From USA Today Bestselling Author, P.D. Workman!

Then he was gone

Zachary Goldman just wants to put everything that happened to him that night at the hands of a monster behind him forever. But when Heather, his estranged sister, asks for his help in bringing her own rapist to justice, there is no way he can turn her down.

The case is cold, three decades ago. Heather never saw her attacker’s face, as he was wearing a mask. At the time, the police did everything they could, but there have been new advancements in technology and Zachary hopes to turn up something he can use to solve the case.

Somehow, he needs to find a way to finally bring Heather some peace, even when it means dealing with his own painful memories.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is a compelling story of family misfortune, child abuse and neglect, and of the inadequacies and challenges of the foster care system. Zachary’s devotion to a sister who, in truth, is nearly a stranger to him is inspiring. His dogged determination and unrelenting resolve to help another individual, regardless of his own problems or limitations, make him a remarkable and uniquely appealing character. The engaging characters, the intricately detailed storylines involving relevant and provocative issues, and the beautifully crafted flow of narrative make the stories in this series enthralling, entertaining, and completely addictive. I am eagerly looking forward to the next one.

Zachary Goldman, Private Investigator, is flawed with a capital F. Shattered by the tragedies of his own life, he will somehow still manage to pick himself up and dig just a little bit deeper than anyone else to find the vital clues.

Maybe being broken makes it easier for others who have faced tragedy to trust him. Walk with Zachary as he solves cases that will stretch his abilities to the limit.

Even with his own life in shambles, Zachary Goldman is still the one you want on the case.

Investigate this P.I. mystery now!

— While almost everyone, including the police detective whom he consults regarding his sister’s assault, feel that there is virtually no chance of solving a thirty-year-old cold case, Zachary brings his considerable skill, perseverance, and tenacity to bear and achieves the impossible. This is a compelling story of family misfortune, child abuse and neglect, and of the inadequacies and challenges of the foster care system. Zachary’s devotion to a sister who, in truth, is nearly a stranger to him is inspiring. His dogged determination and unrelenting resolve to help another individual, regardless of his own problems or limitations, make him a remarkable and uniquely appealing character. The engaging characters, the intricately detailed storylines involving relevant and provocative issues, and the beautifully crafted flow of narrative make the stories in this series enthralling, entertaining, and completely addictive. I am eagerly looking forward to the next one.

— Wow. What an intriguing mystery with plenty of suspense to keep you reading … You won’t want to stop reading until you’ve finished the entire story.

— Really well written plot and story line that grabs you from the start and doesn’t let go. Characters have been fleshed out well and were engaging to read about. Writing is superbly done and the story just flows so well. Couldn’t put it down once started.

— Another excellent book in this series. I did not want it to end. Hoping it doesn’t take long for the next book to be released.

Author Notes may contain spoilers!

I bought my son a DNA test kit for Christmas to help him to learn about his ancestry and possibly track down some biological relatives. At the same time as I was brainstorming ideas for the next Zachary Goldman book, I was also doing a deep dive into the subject of DNA testing, familial matches, what DNA could tell you about your health, etc. 

There was a furor in the news over using partial/familial matches on genealogical databases or police databases to find the blood relatives of suspects and then using genealogical research to identify the perpetrator. Genealogical database companies were being forced to consider privacy issues, and police/government authorities to consider the ethics and the dependability of the science behind familial matches. It was a great time to be thinking about using DNA to solve cold cases. So it was only natural that Zachary Goldman would be hired on to solve a cold case murder of his own. The laws in Vermont (they always seem to be a little bit different in Vermont…) threw some additional wrenches into the works!

Since this was a cold case, I also ended up doing a lot of research into the ways that sexual assault laws have changed over the decades, along with attitudes and treatment of the victims and “rape culture” of the eighties. And, of course, into how DNA science has progressed since that time and how thousands of untested sexual assault kits are now being processed (or not.)

History of DNA/Rape kit testing

Rape kits were first proposed (by a woman) in the early 1970s. They were standardized later in the 70s as the “Vitullo Evidence Collection Kit.” This was before DNA testing could be done. They could do ABO and serological testing of blood and visual comparison of hairs and fibers.

DNA evidence first went to court in 1986 in England and 1987 in USA. It did not gain full acceptance until 1997. CODIS became operational in 1998.

38 states now mandate “all felons” DNA databases, where convicted felons must submit a DNA sample.

The first “cold hit” conviction, where no suspect has been identified, but samples from a crime scene submitted to the local, state or federal DNA database result in a match from a previously convicted offender, occurred in 2002.

As far as I can see, the first time familial DNA matches were used to identify suspects which led to arrests/convictions was 2017.

As this technology has matured, it was discovered that there were tens of thousands of rape kits across the USA that have never been DNA tested, and many had, in fact, been destroyed. Some rape kits were destroyed within days of being taken without any testing ever being done. Others were destroyed a few months or years later, while the statute of limitations clock was still ticking. Some departments had a six-month destruction policy.

Untested kits that are still in existence are now in the process of being tested, and the laws are in flux as policymakers try to enact new laws to prevent rape kits from being destroyed and to mandate DNA testing.

• Pinterest Board: Mental Illness
• DNA Search Method that Caught Golden State Killer No Longer Available
• Should familial DNA searching be legal in all 50 states?
• The citizen scientist who finds killers from her couch
• How the U.S. Ended Up With 400,000 Untested Rape Kits
• Destroyed: How the trashing of rape kits failed victims and jeopardizes public safety 
• Recovering from Rape and Sexual Trauma
• Male Survivors of Sexual Assault Face Unique Challenges to Recovery
• What It Was Like To Report Sexual Harrassment & Rape in the 1980’s
• The story behind the first rape kit

“Every single one of [P.D. Workman’s] books has spoken to me … And I have found strength in the books I’ve read.”

“This is one author I certainly will be looking out for, I can’t recommend her enough.”

“I’ll read anything by P. D. Workman that I can get my hands on.”

“Every book by PD Workman that I’ve read has been a gripping one, however different the genres are, going from lighter mysteries to really dark ones… this is one of my favourite, most dependable authors.”

“P.D. Workman is an incredibly versatile writer. No matter which of her books I read I am drawn into a great story and honestly, I don’t think I’ve followed another author that could go from cozy mystery to YA to a PI series dealing with mental health issues. Really enjoy her books!”

“[P.D. Workman’s] stories are so believable and you can’t help but feel like you know these people. You find yourself crying, laughing and feeling the characters emotions. Now if an author can make you cry and feel every emotion in a story, she is one hell of an author.”

“P. D. Workman, does not shy from probing the deep psychological scars of childhood trauma, mental illness, and addiction. Also characteristic of this author, these extremely sensitive issues are explored with extensive empathy, described with incredible clarity, and portrayed with profound insight.”

“Once again P.D.Workman has created an intense psychological mystery that impacts a wallop of thought induction. The writing is so well developed and draws you into the characters story.”