about the crime. Norton uses the case, and several others, to examine the new generation of forensic tools, such as DNA anthropology, skeletal analysis, dental comparisons, and genetic genealogy. In the case of Ina Jane Doe, it turned out that one tooth, which had been the subject of unusual dental treatment, was the key. The trail eventually led to a woman who had apparently gone shopping and never returned. The killer has not been found, but Norton and her colleagues were satisfied that they had given the victim an identity. It also gave the family a sense of closure. The author emphasizes that despite the available forensic tools, there are often many unanswered questions; this is not a TV show, where everything is neatly finalized before the credits roll. Norton’s story sometimes becomes bogged down in details and detours, but it will appeal to fans of true-crime podcasts and documentaries, as well as Barbara Butcher’s What the Dead Know and similar books.
Norton’s dive into forensic technology reveals a dark world that is being slowly illuminated by science and dedication.
