This book is not what I was expecting. I think the title, and to an extent the description, is misleading. Much of the content here covers the Appalachian culture and the overall corruption of a handful of people running the towns. Because of this, the tone of the book is more suited to a sociological study of the area and its people than it is to a true crime story.

Pinksy's writing style is relaxed and conversational. He gives us an inside view of Madison County, easily transporting us to that place and time. His descriptions of the area and the people are vivid. I felt like I understood what life was like in this part of the Appalachian Mountains from the 1960s through the 1980s.

We're given a lot of back story on the area, which is more about understanding the culture than the crime itself. For instance, Pinsky provides quite a bit of information on the Civil War and how the people were divided in their loyalties. This was interesting, though largely irrelevant to Nancy Morgan's murder.

As for the crime itself, we're given little information on the original investigation. We're told, almost in passing, that evidence was lost or perhaps never collected. We're not told who was questioned and/or to what extent. Based on the information provided, I'm not even sure there was any sort of investigation when Nancy Morgan was first murdered.

The last third of the book has more of a true crime feel, though this takes place decades after the murder when Pinsky starts his own investigation. He shares his conversations with local people who'd known Nancy, investigators, and suspects. Again, this is all based on Pinsky's own investigation. The direction law enforcement took during this time is sometimes unclear and definitely not the focus.

If you're looking for a gritty, detailed, true crime story, this is not that book. If you're looking to immerse yourself in the closed culture within the Appalachian Mountains, while learning about a murdered young woman volunteering there, this is definitely worth your time. ( )